First thing's first:  Did you bring back any gifts for yourself or anyone else?  If yes, you should keep in mind that all this extra loot is going to weigh more, and take up more bags.  I ended up throwing away some of my belongings just to make room.  I wish I knew to pack extremely light on my way out, and maybe even fit in an empty large luggage bag to stuff in all my treats.  Be careful not to bring anything too heavy or 'iffy' that will constitute any problems at the airport.  The Post 9-11 World is a hassle whether we like it or not, so I tried to save any means of baggage search by keeping everything simple.  Plus, I just spent six months on a ship--all I wanted to do was get the hell home.

 

Make sure you know what is allowable to bring back in to your home country in terms of materials, and cost.  In Canada, I was able to bring home $750 CDN worth of goods + one carton of cigarettes.  I didn't even bother with booze.  Fearing that a bottle would break had me nervous.  If I had to declare anything, I kept it within the boundries of Canada Customs.  Also keep in mind what is allowable to bring back in currency.  In Canada, you can carry up to $10,000 CDN.  Anything more must be declared.

 

A shuttle will be able to take you to the airport.  Once again, keep in mind that the shuttle staff will be carrying many passengers with many heavy pieces of luggage.  Not a bad idea to tip the driver. 

 

When you arrive at the airport, you will be on your way.  Most of the time the airport security is good with cruise ship employees.  They understand that you've been working for several months and have many goods that you bought in order to work and survive.  If asked what you are bringing in the country, a common answer is, "Personal items I needed while I was working, $400 in souvenirs, and a carton of cigarettes." 

 

KEEP ALL OF YOUR RECEIPTS.  Even if you buy something in your home country if it happens to be in your itinerary, there is a possibility that customs would want to see what you have.  If, for example, you bought a book in your country that could have been purchased in the USA, you must produce the receipt that proves the book is actually not coming in to the country as an item purchased in the USA, but something you bought from home.  If in doubt, keep every receipt, and keep them handy when you go through customs.  Having them in my hand with the EXACT total of amount spent in your country's currency saved time and hassle.  I had an envelope with every receipt and was just about to present it to customs.  Proving that there was nothing to hide, made their job easier, and got me home faster.

 

Remember that you must claim jewellery in all settings.  If you work in the Caribbean or Alaska, it's almost always assumed that you have bought jewellery. 

 

*One way to get around packing things home with you is by mailing gifts and/or personal belongings home once a month from your home port.  Visit your crew pursor's office (human relations for ship's crew), and fill out a form explaining what is leaving the ship.  You may also need to fill out a declaration form if you are docked in Canada or the United States.

 

I had no longer needed warm clothing for Alaska when we repositioned to the Caribbean.  I simply mailed some clothing back home, and it saved a lot of trouble trying to pack unnecessary items.  But keep in mind, if you live in a cooler climate like I do, take care what your sign off date is.  Should you be going home in the cooler months, save yourself a jacket, warm clothes, and even an umbrella.  Let's just say it would have been quite a shock to leave Florida in February and come back to Vancouver without warm clothes!