Debarking in Miami - Time it takes to get through US Customs

[ShopperfiendTO]

Hello,

 

Hoping for recent experiences from O R-ship cruisers who have debarked from Miami.

 

Will there be enough time to catch a noon flight out of MIA on an R-ship disembarking that morning?

 

I am particularly asking about how long it normally takes for passengers on an R-ship to go through US Customs when leaving the ship, before you get to leave the terminal and catch a cab or whatever to get to the airport.

 

It shouldn't matter how many ships are in port since O has its own terminal and presumably dedicated US Customs officers, no?

 

Does it matter that we are Canadian citizens, so maybe we will be funneled through a longer/slower line?

 

Thanks in advance for any insights.:)

Edited October 7, 2015 by ShopperfiendTO

[LHT28]

Hello,

 

Hoping for recent experiences from O R-ship cruisers who have debarked from Miami.

 

Will there be enough time to catch a noon flight out of MIA on an R-ship disembarking that morning?

 

I am particularly asking about how long it normally takes for passengers on an R-ship to go through US Customs when leaving the ship, before you get to leave the terminal and catch a cab or whatever to get to the airport.

 

It shouldn't matter how many ships are in port since O has its own terminal and presumably dedicated US Customs officers, no?

 

Does it matter that we are Canadian citizens, so maybe we will be funneled through a longer/slower line?

 

Thanks in advance for any insights.:)

 

We usually get the 12:20 flight OK

Non US citizens are usually up at the crack of dawn to meet with the Officials in the lounge then once everyone has been cleared you get off the ship

Last trip in 2014 into Miami we went off the ship & cleared in the Terminal with the US citizens ..Not sure why or if this is a new thing

 

One time we were delayed & the ship was not cleared until 9:30 & the rush was on to exit the ship & the taxis were few & far between

Most of the time we are at the airport by 9:30 am

[ShopperfiendTO]

We usually get the 12:20 flight OK

Non US citizens are usually up at the crack of dawn to meet with the Officials in the lounge then once everyone has been cleared you get off the ship

Last trip in 2014 into Miami we went off the ship & cleared in the Terminal with the US citizens ..Not sure why or if this is a new thing

 

One time we were delayed & the ship was not cleared until 9:30 & the rush was on to exit the ship & the taxis were few & far between

Most of the time we are at the airport by 9:30 am

 

Hi LHT28,

 

Thanks for your response!:)

 

About the part I bolded, how does breakfast work? Do you mean that non-US citizens get some reminder to go to the lounge at 6:00 a.m. or whatever and then once they're cleared, they can do as they normally do (i.e., get breakfast!) and then leave the ship per the ship's standard guidelines?

 

In 2014, did you mean everyone on the cruise or just Canadians were cleared in the terminal with US citizens? Is this faster than getting cleared in the lounge, because it would seem slower because you now have to line up US citizens, which I would think would make up the large majority of people on the cruise?

 

I guess in either case you are still saying that barring a ship-made delay (and not a Customs line-up), it would still be plenty of time to make a noon flight?

[LHT28]

Hi LHT28,

 

Thanks for your response!:)

 

About the part I bolded, how does breakfast work? Do you mean that non-US citizens get some reminder to go to the lounge at 6:00 a.m. or whatever and then once they're cleared, they can do as they normally do (i.e., get breakfast!) and then leave the ship per the ship's standard guidelines?

You get a notice in your cabin to report to the lounge usually 7-7:30 am to meet with the Officials

Breakfast is up to you to squeeze in before 8 am when they close the dining venues

No one gets off the ship until it is cleared

 

In 2014, did you mean everyone on the cruise or just Canadians were cleared in the terminal with US citizens?

Everyone was cleared on the dock ..not sure why

this was a first for us

I guess in either case you are still saying that barring a ship-made delay (and not a Customs line-up), it would still be plenty of time to make a noon flight?

 

Yes you should be fine

as long as you can get to the airport by 10 am ;) although the one time we got there after 11 am but there was no line for A/C check in so that worked out for us

[ronrick1943]

Yes, we had time for breakfast--then off the ship. I like the idea of a ptv car-that way you have no problem if the taxi's are in short supply.

Rick

[LHT28]

Yes, we had time for breakfast--then off the ship. I like the idea of a ptv car-that way you have no problem if the taxi's are in short supply.

Rick

Yes but but you are probably a US citizen & do not have go line up to retrieve your passports & have a F2F with immigration

[PaulMCO]

In addition to clearing non-US Citizens. All of the luggage must be unloaded before the ship is cleared to disembark. This applies even to those doing carry off. This year we were not cleared until 9am. By 0915 we were in our car.

[LHT28]

In addition to clearing non-US Citizens. All of the luggage must be unloaded before the ship is cleared to disembark. This applies even to those doing carry off. This year we were not cleared until 9am. By 0915 we were in our car.

can you explain how that works?

 

 

[LHT28]

Also if those US citizens spent more than their allowable amounts they will have to go & pay the duty before anyone is allowed off

 

One cruise one lady refused to go they kept calling her name

She was sitting in Martini's close to us & kept telling her DH they did not need to know what she spent so she was not going

People near her told her if she did not go they would be there all day because NO one was getting off until she report to Customs

 

I suppose they could have waited for her at the security desk when swiping out

 

[PaulMCO]

can you explain how that works?

 

 

 

I am just saying they will not let anyone off the ship until all the tagged luggage is offloaded and moved to the customs hall. Sometimes the dockworkers take forever to this as O has no control here.

[LHT28]

I am just saying they will not let anyone off the ship until all the tagged luggage is offloaded and moved to the customs hall. Sometimes the dockworkers take forever to this as O has no control here.

OK then

[ShopperfiendTO]

Thanks for the information everyone.

 

Wonder if it makes sense to use O Air for this if there's a delay disembarking LOL.

[ORV]

I am just saying they will not let anyone off the ship until all the tagged luggage is offloaded and moved to the customs hall. Sometimes the dockworkers take forever to this as O has no control here.

 

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm not sure you're right either. You've got me curious on this.

 

I almost have memories of disembarking and the forklifts still taking luggage off and into the warehouse.

 

I'll watch this real close when we come into Miami on Riviera after a TA next month.

[LHT28]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm not sure you're right either. You've got me curious on this.

 

I almost have memories of disembarking and the forklifts still taking luggage off and into the warehouse.

 

I'll watch this real close when we come into Miami on Riviera after a TA next month.

I agree

maybe things have changed since last January but they were still bringing luggage into the terminal when we picked ours up

 

There were still colours not called when we disembarked the ship

Edited October 8, 2015 by LHT28

[roger b]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I'm not sure you're right either. You've got me curious on this.

 

I almost have memories of disembarking and the forklifts still taking luggage off and into the warehouse.

 

I'll watch this real close when we come into Miami on Riviera after a TA next month.

 

If we are only stopping for the day in Miami are there any different arangements ?

[LHT28]

If we are only stopping for the day in Miami are there any different arangements ?

You will have to clear Immigration & show your VISA I believe maybe someone from the UK will comment on their treatment for a US port stop

Do not plan any early morning tours ;)

 

Are you doing a B2B?

I see you are on the crossing so it is the end of the cruise when you hit Miami even if you are staying on for another cruise you will still need to clear Immigration but no need to pack your luggage up if staying on the ship

Edited October 9, 2015 by LHT28

[Hambagahle]

As a non US national here is what I have experienced in Miami:

 

We got off the ship and went through Passport Control. There was a separate line for US and non US nationals. My husband (Swiss Resident but with US passport) came with me. Going through the whole business took about 3 minutes. Then we wended our way to where the luggage was, collected our bags and went through Customs. There was a small queue - maybe 8 or so people ahead of us. the Customs officer asked how long we were staying and stamped our declaration. That was that.

 

In Ft Lauderdale (which Oceania doesn't use anyway) it took a bit longer but not much.

 

In Key West when en route to Miami - you have to go through Immigration at the FIRST US port you reach - Non US nationals were asked to go the Horizon Lounge at a certain time. (I think it was around 0900). There were about 20 people there waiting for 2 Immigration officials when I walked in. I showed my World Card (suite key card) to the people at a desk and obtained my passport which Oceania had kept. then I was asked to sit down. A minute or so later an Oceania staff member asked me to come forward and he escorted me to the Immigration fellow. He asked a few questions and stamped my passport and that was that. Apparently people in Suites (we were in an Oceania Suite on that cruise) get preferential treatment... but I did not have the impression that anyone was waiting more than a few minutes in the queue anyway. It was all very perfunctory.

[ShopperfiendTO]

As a non US national here is what I have experienced in Miami:

 

We got off the ship and went through Passport Control. There was a separate line for US and non US nationals. My husband (Swiss Resident but with US passport) came with me. Going through the whole business took about 3 minutes. Then we wended our way to where the luggage was, collected our bags and went through Customs. There was a small queue - maybe 8 or so people ahead of us. the Customs officer asked how long we were staying and stamped our declaration. That was that.

 

In Ft Lauderdale (which Oceania doesn't use anyway) it took a bit longer but not much.

 

In Key West when en route to Miami - you have to go through Immigration at the FIRST US port you reach - Non US nationals were asked to go the Horizon Lounge at a certain time. (I think it was around 0900). There were about 20 people there waiting for 2 Immigration officials when I walked in. I showed my World Card (suite key card) to the people at a desk and obtained my passport which Oceania had kept. then I was asked to sit down. A minute or so later an Oceania staff member asked me to come forward and he escorted me to the Immigration fellow. He asked a few questions and stamped my passport and that was that. Apparently people in Suites (we were in an Oceania Suite on that cruise) get preferential treatment... but I did not have the impression that anyone was waiting more than a few minutes in the queue anyway. It was all very perfunctory.

 

Colour me confused. Did you have to go through US Customs and Immigration twice, once in Key West, the first US port you reach, and then again when debarking in Miami?:confused:

[robbie21]

The general customs experience in Miami has been pretty well described. However, the comments miss the impact of multiple ships arriving at the same time.

 

There are a limited number of customs staff. Their staffing level is based on averages so on very busy days things can slow down.

 

The airport has not been mentioned at all. Same staffing problem for security screening. If 2 or 3 mega liners hit port the same morning several thousand people will hit the airport at about the same time. We have waited 1 and 1/2 hours to get through security there. There were lots of delays caused by a number of people off of a Carnival ship trying to hand carry their liquor purchases. Lots of arguments and, ultimately, the cops being called. One group tried to drink it while in the line. Very entertaining if you are not trying to make a flight.

 

After going through this twice we got on the Global Entry program so we can go through the express side of the security mess.

 

Bottom line - check for other ship arrivals. Plan accordingly.

 

Robbie

[LHT28]

Colour me confused. Did you have to go through US Customs and Immigration twice, once in Key West, the first US port you reach, and then again when debarking in Miami?:confused:

On another cruise line we stopped in KW & had to go to Immigration (i think) they had uniforms & guns anyway they stamped our passports checked the customs card & then someone punched our cruise card to say we had gone through the process we were then allowed to go ashore

Then in FLL we had to line up after baggage pick up & go through another Official who checked our passport & took the customs card

 

We have only disembarked in Miami without stopping at a US port prior

The procedure was to line up onboard get our passports see the officials & then go wait to get off the ship

It will depend on how many NON US citizens are onboard how long the line is ;)

One cruise on Regatta we were to report at 7 am we were still not docked & the line was as far back as Martinis so we went for breakfast

when we returned the line was inside the Lounge & it took about 10-15 min from that point to clear us

 

Then we waited for the rest of the ship to be cleared & the coloured tags to be called

 

Maybe like Gerry posted those in Suites get special treatment

 

 

Shopper what cruise are you on?

Edited October 9, 2015 by LHT28

[LHT28]

After going through this twice we got on the Global Entry program so we can go through the express side of the security mess.

 

Robbie

Do you need Global entry to fly from MIA to Washington State??

 

I was thinking it was for border crossings

[robbie21]

Global entry also includes TSA Trusted Traveler precheck privileges. So, in addition to expedited immigration clearance (when applicable) we get to keep our shoes on :) and not have to pull out laptops and liquids for flights on most airlines. The pre check line is definitely shorter and faster. You have to put your number in on your reservation.

 

I highly recommend Global Entry for anyone that goes overseas more than once. We came through US Customs and immigration in Toronto Tuesday. We went straight to the kiosk, slid our passports in and put our hands on the fingerprint reader and were through in a minute. Due to multiple arrivals at the same time the regular line was about 30 minutes, maybe longer.

 

TSA trusted traveler costs $85 and Global entry costs $100 so if you are going to cross the border Global Entry is the best way to go.

 

Robbie

[RJB]

The general customs experience in Miami has been pretty well described. However, the comments miss the impact of multiple ships arriving at the same time.

 

There are a limited number of customs staff. Their staffing level is based on averages so on very busy days things can slow down.

 

The airport has not been mentioned at all. Same staffing problem for security screening. If 2 or 3 mega liners hit port the same morning several thousand people will hit the airport at about the same time. We have waited 1 and 1/2 hours to get through security there. There were lots of delays caused by a number of people off of a Carnival ship trying to hand carry their liquor purchases. Lots of arguments and, ultimately, the cops being called. One group tried to drink it while in the line. Very entertaining if you are not trying to make a flight.

 

After going through this twice we got on the Global Entry program so we can go through the express side of the security mess.

 

Bottom line - check for other ship arrivals. Plan accordingly.

 

Robbie

Is there Global Entry in Miami? Hope so. :)

[LHT28]

Global entry also includes TSA Trusted Traveler precheck privileges. So, in addition to expedited immigration clearance (when applicable) we get to keep our shoes on :) and not have to pull out laptops and liquids for flights on most airlines. The pre check line is definitely shorter and faster. You have to put your number in on your reservation.

 

Robbie

Thanks for the info

[sammiedawg]

Thanks for the information everyone.

 

Wonder if it makes sense to use O Air for this if there's a delay disembarking LOL.

 

Flights in and out of Miami are very reasonable this year, I just booked one for December for the lowest price we ever paid on American Airlines.

We've never had problems disembarking in Miami as American citizens. Cabs are readily available. We've never had a problem making flights before noon and I just booked an 11:30 flight.