In Transit fiasco on April 3

[bobpell]

Did a back to back on the Rotterdam with a return to FLL half way through.

These passengers (300+) received a letter in our rooms to be down in the World stage at 9:30am

Customs require all persons have to be off the ship. Count has to be zero then the (300+) In Transit people can get back on board.

2 people ignored the letter and sat on their balcony.

(300+) were herded off and were forced to stand on concrete floor in the luggage hall while the 2 miscreants were finally found and were escorted down to join the rest.

They were soundly booed by the seniors struggling to stay upright.  We all were allowed back close to 11:30 and the 2 ingrates joined in!!

Love to hear about In Transit experiences from others

Senior Bob

[ger_77]

On every B2B we've been on, there have always been a couple of entitled people who think they shouldn't have to get off to clear the ship with the rest of us.  Nothing we can do about it, so we make sure we bring reading material with us now.

[CruiserBruce]

Wait until you have the late people jump to the head of the line...

 

On KDam on March 6. In our case Immigration (not Customs...no private property involved) was handled in the main show room. The 42 people present were socially distancing.  Sprinkled throughout the first 6 rows, near the center left aisle. The couple arrived late...quickly figured out the situation,  and filled in a gap in the social distancing,  making themselves next to be checked. The were literally the 5th and 6th people checked.

 

As others have said, there is 2 to 4 tardies in every B2B we have done, and that is about 8 or so.

[liketraveling]

Drives the crew more crazy then the passengers.  I have had that happen on a collectors cruise, where we had to go through imigration.

 

 

Also have had it on a several Mexican Riveria cruises on the day of disembarktion.  Those who are non US citizens are required to go to a lounge for certain imigration requirements.  The ship cannot start to clear til everyone required has attended.  You can hear the frustration in the crews voices when they request such and such to report to a certain lounge.  One time we did not get off the ship til 10:30.

Once I was on a Panama Canal Cruise and we were getting ready to leave Nigaregua.  The captain came on and said that there were two passengers that had not returned to the ship.  The captain came on and let us know that he had to send security to look for the passengers because the Nigaregua authorities would not clear the ship until the two passengers were on the ship.  Security found the two in a bar. 
 

All kinds of things happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RuthC]

1 hour ago, bobpell said:

Did a back to back on the Rotterdam with a return to FLL half way through.

These passengers (300+) received a letter in our rooms to be down in the World stage at 9:30am

Customs require all persons have to be off the ship. Count has to be zero then the (300+) In Transit people can get back on board.

2 people ignored the letter and sat on their balcony.

(300+) were herded off and were forced to stand on concrete floor in the luggage hall while the 2 miscreants were finally found and were escorted down to join the rest.

They were soundly booed by the seniors struggling to stay upright.  We all were allowed back close to 11:30 and the 2 ingrates joined in!!

People who do that should be required to stand and wait in the terminal for the same amount of time as they made the other passengers wait. 
Maybe escort them off the ship before they are processed by the Immigration authorities, then let the officials go to lunch before they process them. 

[Florida_gal_50]

41 minutes ago, liketraveling said:

Drives the crew more crazy then the passengers.  I have had that happen on a collectors cruise, where we had to go through imigration.

 

 

Also have had it on a several Mexican Riveria cruises on the day of disembarktion.  Those who are non US citizens are required to go to a lounge for certain imigration requirements.  The ship cannot start to clear til everyone required has attended.  You can hear the frustration in the crews voices when they request such and such to report to a certain lounge.  One time we did not get off the ship til 10:30.

Once I was on a Panama Canal Cruise and we were getting ready to leave Nigaregua.  The captain came on and said that there were two passengers that had not returned to the ship.  The captain came on and let us know that he had to send security to look for the passengers because the Nigaregua authorities would not clear the ship until the two passengers were on the ship.  Security found the two in a bar. 
 

All kinds of things happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankfully on my last cruises since the start up we’ve been seen in the terminal.  I used to hate going to the showroom because hal was not capable of remembering who came in first.  They sat us row by row when you came in.  I’m speaking at the end of a cruise when you leave the ship for good.  To the ops question there is always “special” people that don’t feel they need to follow rules.

[jeh10641]

48 minutes ago, RuthC said:

People who do that should be required to stand and wait in the terminal for the same amount of time as they made the other passengers wait. 
Maybe escort them off the ship before they are processed by the Immigration authorities, then let the officials go to lunch before they process them. 

Even better, they should be BANNED by the cruise line.

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, bobpell said:

Love to hear about In Transit experiences from others

 

I have experienced the same.  Students of mine who could not follow directions sometimes failed my classes.  

 

For the benefit of the in-transit guests, this type of situation could be avoided.  Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, HAL in-transit guests were allowed to stay aboard, report to a public room, and Customs/Immigration agents would come aboard and screen them.  Those who chose not to appear when they ought were not a concern of those of us who followed the directions.  

 

Why can't this practice still be done?  

[TiogaCruiser]

7 minutes ago, jeh10641 said:

Even better, they should be BANNED by the cruise line.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

(But of course, that will never happen.)

[oakridger]

2 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

...For the benefit of the in-transit guests, this type of situation could be avoided.  Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, HAL in-transit guests were allowed to stay aboard, report to a public room, and Customs/Immigration agents would come aboard and screen them.  Those who chose not to appear when they ought were not a concern of those of us who followed the directions.  

 

Why can't this practice still be done?  

 

This was how it was done on my 2018 and 2019 B2B Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego.  The only "catch" for me (not a morning person!) was that we had to report to the Hudson Room at 06:30! Still a much better process for us.  There were only about 25 or so in transit, so I am guessing that maybe the number of people to be processed may make a difference?

 

~Nancy

[Florida_gal_50]

1 minute ago, oakridger said:

 

This was how it was done on my 2018 and 2019 B2B Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego.  The only "catch" for me (not a morning person!) was that we had to report to the Hudson Room at 06:30! Still a much better process for us.  There were only about 25 or so in transit, so I am guessing that maybe the number of people to be processed may make a difference?

 

~Nancy

I am a morning person and that’s still to early when I’m on holidays.  On my March cruise we went to the showroom.  We sat in our seats and they physically came up to where we were sitting.  I’d never seen that before.  There was 87 of us in transit.

[rkacruiser]

3 minutes ago, oakridger said:

There were only about 25 or so in transit, so I am guessing that maybe the number of people to be processed may make a difference?

 

No.  The Federal Department that supplies these services has been underfunded for several years.  Not enough money to hire/train the men and women needed to do such a job. 

[Essiesmom]

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Thankfully on my last cruises since the start up we’ve been seen in the terminal.  I used to hate going to the showroom because hal was not capable of remembering who came in first.  They sat us row by row when you came in.  I’m speaking at the end of a cruise when you leave the ship for good.  To the ops question there is always “special” people that don’t feel they need to follow rules.

Not at in transit time, but I think it was on HAL, maybe Celebrity…that used to seat people in order of arrival for the muster drill.  Earliest were seated up front.  Many arrived late to be first out.  Except that they carefully dismissed from the front of the theater.

  On a B2B on Celebrity, in San Juan, they had us gather in and around Michaels club.  I think there were well over 100.  We waited and waited.  Then they led us off into the empty terminal and we were there well over an hour, no place to sit.  They finally brought out some water.  They came around asking for some names.  Finally they let us reboard.  At dinner that night, a man at the table said he was at guest services desk when a woman came to the desk wanting to know why her cabin door was sealed off with crime scene tape.  I guess they did it as without being able to locate her, they treated it as a possible overboard…. Unfortunately he did not hang around or hear her explanation as to why she didn’t show…

 

   I realize there is a lot or resistance to technology, but items such as the medallion or tracking bracelets would be able to locate these missing people.  EM

[ShipsAreTheBest]

36 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I have experienced the same.  Students of mine who could not follow directions sometimes failed my classes.  

 

For the benefit of the in-transit guests, this type of situation could be avoided.  Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, HAL in-transit guests were allowed to stay aboard, report to a public room, and Customs/Immigration agents would come aboard and screen them.  Those who chose not to appear when they ought were not a concern of those of us who followed the directions.  

 

Why can't this practice still be done?  

CBP controls the process, not the cruise line.  So, it depends on the authorities in the particular port.  So, while they may do it that way in San Diego, they don’t in FLL.  

[rkacruiser]

8 minutes ago, ShipsAreTheBest said:

CBP controls the process, not the cruise line

 

Fully aware of this.  If there was appropriate Federal funding to hire the necessary agents, this process could be made very much more guest friendly than having to disembark, stand in line with no seating available for those of us who could use that while waiting for the jerks who choose not to follow directions!  

[ShipsAreTheBest]

Agreed.  There has to be a better way.  Ironically, it’s easier to disembark the ship for the last time  and walk out of the terminal with essentially no hassle! The biggest issue for me was finding my suitcase!  I know about the “zero count” but really don’t understand the need for it.  Not sure what it accomplishes for CBP.

[DAllenTCY]

"Zero count" ensures that everyone who has boarded the voyage has been accounted for at the end of it.

Sometimes, you need not get off the ship; however, your entire group must remain together in a lounge setting onboard and be processed by CBP there... if B2B applies.

 

 

 

David

 

 

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We did b2b2b2b cruises on Koningsdam last November-December  and again this March-April.  The intransit passengers who were not going ashore  met in the World Stage where CBP checked our passports, then let us leave.  It was the easiest immigration processing ever.  Evidently, CBP in San Diego doesn't require intransit passengers to leave the ship.

[Taters]

Another perspective:

 

My opinion on those passengers who don't show up for in-transit customs checks is that many of them may be mid to severely hard of hearing.  I am profoundly deaf and have bilateral cochlear implants.  Without my processors on I hear nothing.  Once I slap those bad boys on each side of my head I can hear almost everything!  A miracle of sorts, yes, but are they perfect?  No.

 

I cannot understand anything that comes over a PA system on a ship.  Mix in background noise and foreign accents and it might as well be Charlie Brown's teacher saying, "Wha wha wha".  I'll bet that many of those who are very late or seem to ignore their own names being blasted throughout the ship simply cannot hear the announcements or are not able to comprehend what is being said.  Many people who have hearing loss are not even aware of the steady decline of their hearing.  Or they may be in denial and not sought help to improve their situation.

 

I am lucky that I always get to cruise with folks who have great ears.  They decipher the announcements for me.  I read every notice that is left on my bed so that I remain aware of what is going on.  Some folks simply toss these.  That's bad on their part, which may explain some of the no shows.

 

I've said for years that I wish the cruise lines would have TV monitors around the ship to caption what is being said over the PA system.  It would be a great help to many.

 

Cheers!

[Caribbean Chris]

7 hours ago, Taters said:

Another perspective:

 

My opinion on those passengers who don't show up for in-transit customs checks is that many of them may be mid to severely hard of hearing.  I am profoundly deaf and have bilateral cochlear implants.  Without my processors on I hear nothing.  Once I slap those bad boys on each side of my head I can hear almost everything!  A miracle of sorts, yes, but are they perfect?  No.

 

I cannot understand anything that comes over a PA system on a ship.  Mix in background noise and foreign accents and it might as well be Charlie Brown's teacher saying, "Wha wha wha".  I'll bet that many of those who are very late or seem to ignore their own names being blasted throughout the ship simply cannot hear the announcements or are not able to comprehend what is being said.  Many people who have hearing loss are not even aware of the steady decline of their hearing.  Or they may be in denial and not sought help to improve their situation.

 

I am lucky that I always get to cruise with folks who have great ears.  They decipher the announcements for me.  I read every notice that is left on my bed so that I remain aware of what is going on.  Some folks simply toss these.  That's bad on their part, which may explain some of the no shows.

 

I've said for years that I wish the cruise lines would have TV monitors around the ship to caption what is being said over the PA system.  It would be a great help to many.

 

Cheers!

Great explanation, and thanks on behalf of all of us with varying degrees of hearing loss. I am profoundly deaf without my cochlear implant and rely on lip reading which of course has not been an option lately. So I rely on DH for translations of announcements and on my hearing dog, a black Lab, for many, many sound alerts. (Example, a room service waiter knocking on the door yesterday.)

 

We’re on a cruise right now. I sometimes succeed at convincing DH to go places ashore without me & the dog (there are ports that make it impossible to bring even a service dog ashore). When there are announcements, the dog’s not too good at telling me details on what was said. I wish the stateroom TVs ran a banner at the top or bottom for important announcements. 

Edited April 14, 2022 by Caribbean Chris

[bobpell]

I believe a better and consistent way to be IN TRANSIT is possible and in my survey I mentioned this to HAL.

I realize Customs is involved but I did not pay them I paid HAL.

1...HAL knows who is back to back and sends out a clear letter to each of those cabins to be in the World Stage on disembarkation day at a certain time. (9:30am) was ours

2...Scan every ones key card upon entry into World Stage  to determine who is tardy. HAL knows who they are. Our scan was not done til 10am

3... As some or most IN TRANSIT are seniors do not leave the comfortable World Stage seats til everyone is accounted for , even the tardy inconsiderate ones.

4...most important, fine the late comers, especially those found at breakfast, on balconies or drinking  in a bar. This action should be highlighted on the letter distributed to the affected cabins.

 

The inconsiderate malcontents on our IN TRANSIT day, April third on the Rotterdam who came down the escalator in the luggage hall were mid forties. They were booed loudly by us. Hit their wallets and as Ruth stated force them to stand  in the luggage hall for however long they made us stand (1 hour) might send them and all ignorers of the letter a clear message

Senior Bob

[CruiserBruce]

I appreciate the issues of being hard of hearing. But every one staying on the ship gets a written set of instructions. The announcements for in transit folks are very limited.

[mightycruisequeen]

Happens just about every time.  It's not my favorite thing, but we live through it.  It's pretty much an ultimate first world problem. 

[dockman]

"special people" who think they do not need to follow basic rules are not just on cruise ships....unfortunately they are everywhere from airline pax who refuse to wear masks or jump the boarding line or carry on excess bags, or fake service dogs,  etc etc etc....every time i hear that an airline has banned some of these "special people" i cheer....

[CruiseMGM]

2 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

<snip>

 

We’re on a cruise right now. I sometimes succeed at convincing DH to go places ashore without me & the dog (there are ports that make it impossible to bring even a service dog ashore). When there are announcements, the dog’s not too good at telling me details on what was said. I wish the stateroom TVs ran a banner at the top or bottom for important announcements. 

 

What an EXCELLENT idea! Even those of us with relatively good hearing have the Charlie Brown "wah wah wah" sounds if we're on the balconies, and my days of running for the cabin door to hear from the hallway are over!