FLL customs and pre cruise

[djg541]

We're planning a March 2017 cruise out of Ft Lauderdale,3 weeks with 2 returns to FLL. Does customs still require a "zero count"? Theres always a passenger or 2 that doesn't get off the ship and makes everyone else wait.

Since its March and we're in NH and weather can still be tough, any pre cruise hotel advice,recommendations?

Thanks!

[SeaBands]

they require a zero count but the last time we stayed on the ship in the theatre after checking thru immigration in that room.

[RuthC]

Immigration requires a zero count in Ft. Lauderdale. This can be accomplished with everyone leaving the ship before anyone is allowed to board, or reboard. Sometimes it's also accomplished by having all the in-transit passengers meet in one room and be cleared without actually leaving the ship.

 

You will be informed the night before exactly what is to be done on your turn-around days.

[Kamloops50]

Sometimes the ship needs a zero count of passengers on board. Meaning that all passengers have to leave the ship even if in-transit.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Most times we have had to get off the ship, show our passports and then wait for the ship to get down to zero count. And sometimes we have waited quite a while.

Only about 4 times over the last several years did we get to have immigration done on the ship -- in the show room. And that was because there were a lot of us and it would have been too crowded for 800 people to go to the terminal and take up all the seats while others were arriving at the terminal and trying to find seats.

[RMLincoln]

We've only done it twice. Each time we met in the lounge and were taken off the ship into the terminal thru immigration to show our passport as we walked by. Then we could do as we pleased; we had our in-transit cards. Once time we just went back onboard quickly, one time I stayed in the terminal with my computer to use the fast and free WiFi.

 

Others went ashore early on their own but needed their in-transit cards and passports to re-enter; some took ship shore excursions and also needed their passports and in-transit cards. You will be given instructions the day before as to your options. Enjoy, m--

 

Forgot to address pre-cruise: We rented a car and spent a day at the Everglades National Park. We had the extra day because the flight prices were so much cheaper flying in two night before departure, even after we subtracted the cost of the room and the rental car. Flying in early is alwaya a good idea, less stress, more fun!

Edited September 21, 2016 by RMLincoln

[hendo13]

What ship will you be on. We are cruising o. The new Amsterdam on April 2. We are from Massachusetts right on the boarder

 

 

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[fatcat04]

We are doing very similar, 2 weeks for us. Good info. :)

[JimnKaren]

It didn't used to be an issue. Now it is. And it seems to not be consistent from one cruise line to another. I did not mind the last time, all the in-transit folks got off together. We went through customs extremely quickly and were back on board within 20 minutes. In the past, we have taken a cab to Walgreens, stocked up on a few items and back to the ship. The timing was OK.

 

Jim

[easyboy]

We're planning a March 2017 cruise out of Ft Lauderdale,3 weeks with 2 returns to FLL. Does customs still require a "zero count"? Theres always a passenger or 2 that doesn't get off the ship and makes everyone else wait.

Since its March and we're in NH and weather can still be tough, any pre cruise hotel advice,recommendations?

Thanks!

There is still a zero count. And there are still those insensitive passengers who simply does not, or refuse to, understand the instruction issued for this purpose.

[SeaBands]

tell the passengers to leave their cabin by 10 am. And the on board announcements should reinforce this.

[ski ww]

We are on the Eurodam over New Years & will be coming back to Ft Lauderdale twice for this 3 week cruise. Will be interesting to see how they do it. We've never done one of these in transit well in the States.

Allan

[iflyrc5]

We have done several B2B in FLL. Prior to Jan 2016 we always had to get off the ship to get the zero count and the process usually took less than 30 minutes. Jan 2016 we did a B2B2B2B. We were able to stay on the ship - assembled in the Showroom at Sea then as we walked out we show the immigration folks and that was it. However, on one of the B2B days we had to get off the ship for a "deep cleaning" because of code Red (noro) on the ship and in doing that they gave us each an "intransit card".

[take us away]

As stated, yes they need a zero count but if HAL makes you get off, you do NOT have to do customs but you wait in a special area before they let you re-board. If everyone staying on actually shows up (had crew round up a person who belligerently was escorted down in a bathrobe once after we waited over an hour), it is only a few minutes. If you choose to leave the terminal, you do need to go thru customs.

[djg541]

Thanks for all the replies.

We did a 3 week cruise via the Maasdam about 3 years ago and had to disembark for customs. We waited for over an hour, standing, no chairs or benches, because ONE passenger was in the shower!

This trip will be via the Eurodam. Graet ship and a big reason we chose this

cruise. We'd sailed her Barcelona- Venice last spring and wow! Newly renovated. Great vibe.

Now all we have to do is get thru a NH winter.

Happy trails!

[Viv0828]

We got off the ship in FLL, picked up our rental car and did some sightseeing, and then returned to the ship in the afternoon. Lots of things to see and do in FLL if you want.

 

 

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Edited September 23, 2016 by Viv0828

[Fouremco]

We got off the ship in FLL, picked up our rental car and did some sightseeing, and then returned to the ship in the afternoon. Lots of things to see and do in FLL if you want.

That's our approach too. Treat it like any other port and head out for the day. :)

[Bodger]

A pleasant surprise last February, was that we did not have to attend the lifeboat drill for the second leg of the B2B.

 

John