Back to back cruises Nieuw Amsterdam

[kcgozs]

When you're in the terminal between back to back cruises how do you avoid the long wait before getting back on ship. Do you have to book an excursion? We have only done this one other time and sat in the terminal for a long long time before being admitted back on the ship. Can you just go out get a cab and go shopping?

[CruiserBruce]

You can avoid the wait by doing other things. Yes, you go on an excursion, or take a taxi somewhere.

However, you must leave the ship. So that part can't be avoided, and you can't get back onboard any sooner.

[yvrnavigator]

If you book an excursion with HAL for that day, are you able to get back onto the ship without waiting in the long line with all the new passengers or would you be able to use some kind of fastrack. Probably by the time you are back from the excursion there aren't any long lines left anyway.

 

HAL offers 3 excursions in Fort Lauderdale and none of them seem to get great reviews.

Personally, I would probably go for the Airboat tour. Can anyone recommend any other excursion that would be worthwhile doing while in port?

[kcgozs]

Thanks for the response. So do I understand that we can just leave the ship and get a cab and go shopping. Is there a line for customs at that point.

[sail7seas]

If you are back-to-back, you can leave the ship as soon as disembarkation begins. Bring your 'in transit' card, your passport and ship's ID. You will have to clear Immigration in the terminal and then are free to spend the day ashore however you wish.

 

When you return, presumably after embarkation has begun, you bypass the check in line, show your 'in transit' card and go directly to security check and back aboard.

 

We were b-to-b on Nieuw Amsterdam over Thanksgiving and didn't choose to go out and about in FLL. We only waited about 40 minutes before we were able to reboard the ship.

 

[kcgozs]

Thank you so much for the information you have been very helpful!!!

[innlady1]

In my experience with b2b's on the Noordam, you're better off to do an excursion and leave the ship...or even get a taxi and do whatever it is you'd like to do in Fort Lauderdale. we've done both: booked a shorex and opted to stay on the ship. The latter was basically a wasted day.

Time wasted getting off the ship, back on, and then the ship being "in limbo" preparing for the next group of pax.

[sail7seas]

You're very welcome. Pay attention to the time as the stores may not be open at the early hour you may be thinking of disembarking. Seeing you will have no luggage, you shouldn't have to wait too long in line to clear Immigration. It moves along quite well.