When Key West is Last Port - Immigration

[ricka47]

We're on a Thanksgiving cruise and Key West in our last port. I'm wondering how that works for immigration. Do we do it there since we are returning to the U.S., or when are we back in Fort Lauderdale?

[Wehwalt]

36 minutes ago, ricka47 said:

We're on a Thanksgiving cruise and Key West in our last port. I'm wondering how that works for immigration. Do we do it there since we are returning to the U.S., or when are we back in Fort Lauderdale?

You'll do it in Key West. They'll set up for it in a lounge and you'll be paraded through by deck, at the end of which you'll get a sticker for your card or a hole punched which will allow you to get off the ship. It's a very minimal procedure. They know who the passengers are already. 

[ricka47]

Great - thanks! We did this itinerary before, but Key West was the first stop instead of the last.

[horseymike]

Hope you have a great cruise . Key West is a great port of call.

[CruiserBruce]

Don't count on KW staying on your itinerary. Many threads here about the local issues.

[RedIguana]

2 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Don't count on KW staying on your itinerary. Many threads here about the local issues.

From what I understand, the "local issues" stabilized a few years ago (I have made both of my scheduled stops). The 2 docks the city controls basically don't allow ships, the one they don't control does. If your ship is on the schedule at Caribe  Nautical, local issues should not affect your stop, but high winds may.

Edited April 30 by RedIguana

[ricka47]

1 hour ago, RedIguana said:

From what I understand, the "local issues" stabilized a few years ago (I have made both of my scheduled stops). The 2 docks the city controls basically don't allow ships, the one they don't control does. If your ship is on the schedule at Caribe  Nautical, local issues should not affect your stop, but high winds may.

It's OK either way. We've been there a number of times and wouldn't mind an extra sea day if necessary. Thanks!

[RedIguana]

On 4/30/2024 at 4:49 PM, ricka47 said:

It's OK either way. We've been there a number of times and wouldn't mind an extra sea day if necessary. Thanks

Nieuw  Amsterdam is scheduled for pier B arriving Saturday, November 30, at 8 am from the Dominican Republic, and departing 4 pm for Port Everglades. Pier B is the dock the city does not control.