when will norwegian do this?

[shof515]

Washington (AFP) - Travellers arriving bleary eyed to crowded US airports won't have to fill out onerous customs forms by the end of 2016, the government said Friday, part of a drive to curb lengthy waits.

 

Announcing measures "to improve the arrivals process at all airports," the White House said it was scrapping "6059b customs declaration forms" which ask, among other things, whether travellers are bringing soil or snails into the country.

 

"The safety and security of this country will always come first, but we can and must also ensure that the travel experience continues to be welcoming, friendly, and efficient," the White House said.

 

Action plans for the 17 busiest airports will be introduced, as well as automated passport control kiosks and the ability to submit passport information via smartphone.

 

Millions of travellers visit the United States each year, spending an estimated $222 billion last year alone.

https://news.yahoo.com/us-scrap-customs-forms-air-travellers-145552754.html

 

It should speed up debarkation at the end of the cruise.

[emcelh]

The article says by the end of 2016. I can't see that it will speed up debarkation much though. You fill out the form before you get off the ship and hand it to someone and you're on your way.

[janicemarie29]

I don't think this would be an NCL issue. It would be a port issue. NCL only follows the rules/law of the US Border security. I'm sure after they have it in place at the airports, they will look at the ports.

[Nola26]

This snippet says the 17 busiest airports, it doesn't reference cruise ports.

 

I would expect it to expand to more airports, not cruise ports next.

 

I'd anticipate Norwegian cruises will be status for a while.

 

Lynne

[roger001]

As others said, it's not an NCL issue. And as far as being time consuming, I just hand it to the custom person at the same time I do my passport. I don't remember a customs person even looking at it. So time involved with it, none.

[cliffd64]

I've never seen the form being the part of the system that causes delays... maybe it's the customs person who has to ask 5 times if we brought any tobacco home (we don't smoke) despite being told "No" each time.