Voyagers Posted July 8, 2017 #1 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I plan to do a review (had a great time) but want to specifically mention debarkation issues. For whatever reason, debarkation was delayed significantly. Some issues at the port. We didn't get out of the port facility until 1 PM and it would have been later if we had not downloaded Mobile Passport while in line. This app allowed us to go to a separate, much shorter customs line. I suggest you seriously consider adding that app to your phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoDidly Posted July 8, 2017 #2 Share Posted July 8, 2017 So being Gold didn't have any more advantages than being Diamond or Platinum ? The horrors . Thanks for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galfromkazoo Posted July 8, 2017 #3 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Thank you for the tip. It is a great reminder that this can happen any time at any port. I will download the app and continue to make mid to late afternoon air reservations to go home. I hate to have stress immediately after my vacation. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted July 8, 2017 #4 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Just an app download can give real benefits. Thanks for sharing your experience. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfr70 Posted July 8, 2017 #5 Share Posted July 8, 2017 I downloaded and plan to use it for my upcoming cruise, but my only concern is that if everyone else is learning about this app...wouldn't people from the other lines now wind up standing on that one making it just as long?! Or does it generally move along quicker with the app? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kassimer1 Posted July 8, 2017 #6 Share Posted July 8, 2017 dont count on the app working all the time. we tried to use it and it would not work on either of our phones. it would get all the way to the part where it would show the custums people the screen they needed and it would say it was not working. we even had the port people try it. no go. we were not the only people having trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voyagers Posted July 8, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Actually (and surprisingly) a lot of passengers were still traveling with birth certificates instead of passports. So you would bypass them with the mobile app. Also all the customs official did was scan in our paper passports (we still needed to present them) and the bar code from the mobile app on our phone. We had answered the necessary questions on the app so no other questions were asked. A very fast process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted July 8, 2017 #8 Share Posted July 8, 2017 not all ports support the mobile passport. i tried to use it at the NYC terminal a few days ago. the custom officer seemed a bit confused on what it was so i just hand them my paper customs form instead with my passport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kollarism Posted July 8, 2017 #9 Share Posted July 8, 2017 Yikes! What day of the week did you return and how many ships were coming back? We have a 11:40 flight from FLL, but departing on a Thursday with only 2 or 3 ships that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voyagers Posted July 8, 2017 Author #10 Share Posted July 8, 2017 We returned on Thursday. Not sure what happened at the port but we couldn't leave the ship until about 11 AM (they were setting up the lunch buffet for the newly arriving passengers) and another 90 minutes or so in line at the port facility before we decided to try the app. From then it was smooth sailing through customs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Steelers0854 Posted July 8, 2017 #11 Share Posted July 8, 2017 not all ports support the mobile passport. i tried to use it at the NYC terminal a few days ago. the custom officer seemed a bit confused on what it was so i just hand them my paper customs form instead with my passport Unfortunately the only cruise port that offers it is Port Everglades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kollarism Posted July 9, 2017 #12 Share Posted July 9, 2017 We returned on Thursday. Not sure what happened at the port but we couldn't leave the ship until about 11 AM (they were setting up the lunch buffet for the newly arriving passengers) and another 90 minutes or so in line at the port facility before we decided to try the app. From then it was smooth sailing through customs! What was the date that you returned? I see that on 6/29 and 7/6 there were a TON of ships moving in and out of port everglades. Im looking at my return date, we there are only 2 -- hoping to not get held-up for our flight home.:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TifStainbrook Posted July 9, 2017 #13 Share Posted July 9, 2017 We were also on this trip returning to FLL on Thursday July 6. Disembarking was terrible. We were told that only 4 Port Authority Officials were there to work and that was what held everything up. We stood in line at customs for 2 hours. We recommend NOT checking your bags the night before when returning to FLL and taking your bags yourself because you get off the ship first. Otherwise we had a great time. Hope that helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctorsbaby Posted July 9, 2017 #14 Share Posted July 9, 2017 dont count on the app working all the time. we tried to use it and it would not work on either of our phones. it would get all the way to the part where it would show the custums people the screen they needed and it would say it was not working. we even had the port people try it. no go. we were not the only people having trouble. I was getting so frustrated when we got off the Splendor last weekend because I couldn't get it to work. Then I *finally* figured out to turn wifi off because my phone was still picking up the ships wifi. Worked immediately and I was able to use it and escape the long line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telebax51 Posted July 10, 2017 #15 Share Posted July 10, 2017 We returned on Thursday. Not sure what happened at the port but we couldn't leave the ship until about 11 AM (they were setting up the lunch buffet for the newly arriving passengers) and another 90 minutes or so in line at the port facility before we decided to try the app. From then it was smooth sailing through customs! can you give me the exact app.name for the mobile passport i download the first one but someone said the agents scan their app. which i don't see on the one i downloaded. I want to make sure i have the right one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Steelers0854 Posted July 10, 2017 #16 Share Posted July 10, 2017 can you give me the exact app.name for the mobile passport i download the first one but someone said the agents scan their app. which i don't see on the one i downloaded. I want to make sure i have the right one. On the iTunes App Store it's called Mobile Passport - Officially Authorized by CBP has a blue and white logo with a silhouette of a person and an airplane in the upper right corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
telebax51 Posted July 10, 2017 #17 Share Posted July 10, 2017 On the iTunes App Store it's called Mobile Passport - Officially Authorized by CBP has a blue and white logo with a silhouette of a person and an airplane in the upper right corner. Thanks i downloaded the right one, i will be flying out to Europe from New Jersey next year what is the procedure for using this mobile app. is there a separate line for this do you also need the paper passport ? sorry for all the questions but i like to get first hand info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamaparrotheads Posted July 10, 2017 #18 Share Posted July 10, 2017 We were on the same cruise and I will +1 this. We downloaded while waiting in the customs line. I downloaded, got 4 passports and the questionnaire completed while in the line and we'd barely moved. Left to get in the mobile line and were out in about 20 minutes. Our porter was very happy for this. I also remember commenting to my wife that there seemed to be too few customs agents that day. It was my first cruise from PEV. Are they always like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nydney1 Posted July 11, 2017 #19 Share Posted July 11, 2017 I have a question about the app. Will the app work with passport cards or just a traditional passport? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Steelers0854 Posted July 11, 2017 #20 Share Posted July 11, 2017 I haven't used it yet. But it's my understanding this is only a substitute for the paper declaration form. This IS NOT a substitute for your passport and you still must have your paper passport in conjunction with the app. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Steelers0854 Posted July 11, 2017 #21 Share Posted July 11, 2017 Thanks i downloaded the right one, i will be flying out to Europe from New Jersey next year what is the procedure for using this mobile app. is there a separate line for this do you also need the paper passport ? sorry for all the questions but i like to get first hand info. I would seriously consider getting Global Entry. Not only will that expedite your progress through customs but you get TSA Precheck all for $100, it's good for 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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