Disembarking the oasis. Two words never again.

Any port can have a bad or off day, it just seems that much worse when it is a large ship like the Oasis or Allure. Most of my cruises have been out of PC, with a few Tampa, and 1 PEV. Never had a horrible experience, a few were worse then others due to long lines, and little sleep, but beyond that no issues.

Worse thing that has ever happened to us was leaving PC one cruise, the ship was late getting into port due to stopping to evac a medical emergency. They directed us to a empty lot where everyone who drove was basically sitting in the comfort of there own car, waiting to be allowed to park/drop off people. It was worse for people who were being dropped off my bus or shuttle. They had to wait for 1 small shuttle to go over through traffic, and return. These people were lining up along the exit gate, and asking people like me with a truck if they could hitch a ride to the port....LOL. I ended up putting a fam of 5 and there luggage in the bed of my truck and drove them over. Why not help out a fellow cruiser in time of need?

What a mess!

 

 

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We were on this sailing and had #20 tag, and 8:45am debarkation. At 8:30am we went down to the lobby, Sorrento's and then the MDR to debark, and was informed that debarkation had to be suspended/stopped, due to traffic in the terminal. We heard these announcement for the next hour and a half. We drove to the port, and had no place to be except to pick up the dog by 7:00pm. Once we were allowed to debark, and made it into the terminal, we clearly saw that the issue was not with Royal Caribbean, or their debarkation process, but with Customs!!! Once we located our luggage, we grabbed a Porter thinking we would have express service like Port Canaveral, not so!!! The Porters with families, etc., don't get preferential treatment to the front of the line like PC, so we went through the long winding line like everyone else. Did we get upset? No! Talking with our Porter, and another one in line who would cross our path every turn or so, we learned that the Customs didn't have enough Officer's working at Port Everglades on any day!!! Sixteen (16) Customs lines/Stations, and I believe only half were open. Even one of the Customs agents noted that they had to screen/look at the documents more clearly due to a possible threat or someone entering the country illegally. No problem with that!! So, the issue is with Customs not being appropriate staffed, and not Royals debarkation process.

This was the largest cruise ship we've sailed so far and first time out of Port Everglades. Now I know what to expect. I'll leave the dog at the boarder/kennel another night, request a #69 debarkation tag (highest number I saw in the terminal), enjoy a half day on the ship, and drive home later that afternoon without worrying about the lines in the terminal. Better yet, I have a suite booked for 2018, so I'll be one of the first off anyway. lol

We were on the Allure and disembarked yesterday. We paid for the luggage valet service and left the ship just before 9:00. We had a 2:15 flight. I think the easiest time to get off the ship must be very early.

The biggest slowdown was right after we got off the ship. Even with luggage valet, we were in the same line with everyone needing to get their luggage. There should be a separate line for people with luggage valet or people who have their luggage already to go directed to customs.

We waited about 20 minutes before the line moved to enter the terminal. After this, we entered a long line for Customs with people who had found their luggage. We walked in a line quite a while before we entered the endless snaky line area. Once we started walking, we kept walking until we got to the Custom's line. We were put in a line with just one person ahead of us. We were with the Custom's official for 17 seconds. We had no trouble getting a cab and got to the airport and were at our gate by 10:30.

On some ships, luggage valet passengers are told to meet somewhere and a staff member took us to Customs. But not on the Allure.

My wife & I were on the Oasis in FEB. 2015 & we are DIAMOND PLUS & were told to just join the others. well it took over an hour & 1/2 to get off. we have been on 110 cruises & this was the worst embarkation. In March 2016 we were on the Anthem & it took 3 minutes.

So in all my cruising, I've learned to book return flights later in the day, this way I stay on the ship until all are given the final call to disembark. At that point our luggage is usually the only one standing and customs is a breeze. I've done this for several different cruise lines.

I never understand how people get there at 8am to get on the ship to start their vacation but want to get off the ship as soon as she docks. :rolleyes: Why after such a great vacation get all caught up in the mess. I do however understand that some that are flying have no choice as there sometimes is only one flight to their final destination, but it's great not to get caught up in the mess!!

I did the Oasis twice and the Allure and getting off both times was a breeze.

Happy sailing.

If the OP is so upset about this, then the simple answer is to stay in Grand Suites or higher. We are also Diamond and that C&A level doesn't cut it for priority in the terminal when leaving Port Everglades. It is genuine suites. Also Junior Suites are not really what RCI means by "suites".

Off Allure on 5/22, Grand Suite, escorted by suites concierge, suites only baggage area, suites only security line. Less than 9 minutes from leaving the ship to the curb in a taxi.

We got off the Allure last week in no word of lie from leaving stateroom to sitting in a cab....3 minutes. 3 MINS!

 

 

 

8:20-8:23.

 

 

 

Global entry is amazing and worth every penny (we also took our own bags off which is key).

What is Global entry?

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Deleted- double post

What is Global entry?

 

 

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Taken from: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.

My input: Cost is $100 and is valid for 5 years. Also makes you eligible for TSA PreCheck for flying.

Haven't seen it in action at Port Everglades. I believe it essentially allows you to use the agent that covers the suite guests. No electronic kiosk.

So far I believe Port Everglades is the only cruise port with Global Entry.

Added:

From: http://www.porteverglades.net/cruising/

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival back in the United States. Upon debarkation, signage will direct cruise guests who are Global Entry participants to the front of the line in all cruise terminals.

Travelers must currently be enrolled in the Global Entry program and have gone through the approval process. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. While Global Entry's goal is to speed travelers through the process, participants may still be selected for further examination.

Wonder what's going on. PEV is one of my favourite ports to sail out of and we've never had an issue with disembarkation.

Good to hear. Plan on doing self assist (our usual routine) and being ready to go 6:30 am. Booked a 10:45 flight. On another board, I'm being "harassed" for my choices. Vacation's over, I want to go home!

Be advised there is a charge for this. I'm not sure, but I think it was $20.00 per bag or per person. I wish we had used this service even though I think it's a shame you now have to pay to avoid the mess we went through.

 

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Judging from our three times as experience as previously mentioned and most of the posts on this thread I really think you had an unusual situation not typical of this port or ship. Sorry for your experience but it is not what one would normally encounter here.

The luggage valet is an option of convenience and not something needed at an additional cost to avoid a delay or issue.

I guess it depends on the time you left. I did express disembark at 7:20am and walked right off. Line up for customs was about 15 mins. I was at the airport by 7:55am. I thought that was the easiest i've ever encountered

So what time is disembarkation with luggage valet? Do we have to follow our assigned time? It's our tradition to stay until we're kicked out but sound like now people are saying you have to leave early?

So what time is disembarkation with luggage valet? Do we have to follow our assigned time? It's our tradition to stay until we're kicked out but sound like now people are saying you have to leave early?

Here is a recent "As You Depart" flyer with the guidelines:

http://scfloaters.info/20160430Oasis/CompassPlanner/AsYouDepart.pdf