Disembark times at port

[Jen W]

Newbie cruiser. We stop in Aruba from 8am - 11pm, but what is the earliest time you can disembark for an excursion not booked through RC?    

[wordell1]

2 hours ago, Jen W said:

Newbie cruiser. We stop in Aruba from 8am - 11pm, but what is the earliest time you can disembark for an excursion not booked through RC?    

It's best to schedule excursions for one hour after the ship docks- so 9am.  You will probably be able to get off at around 8:30 but it can vary.

[Jen W]

15 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

It's best to schedule excursions for one hour after the ship docks- so 9am.  You will probably be able to get off at around 8:30 but it can vary.

Thanks! So no hope to make the full day excursion which starts at 8:30

[Atlantix2000]

13 hours ago, Jen W said:

Thanks! So no hope to make the full day excursion which starts at 8:30

I would say it's worth reaching out to the vendor to discuss with them.  If their business is big enough to book multiple of the same excursions each day, they might collect all Royal passengers into the same trip.  In that case, the start time is probably flexible with the ship's schedule.  If they only offer one trip combining locals, hotel guests, and cruisers, they may be less flexible because they don't want to keep everyone waiting.

Another consideration - if they are picking you up at the port, they are probably used to cruise ship schedules and will adjust.  If you have to get somewhere (by walking, taxi, bus, etc.) to meet at a specific time, that would be riskier.