Key West - RCI got it right with the Empress

[nbsjcruiser]

Well at least in September they do. They leave Miami and go to Key West first thus avoiding the need to clear customs and waste the first 2 hours in Key West trying to clear customs. We've done Key West several times on the Majesty and will be doing it again on the Enchantment in November. I wish they could figure out a way to do Key West first and give everyone a nice long stop in Key West all the time. Even if it meant cutting Nassau down and leaving after 6PM instead of midnight, I'd be fine with it.

 

Anyway, that's my rant for the day. Rather tame in fact :)

[rubiksgirl]

I didn't realize that we'd have to clear customs in Key West (we are also going on Enchantment in November). Seems like it would make more sense to stop there first. Was your Sept cruise always planned that way, or did they change the itinerary?

[robinbtigger]

My sailing on the Empress next month has us in Key West as our second port of call :(. I didn't even consider having to clear customs but that make sense that we will have to.

[jshyoda]

So if it's your last stop before heading back to port do you have to clear customs again?

 

 

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[funship freddy]

On previous cruises leaving Miami with Key West as the first stop we were required to report to a customs inspection on the vessel early in the morning. (7ish) I could not imagine why ?????

[PCWalton1]

For Royal it must be hit or miss when stopping in Key West first. It was our first stop when on Jewel in 2013 and it will be our first stop when on Brilliance in 2018.

[nbsjcruiser]

So if it's your last stop before heading back to port do you have to clear customs again?

 

 

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If you've been to a non-US port previously then yes, you clear customs in Key West then again when you land in Miami the next day. If you leave Miami on day 1 and go to Key West next then you don't need to clear customs. Clearing customs usually chews up at least 90 mins of the stop in Key West.

[ksadonnab]

So if it's your last stop before heading back to port do you have to clear customs again?

 

 

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No only immigration.

[Saab4444]

Am I mistaken or doesn't clearing Customs involves your luggage and items you bring into the country? My understanding is that Key West as last stop is immigration and Customs is in Miami with debarkation.

 

 

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[nbsjcruiser]

Am I mistaken or doesn't clearing Customs involves your luggage and items you bring into the country? My understanding is that Key West as last stop is immigration and Customs is in Miami with debarkation.

 

 

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I may have confused the two. I think you report to immigration in Key West and Customs when you get off the ship in Miami. I was calling them both customs. My bad. :o