Cruises: The Perfect Ending... Or NOT

All good things must come to an end and that's especially true with cruise vacations.

To cruise passengers, debarkation is generally the most unwelcome aspect of their trip. After being coddled and pampered on board, a rude re-entry into the real world generally awaits in the pierside terminal when arriving in the United States. I'm not talking about the mad scramble to find my black luggage in a sea of black luggage. What irritates me the most are the lines and, especially, the delays.

First, we cool our heels waiting to be called to debark. This isn't the fault of anyone on the ship--they have to hold up passengers so the terminal doesn't get overcrowded. It's a safety issue. When we finally hear the announcement for our group, reach the terminal, snag a porter to handle the suitcases we've retrieved, then we face the dreaded Immigration line.

Just to be fair, some ports do a better job than others, but none appear to be the picture of efficiency. Of course, I'm talking about the line for Immigration & Customs. Your tax dollars at work, fellow cruisers. The cruise lines have no control over them. Neither do the Port Authorities. It's the Feds in action. Or inaction. And it's not the individual workers who are at fault. Although I've run across some with a really bad attitude, most are amiable sorts if your paperwork is in order. It's just that there aren't enough of them. For instance, recently in Miami there were only six agents to clear a ship carrying nearly 3,000 passengers. The terminal has twelve stations, yet only half of them were manned. You do the math. Under-staffing is what causes the back-up.

Words to the wise--fill out your Customs Declaration completely and accurately and sign it before you leave the ship. Have that form and your identification in hand. Be prepared to answer any questions you're asked (if you've purchased liquor, they will certainly ask you how many bottles). Smile and be pleasant. And, to get through the process as efficiently as possible, get a passport!

Here's how to apply for a passport.