Silhouette - First Caribbean Cruise After Transatlantic

We are booked for the November 20th Silhouette cruise (Thanksgiving week) and were surprised to see it was the first Caribbean sailing after returning from Europe. Seems late for that. My question is, due to this being the first time returning to the states for many months, has anyone experienced delayed boarding when this is the situation?

I have read comments on here in which people said that they have experienced delayed boarding on the first cruise after a TA. Not sure how common that is, but it sounds as though it could happen.

EVERYONE on board will have to go through immigration, possible Coast Guard inspection. Expect a delay in boarding.

We sailed the Silhouette immediately following the TA in 2013. Boarding was delayed until about 12:30. I've seen worse though (the Reflection in 2014). Go in expecting a delay and remember to bring plenty of patience.

We did the Silhouette last year....first sailing after a TA and had no issues whatsoever.

Oh, I forgot, opening of the Porch was delayed for 30 minutes......oh the humanity!

It all depends on what time the ship actually arrives in the US and how organized immigration is on that particular day. On an Eclipse transatlantic a few years ago, I woke up at 4:00 a.m. and since my cabin was on the port side, I could see hundreds of crew members lined up to go through immigration. By the time passengers were scheduled to disembark, they were all done and we left right on time. On another transatlantic, we went to Blu for breakfast and the Maitre D' asked if we were in a hurry. We said we were not and he told us that service would be slow because half of his staff was still working its way through immigration.

We've sailed on cruises twice after TAs and both times we were on the ship with mimosa in hand by about 11:15 or 11:30. So you never know.

Thanks to all. Sounds like to be prepared for anything and when customs is involved just take a deep breath and hope for the best.

Well I will be on the Transatlantic. You might be delayed while they work to pry my clinging hands off our balcony :D

Well I will be on the Transatlantic. You might be delayed while they work to pry my clinging hands off our balcony :D

Me too!!

We were on Reflection last Nov the first cruise out of Miami after a transatlantic. Celebrity sent us a notice not to show up until 1PM. They did not start boarding until after 2PM. There were long lines. This delay was due to CBP not clearing the ship and crew until that time. That was our experience but others might have had better luck. No telling what CPB will do.