Disembarkation and flights home...

[Polster]

Hi !

 

I'm a first time cruiser and will be cruising on the new Ovation of the Seas in December 2016. Our ship will be docking back in Sydney Australia at 0630 hours.

 

In your experience, how long does it take to get us all off (on average) as I am needing to be booking flights home?

 

I realise this is a new ship and this route wouldn't have happened before, but just wanting to get a bit of an idea? We would be happy to take our own luggage off the ship. Maybe someone who has cruised on Radiance of the Seas would have some experience disembarking at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal??

 

Thanks in advance :D

 

[DocLC]

I'm not familiar with Sydney, but I never book a flight before noon; sometimes later if it is some distance to the port. Although your ship docks at 6:30, they won't likely begin disembarking passengers until 8 a.m. And it can take 2-3 hours for them to clear the entire ship. Plus it takes time to retrieve luggage and to go through customs. In addition, if you're flying internationally, you'll want to be at the airport at least 2, if not 3, hours before your flight.

 

Many will say Herve been fine with earlier flights; it all depends on what level of stress you're willing to tolerate.

[Matt]

As Doc said, I have never sailed in/out of Sydney, but in general, it's advisable not to book flights before noon just because you never know about customs and lines getting off the ship.

 

Plenty of people have made flights before noon, although perhaps they developed some grey hairs as result ;)

[DocLC]

I will admit to booking at 10:45 a.m. flight this coming August, but we actually dock the day before and overnight in or disembarkation port, so I figure it will be fine especially since there were no other flights available.

[Polster]

Thanks for the advice. There is a 2pm flight home so I will book that one.