up early on last day? Non US Citizans

[florida sun]

I think I read somewhere that if you are a Non US Citizan that you have to get up early on the day of disenbarkment to have your papers checked or something of that nature. Can anybody please confirm if this is true and what it entails and at what time.

Thanks for any info

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes when I was on the cruise we had to get up at 6am to re collect our passports from USA Imigration, it is difficult with young kids and when travelling back to the UK on an overnight flight is makes a very long day or two, you need a holiday after it!!!

They collect your passports at the terminal on embarkation and keep them in custody until the last day, it only takes a few minutes.

As they require photo I/D to get on and off the ship you either have to take a photo UK D/L or ask them to take a certified copy of your passport and you can use this with your KTTW Card.

 

[natdencro]

Yes, fellow Uk here: also had many early starts in our 4 cruises, but hey.................... we have paid a lot of money, so why waste it all lying in bed half the day!Different I know when you got little ones:weve witnessed many small folk nodding off in Rocking Bar at Immigration. Besides, a walk on deck - followed by a cuppa and danish - is a great start to the day, and the place is deserted! Nat

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Yes but

5.45am wake up
6.00 Immigration
7.00 breakfast

The Orlando airport
Check in
wait
wait
7pm flight
8am (Sunday) Gatwick
9.00am Ish get your bags
10.00am M23
10.15AM M25
11.00am M25 (dartford crossing)
12.00 M25

Then home and work the next day!

Wouldnt it be nice for the loverly Immigration people to join us for the evening meal at carsterway cay, give to your passports back the night before say 8pm>10pm, because lets face it your not going anywhere unless you take a life boat!, and then have a lazy start to your last day on the ship.

On another cruise line they did this, it was a transitional Panama canal one and the US imigration got on possiblly at Cabo st Lucas and you did immigration on the last sea day into LA to you didnt have to get up early!!

PS To USA People the M25 is the London orbital car park ( sorry!motorway/freeway)

 

[natdencro]

Yes, the long wait at Orlando airport is a nightmare isnt it? I think its time they provided more facilities for families especially - who have an evening flight. We have spent 32 hrs at MCO after cruising so far, as we use the Disney Buses from Cape C., which get you to the MCO very early. Unless you have 100s of $s leftover to spend at the VERY limited shops, its a dreadfully dull place to wait. Unfortunately, there isnt sufficient time to go to the parks or venture far. Thankfully, we dont have to contend with the M25! The largest CAR PARK in the UK! Nat

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

Agree, when you arec at the parks you can drop your bags of at Virgin at downtown disney, and we have had a very enjoyable day at Typhoon lagoon and then just go to the airport before the end of check in.

However coming from the DCL terminal it is difficult, too little time to go to the parks, and check in is 12.30pm onwards, so you are a bit stuck, and like most airports there isnt much to do, might try an airport or coast hotel next time.

But still think one immigration person could join the ship at casterway cay, and undertake the immigration in the evening before, to avoid an early rise!!

 

[florida sun]

Andrew Derek/ Natdencro

Thanks so much for your quick replys, not so bad thankfully for us, we have another 7 days at the All Star Sports when we get off. So hopefully we can sleep it off lazing by the pool when we get back to Orlando. Although I do agree it would be great if they could arrange it for the last night on ship especially the 4 day as we are not getting off the ship as it is our day at sea.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

In some ways that is the best way to do it, have more days after the end of the cruise back in the parks, you can check your bags into the All stars early get your tickets enjoy a day in the park and then check in and the early start isnt to bad against a normal day.

However as my next DCL cruise is the 14 day one from California, and I plan to see that first, and school starts the following Monday, after the cruise end, I will have to get a flight on the disembarkcation saturday to get home in time, and my last day is giving me the most concern!

Enjoy the all stars we stayed in the Movies before and loved it, it is good value, however, my son ( and maybe me) love the Monorails and so we have stayed more often at the Contemporary and Polyneisian.

 

[TartanFan]

Hi florida sun!
We've done the "ridiculously early" last day on each of our previous three cruises but we didn't find it too bad (except for having to wake up that early!). The whole routine takes about 15mins if you get there right on time. Each time, we've gone back to the cabin, DH and DD went right back to sleep and I sat out on the verandah with coffee and danish and watched the activity at the pier as the reloading started for those lucky people coming after us!

We've also done the "off ship/airport/home/work or school next day" which hurts (and we have to contend with the M25 too, Andrew Derek! Not the Dartford Crossing but the roadworks - we live just off J13 where it really is the biggest car park in the WORLD!) But, as you know, we're off to RPR at Universal for four days afterwards this year - getting excited!

Hope you and DD have a WONDERful time!

Diane

 

[Houzer]

Ok I have read your posts and I am a little confused so could someone clear something us for me. I understand that they will be taking our passports away from us but I just read here that you need photo ID to get on and off the ship? Is this statement correct? I have our photos on our drivers cards and health cards but the children do not have photo ID other then their passports. How do I deal with this one??? Thanks for any help you can offer me. Houzer


+ =

 

[TartanFan]

Don't worry, Houzer - only adults need photo ID. But even so, DCL will give you copies of the photo pages of ALL your passports, even the kids'.

Happy sailing!

Diane

 

[florida sun]

Thanks Diane

I will definatley have to have a Mickey wake up call that morning. Are you allowed to order breakfast from room service on the last morning or did you buy your danish and coffee elsewhere. I quite fancy sitting ont the Varandah one last time.

Sue

 

[wendym]

For the first time in 4 cruises we are departing straight home after our 7 day cruise. Not looking forward to it - we have got to get back to Aberdeen, Scotland! thinking about booking a day room at the Hyatt at the airport for a nap.
Sue, you cannot order room service breakfast that morning but don't worry - Mickey takes care of you and there is coffee, juice and pastries outside Rocking Bar D.
Wendy

 

[florida sun]

Cheers Wendy

Will pick some up after our early start and head back to my Varandah.

Good luck with your trip back to Scotland and Have a great cruise.

Sue

 

[StuartMI]

Well I am a Canadian Citizen however I am a permanent resident of the US.

Does the non-US citizen immigration mean just that, or are they talking about people that are just in the country on visas/vacations/etc?

If not, DW and myself are going to have to go to different immigration queues which since it will be our first time is going to really stink.

 

[Cruisin]

StuartMI, I am not sure what they will do in your situation.

Do you use a Canadian passport or ID when you travel?

If they take it away from you when you check in at the terminal then you will have to go and pick it up in the early morning hours.

There is no immigration line for US citizens, so you won't have to worry about that.

Once you have received your passport back and been cleared through the customs officers, that is it. Everyone just gets off the ship at the same place.

 

[Amberle3]

StuartMI,
Haven't done it yet myself, but I believe they mean citizen, not resident. Doesn't really matter where you're living, it matters what country claims you as it's own.

I'm in a similar, but opposite situation. Also haven't done the cruise yet but I'm a Canadian and my then DH is an American. He'll get to sleep in while I head down to the imigration check early in the AM.

My question now is on checking IN for the ship, since there are separate lines for US & non-US citizens. I'm assuming we should go in separate lines, but then we're checking in separately. A little confusing. Hopefully DCL will have guidance for me when the time comes.

 

[DutchsMommy]

We are Cdn and as such will have to be part of the "early tide" to get our passports back. My question is: Can I go and get the passports for DH and DS. DS will be just 3 when we travel and trying to get him up and mobile at that time might be a bit of a nightmare. Or maybe can I go first, get mine and DS's passport and have DH go once I get back to the cabin?

Any experiences/ideas would be appreciated.

 

[Cruisin]

DutchsMommy

Everyone who is a non US citizen has to report to the customs area at the appointed time. That includes children, unfortunately.
If you have a hard time waking him up, just carry him down there asleep in his jammies still. It doesn't matter, as long as he is physically present in the room.

Amberle3, if it were me, I would just go together with your husband and check in. I don't think that it will really matter that much which line you are in. Just pick the shortest line and go for it.

 

[invaderzim]

RE: BREAKFAST QUESTION

You can go to the Topsider's Buffet (instead of your assigned restaurant) for your last breakfast. Many people take the food back to their staterooms for a quiet meal on their verandah before departing. It is a limited breakfast (bagels, waffles, beverages), but you don't have to feel rushed like you do in the restaurant!

And take your time leaving the ship! Everyone is always rushing for those buses. We sometimes don't leave the ship until 9 a.m. and then you don't get to the airport quite as early.

Have a great time.....
Cathy