Fort Lauderdale immigration line, ugh!

[mrsgoggins]

Yesterday - so it was a Tuesday if that makes a difference - we stood in line for 90 minutes in the 'pig pen' just to get through immigration after disembarking Infinity. There were not many desks open. They also joined the American and non-American lines later so I there were many Americans in line with us also.

 

We went through Fort Lauderdale In January of last year and have no memory of it so assume it was a smooth process.

 

 

Were we just unlucky yesterday or is this common? We will be going through again next January and are thinking of doing very early self disembarkation. Any downsides to doing this other than the obvious ones?

[captdave]

Celebrity Infinity Panama Canal Cruise Sept/Oct 2015 we ended here. What a horrible way to end a perfect trip.

 

 

CaptDave

[Saturngrl]

Your post reinforces my decision to apply for Global Traveler status before our cruise out of Port Everglades in November. Thank you for the information!

[oneputt18]

Mobile Passport lines are usually less than 15 people.

[Northern Aurora]

We apparently were on the same cruise with "mrsgoggins." We also departed the Infinity yesterday, and our process was incredibly smooth.

 

We were literally the last suite passengers to disembark. The Michael's Club conceirge took us directly to the Infinity's security station to "ding out." There was a Celebrity employee waiting for us at the Suite/Zenith luggage area who took us to the immigration line for suite passengers. And this time there was a long line of taxis waiting for customers, which was a contrast to 2015 in Ft. Lauderdale when the long line was the queue for taxis.

[ClaudiaB]

Sorry this happened to you. We have never had a slow process, but usually we're leaving among the first handful. We have seen long lines in the past, that we were whizzing past (I'm sorry) as Americans, but it's where they told us to go. We're suite pax normally but we've never had any perks there, I guess because we don't go to Michael's, we just walk out our cabin early and line up. We definitely don't need an escort! At that hour the elevators are totally free, too. I can think of no downside to self-disembarkation, we've done it many times. You keep all your luggage with you, you don't need a number or location to wait in, you don't have to search for luggage in the terminal - you just have to get in line very early. We forego breakfast and usually we're in line 6:45, out the door by 7:30, and at the airport past TSA PRE by 8:00.

There are those who would say it's silly to hurry on your last morning. When our ship docks, our vacation is over, we're ready to be home. We don't "hurry," we're morning people and it's not a big deal to get up. I've done plenty of lounging and relaxing. We're not stressed in the early departure, we're not blocking people, we just calmly walk down and line up. We just do it ahead of the given time.

 

When we're able to fly home and be in our house by a little after noon, it's all worth it. We haven't wasted an entire day on our travel - DH is back in the office that afternoon.

[FlorenceItaly]

OP - I am sorry to hear about your disembarkation process. Please come back and tell us about your cruise. We board the Infinity on the 17th of this month for the Pacific Coastal cruise. We will be back on her again in October for Panama Canal, FL - SD. How was the live music? THANK YOU!

[bluwes]

Just a short tale about our latest experience of Fort Lauderdale.

 

We disembarked the Equinox on 24th March and timed our leaving the ship to give us plenty of time to clear immigration and get to the airport for our early afternoon flight.

The hall was very busy but the line was moving slowly. After about 30 minutes the A/C cut out and the fire alarms activated. My wife and I were probably about another 30 minutes from reaching the desks.

Everyone in the hall was evacuated back outside the building, towards the dockside, having to drag our full size suitcases and carry ons with us.

After 5 minutes 1 Firetruck arrived and the crew made their way inside the building. It was obviously a false alarm but we were kept outside for another 20 minutes or so before being allowed back in after the Border officers had resumed their desks.

Fortunately for us, they staggered the release back into the building and we were one of the first group allowed in, as a result we were now at the front of the line.

So the delay didnt cause us much of a problem, but there were lots of people panicking about missing connections.

[villauk]

Yesterday - so it was a Tuesday if that makes a difference - we stood in line for 90 minutes in the 'pig pen' just to get through immigration after disembarking Infinity. There were not many desks open. They also joined the American and non-American lines later so I there were many Americans in line with us also.

 

We went through Fort Lauderdale In January of last year and have no memory of it so assume it was a smooth process.

 

 

Were we just unlucky yesterday or is this common? We will be going through again next January and are thinking of doing very early self disembarkation. Any downsides to doing this other than the obvious ones?

 

Think it's the luck of the draw. A couple of years ago when we disembarked Equinox, we had the same experience as yourself: well over an hour waiting in the queue.

[Fouremco]

Were we just unlucky yesterday or is this common? We will be going through again next January and are thinking of doing very early self disembarkation. Any downsides to doing this other than the obvious ones?

If you don't like the thought of early self-disembarkation - I know I don't - consider getting Global Entry. We've had it for a few years and found that it saves a huge amount of time. Details for UK applicants can be found here:

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/international-arrangements/registered-traveller/citizens-united-kingdom

 

It will also expedite travel through airports, including TSA Precheck, a big time saver on your way home.

[mrsgoggins]

Thanks for all of your comments. Captdave I read your post as you had the same experience after the same cruise in 2015. As you intimate, it's a lousy way to end a good trip.

 

Northern Aurora, you pay a lot for your privileges as suite passengers and so I'm happy that your experience was far removed from mine and that of very many others.

 

Florence Italy, I loved the cruise and enjoyed all the live music around the ship. I'd say that as sixty somethings we were around the average age and they catered to the passengers. Maybe a bit too much - I felt like music from the eighties onwards almost didn't exist! The Canal was fascinating and the resident expert, Bill Fall, did a great job with his lectures and commentary. I'm sure you will have a good time on the Infinity, and as a bonus, you should have my favourite CD, Alejandro. We had Luigi, who was very likeable.

 

To those who mentioned Global Traveler status, thank you. Five years ago I might have considered it, but after 30 years of at least 2 USA visits a year, I see this pattern changing in future, so it may not be worthwhile.

 

However, I have cruises booked January 2018 and 2019, both out of Port Everglades and so I was encouraged by ClaudiaB's reply. We are early risers and so would happily forgo the breakfast not to endure that experience again, so as long as DH is happy enough to cope with our luggage, then I'm pretty sure we'll be self-disembarking in future.

 

Bluwes, just wow! I can imagine how tense that must have been for those heading for the airport.

[redransom]

We're Australian and the immigration line at Ft Lauderdale is a nightmare. Yesterday we walked off with our luggage and were out in less than 30 minutes rather than the normal 2 hrs. For foreign nationals this is the only way to go.

 

Sent from my SM-G900I using Forums mobile app

[sandc4e]

Get Mobile Passport for your phone - literally was 5 mins. for us.

[mrsgoggins]

Get Mobile Passport for your phone - literally was 5 mins. for us.

Isn't this for US (and maybe Canadian) citizens only?

 

Redransom, did you have Global Entry?

[ECCruise]

Definitely not an everyday occurance.

We disembarked Silhouette in November with the largest passenger load in Port Everglades in history and spent less than 2 minutes in line. Those that did not have Global Entry that were off at the same time as us spent maybe 3 or 4 minutes in line.

We always do self-disembarkation, still have time for breakfast in Ocean View. Never have had a wait longer than 10 minutes or so, even before Global Entry.

[FlorenceItaly]

 

Florence Italy, I loved the cruise and enjoyed all the live music around the ship. I'd say that as sixty somethings we were around the average age and they catered to the passengers. Maybe a bit too much - I felt like music from the eighties onwards almost didn't exist! The Canal was fascinating and the resident expert, Bill Fall, did a great job with his lectures and commentary. I'm sure you will have a good time on the Infinity, and as a bonus, you should have my favourite CD, Alejandro. We had Luigi, who was very likeable.

 

Did Luigi disembark in FL? I am glad to hear you enjoyed all the live music around the ship, but, am little disappointed to hear eighties onward almost didn't exist. I am 54, and my dh 68. I've heard wonderful things about Bill Fall, and hope he will be on our Canal cruise in October. Thank you for sharing with me!

[mrsgoggins]

Did Luigi disembark in FL? I am glad to hear you enjoyed all the live music around the ship, but, am little disappointed to hear eighties onward almost didn't exist. I am 54, and my dh 68. I've heard wonderful things about Bill Fall, and hope he will be on our Canal cruise in October. Thank you for sharing with me!

 

Yes, Luigi was leaving the ship in FL. Your experience of the music on board may be different to mine of course, and believe me this is nit-picking my even mentioning it! So long as it's not rap or techno music, I'm happy 😊

 

Btw, if you do Select dining, David and Igor were wonderful servers with great service too. Enjoy.

[FlorenceItaly]

Yes, Luigi was leaving the ship in FL. Your experience of the music on board may be different to mine of course, and believe me this is nit-picking my even mentioning it! So long as it's not rap or techno music, I'm happy

 

Btw, if you do Select dining, David and Igor were wonderful servers with great service too. Enjoy.

 

We ARE doing Select and have reservations. Did you have a table for two? I have written their names down, and will request them. THANK YOU!! Btw, we like rap and techno, lol, and enjoy when the DJ plays it near the Martini Bar. There is not much we don't like and have no doubt we will enjoy ALL the LIVE music. This is a very port intensive cruise so I am not sure how late we will be out.

[mrsgoggins]

We're Australian and the immigration line at Ft Lauderdale is a nightmare. Yesterday we walked off with our luggage and were out in less than 30 minutes rather than the normal 2 hrs. For foreign nationals this is the only way to go.

 

Sent from my SM-G900I using Forums mobile app

 

I've just re-read your post and now understand that you self-disembarked, and yes I'm sure that's what we'll be doing in future. It took me by surprise though, having had no issues last time.

[FlorenceItaly]

ONE more question...many thanks :). Was the Sommelier readily available in the MDR?

[mrsgoggins]

ONE more question...many thanks :). Was the Sommelier readily available in the MDR?

 

The Sommelier in David and Igor's section was Vergie (short for Virginia I believe) and she was super-attentive; our best ever.

 

We did have a table for 2, usually by the window, but often had at least brief chats with others nearby.

[FlorenceItaly]

The Sommelier in David and Igor's section was Vergie (short for Virginia I believe) and she was super-attentive; our best ever.

 

We did have a table for 2, usually by the window, but often had at least brief chats with others nearby.

 

Fabulous! I am now even more excited for this cruise. Thank you!

[jimzgoldfinch]

HI,

In all my visits abroad, this was the worst experience I have had with customs/ immigration. I was scheduled to disembark at 09.00 and eventually cleared customs at 11.00. Fortunately i got a taxi immediately. Why was there so few immigration officials.

 

JIm

[mrsgoggins]

HI,

In all my visits abroad, this was the worst experience I have had with customs/ immigration. I was scheduled to disembark at 09.00 and eventually cleared customs at 11.00. Fortunately i got a taxi immediately. Why was there so few immigration officials.

 

JIm

 

I assume we were on the same cruise. When we finally got through, I approached an official standing by a 'How did we do?' board. There was an empty card holder on the board so I asked him (very politely since I always assume that whatever has gone wrong is unlikely to be the fault of the front line person) how I could comment? He pointed to an email address, which was www.help.cbp.gov

 

I haven't composed anything yet, but I will do. My DH says it's a waste of time. Well, maybe, but I'll be having my say anyway.

[keesar]

I have found that the process in Port Everglades is painfully slow each time I have been through. What was frustrating were the number of staff on breaks leaving few lines open. Global Entry closed for a break.