Disembarking Galveston

[Stevesan]

Be aware. I disembarked Carnival Magic yesterday.

We were the only ship in port.

Immigration lines were long, with a one hour plus wait. Not the fault of Carnival or the immigration officials who had nine stations open.

Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

[CGBCruiser]

Be aware. I disembarked Carnival Magic yesterday.

We were the only ship in port.

Immigration lines were long, with a one hour plus wait. Not the fault of Carnival or the immigration officials who had nine stations open.

 

Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

 

We've sailed many times out of Galveston...most often it's a quick trip out the immigration lines, but every once in a while it takes longer. Last year the guy checking our passports at the customs desk saw where we were from and asked us what route we were taking to go home. What was that about??? Did we look suspicious? :rolleyes: Somehow I don't think so. Too funny!

[ssb]

Be aware. I disembarked Carnival Magic yesterday.

We were the only ship in port.

Immigration lines were long, with a one hour plus wait. Not the fault of Carnival or the immigration officials who had nine stations open.

 

Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

 

So what do you attribute the long lines to??

1. Carnival

2. Contractors

3. Customs and Immigration

4. Port

5. City of Galvestion

 

Where did you wait on Ship or off ship

in line at customs and immigration one hour plus?

If waiting was in customs and immigration lines with 9 stations,

I would think maybe customs and immigration didn't arrive early on time,

or there were other issues in setup by them,

or their computer systems had issues?

[Stevesan]

So what do you attribute the long lines to??

1. Carnival

2. Contractors

3. Customs and Immigration

4. Port

5. City of Galvestion

 

Where did you wait on Ship or off ship

in line at customs and immigration one hour plus? Yes

If waiting was in customs and immigration lines with 9 stations,

I would think maybe customs and immigration didn't arrive early on time,

or there were other issues in setup by them,

or their computer systems had issues?

 

Disembarkation started on time and stayed on schedule.

 

I repeat:

Not the fault of Carnival or the immigration officials who had nine stations open.

Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

[ssb]

Disembarkation started on time and stayed on schedule.

 

I repeat:

Not the fault of Carnival or the immigration officials who had nine stations open.

Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

 

Am I missing something?

You are saying there was a problem

with comment BEWARE and comment 1 1/2 hour wait!

Yes that day there probably was a problem!

Correct?

 

 

What would you say in your mine caused the problem

if it was nor Carnival or Customs and Immigration?

I'm asking for the possible benefit of the City of Galvestion, Port of Galveston, Contractors, Coast Guard Inspections personnel, passengers, Customs/Immigration and Carnival.

Your input and observations would be appreciated!

 

They read these threads also.

 

 

Respectfully and thanks for any information.

[Paula_MacFan]

Am I missing something?

You are saying there was a problem

with comment BEWARE and comment 1 1/2 hour wait!

Yes that day there probably was a problem!

Correct?

 

 

What would you say in your mine caused the problem

if it was nor Carnival or Customs and Immigration?

I'm asking for the possible benefit of the City of Galvestion, Port of Galveston, Contractors, Coast Guard Inspections personnel, passengers, Customs/Immigration and Carnival.

Your input and observations would be appreciated!

 

They read these threads also.

 

 

Respectfully and thanks for any information.

 

I'm confused too. If it's not Carnival's fault and not immigration's fault, then who/what are we to 'beware' of?

 

I've sailed from Galveston too and 2 out of 3 times the immigration staff was late arriving, which delayed everyone for up to 3 hours.

[ssb]

I'm confused too. If it's not Carnival's fault and not immigration's fault, then who/what are we to 'beware' of?

 

I've sailed from Galveston too and 2 out of 3 times the immigration staff was late arriving, which delayed everyone for up to 3 hours.

 

Thanks for support!:)

Probably just upset...... that it took one plus hours!

The only logical answer is immigrations and customs.

We personally have cruised in and out of Galveston many times

without a problem with disembarkation.

I am aware in recent years our customs and immigrations

haven't arrived on a timely basis,

and they have had setup and computer problems.

I also understand they (customs and immigration)

have to ride together to Galveston from Houston,

which can cause problems obviously.

At least this Sunday wasn't three hours!

In Fort Lauderdale we disembarked at 11:05 am

and missed a 11:30 am flight

after ship arriving that morning early around 6:00.

Someone please explain that?

I personally have had more problems

(3 times) in Florida Ports

than having any one in Galveston!

That's life, when you travel!

It can happen anywhere anytime

with mother nature, strikes, volcanos, fog, ice,

snow, chemical spills, thunderstorms and hurricanes

that can interrupt air travel, car travel and cruise service to all.

These will not keep me from traveling and cruising.

But war and unrest will!

I'm on Mariner next month planning on Egypt on our wish list,

but we may be diverted by RCL,

but I have a good attitude and will be dissapointed,

if we don't get in!

But I will hope to return another day!

BUT I'm not saying beware and flaming,

I just love crusing and WHY NOT!

I have cruised since out of Fort Lauderdale

and we will be happily cruising again in Dec 2012

out of Fort Lauderdale.

When one travels.

Patience is essential, attitude is everything.

A good attitude is the difference between ordeal and adventure!

Being happy does not mean that everything is perfect.

It should mean you have decided to look beyond the imperfections

of your expectations.

Toes in the water, Ass in the sand,

Not a worry in the world, a Cold Beer in my Hand,

Life is Good Today!!!

Zac Brown Band!!

 

 

[Stevesan]

I'm confused too. If it's not Carnival's fault and not immigration's fault, then who/what are we to 'beware' of?

 

I've sailed from Galveston too and 2 out of 3 times the immigration staff was late arriving, which delayed everyone for up to 3 hours.

 

Please reread my post. I said "be aware" not beware. There's a huge difference between the two.

Another repeat: I said Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

That couldn't have happened unless immigration started on time.

Maybe y'all don't know what "staggered disembarkation" is?

[ssb]

Please reread my post. I said "be aware" not beware. There's a huge difference between the two.

Another repeat: I said Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

That couldn't have happened unless immigration started on time.

Maybe y'all don't know what "staggered disembarkation" is?

 

Your constructive informative criticism of

of the disembarkation would be respectfully appreciated!!

[jonbgd]

Be aware. I disembarked Carnival Magic yesterday.

We were the only ship in port.

Immigration lines were long, with a one hour plus wait. Not the fault of Carnival or the immigration officials who had nine stations open.

 

Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

Is this different from other cruisers experiences on the Magic. Or is this the norm for the Magic?

We only have cruised Triumph out of Galveston, that went smooth, but we walked off with our bags before the masses.

 

At other ports and on other cruiselines it has taken an hr to an 1-1/2. I find It depends on how many non US cruisers there are.

[ssb]

Please reread my post. I said "be aware" not beware. There's a huge difference between the two.

Another repeat: I said Magic utilized staggered disembarkation which was adhered to.

That couldn't have happened unless immigration started on time.

Maybe y'all don't know what "staggered disembarkation" is?

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

I believe both of us have cruised enough

to know what staggered disembarkation is!:)

Is your issue,

it JUST took too long that day for you????????

A lot could have happened that day!

You observations would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!

What time did customs and immigration start?

In your opinion, even though C&I had many stations and personnel,

......were they keeping up?

Could C & I have been experiencing problems…… with computers?

Could passengers checking thru C&I

.......had unusual issues existing……. to slow process?

Was there a proper allocation of C&I personnel

......assigned between US and Foreign passengers?

Was there a problem with contractors helping with baggage claim?

Was there a problem with contractors

………after baggage claim helping with bags and directing you to C&I?

Was there a problem with contractors after C&I helping with bags and getting you to curb?

Were there bottlenecks caused

....... by non working elevators and/or escalators in terminal?

Was there bad signage and/or bad directions in terminal

........ being given as to where to go next?

Was there adequate space in walkways in terminal for passengers staging areas

….....…between ship to baggage and then to C&A then to curb?

Were there any aggressive disrespectful passengers

........causing wait issues between ship and curb?

What time did ship arrive?

What time did ship disembarkation finally begin?

What was time span

........ between groups being released under staggered plan?

Were Carnival policy decisions good ones, as to these time spans?

Was Carnival releasing time spans too often

…. relative to efficiency flow in terminal ?

Was Carnival releasing in too big of groups relative to efficiency?

Was Carnival monitoring the crowd build up in terminal

………………….before releasing next staggered group from ship?

Was there a group allowed off first,

….of an unusually large self-disembarking passenger group,

…..causing back up in terminal, and for the following staggered groups?

Was there a high priority group

........allowed off first for connecting travel purposes?

Was there a high priority group allowed off first for VIP’s?

Could Carnival have not implemented their own staggered plan properly?

Could Carnival have intentionally rushed passengers off ship,

…….. for a reason like a Carnival recurring ship inspection?

Could Carnival have intentionally rushed passengers off ship,

…….. for a reason like readying and normal cleaning of ship?

Could Carnival have intentionally rushed passengers off ship,

…….. for a reason like major non recurring repairs and maintenance of ship?

Could Carnival have intentionally rushed passengers off ship,

…….. for a reason like a Carnival line health inspection and cleanup?

Could Carnival have intentionally rushed passengers off ship,

……...for a reason like a large special marketing event?

Could Carnival have intentionally rushed passengers off ship

……... for a reason like a major change over

.............of ship personnel and contracted groups?

Could there have been a Mandatory Coast Guard Safety Inspection

.........that day to slow process down?

Could some or all of these conjectured observations

.......occurred that day to delay you disembarkation?

How long should it take to disembark 3670 passengers

.....in any port around the world in a short period of time?

Or was it just have a circumstantial day in port,

…….with some or all of these potential conjectures occurring

......and causing the slow problem?

Or were you just having a circumstantial day?

I believe these are all fair questions and observations

in light of your comments.

If there was not a problem with Carnival or Customs and Immigration,

who was the problem with???????????

Your reactions, input and objective observations on these matters

would be respectfully appreciated on behalf of

the Port of Galveston, The City of Galveston, Carnival Cruse Line, private Union Port Contractors, US Customs and Immigration,

US Coast Guard, outside transportation contractors,

your current cruise passengers, potential Galveston cruisers,

other cruise lines, travel agents

and other Galveston vested interested persons.

If you just don’t like Galveston, that’s fine too!

You are cruising out of Galveston in the future,

your input could make for improvements in any situation!

You certainly have traveled enough to have an “objective” opinion!

 

IS an hour + too long for all 3670 passengers in a normal disembarkation???????