Sorry about our customs, but welcome to sequestration. Also please realize, they was not DCL's fault. They can't control how many customs agents are working.
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Yes, I didn't make myself clear, but we certainly knew that this was not DCL's fault! Just generally wanted to let off some steam, since we were all talking about waiting in lines.
What is sequestration, though?
That said, we did wait in an absolutely horrible line that didn't make us happy at all ... And that was the non-US citizens' line to get off the ship at the port of LA. They had one counter open for non-US citizens (instead of just spreading us among all counters ), and it moved at glacially slow speed because they took a few minutes to process each individual. There were maybe 30-40 people ahead of us, and we spent until almost 11 am in that line, shuffling alongside the Wonder which we had just left. Next to us, literally about 1,000 US citizens walked past, and when there were no more coming and the ship must have been empty, we were still standing there waiting. Very annoying, and it really made us feel pretty second-class.
(Which we had to think of when we arrived back in Germany: everybody in the same line, with lots of people from the US, nobody took more than a few moments at the counter, and no nationality had to wait longer than any other. So it's possible!)
Oh I know you were not blaming DCL, but it seems every time I take them to L.A. someone likes to blame them for something customs at the port did. So it was more making sure other who read this thread knew that. Sequestration is this government program to save money. So a lot of government agencies must take mandatory furlough days. Looks like you got hit with it at the port. So sorry.
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Oh I know you were not blaming DCL, but it seems every time I take them to L.A. someone likes to blame them for something customs at the port did. So it was more making sure other who read this thread knew that. Sequestration is this government program to save money. So a lot of government agencies must take mandatory furlough days. Looks like you got hit with it at the port. So sorry.
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Sequestration is this government program to save money. So a lot of government agencies must take mandatory furlough days.
Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards
There were only two counters not open. I'm pretty sure the line backing up for the non-citizens had nothing to do with the sequester.
I'm going to jump on the complaint train a minute too! And not a DCL one, but a PA Customs "Moment Of The Ridiculous". While disembarking the boat, a flag came up on my passport. Instead of making me cool my heels to the side and wait to talk to an agent, they completely halted the massive disembarkment line, cleared the gangplank, (which took almost 25 minutes) so that an agent could board the boat, then walked me and family passed a few hundred passengers so I could talk to another agent.
He asked me one question. I reported a lost passport 4 years ago (and have traveled on the replacement many times since). Was it still missing? Yep, lost in my house somewhere. Ok. Thanks.
My apologies to anyone caught in the delay. They should have made me wait instead.
That said, we did wait in an absolutely horrible line that didn't make us happy at all ... And that was the non-US citizens' line to get off the ship at the port of LA. They had one counter open for non-US citizens (instead of just spreading us among all counters ), and it moved at glacially slow speed because they took a few minutes to process each individual. There were maybe 30-40 people ahead of us, and we spent until almost 11 am in that line, shuffling alongside the Wonder which we had just left. Next to us, literally about 1,000 US citizens walked past, and when there were no more coming and the ship must have been empty, we were still standing there waiting. Very annoying, and it really made us feel pretty second-class.
(Which we had to think of when we arrived back in Germany: everybody in the same line, with lots of people from the US, nobody took more than a few moments at the counter, and no nationality had to wait longer than any other. So it's possible!)
It must depend on when you get off the ship as we almost went straight through Immigration, but we were off fairly early I think as the later breakfast was still going on in Triton's as we passed.
If you do a WB Transatlantic it is much worse as you have to go to Immigration very very early in the Buena Vista Theatre. I think 6am was our time, and then when we went to breakfast(late seating so around 8) the early seating hadn't finished because all the crew hadn't even finished being cleared at immigration so cooks and servers missing. What a mess it was. Plus the Immigration guys were very grumpy as DCL appeared to not have given all the correct forms out.:roll eyes: I hope things improve for the next one with passengers next year.
Yup, we were at the later breakfast! So should we ever sail to L.A. again, we will definitely consider skipping breakfast and heading off the ship early.
Uh-oh ... We ARE booked on the next WB Transatlantic! Better not tell DH about this ahead of time ...
Sounds like a great trip and is making us really excited for our September PC crossing! We were wondering if anyone did any of these excursions and if you could provide any feedback:
Cabo - Santa Maria Sail & Snorkel
Puerto Vallarta - Paradise Beach Adventure
Cartagena - Best of Cartagena tour
Cozumel - (did you go there?) Three Reef Snorkel
Any advice for the day of the PC crossing?
Thanks in advance for your help and I look forward to reading more of the trip reports that are being posted. Thank you.
I agree that I have never seen such aggressive vendors as those in Cartegena. One of them grabbed my 36-year-old, 6-feet tall son, trying to get him into a cab. It was my least favorite experience in any port, ever. We got back to the ship quickly. I did not feel safe there.
The ONLY way I would get off in this port is with a Disney excursion. Otherwise, I advise that you enjoy a day on the ship.
Sounds like a great trip and is making us really excited for our September PC crossing! We were wondering if anyone did any of these excursions and if you could provide any feedback:
Cabo - Santa Maria Sail & Snorkel
Puerto Vallarta - Paradise Beach Adventure
Cartagena - Best of Cartagena tour
Cozumel - (did you go there?) Three Reef Snorkel
Any advice for the day of the PC crossing?
Thanks in advance for your help and I look forward to reading more of the trip reports that are being posted. Thank you.
You will have a great time! In Cartagena we booked a small group excursion (17 of us) with Dora...look for her on trip advisor. Our group ranged in age from 4-70's and everyone had a great time and we felt safe throughout the day.
On PC crossing we watched the first set of locks from our verandah since DS was still sleeping. We roamed the ship for the rest of the day checking out different areas. Go to deck 3 and watch from one of the large windows as the ship drops down in a lock it was fun to watch.
Enjoy!!
Did Dora help you fight off the vendors? They just really, really ruined my day. It was difficult to see what we were trying to see while constantly putting our hands on our heads and saying no.