San Juan Customs - on ship or at port?

[SonomaMist]

Where do you go though customs in San Juan? I would have thought at the port facility itself but received this text from Celebrity. Is it normal to go though customs on the ship in San Juan? Thanks.

 

Hello, this is Celebrity Cruises. We are contacting you with important information regarding your upcoming sailing on the Celebrity Summit. Once Celebrity Summit arrives to San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 25, there will be a required full guest immigration inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection for onboard guests. This inspection may impact your boarding experience as we cannot board your sailing until the inspection has been completed. Therefore, check-in for your cruise will take place between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM as published. To enhance your check-in and boarding experience, please do not plan to arrive at the terminal prior to 1:00 PM. We look forward to welcoming you onboard the Celebrity Summit.

[SeaBands]

I guess it depends on where your ship is coming from as we never had to do US immigration in San Juan in over a dozen cruises.

[erniesband]

Sounds as if the cruise before yours is a repositioning cruise and it's the 1st time Summit will be in San Juan for the season. If that's the case not only do the disembarking passengers have to go through Customs and Immigration but the entire crew must go though too. That takes considerably more time. Your experience is likely to be unique to that cruise on 10/25 only.

Normally C & I is done in the same building as check-in, not on the ship.

Edited October 21, 2014 by erniesband

[SonomaMist]

Sounds as if the cruise before yours is a repositioning cruise and it's the 1st time Summit will be in San Juan for the season. If that's the case not only do the disembarking passengers have to go through Customs and Immigration but the entire crew must go though too. That takes considerably more time. Your experience is likely to be unique to that cruise on 10/25 only.

Normally C & I is done in the same building as check-in, not on the ship.

 

 

Thanks, Ernie, that is the case with the repositioning -- and good to know.

[Mary49]

I have a 2:30pm flight home and was wondering if that would be enough time and also should I rely on Carnival Transfers or taxi? Thanks for this info.