Half a day lost being forced off ship.

[newbie21]

I embarked on Carnival Destiny in Barbados, mid way through their Puerto Rico (from and to) Caribbean cruise. I did not want to visit any of the ports of call, I wanted a cruise ship experience only, therefore made no plans to disembark anywhere. However, we were told that we all had to get off at San Juan to fulfil USA Security regulations. Off and on the ship took me the whole morning, out of a seven day cruise. They also took my passport in Barbados, only returning it after San Juan. Is this acceptable?

[AdrenalineRush]

I embarked on Carnival Destiny in Barbados, mid way through their Puerto Rico (from and to) Caribbean cruise. I did not want to visit any of the ports of call, I wanted a cruise ship experience only, therefore made no plans to disembark anywhere. However, we were told that we all had to get off at San Juan to fulfil USA Security regulations. Off and on the ship took me the whole morning, out of a seven day cruise. They also took my passport in Barbados, only returning it after San Juan. Is this acceptable?

 

You were off the ship for 12 hours??:confused:

 

If your werent getting off the ship, why did you care that they had your passport from Wed-Sun? Yes, I think its acceptable and their policy.

If you booked with a tour company in Barbados, they whould have explained all of this to you.

[PA Dutchman]

Thats always been part of the fun and games regs. You get to play out of Bermuda to. Thats cruise life.

[cherylandtk]

This is normal. Folks who book this trip back to back also have to get off and reboard at the port in San Juan. Most of them report that it takes only a few minutes; they meet in the lounge at the pre-appointed time in the morning, walk off, take new pictures for the cruise card, walk back on. Maybe 30 minutes around 10:30 or 11 in the morning. There is nothing else to do on the ship that morning anyway except wander around. What time did you get off and when were you back on?

[NCTribeFan]

That cruise originates and ends in San Juan. I would think they'd have to "clear" the ship, even if your own cruise was Barbados to Barbados.

 

Acceptable? You don't have much choice, do you? Were you aware when you booked that this was the case (the cruise originated in San Juan)? I don't think anyone was playing any games with anyone.

 

People who do back-to-back cruises have to disembark in between segments. It's just the way it is.

 

I personally have no problem with immigrations and customs being as strict as necessary.

[big_duck]

I don't think Carnival has much choice, they pretty much have to do what US Immigration wants them to do.

 

It's like blaming Carnival that you have to clear Immigration in St Thomas on itineraries that come through the Bahamas.

[newbie21]

OK, my apologies, it seemed like half a day! I was really thinking about time for actual leisure, we have to eat and sleep whether we are on vacation or not, so I was looking at half of eight hours when I could have been relaxing at the pool, or in the casino, whatever, on board. In fact, I was out of commission for 3 and 1/2 hours.

 

I travelled with a group. My group leader did not explain this, nor did our travel agent, not to me anyway. Other disgruntled guests said the real reason was to allow the rooms to be cleaned, but mine did not need cleaning as I was not vacating it, as were most who embarked at San Juan. Other countries Customs did not require this, I think the USA are a little paranoid.

 

The travel agent did not explain the compromises I would have to make in a back to back cruise, Carnival Destiny did not make any special arrangements for over 100 guests boarding at Barbados. All of their daily documentation was for the San Juan embarkation.

[marktac]

I embarked on Carnival Destiny in Barbados, mid way through their Puerto Rico (from and to) Caribbean cruise. I did not want to visit any of the ports of call, I wanted a cruise ship experience only, therefore made no plans to disembark anywhere. However, we were told that we all had to get off at San Juan to fulfil USA Security regulations. Off and on the ship took me the whole morning, out of a seven day cruise. They also took my passport in Barbados, only returning it after San Juan. Is this acceptable?

 

You are not a US citizen. You have to play by Homeland Security's rules or you don't play at all. It's that simple, and you should have known that going in if you had checked at all. I find it very acceptable, if it keeps out one single undesirable from coming onto US soil. (not suggesting anything at all about the OP.)

[imlulu]

It sounds as if your group leader/TA dropped the ball not Carnival. They should have informed you of situation. They also should have set up a tour for San Juan for your group during this time.

 

Yes US immigration has to be that strict. I can't believe you would even say such a thing particularly after 9/11.:confused: :confused:

 

BTW where did you get the 3.5-4 hour losing of cruise time??Were you off the ship that long????????????????

[KroozFoolz]

I embarked on Carnival Destiny in Barbados, mid way through their Puerto Rico (from and to) Caribbean cruise. I did not want to visit any of the ports of call, I wanted a cruise ship experience only, therefore made no plans to disembark anywhere. However, we were told that we all had to get off at San Juan to fulfil USA Security regulations. Off and on the ship took me the whole morning, out of a seven day cruise. They also took my passport in Barbados, only returning it after San Juan. Is this acceptable?

Part of the cruise ship experience is disembarking, unfortunately.

[newbie21]

My 3 and 1/2 hours was made up thus:

 

10.00am - 11.00am Preparing to disembark. It would have taken me five minutes to get to the pool on board.

 

11.00am Latest time anyone could be on-board.

 

12.45p.m. Earliest US Customs allowed people back.

 

1.15p.m. Arrived back in cabin.

 

1.15p.m. - 1.30p.m. Winding down to get back to pool.

 

The saving grace was that Carnival allowed me to use their VIP Lounge whilst waiting to return to the ship.

 

Embarking and disembarking in Barbados only, that was what I had planned for. I said this prior to the cruise to all concerned, they were curious as to why I did not want to visit any of the other islands, but said nothing about Puerto Rico. I had no objections to the ports of call, I took some great photos from the ship's upper decks.

 

Of course terrorism is a concern for all of us, but why just the USA so strict?

 

No politics here, of course, I had a great time cruising. I agree, lack of information before my booking the cruise was the prime problem.

[coolbasset]

My 3 and 1/2 hours was made up thus:

 

10.00am - 11.00am Preparing to disembark. It would have taken me five minutes to get to the pool on board.

 

11.00am Latest time anyone could be on-board.

 

12.45p.m. Earliest US Customs allowed people back.

 

1.15p.m. Arrived back in cabin.

 

1.15p.m. - 1.30p.m. Winding down to get back to pool.

 

The saving grace was that Carnival allowed me to use their VIP Lounge whilst waiting to return to the ship.

 

Embarking and disembarking in Barbados only, that was what I had planned for. I said this prior to the cruise to all concerned, they were curious as to why I did not want to visit any of the other islands, but said nothing about Puerto Rico. I had no objections to the ports of call, I took some great photos from the ship's upper decks.

 

Of course terrorism is a concern for all of us, but why just the USA so strict?

 

No politics here, of course, I had a great time cruising. I agree, lack of information before my booking the cruise was the prime problem.

 

The US is so "strict" and "paranoid" because of 9/11. If your biggest complaint in life is the 3.5 hours you were inconvenienced by Homeland Security then you should consider yourself lucky.

 

I don't mean to sound rude but your complaint sounds almost absurd to me. Especially since you seem to be blaming the wrong people. Carnival is following the law, plain and simple.

[Poxy]

Don't take it out on the USA.

 

It's Osama's fault.

[Poxy]

The US is so "strict" and "paranoid" because of 9/11. If your biggest complaint in life is the 3.5 hours you were inconvenienced by Homeland Security then you should consider yourself lucky.

 

I don't mean to sound rude but your complaint sounds almost absurd to me. Especially since you seem to be blaming the wrong people. Carnival is following the law, plain and simple.

 

 

I agree!

[Cotton]

Newbie, you mentioned that you could have been playing in the casino.....not true. Ship's casinos are not open when in port, so maybe that'll make you feel a little better? All you actually missed was a little sun/pool time. :)

[finoky]

What is it you want?

[bakechef]

It is only because the cruise started and ended in Puerto Rico, there are rules that I can't explain. When a U.S. port of call is on the itinerary all that the passengers have to do is go through a line on board ship with their ship card and passport (like Puerto Rico, St.Thomas, Key West, Port Canaveral etc..) and having it checked by a customs official. If this cruise had originated in Barbados, that's all that would have needed to happen.

 

MAC

[newbie21]

In my list of things I could have been doing, I did include "whatever". I am not a casino player anyway! Three hours in and out of the whirlpool and sunbathing is what I call a holiday, every morning, and only six mornings to do it - knocked down to five!

 

I am actually not complaining, merely sharing an experience. I had a very good time.

 

I have already acknowledged that pre-booking was at fault, not Carnival.

 

However, I do think, and I am not alone in this, other Barbados boarders said so, that Carnival could have made more effort to make us feel welcomed separately, explaining we were joining in half way through their cruise. All PA announcements were for San Juan boarders, no mention of Barbados. Welcome aboard, stuff like that.

 

After all, we were helping to keep their ship full, which was really what they were into. We likened it to the happy campers of Butlins experience. "Hi De Hi" of UK TV fame, everyone treated the same. "Hurry along everyone" they said over the PA when they were trying to get us all off.

I actually had a good laugh at Carnival's expense - all part of the fun, as we say!

[keyguide]

Don't take it out on the USA.

 

It's Osama's fault.

U.S. is not as innocent as you think. The real bind with customs is knowing that the Southern border is wide open and thousands of unknowns come in every week.Thats where we need those strict guards.

Loyalty is a virtue ...Blind loyalty is the Holocaust.

[Essiesmom]

Usually, this is a quick process...You go to the purser's desk at the appointed time and when all disembarking passengers are off, they walk you off, through customs and immigration, get your new Sail & sign card, walk you back on board, taking your picture along the way. Usually only takes 15-20 min. The reason it took you 3-1/2 hours is that there were 100 of you, and I suppose they wanted to do you all at the same time before letting you reboard. EM

[jessemon]

 

Of course terrorism is a concern for all of us, but why just the USA so strict?

Let's see.....two very large buildings in NYC hit by planes that were destroyed with countless amounts of people in them. The main place where the military works out of in Washington (Pentegon) hit by a plane. A group of Americans in a plane that forced it down so terrorists would not hit another target (God bless them). Over 3000 people dead...

Let me think here a moment why we have become so strict.......:rolleyes:

I am on a back to back cruise that goes through Miami and I'll have to debark to go through immigraton. It is what it is.....;)

[Poxy]

I am actually not complaining, merely sharing an experience. I had a very good time.

 

I have already acknowledged that pre-booking was at fault, not Carnival.

 

However, I do think, and I am not alone in this, other Barbados boarders said so, that Carnival could have made more effort to make us feel welcomed separately, explaining we were joining in half way through their cruise. All PA announcements were for San Juan boarders, no mention of Barbados. Welcome aboard, stuff like that.

 

 

Glad you enjoyed most of the cruise! I agree that they should have made a better effort to welcome your group.

 

I love Barbados, btw! I've only been there once for a day, but I had an amazing time. I'm jealous that you live there!

[rimau]

When a U.S. port of call is on the itinerary all that the passengers have to do is go through a line on board ship with their ship card and passport (like Puerto Rico, St.Thomas, Key West, Port Canaveral etc..) and having it checked by a customs official.

 

We are taking a cruise from Miami. Do I take this to mean that when we take a tour in Puerto Rico and St. Thomas we will need to take our passports with us?

[Chigirlcruzin]

We are taking a cruise from Miami. Do I take this to mean that when we take a tour in Puerto Rico and St. Thomas we will need to take our passports with us?

 

I assume you're going from Miami to San Juan, St Thomas, St Martin? If this is the case, you won't need to go through immigration/customs because you are still on US land - you haven't gone to another country. You may want to bring your passport in case something should happen, but technically, you don't need it.

[CatgirlNC]

:confused:

 

What? Am I the only one totally perplexed by this post? If people get on and off in Barbados instead of the actual home port, San Juan, wouldn't they have to pay for 2 whole cruises? They are basically taking half of one cruise and half of another to have the equivalent of one cruise, but then having to deal with the disembark/embark hassle in the middle of it.

 

Do a lot of people join the cruise in Barbados?