Boarding in Miami

[police46]

I was just wondering (through past experiences) how quick or slow is the boarding in Miami.

 

Regards,

Police46

[hockeyluver]

it all depends what time you get there, if you get thier early check in is a breeze, if you get there around 1 or so the wait will be long. That is usually when the busses come in with the airport transfers. :eek: We always try to be there before 11:30.

[okgirl]

I always get to the terminal (regardless of what city it's in) around 10:30. In all but the rare case they are letting people check in. There are usually only 60 or so people already there.

 

And boarding usually starts between 11:30 and noon.

[mumofsons]

Miami does have the kiosks that you can check in with and I believe it makes it somewhat faster.

[jsmac3]

Miami is one of those places where the earlier you arrive to check-in, the better - probably because so many people drive to the port or fly in the day of sailing. 10:30am to 11:15am is a good time to arrive.

[my_crib_too]

Carnival does a great job in getting people on their boats. Last week we arrived at noon and were on the ship in 15 minutes. Fastest we have ever been on any ship.

[Colorado Kat]

I've always thought Miami check-in was efficient and quick.

[seannyice81]

...That is usually when the busses come in with the airport transfers. :eek: We always try to be there before 11:30.

 

Once the busses start rolling in, the terminals get pretty busy. 11:30 is usually when they start calling zones, so I like to be there a little before then.

[Butterbean1000]

Miami is my favorite port to get in and out of. Very efficient, fast and well organized.

[SMSACE6]

I have always been able to board fairly quickly. I always get to the port between 10.30 and 11.am, give or take, and have never had a problem, and always been on board by noon.:)

[Breezy72]

This is all very positive and I'm glad the question was asked as we too are embarking from POM for the first time.:)

[misguidedangel]

Goodness, it took forever for me to log in...

 

As for embarkation in Miami, generally it is so easy and quick. However, if the ship you are boarding is coming back from Belize you have a 50% chance that US Customs will check each and every passenger with a fine tooth comb. This means that debarkation is held up because if each group is being questioned by a customs agent for at least 15 minutes or more, it takes forever and a day to clear the ship because they can only allow so many in the customs hall at a time. The ships boarding will be postponed until at least 1pm when boarding could have started at 1030 or 11am......

[Ykgorbie]

We have only cruised out of there once, this past October. My DH, who HATES lineups, commented after we were onboard: "Well, another fast embarkation experience."

[Chigirlcruzin]

Goodness, it took forever for me to log in...

 

As for embarkation in Miami, generally it is so easy and quick. However, if the ship you are boarding is coming back from Belize you have a 50% chance that US Customs will check each and every passenger with a fine tooth comb. This means that debarkation is held up because if each group is being questioned by a customs agent for at least 15 minutes or more, it takes forever and a day to clear the ship because they can only allow so many in the customs hall at a time. The ships boarding will be postponed until at least 1pm when boarding could have started at 1030 or 11am......

 

Really? I've never heard of that! I guess I've been lucky on my 3 cruises that went to Belize.

[Butterbean1000]

Goodness, it took forever for me to log in...

 

As for embarkation in Miami, generally it is so easy and quick. However, if the ship you are boarding is coming back from Belize you have a 50% chance that US Customs will check each and every passenger with a fine tooth comb. This means that debarkation is held up because if each group is being questioned by a customs agent for at least 15 minutes or more, it takes forever and a day to clear the ship because they can only allow so many in the customs hall at a time. The ships boarding will be postponed until at least 1pm when boarding could have started at 1030 or 11am......

 

We've never had this problem coming back from Belize.

[nwbearcat2011]

We have sailed out of Miami once (and will in a few days again). We arrived on a transport bus from our hotel. The line was really long, but it seemed to go quickly after the first check of correct documents. (Have your passport or other documents ready when you walk in the door.)

 

Miami was faster than Mobile (where we were escorted to security faster because we had a child in a stroller~~ security put us on the elevator and walked us over, having us cut other in line and there were six of us-- other than having a 19 month old, we had no clue why.)

[ATL2LAS]

As long as you have your documents in order, the process is very quick and painless.

[police46]

Thank-you all for your positive answers , I am hoping my experience will continue the positive feedback for the POM.

 

Police46

[fergusonvt]

This is all very positive and I'm glad the question was asked as we too are embarking from POM for the first time.:)

 

 

Same here! Thanks everyone!