no breakfast before getting off ship!

[xerenthar]

we need to accept things without question. because i or you could not do a better job.what is real safety? politician also need to do the same as we do unless of course they fly their own jet. it is people like you who are the problem

bia

 

terrifying. truly terrifying.

[nrdsb4]

we need to accept things without question. because i or you could not do a better job.what is real safety? politician also need to do the same as we do unless of course they fly their own jet. it is people like you who are the problem

bia

 

That statement totally goes against the spirit of a representative, free democracy. This is not a country ruled by a king or despot. We should never stop questioning policies which threaten our freedom. Where would this country be if our founding fathers had "accepted things without question?":rolleyes:

[katiel53]

Amen. That's exactly what we've become. And we go along with it like a bunch of sheep to slaughter.

 

Just one question for you. Are you a member of ACLU?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

we need to accept things without question. because i or you could not do a better job.what is real safety? politician also need to do the same as we do unless of course they fly their own jet. it is people like you who are the problem

bia

 

 

W T H are you talking about ??

 

:rolleyes:

[rrraydon]

BS!! This very kind of thinking and attitude is why we've lost so much of our personal freedoms and rights to be left alone. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

 

Rose

 

Hear! Hear!

[fan1080]

BS!! This very kind of thinking and attitude is why we've lost so much of our personal freedoms and rights to be left alone. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

 

Rose

 

What then is acceptable border protection? Or, maybe none at all, just leave it open for the masses to come in freely and bring in what they want?

 

That's not a smart-azz question either. Seriously, what do you think should change and why?

[CWcruisers]

What then is acceptable border protection? Or, maybe none at all, just leave it open for the masses to come in freely and bring in what they want?

 

That's not a smart-azz question either. Seriously, what do you think should change and why?

 

 

The OP was not talking about border protection, he was talking about mis-treatment by customs. Customs has nothing to do with border protection. And to think that Customs should have that much power and authority as to demand people out of their cabins with no explanation is the loss of liberty disguized as safety, IMHO.

[meatloafsfan]

The dogs may have not been looking for drugs. A year or so ago, my DD and I changed planes in El Salvador on our way to Peru. While we we waiting for our flight a soldier with a dog (and a machine gun) came by and the dog stopped in front of my DD's backpack. The soldier asked her to empty it. She started to do so. When she took out a wad of about 30 dollar bills which she had in case we needed small change, he said thank you and moved on.

 

They were drug sniffing dogs. Dollar bills often have cocaine residue on them.

 

We disembarked a couple of years ago from a cruise and when we rounded the corner to see customs there were 3 officers with dogs which they released on me. Dummy me, being an animal person, immediately started interacting with the dogs, petting and praising them as "good dogs" and it didn't even occur to me that they were checking me for drugs or something. When the dogs didn't alert on me I was then pulled aside and an officer went thru my luggage and then pulled every rose from a bouquet I was carrying and pulled each petal and leaf off looking for something. All the while I kept my cool and even encouraged them to do whatever they felt was necessary to ensure the safety of everyone. I was a little concerned that I was suspected for some reason but I figure the officers are just doing a good and thorough job. In the end, as I totally expected, we were told we could go and have a nice day. The question I have is....what did I do or say that singled me out? Curious.

 

By trying to "make friends" with the dogs, you reduce their effectiveness to determine if you can any kind of threat (i.e. drugs). The dogs respond to you because you're petting and praising them. It's a trick that is sometimes used by people who are smuggling.

 

Like any "service animal" you should not initiate contact but first ask the handler if you can touch or speak to them.

[Chirpbird]

Hey Tom-n-Cheryl - I bet they were looking for that hazardous fan of yours!

[Chirpbird]

Just one question for you. Are you a member of ACLU?

You know, what would it matter if LawyerRose is a member of the ACLU? I, myself, am not. But, the ACLU is only seeking to defend and extend individual freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. I may not always agree with how they decide to do that, but I welcome that they are one of many groups looking out for my rights.

[Chirpbird]

I was pulled aside for random TSA screening myself. NBD, right? I was traveling alone, and watched my belongings get pushed to the edge of the little conveyor belt. I asked the screener if they could be put aside so no-one would take them. I think you know what her answer was.

[knukruzer]

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.

 

yes, one is supposed to have receipts available, but there is a lot of truth to the discussions of 'how one does their job.'

 

carnival can cooperate with customs and still be civil to their guests! in place of telling their guest 'to get off the ship', they could say there is a problem with your luggage and we need you to disembark now please. after all, the people working on carnival would not have a job without their guests,eh!

 

[fan1080]

The OP was not talking about border protection, he was talking about mis-treatment by customs. Customs has nothing to do with border protection. And to think that Customs should have that much power and authority as to demand people out of their cabins with no explanation is the loss of liberty disguized as safety, IMHO.

 

I wasn't replying to the OP.

 

I simply asked the poster who replied to my comment what would be acceptable.

 

I think US Customs is now part of the department of homeland security and is now called US Customs and Border Protection, and no longer just a point of collection for tarifs, duties, etc.

[DreaminFP]

There is nothing nice about a customs search and Carnival probably didn't have a clue as to why you were being pulled off the ship by customs. They don't generally give you a heads up that they are going to search you because then you could dispose of something before getting to the area. I have been pulled over both going into Canada and coming back into the states by customs because I was randomly picked, they don't tell you anything but get out of the car and stand in a certain spot then they search your stuff and tell you to be on your way. So what the OP experienced was not really out of the ordinary for customs.

[big_duck]

carnival can cooperate with customs and still be civil to their guests! in place of telling their guest 'to get off the ship', they could say there is a problem with your luggage and we need you to disembark now please. after all, the people working on carnival would not have a job without their guests,eh!

 

 

OP never said anyone was uncivil.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

There is nothing nice about a customs search and Carnival probably didn't have a clue as to why you were being pulled off the ship by customs. They don't generally give you a heads up that they are going to search you because then you could dispose of something before getting to the area. I have been pulled over both going into Canada and coming back into the states by customs because I was randomly picked, they don't tell you anything but get out of the car and stand in a certain spot then they search your stuff and tell you to be on your way. So what the OP experienced was not really out of the ordinary for customs.

 

I'm the OP.

 

First of all I didn't ask Carnival why I was being pulled off the ship by customs. I simply asked why I was being pulled off the ship, period.

 

To which I was told they didn't know by 2 different people on 2 different occasions.

 

Secondly they searched my luggage which they already had in their posession so I wouldn't have an opportunity to ditch anything.

 

Bill

[DGP1111]

You know, what would it matter if LawyerRose is a member of the ACLU? I, myself, am not. But, the ACLU is only seeking to defend and extend individual freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. I may not always agree with how they decide to do that, but I welcome that they are one of many groups looking out for my rights.

 

In full agreement with Chirpbird. :)

.

.

.

.

(see, I told you I'd eventually do that) :D

[knukruzer]

I'm the OP.

 

First of all I didn't ask Carnival why I was being pulled off the ship by customs. I simply asked why I was being pulled off the ship, period.

 

To which I was told they didn't know by 2 different people on 2 different occasions.

 

Secondly they searched my luggage which they already had in their posession so I wouldn't have an opportunity to ditch anything.

 

Bill

 

so Bill - i intimated that your treatment by carnival was not civil. ie - not being told why you needed to get off the ship now. would you classify that as uncivil?

[S.S.Oceanlover]

so Bill - i intimated that your treatment by carnival was not civil. ie - not being told why you needed to get off the ship now. would you classify that as uncivil?

 

not uncivil at all. Seemed like cloak and dagger stuff though. Why get people all rattled and upset when a simple statement as your luggage was randomly selected to be searched and you need to come with us.

 

That would have been enough for me.:)

 

I guess i shouldn't watch "locked up abroad".;)

 

Bill

[CWcruisers]

not uncivil at all. Seemed like cloak and dagger stuff though. Why get people all rattled and upset when a simple statement as your luggage was randomly selected to be searched and you need to come with us.

 

That would have been enough for me.:)

 

 

Me too. If they wanted to charge me duty because they thought I was over my customs limit, they could have handled that on the ship just as they handle immigration. But being made to feel like a criminal is not fun. Especially when my only crime was helping Carnival's bottom line.

 

Lesson learned, never purchase jewelry from the ship.

[PJCruisers]

Which, btw, makes absolutely no sense. Small price to pay for safety/security.

 

The unfortunately thing is, the same people complaining about having to experience it, would likely be the first ones to complain that these organizations aren't doing enough to protect everyone when something goes wrong.

 

They know very well what kind of people are terrorist and are not. People from America, who pay taxes should be treated with a certain level or courtesy and respect despite them having a job to do.

[fan1080]

They know very well what kind of people are terrorist and are not. People from America, who pay taxes should be treated with a certain level or courtesy and respect despite them having a job to do.

 

There are many US citizens who have committed acts of terrorism. Timothy McVeigh and his cohorts comes to mind.

 

And, my comment you quoted was not directed at circumstances surrounding general "Customs" issues, it was directed at something completely different.

[lawyerrose]

Just one question for you. Are you a member of ACLU?

 

 

And you ask because . . . ??:)

[lawyerrose]

You know, what would it matter if LawyerRose is a member of the ACLU? I, myself, am not. But, the ACLU is only seeking to defend and extend individual freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. I may not always agree with how they decide to do that, but I welcome that they are one of many groups looking out for my rights.

 

Thank you, Chirp, couldn't have said it better myself. ;)

[skipp_r1]

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

 

CCL is not permitted to tell you that you are going to Customs inspection. If you had picked up your luggage in the hall you would have been randomly pulled from the line before or after you had completed entrance into the states, normally after you had completed innigration. Because you had chosen luggage express, when Customs randomly picked luggage to inspect you had to go to Customs for this inspection and present them with your form and I.D.

 

This is nothing new they have been doing this for years. Can you imagine the line off the ship if they did this to everyone? Don't sweat it, it happens to a lot of people but they are pulled out of the line not the shower. TSA has certain special attractions that call for special attention the same as Customs.