Passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise were quickly processed with biometric screening as they disembarked at their final destination, San Juana.
Revolutionary biometrics enabled a smooth transition from shore to land. The liner was carrying 2,000 passengers who experienced reduced clearance times by 30%.
It is the first time a Royal Caribbean vessel has utilised this technology at the San Juan Seaport’s Pier 4. Royal Caribbean has collaborated with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who are focusing on bringing biometric processes to seaports and vessels as well as to facilitate safer air travel. Rhapsody of the Seas has been homeported in San Juan since April 2024.
“At CBP, we believe that every aspect of the cruise experience should be seamless including the arrival process,” said Roberto Vaquero, Director of Field Operations for the CBP San Juan Field Office.
“The successful launch of our biometric facial comparison tool marks a significant step forward in securing our nation’s borders. By streamlining the debarkation process for cruise passengers, we empower our CBP personnel to focus on enforcement and protecting our communities. The innovation enhances both efficiency and safety, reinforcing our commitment to national security.”
The process is simple with biometric kiosks positioned back on land capturing a photograph that is biometrically compared to the passenger’s documents on file. Once the passenger’s identity is verified, they can be granted access passed border controls.
This seamless process enhances security and privacy while ensuring a faster, more efficient debarkation experience. Passengers can choose to opt-out of biometrics altogether, with photos not retained during alternative identity verification processes.
They can request to speak to a CBP officer on stand-by at the seaport for alternative identity verification.
The successful implementation of this technology for Royal Caribbean in Puerto Rico was made possible through collaboration with CBP, Royal Caribbean, and technology providers. The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Marina Michailaras, Manager of Guest Port Services for Royal Caribbean; San Juan Field Office and Area Port of San Juan leadership.
This initiative underscores CBP’s commitment to modernising the travel experience while maintaining robust security measures.
