CruiseWhere Posted November 4, 2013 #76 Share Posted November 4, 2013 DH & I disembarked the Eurodam yesterday. We were "Pink" and called at 0815. It took us from 0815 until 0840 to depart our ship pick up our luggage and clear customs and pick up a taxi. They had 6 customs officers and it was seamless! The cruise was incredible as well!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted November 4, 2013 #77 Share Posted November 4, 2013 DH & I disembarked the Eurodam yesterday. We were "Pink" and called at 0815. It took us from 0815 until 0840 to depart our ship pick up our luggage and clear customs and pick up a taxi. They had 6 customs officers and it was seamless! The cruise was incredible as well!!!! Good to hear and good to hear that you had an incredible cruise:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted November 4, 2013 #78 Share Posted November 4, 2013 DH & I disembarked the Eurodam yesterday. We were "Pink" and called at 0815. It took us from 0815 until 0840 to depart our ship pick up our luggage and clear customs and pick up a taxi. They had 6 customs officers and it was seamless! The cruise was incredible as well!!!! Sounds like CBP is getting its act together once again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangerinebunny Posted November 5, 2013 #79 Share Posted November 5, 2013 If I use Direct Luggage Delivery for my larger bags (2) to Southwest Air Lines, can I get off the ship as a "self disembarkation passenger" in an early group? Do I arrange for this on board? Any experience with this program? I would expect to take a taxi to FLL airport and catch an 11:30am flight (with preprinted boarding passes in hand). Westerdam is to arrive at 7am. I know other ships may be there and immigration slow, but hoping if I hit the dock by 8:30am, thru immigration by 9:30am, and in cab by 9:45am, I should be ok. Thoughts? We did Luggage Direct on the Westerdam last December; arrived at the airport before 8:30, and flew out at 11:30. And last year there were early grumbles about delays that seemed to improve as the cruising season went on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliaschief Posted November 5, 2013 Author #80 Share Posted November 5, 2013 (edited) Cutbacks or sound business? So they hire enough to handle the cruise ship season. What do they do with all the custom agents in no passenger season? Just a thought with no idea how it all works. As OP I will again state it was not as bad as many post suggest. Just be aware there are times it may be a slower process than previous cruises out of Port Everglades but surely not devastating. Edited November 5, 2013 by aliaschief Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Elegant Posted November 5, 2013 #81 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Seriously? There are plenty of flight options noon or later that do not necessitate a post-cruise night in Fort Lauderdale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djhsolara Posted November 8, 2013 #82 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Last week disembarkation off of Zuiderdam was seamless, smooth and quick once we got off the ship. Everything was running about 30 minutes late due to a fall in the gangway. Douglas...Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJSULIBRARIAN Posted November 8, 2013 #83 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Last week disembarkation off of Zuiderdam was seamless, smooth and quick once we got off the ship. Everything was running about 30 minutes late due to a fall in the gangway. Douglas...Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I am glad to see that Immigration is improving in FLL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stlouistravelers Posted November 8, 2013 #84 Share Posted November 8, 2013 We did the self-disembark in Miami in October and it was very efficient and quick. They only had a couple of people but were very nice and had us out in a matter of minutes. I might add that this was during the "shutdown". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDLOS Posted November 8, 2013 #85 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Yes, that's how it works. However, if the authorities did want to open and inspect your luggage, they would need you to be there while they did. You would be called from the line, and reunited with your luggage while the inspection was going on. Normally, they aren't opening a lot---if any---luggage. They just have you collect it, pull it through yourself, turn in the Customs form, and leave. The reason those not using Luggage Direct claim their luggage first, then pass through Customs, is so they have their luggage with them just in case a decision is made to inspect. I have arrived at my destination and found inside my bag a 3 X 5 Paper saying my bag was inspected by TSA and I was not present !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted November 8, 2013 #86 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Customs and Immigration are part of Homeland Security but are very different agency from TSA. There is no TSA present at cruise ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comfortcove Posted November 8, 2013 #87 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Customs and TSA are different entities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted November 8, 2013 #88 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I have arrived at my destination and found inside my bag a 3 X 5 Paper saying my bag was inspected by TSA and I was not present !!!! Which has nothing to do with the topic under discussion. The post you quoted was talking about Luggage Direct, and Customs activity at the pier---not security at the airport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Typhoon1 Posted November 9, 2013 #89 Share Posted November 9, 2013 I am glad to see that Immigration is improving in FLL. People must have been calling their congressman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted November 9, 2013 #90 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Just disembarked MS Eurodam. Only two custom agents and that appears to be permanent as they have a sign apologizing for delays due to funding cut backs Held us on ship due to congestion in terminal but it went fairly smoothly once we were allowed to disembark. Just thought you should be aware of this and expect possible delays. Last Saturday I got off the Westerdam and it was a disaster. I left the ship at 8:40 AM and by the time I left the terminal it was 9:50 AM. There were three agents for the US and 1 for the non-US people. IT was SLOW, SLOW, SLOW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamaofami Posted November 9, 2013 #91 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Last Saturday I got off the Westerdam and it was a disaster. I left the ship at 8:40 AM and by the time I left the terminal it was 9:50 AM. There were three agents for the US and 1 for the non-US people. IT was SLOW, SLOW, SLOW. A really lousy way to end a great vacation. There are no chairs around anywhere in the terminal while elderly and frail people wait in long lines to go through immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startwin Posted November 9, 2013 #92 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Reading this thread, I am very glad my next cruise does not go back to disembark at Port Everglades, but carries on through as a repositioning cruise to Vancouver. Last time, we were off and out in no time - and it was the first cruise day of the season there. Well organised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeriatricNurse Posted November 9, 2013 #93 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Reading this thread, I am very glad my next cruise does not go back to disembark at Port Everglades, but carries on through as a repositioning cruise to Vancouver. Last time, we were off and out in no time - and it was the first cruise day of the season there. Well organised. Me too! :) Until disembarkation issues improve at Port Everglades as well the completion/upgrades to the runways at FLL, I will be avoiding any cruise embarking from Port Everglades! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare boards Posted November 9, 2013 #94 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Really !!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMJ33 Posted November 9, 2013 #95 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Me too! :) Until disembarkation issues improve at Port Everglades as well the completion/upgrades to the runways at FLL, I will be avoiding any cruise embarking from Port Everglades! ;) Agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean1946 Posted November 9, 2013 #96 Share Posted November 9, 2013 We just got off the Zuiderdam yesterday at FLL and our number was called at 8:30 AM, we went thru customs, and was driving out of the Park N Go parking lot at 9:15. Not bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliaschief Posted November 9, 2013 Author #97 Share Posted November 9, 2013 As OP I feel there is a little over reaction to the issue. Most of us are in favor of our government to reduce spending until it effects us directly. When I started this thread I just wanted to point out that there could be some short delays compared to previous cruises. So they hire a slew of custom agents to handle the increased cruise ship passenger load and then what do they do with them in the off season? We were held up for 20-30 minutes from disembarking due to backup in the terminal. We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare and made our flight. IMO we should stop the gloom and doom and go enjoy your cruise. What's a 30 minute delay compared to 7-10 beautiful days on a Dam ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whensdinner Posted November 10, 2013 #98 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Self embarked Friday..cabin to airport in less than an hour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted November 10, 2013 #99 Share Posted November 10, 2013 I think it's the luck of the draw as to how fast or slow it is. As a canadian I've found it generally is quite slow. Maybe I've been unlucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMJ33 Posted November 10, 2013 #100 Share Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) Self embarked Friday..cabin to airport in less than an hour Only one ship in port on Friday - 1,900 passengers. On Saturday 18,000 passengers - completely different experience. http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/United_States_Of_America/212-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida/November_2013/ Edited November 10, 2013 by CMJ33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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