Two separate Dover related questions

[bobyetman]

My wife and I are on one of the DCL cruises out of Dover in August, and we had a couple of questions.

1. Does DCL do on-board check-in and luggage transfers to Heathrow so I don't have to take em through customs myself? Our flights were booked thru DCL if that makes a difference.

2. For an American, what is going through British customs when coming off the cruise like? Are there forms like in the US? Do you pay taxes/duty on stuff purchased on the cruise?

Any info is greatly appreciated, we've never cruise out of a non-US port before.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

My wife and I are on one of the DCL cruises out of Dover in August, and we had a couple of questions.

1. Does DCL do on-board check-in and luggage transfers to Heathrow so I don't have to take em through customs myself? Our flights were booked thru DCL if that makes a difference.

2. For an American, what is going through British customs when coming off the cruise like? Are there forms like in the US? Do you pay taxes/duty on stuff purchased on the cruise?

Any info is greatly appreciated, we've never cruise out of a non-US port before.

I have used Dover many times and whilst I live in the UK, many friends from the USA have also mentioned their experiences.

1/ No. Process is easy the ship to luggage pick up is very shot then to the coach also short. Terminal small, when disembarking it's all on one floor. Personally I like to see my luggage through.

2/ Overall the process is simple, on some of my cruises to the UK they have undertaking the passport check on the ship the day before. Say on an Iceland cruise passport checks was the day at sea before Kirkwall.

Border control at Dover is very very light, not like say port Canaveral. There is two lines,
Nothing to declare.
Something to declare.

You may have sniffer dogs, and some luggage checks.

Typically cruises terminating in Dover come in between 2 am and 5 am so plenty of time for them to get their bags off.

Nothing to declare typically is walk off and very quick, and no checks, unless a dog picks something up.
Something to declare will have a line subject to other cruisers using it and the border staff in.

Overall I would suggest checks are very light.

 

[Marc D]

To complete PP’s answer, you do not have to pay import fees or taxes when going into the UK since you are American and leaving the country.