Customs and Immigration Questions

[NCNina]

DH and I just returned from a wonderful week on the Equinox. In spite of some dreary weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the attentive, cheerful service as well as the meals in MDR, the buffet, and specialty dining-- Tuscan (once) and Murano (twice).

 

I do have a couple of questions about disembarkation relating to Customs and Immigration. First, some background. We have done self-assist disembarkation on our last few cruises, mainly because we choose earlier flights home. It’s always worked very well for us, and I must say that we appreciated the way the staff on Equinox sets this up with a rope line to indicate where the queue begins. However, there was a glitch yesterday morning upon our return to Miami that developed into a tricky situation. As we were waiting in line, we were informed (slightly before 7:00) that certain guests had been chosen by Customs at random for an inspection. We were told not to worry (i.e. get upset!) when we saw these folks escorted off the ship ahead of the line. Many were concerned about how long this would delay us. So question #1 is: Is this what people refer to when they talk about “Customs Inspections”?

 

This all may have been a relatively benign situation, except that an elderly passenger who had been chosen for this inspection became irate, started shouting that he didn’t want to leave his family, and then took off for parts unknown on the ship, resulting in a great deal of tension and anxiety for all of us who witnessed this—including the staff. (Who, by the way, maintained a professional demeanor throughout.) When this passenger was finally located (about 15 minutes later), he was still upset as he was escorted by the line of guests, many of whom shouted at him that he was holding up the entire ship. Needless to say, this was an unfortunate incident in all respects. Question #2 is: Has anyone experienced this “random selection,” and if so, does Customs make an effort to keep family groups intact? Clearly, this poor man was worried about being separated from the folks he was traveling with.

 

Thanks to anyone who might provide insight.

[dutchclogs]

Thinking of family groups, how does this work with shared luggage?

[gerelmx]

It's weird that they told you that you are selected for the surprise revision with anticipation, I have always seen that it is at the moment that you present yourself with the inspector that he tells you. Bingo you win a special revision/inspection.

[mom says]

Were they chosen for Customs, or Immigration inspections? Big spenders in the ship stores can sometimes trigger extra Customs attention. Someone with a visa problem, an outstanding warrant, or violating a travel restriction could be invited for a conversation with Immigration agents. Or it could be a completely random pick, as they said.

 

I wonder if that irate senior actually asked if his SO could accompany him. Expecting them to allow a large group would be asking a bit much. How hard would it be to meet up after Customs?

[phoenix_dream]

This is yet another example of why I always tell people not to listen to posters here who assure them that they can easily make a 9:30 FLL or MIA flight. Sometimes you get delayed by Customs/Immigration. Sometimes the whole ship gets delayed (we had 2 cruises where disembarkation STARTED at 9:30!).

 

While I'm venting, I will once again encourage people who do not really need early disembarkation to please, please, please just wait your turn and disembark at the standard time. There are many people who do have early flights, or who sometimes had a decent flight time that got bumped up by the airline (this happened to us once - we had to run through the airport and were literally the last ones onboard the plane). Please, please, please, please don't join the early disembarkation crowd just because you would rather pull off your own suitcases, or you like to hit the road early for the short drive home so you can get back to hug Rover. You are clogging up the elevators for people who really need them, and slowing down the early disembarking procedure. In all likelihood, your lack of consideration may be causing someone to miss their flight home. If you have a good reason, fine. But just because you can, just because you have the 'right' as much as they do, doesn't mean you should.

[Cruisenouvelle]

We were once part of a ' random' inspection for an onboard jewelry purchase that DH didn't think he needed to declare. I'm not so sure they're random.

[dkjretired]

We were once part of a ' random' inspection for an onboard jewelry purchase that DH didn't think he needed to declare. I'm not so sure they're random.

 

Agree, looks to me that they were looking for something particular and perhaps a target was in the “randomly” selected group.

[KateWes]

I have never seen the random inspections happen but for anyone that was on the Equinox on 14th May cruise this year will have experienced the horrific situation at Key West where the customs guys decided to do a FULL customs procedure.

 

Every non-US citizen had to fill out green customs forms and get checked individually and stamped to get through! It was a total nightmare - we waited for over 2 hours and missed a huge portion of our port time in Key West!

 

The cruise staff were fantastic and kept us informed as much as they could! Apparently the immigration guys can decide to do this whenever they like and on this occasion only gave the staff an hours notice and had to clear everyone out of then dining room while they “set up!” Before letting everyone queue up again! Logistical nightmare for the staff! Lots of annoyed people and we were also told that the cruise staff were not permitted to provide any refreshments to those waiting and had to distribute the forms that had not been used in over 2 years! Lucky us! Lol

 

All in all it seems they have do what they like without question... and that’s more or less what the head of customer service on the ship told us as we neared the top of the Queue!

[Fogfog]

We've experienced delays --had significant delays in Feb of this year.

Don't know why...

 

Just this week we saw the couple in front of us asked a multitude of questions etc.

 

When it comes to Customs and Immigration I don't mind them doing their job.

I do wonder what the ship reports back to Customs upon arrival... ie what is purchased/brought onboard, what is purchased onboard or any suspicious behaviors??

[Arzeena]

DH and I just returned from a wonderful week on the Equinox. In spite of some dreary weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the attentive, cheerful service as well as the meals in MDR, the buffet, and specialty dining-- Tuscan (once) and Murano (twice).

 

I do have a couple of questions about disembarkation relating to Customs and Immigration. First, some background. We have done self-assist disembarkation on our last few cruises, mainly because we choose earlier flights home. It’s always worked very well for us, and I must say that we appreciated the way the staff on Equinox sets this up with a rope line to indicate where the queue begins. However, there was a glitch yesterday morning upon our return to Miami that developed into a tricky situation. As we were waiting in line, we were informed (slightly before 7:00) that certain guests had been chosen by Customs at random for an inspection. We were told not to worry (i.e. get upset!) when we saw these folks escorted off the ship ahead of the line. Many were concerned about how long this would delay us. So question #1 is: Is this what people refer to when they talk about “Customs Inspections”?

 

This all may have been a relatively benign situation, except that an elderly passenger who had been chosen for this inspection became irate, started shouting that he didn’t want to leave his family, and then took off for parts unknown on the ship, resulting in a great deal of tension and anxiety for all of us who witnessed this—including the staff. (Who, by the way, maintained a professional demeanor throughout.) When this passenger was finally located (about 15 minutes later), he was still upset as he was escorted by the line of guests, many of whom shouted at him that he was holding up the entire ship. Needless to say, this was an unfortunate incident in all respects. Question #2 is: Has anyone experienced this “random selection,” and if so, does Customs make an effort to keep family groups intact? Clearly, this poor man was worried about being separated from the folks he was traveling with.

 

Thanks to anyone who might provide insight.

 

Yes, it happened to us and another 300 people. Different ship, another cruise line, another port. Customs form attached to the a nicely written letter, that we had won this raffle. This was left the night before in the cabin. Went by very fast. It was done onboard (not in the terminal) at disembakation and it did not hold back the line of early walk offs.

[CelticMCO]

If their luggage was in the Customs hall there is a possibility that a dog "hit" on on a bag or something was found. Usually no one is pulled out for secondary until they present their luggage though. Highly doubtful it was random, plus it really should not slow anything down as the secondary inspection area is separate from the rest of the lines. Go ahead and get irate you are just making it harder on yourself and others; you have zero rights regarding search and seizure at a Port of Entry

[Charles4515]

We've experienced delays --had significant delays in Feb of this year.

Don't know why...

 

Just this week we saw the couple in front of us asked a multitude of questions etc.

 

When it comes to Customs and Immigration I don't mind them doing their job.

I do wonder what the ship reports back to Customs upon arrival... ie what is purchased/brought onboard, what is purchased onboard or any suspicious behaviors??

 

They report purchases. I know someone who didn't report an expensive watch purchased onboard. They were under the mistaken impression that duty free meant they didn't have to report or pay customs. When their cruise card was scanned departing a buzzer went off. They got dinged, had to see the customs officer and pay.

[bEwAbG]

And for those with Global Entry, such folly can cause loss of privileges.

[txflood33]

And for those with Global Entry, such folly can cause loss of privileges.

 

Do US ports have Global Entry now? I've only used it flying into the US. When I got it about 4 years ago, the ports were not set up with it yet.

[acctgtogo]

How would they know if you "forgot" to report something to customs if they are choosing people before you get to customs with your form? If they are choosing people before you disembark, they wouldn't know if you were going to try to get through Customs without declaring something as they haven't seen your form yet. It may not be random - they may choose people that bought things on board just to see if they are being reported, but I would think most people (but not all) would have reported what they bought.

[Durban]

If you have a criminal record, involving drugs etc, border control can flag you and everyone sailing in your cabin. Seen it happen in JAX port, when you scan you card exiting the ship they take you to the side and wait for border control to collect you, where you will be questioned, and luggage searched. If all goes well you get to leave.

 

 

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[Turtles06]

Do US ports have Global Entry now? I've only used it flying into the US. When I got it about 4 years ago, the ports were not set up with it yet.

 

And the vast majority still don't have it. From what I've read on here, it's my understanding that FLL does; I think Miami might as well. Hopefully folks who've recently disembarked there will chime in.

 

Also, it's possible in some ports that don't officially have Global Entry yet that you can still get to the front of the line by showing your card to the officials. Newark I think is one.

 

But again, Global Entry is still not in most ports. :(

[NantahalaCruiser]

This is yet another example of why I always tell people not to listen to posters here who assure them that they can easily make a 9:30 FLL or MIA flight. Sometimes you get delayed by Customs/Immigration. Sometimes the whole ship gets delayed (we had 2 cruises where disembarkation STARTED at 9:30!).

 

While I'm venting, I will once again encourage people who do not really need early disembarkation to please, please, please just wait your turn and disembark at the standard time. There are many people who do have early flights, or who sometimes had a decent flight time that got bumped up by the airline (this happened to us once - we had to run through the airport and were literally the last ones onboard the plane). Please, please, please, please don't join the early disembarkation crowd just because you would rather pull off your own suitcases, or you like to hit the road early for the short drive home so you can get back to hug Rover. You are clogging up the elevators for people who really need them, and slowing down the early disembarking procedure. In all likelihood, your lack of consideration may be causing someone to miss their flight home. If you have a good reason, fine. But just because you can, just because you have the 'right' as much as they do, doesn't mean you should.

I agree with your first paragraph but disagree with your value judgements in your second paragraph (which seems in some ways to be contrary to your first paragraph.) I have never made use of an early self-disembarkment; but if I chose to do so, then I would not like to be judged according to my reasons for doing so. I fail to see the logic in assigning values and priorities to the reasons for the early departure. Per your first paragraph, if you choose an early flight, then you are also choosing the associated risk and others should not be blamed for the consequences if things go bad.

[GottaKnowWhen]

And for those with Global Entry, such folly can cause loss of privileges.

 

Do US ports have Global Entry now? I've only used it flying into the US. When I got it about 4 years ago, the ports were not set up with it yet.

 

Most ports, no not yet.

But the previous poster's comment is still right on target. Doesn't matter if you left it home, knowing it would be of no use on this trip. It is linked to your passport #, they know you have it. A Global Entry card is a privilege granted after finger printing, a deep background check, the payment of some fees, and a signed agreement to abide by all rules and regs. In essence, "we are giving you a shortcut through inspections because we have decided we trust you. If you abuse that trust (e.g. by not declaring goods purchased abroad), the incident goes on your record and you likely lose your privileges and have little chance of ever regaining them." Like when you tell your son he can drive your Porsche as long as he doesn't go over 35mph. When he is caught speeding at 80mph in a 45mph zone, he is in a bit of trouble.

 

Stan

[beltane]

We've been seriously delayed on 2 cruises. One time we lost an engine just off the coast of Roatan and hobbled back to Tampa slowly. Arrived at 2:30 p.m. so not only were we late getting off, but the cruise terminal was jam packed with angry cruisers who hadn't been able to board yet for the next cruise! The second time we were on our way back to Fort Lauderdale and my husband noticed the ship was turning. Sure enough we were doing a U-turn. Finally was announced on the system that we were headed BACK to Puerto Rico to drop off a gravely ill passenger. That time we got back into port by 10:00 a.m. for disembarkation. You don't always get off the ship in a timely manner.

[wave rider]

A couple years ago my wife and I were flagged for customs in Fort Lauderdale as we presented our seapass to leave the ship. The system beeped at us and security said please wait we need to escort you to customs. We were escorted through all the waiting crowd to a separate holding area where we sat for about 15 minutes. When the customs agent called us forward, we had been the only people waiting, he looked at our passports and just told us we could go through. When asked what we had been pulled aside for he just waved his hand and said no issues. Because of the long lines to get through normal debarkation and customs, we left the rest of our group at the port and headed for the airport. We were there about 1 hour 45 minutes before everyone else. It worked out for us this time anyway!:D Never did find out why we had been pulled aside though.

[bjahil47]

We were flagged for customs a few years ago after our seapass was scanned. We and a few other people waited about 5 minutes to be called into a room. We had done the luggage valet but our luggage was in the room. I was upset as we had a flight to catch. The inspector asked us a few basic questions that really were not relevant. Chatted with us a few minutes and we were done. We got out of there way earlier than everyone else. We were happy ! They can inspect me anytime, I have nothing to hide!