St. Thomas Customs Question

[donaldsgal]

I read on a personal navigator from April of 2005 that the time we need to report to Walt Disney Theatre for customs on St. Thomas day is printed on the immigration letter delivered to our stateroom.

Does this time vary by stateroom, meaning sections of the ship report at different times, or does the whole ship arrive at the same time?

Can you tell me what time you had to report to WDWT that morning? We'd like to know if we can get room service breakfast that morning before leaving for the day (save us from needing to eat much on the beach at St. John).

Thanks for your help!

 

[4formickey]

No one gets to leave the ship until everyone has cleared custom. They have jucie and rolls outside the theater. You my be able to get room service but they will let you know.

 

[donaldsgal]

Thanks for posting. I did know no one can leave until everyone has gone through customs. I think my comment about room service made it seem like that was my primary question. Do you remember if all staterooms reported at once, or did they go in sections? And what time did you go to the WDWtheatre?

Thanks!

 

[musicgirl]

Non- Us citizens must report really early, I want to say around 6.

Then, they ask that those who have early excursion go down around 7. Those not going ashore or not planning on leaving go about 7:30. There is not assigned time for this like by stateroom or whatever. My navigator says to see the letter in your stateroom. I don't remember a letter.

We were on our way to the theater by 6:50, dressed and ready to go. We had to meet at 7:50 for our excursion. So everyone does have to go reagardless if your excursion is early, late or you may not be planning on going ashore.

It is easy enough. you go row by row in the theather. don't panic when people coming in later than you get to go up front. They have a system worked out.

 

[aprilgail2]

We were in there about 30 minutes and I think we got there around 7am.....just a lot of sitting around waiting for your rows turn....honestly it was enough of a pain to get my 5 year old up and me and grandma up at that hour that I would not take the eastern again....you don't go through that crap on the western.

 

[tvguy]

Just found my sheet on St. Thomas.
Non U-S residents do have to report early, 6 am .
Those with taking shore excursions have to report at 6:30am
Everyone else has to report at 7 am.

 

[DIS NURSE]

so....do people go down ther with their kids still in the pj's? Our kids will be half asleep! Is there a moment of time in between to at least go back and change before you are to report to your early excursion meeting time?

Thanks for any advise!

 

[aprilgail2]

so....do people go down ther with their kids still in the pj's? Our kids will be half asleep! Is there a moment of time in between to at least go back and change before you are to report to your early excursion meeting time?

Thanks for any advise!

You can bring your kids in their pajamas...however mine would have died rather than leavingthe cabin dressed in Jammies LOL!! Depending on how early your excursion is I guess you could go back and change.....

 

[JLDSMD]

I have a question regarding customs and immigration.

If DCL sailed to St. Thomas first and then St. Martin, would we still have to do this rediculous customs process?

We would technically be going from a US port, Port Canaveral, to another US port, St. Thomas. Would it not be like going on a domestic flight?

If DCL just switched the two islands in the Itinerary it may get rid of the major complaint of the Eastern cruise.

Can anyone knowledgable with the whole customs/immigration thing tell me if my logic is correct?

 

[musicgirl]

DIS NURSE-you could take them in their jammies depending on just how early your excursion meet and how long it takes your group to get ready. We got ready before we went to the theater. We did have some time afterwards, we double checked for tickets etc.

We met in Diversions for our excursions. There are games to play in here, which I didn't realize until then. Some groups were playing them while we waited.

Just prepare everyone for the wait during your pre-cruise talks, remind everyone the day/night before. I always feel that if people (especially kids and really grumpy teenagers) know what to expect, it makes it somewhat easier. If you can, get down to the theater early so you can grab an early seat. Or if you are not in a hurry, go toward the end, but not late for those trying to get to excursions.

Sorry for those who have a problem with this procedure. It is basically 30 min. out of a 7 night trip. Flame me if you want, most people wait in longer lines at WDW or where ever else. Gee, some people get to the terminal and wait for 1-1 1/2 hours to board the ship. . Personally, 30 min. waiting in line to board is 100 times worse than the line for immigration!!! Do I get there at 10:30 to board, you bet I do!!!!!

 

[mommasita]

I have a question regarding customs and immigration.

If DCL sailed to St. Thomas first and then St. Martin, would we still have to do this rediculous customs process?

We would technically be going from a US port, Port Canaveral, to another US port, St. Thomas. Would it not be like going on a domestic flight?

If DCL just switched the two islands in the Itinerary it may get rid of the major complaint of the Eastern cruise.

Can anyone knowledgable with the whole customs/immigration thing tell me if my logic is correct?

Yes, you are correct...The ONLY reason for customs, is that you left the US, and went to a "foreign" destination, and are now re-entering....

I often wonder why it is not done in reverse?

 

[tvguy]

It isn't done in reverse because it is physically impossible (time wise) to get to St. Thomas first and then go to St. Maarten, without giving up a sea day or making it an 8 day cruise.
Notice on the route map, the ship goes east of the entire Caribbean to go directly to St. Marteen, then snakes it's way through the islands to get to St.Thomas, and then to Castaway Cay.
Also suspect there are no spots open at the dock for the ship if they go other than their assigned day.

I think the REAL question is why has Customs and Immigration changed how they handle this in ST. Thomas? This was my 6th trip by cruise ship to St. Thomas, always after visiting a foreign port, and the first time they didn't have an agent on the dock the entire time the ship was in dock. You cleared customs and immigration when, and IF you exited the ship. I don't understand how and why September 11th made these changes necessary.
If it is an economic issue, wouldn't a $1 fee per passenger $1 x 2700) cover the salaries of a couple of immigration officers for the day to staff the ship the entire time it was in port? Would you pay $1 to not have to get up at 6 am to clear customs? I sure would.

 

[mommasita]

It isn't done in reverse because it is physically impossible (time wise) to get to St. Thomas first and then go to St. Maarten, without giving up a sea day or making it an 8 day cruise.
Notice on the route map, the ship goes east of the entire Caribbean to go directly to St. Marteen, then snakes it's way through the islands to get to St.Thomas, and then to Castaway Cay.
Also suspect there are no spots open at the dock for the ship if they go other than their assigned day.

I think the REAL question is why has Customs and Immigration changed how they handle this in ST. Thomas? This was my 6th trip by cruise ship to St. Thomas, always after visiting a foreign port, and the first time they didn't have an agent on the dock the entire time the ship was in dock. You cleared customs and immigration when, and IF you exited the ship. I don't understand how and why September 11th made these changes necessary.
If it is an economic issue, wouldn't a $1 fee per passenger $1 x 2700) cover the salaries of a couple of immigration officers for the day to staff the ship the entire time it was in port? Would you pay $1 to not have to get up at 6 am to clear customs? I sure would.

Interesting, as I did not go before 9/11..

And, I would pay much more than 1$, as a NON-Us citizen, the hour is even more ungodly..

But thanks, it is interesting..

 

[donaldsgal]

Very interesting reading.

Hi mommasita!

So, can we go earlier than our time slot if we want? I know that sounds crazy, but the earlier we get off the ship, the longer we have at St. John (going on our own).

BTW, I agree with you, musicgirl, about the 30 minutes thing. Not a big deal to me, but then I'm not a parent so I've never had that experience. Just seems 30 minutes is not a big deal for such a great itinerary.

 

[musicgirl]

Donaldsgal, I just loved the Eastern and St. Thomas is beautiful, it's worth the wait!

 

[tvguy]

Very interesting reading.

So, can we go earlier than our time slot if we want? I know that sounds crazy, but the earlier we get off the ship, the longer we have at St. John (going on our own).

.

I don't know why you couldn't go earlier, HOWEVER, no one can get off the ship until EVERYONE clears customs and immigration, so not sure it will help you.
That's another reason the old system worked better. If you want to be among the first off the ship, you can't get off in St. Thomas until someone who may have no intention of getting off at all, clears customs and immigration.
I've been on 7 cruises, and I always run into someone who gets on the ship, and doesn't get off until the last day.