Passengers visiting Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale can officially say goodbye to the dreaded long customs line they are more than familiar with facing once their cruise has come to an end.
The port will introduce a Mobile Passport Control (MPC) programme that means cruisers will be able to use a mobile app to breeze through customs and complete their U.S customs declaration paperwork on their smartphone.
The app is aimed at U.S citizens re-entering the country post-cruise and requires travellers to input biographic information where the app can then provide an encrypted code. The code is all that passengers will need to present to a customs officer, along with their passport, to complete the process in a short time compared to the several minutes it usually takes to review each and every passenger.
‘Port Everglades purchased the required equipment earlier this summer in anticipation of the MPC programme’s approval by CBP, and we are now the first and only seaport to offer this app’ said Steven Cernak, Chief Executive and Port Director of Port Evergaldes.
‘An added bonus is that MPC will be in service in time for the arrivals of Royal Caribbean Line’s Harmony of the Seas and Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam. Mobile Passport Control is another feature that will help us enhance the cruise guest experience.’
The two new ships will arrive at the port this month, each being the largest ship in their line’s fleet. Port Everglades is home to Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships that carry more than 7,000 passengers. For the time being, the app is only available on iOS devices, but is expected to be available on Android later this month.
But what are your thoughts on the new concept? Have your say here!
Would this drastically improve the end-of-your-cruise experience? Or do you think some things should stay as they are? Leave us your thoughts and comments on the prospect of saying goodbye to your never-ending custom queues for good!
