flamingocrazyfl

When we went from PC to Key West (Key West was our first stop)' date=' we did not need to clear Customs. It has only been necessary when we went to a foreign port first.[/quote']

 

Thanks. This makes sense. The DCL rep must have been thinking about visiting a foreign port first. When going directly from another US port (Miami in our case) I really couldn't understand why we would need to present ourselves to immigration. Really wouldn't be any different than taking the ferry from Marco Island or Fort Myers.

Hello. I posted this over in the Key West forum but it was suggested by another member that I also post here in the DCL forum to get a more accurate answer.

We booked a 5 night cruise leaving from Miami in December on the Disney Magic. Key West is the first stop. I was assuming that we would not have to clear US customs/immigration here since we are coming directly from a US port but the DCL representative I spoke to earlier today made mention of needing to clear US immigration in Key West. To clarify, she specifically said we would need to present ourselves to immigration officials even if nobody in our party was getting off the ship (i.e. not the usual ship clearance that happens at most ports). I could see this if we were first going to the Bahamas or someplace else, but Key West is the first stop, arriving the morning after we leave Miami. Do we really need to clear immigration (in person) when arriving directly from Miami? I could drive (and have done so) 6 hours or so to Key West and not go through immigration (of course), so I am not sure what the difference is. Could it be because its a foreign flagged vessel? Thanks for any help/insight.

My experience is that you will not have to present yourself since that is your first stop and you are beginning at a USA port.

 

You could ask about this on the Disney Board.

 

Keith

Thanks. So, if it were, say, the last stop and coming from a foreign port, you would have to present yourself, even if not getting off? Perhaps this is what the DCL rep was thinking. I will post over on the DCL board as well. Thanks.

The ship has to clear customs. Usually takes 10-20 minutes with the officials handing over ship manifests to officials.

No passengers go through customs at any port, getting on or off the ship.

Thanks. So its just like any other port then. The DCL Rep said we would actually have to present ourselves to immigration in the morning, (unlike other ports) regardless if anyone in our party is getting off or not. Sounds like its just the standard ship clearance then. Thanks for clarifying.

Hi, I am hoping this is the most appropriate place to post this question. We booked a 5 night cruise leaving from Miami in December on the Disney Magic. Key West is the first stop. I was assuming that we would not have to clear US customs/immigration here since we are coming directly from a US port but the DCL representative I spoke to earlier today made mention of needing to clear US immigration in Key West. I could see this if we were first going to the Bahamas or someplace else, but Key West is the first stop, arriving the morning after we leave Miami. Do we really need to clear immigration when arriving directly from Miami? I could drive (and have done so) 6 hours or so to Key West and not go through immigration (of course), so I am not sure what the difference is. Could it be because its a foreign flagged vessel? Thanks for any help/insight.