MSC Cruises · Getting on and off
What time do I have to be off?
The answer
Checked 2026-09-24Out of your cabin by 8:00 AM; self-carry guests leave from about 7:00 AM
- You must vacate your cabin by 8:00 AM so the crew can prepare for the next voyage.
- Self-assist: carry your own luggage and leave as soon as the ship is cleared, generally from around 7:00 AM.
- Assisted: put your luggage outside your cabin before midnight. Your luggage tags show your assigned disembarkation time, and you leave at that time.
- Announcements to disembark start around 9:00 AM. In general disembarkation starts 1 hour after arrival, but timings vary by port.
- Leaving earlier than your assigned time can mean waiting for luggage, and some ports' customs will send you back on board to wait.
In one sentence — MSC Cruises: Out of your cabin by 8:00 AM; self-carry guests leave from about 7:00 AM. You must vacate your cabin by 8:00 AM so the crew can prepare for the next voyage. Self-assist: carry your own luggage and leave as soon as the ship is cleared, generally from around 7:00 AM. Assisted: put your luggage outside your cabin before midnight. Your luggage tags show your assigned disembarkation time, and you leave at that time. Announcements to disembark start around 9:00 AM. In general disembarkation starts 1 hour after arrival, but timings vary by port. Leaving earlier than your assigned time can mean waiting for luggage, and some ports' customs will send you back on board to wait. Read from MSC Cruises's own published policy on 2026-09-24. Cruise lines change policies without notice — confirm with MSC Cruises before relying on this.
Why this one catches people out
Earlier than most people plan for, and the reason not to book a morning flight home.
Where this came from
https://www.msccruisesusa.com/faq/disembarkationWe read these policies from each cruise line's own pages and record the date we read them. Lines change their rules without notice. Always confirm with the cruise line before you rely on anything here.