Immigration - non US cruisers

[Little Twin Stars]

I have heard that non-US cruisers have to at Wavebands (?) for some immigration procedures.

My question is: Do all of us, including the small kids, have to go?

I really hope that only one of us can go so that either my husband or I stay in the sateroom and our kids can sleep a bit longer.

 

[Regina]

From what I understand, all non-US citizens, regardless of age, must report to immigration.

 

[Cruisin]

Yes everyone in your party must be present, even babies.

And they make you get up and do it at 6am!!!!!

Does anyone know why they have to do this.

On the RCCL, they returned our passports to us the final night on board, pick them up at your leisure and then we just walked off the ship the next morning, no problem.

I wonder why Disney can't do it that way, seems much more hassle free for everyone, passengers and crew.

 

[Little Twin Stars]

Originally posted by dvcreg
From what I understand, all non-US citizens, regardless of age, must report to immigration.

Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That means we have to get up at 5 AM!

So, how long will it take?

 

[dizmomof2]

We were on the Eastern Magic just after 9/11. They made the US cruisers report at 6am in the Theatre when we docked at St. Thomas. Basically the whole ship had to report to immigration that day. The lines were long but they moved us through quickly. Back in Port Canaveral only non-US cruisers had to report. (We didn't make it to CC so Technically the US citizens had not been out of country.)

At least we all made it to our early breakfast seating!

 

[dizmomof2]

Little Twin Stars
No one is there with hair done, make up on and ready for the day! Lots of people showed up in PJs. It doesn't take long once they start. We got there a little early and were out in 1/2 hour. There were 3 immigrations officers and they each took a family. They looked at out passports for about ten seconds, stamped them and we left.

Bring the kids in their PJs. They'll blend right in!

 

[mthurn]

What if only ONE person in your "party" is non-US citizen? Surely only that person has to go to immigration, not the whole party, right?

 

[christinou]

I am the only one that is non-citizen in our family, and they stayed in and slept while I went, it went very fast, they had coffee, and pastries, I actually enjoyed it, as I just walked around the ship for the last time, I did not even take a shower before I went just put on some clothes, the kids who were there, were still in their PJs

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Originally posted by dizmomof2
We were on the Eastern Magic just after 9/11. They made the US cruisers report at 6am in the Theatre when we docked at St. Thomas. Basically the whole ship had to report to immigration that day. The lines were long but they moved us through quickly. Back in Port Canaveral only non-US cruisers had to report. (We didn't make it to CC so Technically the US citizens had not been out of country.)

At least we all made it to our early breakfast seating!

What??? Everyone has to go to immigration early in the morning when you are docked at St. Thomas???
Um, that's not cool. Seriously put a damper on those that aren't early risers- it will mess up our entire day....

 

[jennyl772003]

Yes, everyone has to go. It is pretty much a pain, but it goes fast. Once they start, you just line up and show the immagrations officer your documents, if you are using a BC and ID they will ask you a random question ie what state were you born in, if you have a Passport they will look at it and you are done. No one can leave the ship until EVERYONE has gone through this.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Are you talking about non-us residents at end of trip or are you confirming my fear that we ALL have to get up early and go through immigration stuff at St Thomas?

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by BibbidyBobbidyBoo
Are you talking about non-us residents at end of trip or are you confirming my fear that we ALL have to get up early and go through immigration stuff at St Thomas?

Everyone must report to Immigration on the moring of the St. Thomas call. I believe US citizens go to the WD Theatre, and non-US citizens go to one of the clubs. My understanding is that this is required by the INS as a knee-jerk post-9/11 "security" measure for ships which are calling at a US port after calling at a non-US port. I don't think anyone is allowed off the ship until this is complete, but I'm not sure how strictly this is followed. It's not required on the Western because the Key West call follows Port Canaveral.

On the final day, non-US citizens have to report in the early AM, US citizens go through Immigration in the terminal (a Customs officer grabs your declaration sheet and nods you through).

 

[jennyl772003]

Sorry that I wasn't more clear. EVERYONE goes thru at St. Thomas. Phenomenal pain in the keister. Kinda cramps your style the night before since you know you will have to wake up so early the next morning. There was not one night our whole cruise were we could sleep in due to our excursions, immigration, and our wedding. That is why next summer we are not doing ANY excursions. (even if you do not get off the ship on St Thomas, you still have to go thru immigration)

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Uh, that is a serious downer. Is it that way at any other ports- including on the Western cruise?
So NOT looking forward to getting my entire crew (family) up, dressed and to immigration that early in the morning.... can we come in pj's with 'bad hair'? LOL

(ps. anyone on the same cruise with me- you'll know me... I'll have atleast one whiny crying kid who has a really really good set of lungs- especially when she's PO'd... the youngest has issues even getting up at 7:30 last minute to take the siblings to school! Oh goodness- that morning is not going to be fun..)

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

You can come in pj's and with bad hair. Most people do (if bad hair was a deal-breaker, I'd never be able to leave my cabin). They usually have coffee, danish/donuts, and juice, although I seem to always get there when the supply has run out, and before it's been replentished. It's only on the Magic's St. Thomas call, it's not an issue at St. Maarten or on any of the western stops.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Ugh, it's enough to make me want to change to Western. LOL Which I wanted to do first originally, but the Western in 2005 doesn't coincide with my children's school breaks. Darnit. That's just too darn early to be making us all get up -we're on vacation for crying out loud! We don't even get up that early for school. LOL

 

[thegales]

We too were concerned as we learned of this extra check in and were not looking forward to it.

I believe there is an hour range to go to the theatre. We went about 15 minutes from the start time. There was a table by the back doors where they crossed off your name as you entered. We then walked down to the front and showed passports to Customs officer (we are all US citizens, but travel with passports). The officer barely looked at all four pictures, and wished us a good morning. I am sure it would be just as quick with BC. We then were on our way back to the cabin. Total time out of the cabin was less than 10 minutes, and most of that time was getting from our room to the theatre.

I am not sure if DD5 woke up for any of the journey.

It was not a big deal at all. If you want, you can go right back to sleep when you get back to your cabin. It definitely is not worth changing your itinerary.

The most important thing to remember is that everyone on the ship must clear immigration before anyone is let off the ship to go on their excursions. If you decide to skip it, you will be tracked down and you will not have a pleasant day. I think the crew members might accidently slip out the cabin numbers of the folks who were late, so everyone knows. Remember, no one can leave the ship until everyone on the ship clears immigration.