mscinmia

As long as all your info is complete, you will be able to skip the counter and be checked in by an agent with a tablet.  They will verify the info you submitted and "check" you in.  You still will have to wait until they start boarding if you are early, but if boarding has already started it is a speedy process.

Just got off the Horizon on Sunday and the new TV lineup is horrible.  CBSN looped throughout the day and the other channels played the same program over and over.  We had bad weather and I caught up on the free on demand movies.  The only decent thing on TV.

As long as the cruise is not going to Cuba and is a closed loop meaning leaving from a US port and returning to the same US port her valid ARC and valid driver's license is all she needs.  Do not worry about entering the info online, they will take care of that when you arrive at the port for check in. They might want to get a photo copy of both, so be prepared for a short wait.  

13 hours ago, txtravelerfamily said:

Quite frankly, the free lobster tail isnt all that good. It's kind of rubbery. I much prefer the prime rib, which I always find to be fantastic 

So true, the lobster is not even a cold water tail.  It is Florida or Caribbean lobster tail and frozen as well...…  I stopped ordering it a long time ago.  Much better & tastier options.....

You would check # 2.  Third party tour.  If you check # 4 you will be asked to redo the form if you do not bring the required license with you.

Usually they start around 11:00 -11:30.  All depends on how fast they cleared the ship from previous cruisers.

What ship and the day of your return??  As we are heavy into cruise season now, there could be 7-8 ships in port on Sat/Sun which will spread thin Customs officers and I would not chance it.  Weekday return you would have a better chance with carrying off your own luggage and catching a cab......

5 hours ago, bilyclub said:

 

Here I go overthinking.  The Majesty is leaving on a Western route that day. No Cuba stop. 

We have been using T18 for non Cuba sailings as well.  Things might change but for now T29 is for Adventure.

The Visa that you purchase from Royal is good for 30 days.  As someone said above anything can change with Cuba, but for now you only need one.

6 hours ago, bilyclub said:

 

I just looked up the history and the Adventure used 29 only when there was a bigger Royal ship in PE.

Otherwise it was 18.  Is there something going on at T18 that day that's not listed?

Majesty is strictly using T18 due to Cuba sailings, extra room is needed for the Visa paperwork.  Adventure does very well in T29 as they now are using set sail pass with sea pass cards at your stateroom.  Park in midport garage and there is a shuttle to take you to T29 and back when you debark.

You will be going out of T29. 

On ‎12‎/‎12‎/‎2018 at 6:58 AM, uksimonusa said:

Why would you even have an ESTA to print off if you have a B1/B2?

deleted

It is pretty standard for UK visitors to have WT ( Visa Waiver Program) there fore the need for an ESTA opposed to a B1/B2 Visa.   Try and get your passport stamped upon arrival in the US  ( they are using more and more facial recognition & not stamping).  This will save you some time as they might want to get a 1-94.

7 hours ago, floralscent said:

So the passport is scanned at check-in when at the port and not at home when doing online check-in?  Did I understand that correctly-

 

thank you

Yes, that is correct.  All you do at home is enter the passport number issue and expiration date.

10 hours ago, floralscent said:

We haven't sailed with Celebrity in 3 years but are finally sailing in January!!!  Many things seem to be different now vs 3 years ago and I am finding that online check-in is one of those things.  When we sailed last time we weren't asked to add a photo during check-in.  I did add our photos and it seems that we are officially checked-in as I printed our express passes and we can see them on the app.  

 

We keep getting emails from Celebrity saying it's online check-in time and the email also mentions adding a photo and scanning passports.  I did complete online check-in, complete with photo so I am assuming that the emails are auto generated but my concern is the passport part.  We have valid passports and I entered our passport numbers but I never noticed a step for scanning passports at check-in.  Did I miss something and if so, are we really checked-in or should I go back and see where I missed the scanning step? 

 

Anything we can do now to avoid extra lines at Port Everglades would be super.  Thank you-

 

 

Even tho you have checked in online, you still will need to have your passport scanned at check in.  This is a simple process that just takes a few seconds.  If you are on the Edge, they are using tablets and if all your info is entered, it is a simple click of a button and you are done!  Your sea pass cards will be at your stateroom.  Reflection, Silhouette & Infinity, you need to check in at the counter and receive your sea pass cards.  Doors open to check in between 9:30 and 10:00 and boarding normally starts around 11....   Busy times are noon till about 2.

Although the ship arrives at 5:30 they will not start to disembark till around 6:45-7.  You will be ok if all goes well clearing customs, but you will need to do self assist and be one of the first off the ship and jump in a cab,  The airport is only 4.5 miles.  Have an alternative plan in place just in case.

11 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Well, we just got kicked out of terminal 25 on Sunday for the Silhouette.  Wonder if Edge is coming in early?

I work at the port and was in T25 on Wednesday.  It is not quite finished.  The Edge is due Monday but they will not be doing a preview cruise till Wednesday, they need a few more days for the finishing touches.

26 minutes ago, ManyMore said:

I work at a cruise port and each company is different and each ship is different. We see this happen every cruise. I tell people the best idea is to get another official copy of your BC and keep it in your suitcase. That way if you forget at least you have another one in there.

While this is a good idea it will take some time to retrieve the luggage if left with the porters.....Personally I tell guests to take a picture of their BC and send it to the cloud.  This way it can be retrieved fairly quickly and can be emailed and printed out quickly.

Terminal 18.  There are signs as you enter the security gate.

Expedited boarding is NOT limited to Pinnacle and star class suites. My husband has expedited on his setsail pass, I do not and we are not in Star class suites or Pinnacle.

It is expedited check in NOT boarding.

If you get to the ship after 11:00 chances are that you will walk right in. Anything earlier you will be waiting till boarding has started and it Star Class/Pinnacle, Suites, Diamond +, Diamond and so on.....

Nope, no stamp for us last time in Miami.

 

Just had to show the printout to the CBP guy at the exit of the immigration area and were off to pick up our luggage.

 

Upon leaving the customs area, there was another Customs guy who collected the printout. Never had to show the passport (except scanning it at the machine).

Make sure you have your valid ESTA paperwork either on your phone or printed out. This way without the stamp there will not be a delay by the agent having to get your I-94.

Does expedited work for non US citizens? Do you still just check the green card or does that require going to the counter?

Yes the tablets are able to scan your ARC card as well. Just have another form of ID, i.e. your DL in case they need to make a copy.

The whole process has been going well and very quick.

Just remember this is expedited check in NOT boarding. That will start once the ship is cleared usually around 11.

We have attended as B2B passengers. Since we just did this yesterday I know that the staff stops seating folks at 1PM. I think they start seating at 11.30 AM.

 

And I think it is much preferable to the buffet on embarkation day.[/qu

 

Yes the lunch is from 11:30 -1pm

Is there a way to purchase priority boarding on RCI as there is on Carnival?

 

Thank you

No they do not offer anything like FTTF....

The doors open to check in at 10:00 and boarding usually starts around 11:00 sometimes 15-20 minutes earlier. Just let your Genie know what time you plan on getting to the port and he/she will meet you once you arrive. You do not have to adhere to that check in time...