Will customs delay us in Key West?

[Scottohiocpa]

My family is on the Enchantment next month. We are going to Nassau and then Coco Cay. Our third and final port before returning to Miami is Key West.

 

I believe the ship will have to clear customs before we can go ashore in Key West. The itinerary says we have from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm in port.

 

My question is, will we really be able to go ashore at 10:00, or will it actually be later?

 

Unfortunately the last time we were on a cruise that stopped in Key West after going to Cozumel, the entire ship was not released to disembark until about 3:00 hours late. They kept calling several foreign sounding names over the loudspeakers and asking them to report to customs, so I suspect that was the delay....

[crisndeefromde]

Hopefully it won't take that long again. We were an hour and a half delayed on our last cruise that went thru Key West and we were also parked out at the Naval pier and only ship in town. Not sure why we couldn't park closer. We were on Serenade of the Seas.

[vickiw0318]

You probably just answered your own question. If everyone behaves, then you stand a chance. I'm on two weeks later, so I too am hoping that things go well. The last time I did this on the Majesty, we sped through once all the immigration officials were in place. (Seems like there was a bit of delay because they were late getting on board.)

[sjb317]

We had the same thing on our Majesty cruise, did not get off the ship until almost noon. It all depends on how prompt passengers are and how many agents are there.:D

 

Sherri:)

[CRUSINGFAMILY]

It has been years since we did that cruise on Majesty but I do remember customs coming on. I think it depends howmany non US citisons are on board we are Canadian and I remember we had to meet in some room and show our passports.

[John Reid]

We arrived on Grandeur. Everyone behaved and it still took one hour plus.

[Saab4444]

You can leave the ship in Key West as soon as you are cleared by the immigration officer (not customs). It does not matter if other people are missing. They make a hole in your seapass card to prove your clearence.

[Scottohiocpa]

Vickiw0318 -We are on the same sailing as you. 5/30/16 Enchantment.

 

I think we will not book a shore excursion until 1:00 just to be safe.