Early customs calls?????

[Laurabearz]

I have read some comments on early custom calls at some ports.... does this mean the if you want to get off the ship you have to get up early to do custons... or can you just get off when ever and deal with customs at that point...

Thanks...

 

[rotary2808]

If I remember correctly everybody has to go through customs before anyone can get off the ship, even if you don't plan on getting off. Customs officials are only there long enough to check everyone. They don't stay on all day.

 

[Laurabearz]

So does just one member of the party have to go down (and fill out paper work??) for this....

Also, what kinda of questions (or forms) are you filling out... and why do you have to do it if your not getting off the ship??

I guess I am confussed becasue I would think that customs would check us on the back on the ship to look at what we bought....

<----- very clueless on the whole subject!

 

[lazarru]

Customs is not checking what you have, rather who you are. it occurs when you come back to a US area when your away from a US area.

The process is really just checking your passport that you are who you are, not a biggie.

They do want everyone checked prior to anyone getting off the ship but really they don't wait until every single person is checked, there's always a couple that need to be tracked down. Unless there's some major problem once they get most of the people they will release the ship., but if your someone that didn't clear you will be flagged when you get off thee ship.

Unless your in a rush to get somewhere, wait until the end of the process as you won't have to wait. if you going running there right at the start your going to be waiting on a long line

 

[JSCTRico4]

Everyone in your party has to be there. It was a hard early wake up call for us. It was like 5 hours ahead at 6 am. We had an early excursion.....so, we felt like we were getting up in the middle of the night........

 

[DrCavin]

This is the procedure:

http://dcltribute.com/navigators/east_carib/sttins.htm

 

[Laurabearz]

So even though we have to prove who we are to get on the ship in the first place..... once the ship goes into a port, we have to again prove who we are??? Do they think people magically appear on the ship in between ports???? I could see having to prove who you are to get back ON the ship... but to leave??

I gotta say.... waking up early is something we do not like to do on vacation.... and we were looking forward to sleeping in on Nassau day since we are staying on the ship.

This really is bumming me out.

 

[Laurabearz]

I guess I should make sure my passport photo is taken with bed head hair, bags under the eyes and before I have my morning coffee

 

[DrCavin]

What cruise are you going on? The only cruise I am aware of that you have to do this procedure is the 7 day Eastern & Nassau is not a scheduled port....

 

[lbgraves]

If you are going on the Wonder then you wont even have to worry about this. The only port where this happens on the regular east coast sailings is at St. Thomas. And yes...they want to make sure that noone has magically appeared on the ship after the last port. It is quite painless.

 

[Laurabearz]

Painless for you maybe.... for me, the mom, who would have to not only get myself dressed, also has to wake up three kids and get them all ready when they dont want to, and kick DH outta bed and toss clothes at him... for me.... quite painful.

But WOO HOO... it isnt a factor on our cruise.... thanks for the information!

 

[lbgraves]

??? I also have kids to get out of bed. The kids go down to the theater in their PJs & sleeping in the stroller if they are still sleeping at that point. It is the law, has to be done, no point ruining the entire day getting upset about it.

 

[Laurabearz]

Good to hear your family has no issue with it....

 

[Rence]

Do they think people magically appear on the ship in between ports???? I could see having to prove who you are to get back ON the ship... but to leave??

This occurs only when the ship has left the US, docked at a non-US port and then returned to the US (St. Thomas is the US).

So it is not that someone magically appeared on board the ship while at sea. It is to make sure that no one snuck on in a foreign port.

DCL does check everyone who gets on and off the ship in port, but they are not government entities, so as the ship arrives back in the US after docking at a foreign port, government agents verify everyone.

 

[Laurabearz]

So it is not that someone magically appeared on board the ship while at sea. It is to make sure that no one snuck on in a foreign port.

Do they do a sweep of the whole ship during customs??

 

[Cruella de mom]

Thank you Drcalvin that answered al my questions. Bummer that we have to get up so early but its a small price to pay...

 

[Bo'sMom]

On the navigator that was linked, it says U.S. Citizens only. Does that mean that you get to sleep late if you're not a U.S. Citizen? Why is everything always more difficult for us. LOL!

 

[lbgraves]

No, the page states that ALL GUESTS must report. In the navigator on this page of the site http://dcltribute.com/navigators/east_carib/stttender.htm it gives the location for non US citizens. Also, on the last morning of the cruise, non US citizens must report to US customs at 6 am. http://dcltribute.com/navigators/east_carib/welhome_p1.htm

 

[DrCavin]

On the navigator that was linked, it says U.S. Citizens only. Does that mean that you get to sleep late if you're not a U.S. Citizen? Why is everything always more difficult for us. LOL!

No I think it is even worse for non-US citizens, I believe they have to report at 6:00am....

 

[matsterrocks]

I believe that non-U.S. Citizens have to go even earlier This whole procedure is really a major pain. Wish they would just clear people as they were getting off. Or at least give you till 10 to check-in. With todays technology they should be able to get a better system worked out.