flamingocrazyfl Posted October 24, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Hello. I posted this over in the Key West forum but it was suggested by another member that I also post here in the DCL forum to get a more accurate answer. We booked a 5 night cruise leaving from Miami in December on the Disney Magic. Key West is the first stop. I was assuming that we would not have to clear US customs/immigration here since we are coming directly from a US port but the DCL representative I spoke to earlier today made mention of needing to clear US immigration in Key West. To clarify, she specifically said we would need to present ourselves to immigration officials even if nobody in our party was getting off the ship (i.e. not the usual ship clearance that happens at most ports). I could see this if we were first going to the Bahamas or someplace else, but Key West is the first stop, arriving the morning after we leave Miami. Do we really need to clear immigration (in person) when arriving directly from Miami? I could drive (and have done so) 6 hours or so to Key West and not go through immigration (of course), so I am not sure what the difference is. Could it be because its a foreign flagged vessel? Thanks for any help/insight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WrittenOnYourHeart Posted October 24, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 24, 2017 No clue WHY as we went to Castaway first, but honestly it is NOT a big deal. You go to the theatre and are seated in rows then are sent back row by row. CBP looks at your passport/documentation and then you get a sticker on your KTTW card from a DCL crew member. Not difficult, and it doesn't take long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STHCruising Posted October 24, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 24, 2017 It’s been some time since we have been to Key West, but I do not believe we had to clear immigration. Will be interested to hear what others report. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1025cruise Posted October 24, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 24, 2017 If Key West is your first stop after leaving Miami, I can't see why you would need to go through immigration again. If you go anywhere first, then yes, you will need to clear immigration as Key West will be your first US entry point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted October 24, 2017 #5 Share Posted October 24, 2017 When we went from PC to Key West (Key West was our first stop), we did not need to clear Customs. It has only been necessary when we went to a foreign port first. Remember when we used to go to St. Maarten first and then had to clear in St. Thomas? I'm not at all an expert in this area, but my understanding is that if you go from one US port to another, there is no need to clear. If you dock at a foreign port, there is a clearance at the next US port. As noted, it was not a big deal--you showed up at the theatre at your assigned time and they called you up by rows. It only became an issue when there was always that handful of people who didn't show up...and the rest of us couldn't disembark until those stragglers were run down and cleared. In one case, it was one of our dinner tablemates who calmly explained that he'd been sleeping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingocrazyfl Posted November 3, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted November 3, 2017 When we went from PC to Key West (Key West was our first stop)' date=' we did not need to clear Customs. It has only been necessary when we went to a foreign port first.[/quote'] Thanks. This makes sense. The DCL rep must have been thinking about visiting a foreign port first. When going directly from another US port (Miami in our case) I really couldn't understand why we would need to present ourselves to immigration. Really wouldn't be any different than taking the ferry from Marco Island or Fort Myers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI66774 Posted November 7, 2017 #7 Share Posted November 7, 2017 I've never had to clear customs when entering Key West. I think the Disney employee has it wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonka's Skipper Posted November 10, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 10, 2017 We made 2 cruises to KW.never bothered by Customs. THE VESSEL HERSELF does need to clear Customs, including reviewing the passenger lists. AKK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knighton Posted November 11, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 11, 2017 In February we went to castaway cay first. At key West we had to go to a lounge on the ship along with everyone else and see a customs agent before we could get off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shmoo here Posted November 11, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 11, 2017 In February we went to castaway cay first. At key West we had to go to a lounge on the ship along with everyone else and see a customs agent before we could get off. I believe it's an Immigration agent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knighton Posted November 12, 2017 #11 Share Posted November 12, 2017 I believe it's an Immigration agent. Whatever. Some government representative. The point is yes there was someone looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moki'smommy Posted November 12, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 12, 2017 In February we went to castaway cay first. At key West we had to go to a lounge on the ship along with everyone else and see a customs agent before we could get off. Castaway Cay is a Bahamian island. You were on foreign soil, outside of the US. Thus, on your next US entry (Key West), you had to go thru Immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knighton Posted November 12, 2017 #13 Share Posted November 12, 2017 Castaway Cay is a Bahamian island. You were on foreign soil' date=' outside of the US. Thus, on your next US entry (Key West), you had to go thru Immigration.[/quote']Right. I was just clearing up that other people were insisting there was no passport check when they went so they obviously had to have gone to key West first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratus22 Posted November 14, 2017 #14 Share Posted November 14, 2017 Like Moki's mommy said, yes, you left US Soil went to the Bahamas and came back to a US port. So yes, you did need to see CBP which we are one big happy family previously U.S. Customs and U.S. Immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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