 |
DEPARKATION, CUSTOMS & DUTY |
| |
|
What do I need to know about debarkation? |
| |
|
|
| Procedures vary slightly by ship, but here are some general guidelines: |
| 1. You will be given a debarkation package a day or two prior to the end of your cruise. Read the information carefully because it can simplify the entire process. |
| 2. With your debarkation package, you should receive color-coded baggage tags to affix to you luggage the night before your cruise ends. You will be asked to place the luggage outside your room prior to turning in on the final evening of your cruise. During the night, your bags will be taken to a holding area of the ship, and then will be taken off the ship in the morning and placed in a color-coded area that matches the color of your tags. This is the area you will go to prior to final customs clearance. Porters are usually available in this area to help you bring your luggage through Customs, and on to your car, taxi or motorcoach. This system works very well, and you can usually find your luggage after leaving the ship very easily. |
| 3. If your cruise ends in the United States, you will be subject to U.S. Customs regulations. Every family must fill out a Customs Declaration Form. On this form, you detail any purchases your family made in foreign ports on the ship. You are generally allowed up to $400 in purchases before any duty is owed. For purchases from some Caribbean countries, the allowance is $600. For U.S. possessions like the U.S. Virgin Islands, your allowable deduction is $1,200. These are only guidelines, and the duty and allowance for some items are more complex. For information, please visit the U.S. Customs Service at www.customs.ustreas.gov. Your cruise staff will also be happy to discuss with you the current regulations as they pertain to your cruise. |
| 4. If your cruise ends in a port outside of the United States, you are subject to the customs requirements of that country. If you are a resident of the United States or Canada, you will eventually have to clear that country's Customs as well. |
| 5. Don't worry too much about knowing all the regulations and requirements. Your ship staff will have a debarkation talk where they will carefully explain everything. Customs agents frequently board the ship a day or two prior to debarkation to assist with any questions. Many times they are able to pre-clear guests prior to getting off the ship, allowing you to make a smooth and quick exit from the cruise terminal. |
| 6. Follow the directions of the staff on the final morning. Make sure any unsettled bills are paid. If you are from a country other than the United States, you may need to meet with Customs officials before you can leave the ship. They will not allow any passengers to leave the ship until every non-U.S. Citizen has been accounted for. Make sure you keep any appointments you have to clear Customs. It is terribly embarrassing when it is your name they keep paging on the public address system! |
| Special notes: When packing for your return trip, don't forget to leave out clothing, medicines and personal items you will need the next day. What you don't wear can be taken off the ship in your carry-on baggage. |
|
Back To FAQs Guide
 |
| |
|
What do we do after clearing Customs? |
| |
|
|
| If you have transfers included as part of your cruise package, there will be cruise line representatives available right outside the Customs area to point you to your motorcoach. |
| If you do not have transfers included with your package, simply find a taxi, limousine or shuttle service outside the terminal to take you to the airport. |
| If you parked your own car at the pier, you might want to get the car and bring it to the loading zone rather than walking a long way towing lots of luggage. |
| If you are part of a post-cruise hotel package purchased through the cruise line, usually transfers to the hotel are included. See a cruise line representative at the pier for assistance. |
| If you are staying in a hotel not part of a cruise line package, you will need to arrange your own transportation to the hotel. Many hotels near the port offer complimentary transfers. |
| If you booked your hotel through Cruise and Resort, please check with us prior to your departure if you are not sure whether or not your hotel reservation is part of a cruise line package. |
|
| Back To FAQs Guide |
|
|
