no breakfast before getting off ship!

[imsulin]

Wow! Sorry that happened to you. Glad we are driving to Charleston for our cruise and not flying! We had similar experience about 6 years ago when we bought a truck on eBay and had to fly one way to Houston to pick it up and drive it home.

 

You would have thought we were terrorists the way we were treated by the TSA. Not a fun time! They had us pulled aside going through our stuff and asking a bunch of questions.

 

Turned out fine, but very aggravating! :confused:

 

Um....it's the one-way ticket thing. Have you not heard about this? It's been this way since 9/11/01. Why are you surprised? Sounds like TSA is doing its job. Guess you don't fly much.

 

(The 9/11 terrorists all bought one-way tickets). I'm sure you know this. Right?

[capndinghy]

Just step back and think about ALL of the Drugs that get smuggled into this Country every day. Yet here is customs Harassing you. I know I used to have to deal with quite often. They can be nice or they can be officail , it just depends on the time of day. What a waste of time. But they have to perform X amount of random searches to fill in the blanks. It is all for show.

 

I will say no more, because trust me Big Brother IS watching.

[Monkeythyme]

Um....it's the one-way ticket thing. Have you not heard about this? It's been this way since 9/11/01. Why are you surprised? Sounds like TSA is doing its job. Guess you don't fly much.

 

(The 9/11 terrorists all bought one-way tickets). I'm sure you know this. Right?

 

Just one more example of bureaucratic retro-thinking. No terrorist would ever again book a one-way. They would pay the RT rate for "insurance", and thanks to the predictability of TSA it would be a good buy.

[big_duck]

Just step back and think about ALL of the Drugs that get smuggled into this Country every day. Yet here is customs Harassing you. I know I used to have to deal with quite often. They can be nice or they can be officail , it just depends on the time of day. What a waste of time. But they have to perform X amount of random searches to fill in the blanks. It is all for show.

 

I will say no more, because trust me Big Brother IS watching.

 

It is only harassment if they don't find any contraband, otherwise it is vigilant investigation.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

It is only harassment if they don't find any contraband, otherwise it is vigilant investigation.

 

 

:D

 

Tom

[Equest]

Just step back and think about ALL of the Drugs that get smuggled into this Country every day. Yet here is customs Harassing you. I know I used to have to deal with quite often. They can be nice or they can be officail , it just depends on the time of day. What a waste of time. But they have to perform X amount of random searches to fill in the blanks. It is all for show.

 

I will say no more, because trust me Big Brother IS watching.

 

I agree but so many people like the benefits of big government. Personally I like the idea of reaping the benefits of my hard work and paying the consciences for my mistakes. Have you ever wondered why Carnival ships are not registered USA? Pay attention people!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I agree but so many people like the benefits of big government. Personally I like the idea of reaping the benefits of my hard work and paying the consciences for my mistakes. Have you ever wondered why Carnival ships are not registered USA? Pay attention people!

 

I wasnt paying attention. Could you enlighten me ?

 

Bill

[southbayer]

Well, luckily for you, at least you weren't starving to death, i'm sure most folks pack it in the last night:D

Not Carnivals fault but Homeland security I guess.

 

We did luggage express since our flight was at 2pm from FLL and were going to disembark at our leisure to kill time.

 

Just got out of the shower at a little before 8am when the phone rang. It was guest services telling us to bring our stuff and our sail and sign card immediately as we had to get off the ship right away.

 

We asked why but they would not tell us anything, they just repeated we must get off the ship immediately and after we got off we could not get back on.

 

Went down not knowing if it was a family emergency or what and were escorted to customs into a room and told to sit and wait.

 

Carnival put our cards into the machine as we were leaving and it started buzzing and saying STOP! I didn't need the attention.:p

 

Finally a customs guy comes over and makes us empty our pockets, remove my hat and step back as he proceeded to open our luggage and check everything and my wifes purse.

 

Asked if we claimed everything on our customs form etc.

 

After all this he says we can repack the suitcases and were free to go.

 

Why Carnival just couldn't tell us what was going on is the confusing part.

 

After reading how that woman was falsely arrested a few weeks back all sorts of things were going through my mind.

 

So we got to the airport and got a dose of reality a little sooner than we anticipated as we had to buy our own breakfast for the first time in a week.:rolleyes:

 

Bill

[misguidedangel]

Well, the first problem is if you are going to do self assist, you need to br up, have eaten breakfast, and ready to get off the ship by 7:30am, not 8am!!!!

 

I do the leave the luggage out and since I have Tag #1, I am off the ship by 8am, but even so, I am always up by 530am on debarkation day so I can wake up, have breakfast, walk around the ship, and then go wait for the call to get off the ship.....

 

Debarkation for any self assist is early, early, early!!!!!!!

[165 Valley]

TSA is there to harass; government created a monster, and it has continued to grow and grow; they are arrogant; hard to appreciate being abused.

 

It's easy to forget those procedures and policies are in place to protect you and the rest of the public.

 

It's also easy to let it bother you if you are singled out. But, anyone that is innocent should accept it and appreciate the job these people do. I would be honored to experience it.

[melodystrother]

Not Carnivals fault but Homeland security I guess.

 

We did luggage express since our flight was at 2pm from FLL and were going to disembark at our leisure to kill time.

 

Just got out of the shower at a little before 8am when the phone rang. It was guest services telling us to bring our stuff and our sail and sign card immediately as we had to get off the ship right away.

 

We asked why but they would not tell us anything, they just repeated we must get off the ship immediately and after we got off we could not get back on.

 

Went down not knowing if it was a family emergency or what and were escorted to customs into a room and told to sit and wait.

 

Carnival put our cards into the machine as we were leaving and it started buzzing and saying STOP! I didn't need the attention.:p

 

Finally a customs guy comes over and makes us empty our pockets, remove my hat and step back as he proceeded to open our luggage and check everything and my wifes purse.

 

Asked if we claimed everything on our customs form etc.

 

After all this he says we can repack the suitcases and were free to go.

 

Why Carnival just couldn't tell us what was going on is the confusing part.

 

After reading how that woman was falsely arrested a few weeks back all sorts of things were going through my mind.

 

So we got to the airport and got a dose of reality a little sooner than we anticipated as we had to buy our own breakfast for the first time in a week.:rolleyes:

 

Bill

You must get out of your room prompt once they have come to a stop. They have to start cleaning your room for the next passenger. we are always ready to walk out right at 8 a.m. and just go down to the buffet to eat breakfast and then wait to be called to customs. We didnt know this furst cruise that we could eat at buffet and waited in the hallway forever.

[GeneHunter]

We did luggage express since our flight was at 2pm from FLL and were going to disembark at our leisure to kill time.

 

From the Luggage Express instructions:

On debarkation day, participants will be required to meet in a designated lounge for priority disembarkation.

 

Since you weren't there, but your luggage was, they are assuming that you have something to hide.

[misstopgun]

Maybe because they were so close to the limit on their jewelry purchase the TSA felt they could show they were above with other purchases. Most jewelers in port ask for your ship and cabin numbers with a major purchase so I am sure that information goes somewhere. I even had to give my ship and cabin number for cigars in Hondouras and they were Dominican cigars. Why would they ask if it wasn't being reported? Strange though, loose jewels are duty free but jewelry has to be claimed. Go figure.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

From the Luggage Express instructions:

On debarkation day, participants will be required to meet in a designated lounge for priority disembarkation.

 

Since you weren't there, but your luggage was, they are assuming that you have something to hide.

 

What was myluggage doing in a designated lounge? It was supposed to go from our room directly to the airport?

 

Since your flight cant be before 2pm, you are supposed to be in the designated lounge at 7am.?

 

Bill

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Maybe because they were so close to the limit on their jewelry purchase the TSA felt they could show they were above with other purchases. Most jewelers in port ask for your ship and cabin numbers with a major purchase so I am sure that information goes somewhere. I even had to give my ship and cabin number for cigars in Hondouras and they were Dominican cigars. Why would they ask if it wasn't being reported? Strange though, loose jewels are duty free but jewelry has to be claimed. Go figure.

 

Sorry good guess but incorrect. We only got off on 2 of the 4 ports and didnt go shopping. In Cozumel got off the ship and right to Nachi.

 

In Roatan went on a tour and the beach. Again no shopping.

 

I believe even with the purchases on the ship we spent around $140.

 

It was simply our turn. No more no less.:)

 

Bill

[GeneHunter]

Since your flight cant be before 2pm, you are supposed to be in the designated lounge at 7am.?

 

Yes, the group of people who use the Baggage Express option must all go through customs at the same time. You and your baggage must clear customs at the same time, even if you don't see your luggage. The baggage is waiting to go, but is still there if customs wishes to inspect it.

 

Many people who use the Baggage Express option want to spend a day exploring without having to worry about what to do with their luggage.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Sorry Tom but yes you are supposed to have all receipts on hand for your customs declaration.

 

As for the OP, I can't really blame Carnival for cooperating with Customs 150%. Customs has the power to make things really miserable for them.

 

I just checked our papers from the cruise and it said to meet at the Ivanhoe Lounge at 8am and they will escort you through customs when the ship is cleared.

 

Since it was before 8 when they called they couldnt say I wasnt there on time.

 

Anyway it got us off the ship fast.:)

 

Bill

[wimsiecruise]

I had to read 13 pages but it was well worth it ! Very interesting thread ! And a tad scary... I think American citizens are losing their civil liberties and Canadians are losing some of theirs by default.

 

I've had to travel to the States (from Vancouver), twice in the last two years for family weddings and I have to say, our respective Customs Officers are getting as mean as snakes ! Or too big for their britches ! That's why I feel sorry for the OP. Intimidation is becoming part of their due process. I'm a sweet looking 60 + blonde and look about as much as a terrorist or drug smuggler as Grandma Moses, but I've been set aside, sent over to another desk, questioned over and over about my reasons for entering the States and may I say, not in a polite manner ! :p Then, when I came back from an all-inclusive in Mexico without the requisite floppy straw hat, and claimed I had bought nothing, (I hadn't, no time), the female border guard sent me over to another desk to have my bags searched ! She didn't believe another female could go to Mexico and not buy anything (I was in a Club Med resort in Playa Blanca, middle of the jungle for Pete's sake, no shopping malls)! I know y'all have to be careful since 9/11, you're my cousins and my neighbours and I luv ya, but I'm getting hives just thinking about my forthcoming cruise and wondering what I'll be facing with US customs and then with my own guys when I get back to Canada! I'm innocent I tell ya ! :eek:

[nrdsb4]

 

I'm a sweet looking 60 + blonde and look about as much as a terrorist or drug smuggler as Grandma Moses, but I've been set aside, sent over to another desk, questioned over and over about my reasons for entering the States and may I say, not in a polite manner !

 

That doesn't mean they were worried you were a terrorist or drug smuggler (although many people who appear to be fine individuals have been caught with drugs on them). They also have to consider whether you might be trying to enter the states permanently or hoping to illegally find work, etc. We were asked those same questions while going through immigration in England.

 

As to terrorism, thanks to Colleen LaRose, (a blonde haired blue eyed American woman accused of being a terrorist), we can no longer trust that looking "innocent" will shield us from scrutiny.

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/10/eveningnews/main6286729.shtml

[Georgia Peach 4]

Maybe they were just trying to hurry up and get you off the ship. If you were at breakfast in the MDR or buffet, they would not have been able to get you by telephone.

[rednose83]

We've been rudely searched by customs twice.

 

The first time was when Hubby and I went on a quick 4 day out of Miami on the Imagination. We are divers so we dove in both ports- Key West and Cozumel. Diving often means no time for anything else! We are also not shoppers. We didn't buy anything- NOT a single thing. So I filled out our customs declaration to show nothing purchased. We went through the line and I haded the form and our PPs to the customs guy. He started grilling us "Are you SURE you didn't buy anything?" "What's new in your bags?" and all kinds of stuff. Then he signals us over to a table where they pull out everything in our bags (both our suitcases and dive bags). For their search, they are rewarded with our slightly damp dive gear and 4 days worth of dirty undies :D The dirty undie part was pretty embarrassing at the time!

 

The second time was at the beginning of this moth. My sister, 18 month old niece and I went on a weekend cruise on the NCL Sky. My sister bought two bottles of alcohol which went on her form. When we went through the line, the guy asked how many bottles, sister said two. He lets her go. THen says to me "how many do you have?" I said none. He tells me "Ya, right. and directs me to the table to be searched. They find nothing yet again and let me go.

 

We are going on the Sky again so I hope I don't get "chosen" this time!

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

...

 

The second time was at the beginning of this moth. My sister, 18 month old niece and I went on a weekend cruise on the NCL Sky. My sister bought two bottles of alcohol which went on her form. When we went through the line, the guy asked how many bottles, sister said two. He lets her go. Then says to me "how many do you have?" I said none. He tells me "Ya, right" and directs me to the table to be searched. They find nothing yet again and let me go.

 

We are going on the Sky again so I hope I don't get "chosen" this time!

 

That is a good example of a "know it all" JERK whose power has gone to his head!

 

Tom

[Oscar_the_Grouch's_Sis]

That is a good example of a "know it all" JERK whose power has gone to his head!

 

Tom

 

LOL! I wouldn't have been snotty and said something like "ya, I guess I was right!" :D (Of course I would have regretted it later)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

LOL! I wouldn't have been snotty and said something like "ya' date=' I guess I [i']was[/i] right!" :D (Of course I would have regretted it later)

 

You mean AFTER the cavity search, right? :eek:

 

:D

 

Tom

[halos]

That is a good example of a "know it all" JERK whose power has gone to his head!

 

Tom

I agree.