Transatlantic embarkation question

[clueless2]

We're booked on our first transatlantic cruise on the Emerald out of Ft. Lauderdale next week. Is a transatlantic any more likely to have delayed embarkation than any other cruise? I was thinking there might be more crew and staff turnover which could cause immigration delays.

 

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

We're booked on our first transatlantic cruise on the Emerald out of Ft. Lauderdale next week. Is a transatlantic any more likely to have delayed embarkation than any other cruise? I was thinking there might be more crew and staff turnover which could cause immigration delays.

 

 

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If the cruise was coming from a TA then I would say yes delays are possible.The ship has been in the Caribbean all season.

Crew change all the time, and not just because the vessel is going on a TA.

I don't believe there will be any delays related to the TA. JMHO

[Dave_P]

We have done two transatlantic cruises from Port Everglades (2012 Emerald Princess to Copenhagen, 2013 Ruby Princess to Rome). Both cruises left on time and I expect the Ruby Princes to leave on time for the UK when we embark on it at the end of the month. I will say it is quite crowded at the cruise terminal if you arrive at 11:00 am. You should expect to be in line for an hour or so. For me the biggest irritation of embarkation is finding a place to sit for lunch in the Horizon Court after boarding. The sail away out of Port Everglades is really fun with the spectacle of multiple ship departing and the excitement of the start of the cruise.

[fishywood]

In April 2011 I was on Star Princess' last Caribbean cruise before her transatlantic. Much of the crew turnover had already begun, especially among the entertainment staff: the new singers and dancers were onboard rehearsing with the ones getting off. New direct contract crew members come and go with no disrutption; the new ones will have arrived in Ft Lauderdale several days earlier, those disembarking are escorted directly from the ship to the secure international departure gates at MIA so they do not have to go through immigration as an intransit visitor to the USA.

 

The only real issue when embarking a transatlantic is that the ship must load 2 to 2.5 weeks of provisions; if one of the suppliers is late the ship will wait even if sailaway is delayed. You have much more to be concerned about if you are on a TA returning to the US--the immigration check of the crew must be complete, and the safety inspection and sanitation inspection at least started, before the ship is cleared for disembarkation.

[skynight]

No delays. Board at the normal time. If you arrive by 11 or so you should be on board by 12:30

[Luvmyrotti]

We left on time on both of our transatlantics.

[Grammyluvs]

We did the TA on the Emerald last April. Our departure was delayed one hour. Sometimes they are waiting on passengers. It would be hard to say that they leave on time 100%. Like the weather.....things happen. I would, however, plan on it leaving on time....you know you wouldn’t want to take any chances.

Edited April 6, 2014 by Grammyluvs

[Colo Cruiser]

I think the OP is asking about boarding delay's not delays when the ship leaves.

[Grammyluvs]

Oops...my bad.Sorry

[boca7]

We departed last April on the Caribbean & the lines were long & almost everyone is priority, but we left on time. We cruised on the Ruby this past fall on the first cruise after returning from Europe & a very long wait to board as customs holds them up on the return inspection.