Immigration check at St. Maarten

[jmcross]

Can someone explain the immigration process for this stop?

Thanks,

Joanne

 

[MarkRG]

It's at St Thomas, not St Maarten.

They've changed it since the last time we were on the Eastern, so if I make a mistake, someone please correct me.

All passengers must check in before they'll clear the ship for disembarkation.

US citizens just have to show up in the WD theatre for an ID check, they schedule when blocks of cabins have to show up to keep it running as smooth as possible. All members of your party will have to show up. I think groups on excursions get scheduled sooner so they can get organized to get off first.

Non US citizens have a different place to show up and it's a teeny bit more complicated but I don't know the details.

 

[TheWog]

Correct it is at St. Thomas. When we went in January, they told us to be there for 6:30 a.m. We showed up a little early about 6:10 or 6:15 and they seated us first come first served in the second row. The Immigration officer arrived and we slowly went down and showed our passports and they stamped your hand. It was pretty orderly and once they started it didn't take us more than 10 mins to be done. Non-US citizens I believe went to Studio Sea for the check. They have coffee, juice and donuts and danish available for you when you arrive at no charge. Just go in your pj's DW and DS6 did. Lots of people did. We then had to get dressed and ready for our excursion while DW got to go back to sleep. Excursions were a little delayed because some didn't feel it necessary enough to go on time. So they had to wait until they arrived to have the ship cleared. Not too bad overall though.

 

[tvguy]

Nothing DCL can do about it, but 6:30 am is too early. Don't know why they don't do it like they do at the Port when you return, just check you as you get off the boat. Guess they don't want to tie up the staff all day.
My wife and I have been to St. Thomas 4 times before, and the last 2 we used that as a day to sleep in. Our excursion this time wasn't until 1 pm, but we still had to get up early so they could clear the board. We're not big shoppers.

 

[mmouse37]

We were scheduled at 8:00 am...much better than 6:30...they now stagger the times and I believe only the non US guests had to go at 6:30 am.

MJ

 

[april riddle]

do you know how it goes for us non citizen US residents? I have a green card - DH and DS's are all US citizens. Do we have to go to separate places?

 

[jrabbit]

Don't know why they don't do it like they do at the Port when you return, just check you as you get off the boat

I believe you need your photo ID and your Birth Certificate (or your Passport will do). I don't believe that I would want to take my BC off of the ship with me. So that's a least 1 reason not to do the immigration check as folks are leaving the ship.

Yea, it sucks to get up that stinking early, but on the bright side - you can enjoy breakfast and a sunrise up at topsiders. And then you are also up and "ready" for any shore excursions you have planned for the day.

Like someone stated some time ago - sleep is for after your vaction is over.