Whats it like to arrive at port when on a cruise?is it like an airport setting and you go through customs?

Ive never been on a cruise before and was wondering when you arrive at an international port is it like arriving at a international airport after a international flight where you must clear customs and passport?is the setting like an airport where you wait on line and everyones passport is checked and you must fill out forms?
Thanks

NO, its NOT like at the airport when you arrive in an international port. The majority of the time that you spend in a line will be when you first board the ship. You will have to check in like at the airport and there will be lines. But the difference is when you arrive at the port the porters will take your bags before you enter the cruise terminal to deliver them to your cabin. So as you go through the check in line you will have only your passport, boarding papers, and your carry-on bags. Its therefore a lot easier than the airport.

When you arrive at port stops there is rarely if ever any line to check ID's and passports. The only places where I had to present a passport were Russia and Germany. All other places, including all of the islands in the Caribbean (and I have been to about every one of them) you just walk off the ship, or tender boat, and go about your business.

When its time to RETURN to the ship in an international port you will be required to show the cruise card that the ship issued you at boarding and in some ports also a photo ID. There is occasionally a line just because a big group of people may be headed back at the same time. But, rarely do the other country's officials delay boarding. The one exception I experienced was in Jamaica where there was a long line and I think they were making sure that people were not taking drugs back on ship. IN ADDITION, there is sometimes a delay at the door of the ship as passengers file back on and must place all of their packages and bags on the scanner belt.

FINALLY, when you return to the US, passengers are allowed to leave the ship in a specific order and a part of the reason for that is all of the luggage has generally been removed from the ship in a certain order, first for passengers getting off first. Occasionally there is a delay going through Customs and Immigrations after a cruise but it generally goes very quickly and may take about 15 minutes.

Yes, it is. When you board they issue you an ID card. They take your picture which is in the computer. When you dis-embark and re-board, they scan your card. This way they know if you never return to the ship. (This card can also be used to charge items to your room, therefor eliminating the need to pack around cash while on board.)

Items are scanned when you board, similar to an airport and apparently for the same reasons. They do not however take your water bottles,pocketknives etc.

As for entering another country, I can only speak for the U.S. and Canada. Both check you and your luggage. I noticed very few luggage cases were opened when I went through.

Yes, it is pretty much the same. They issue an ID card for you and you use it to embark and disembark at the ports of call.

The answer is yes and no. If you are cruising the Caribbean from an American port you will be able to easily board the boat after showing your ticket and ID, your baggage will be brought to you after going through security. When you arrive at foreign ports for visits you will have little or no problem getting into the country and leaving it. If they check at all a photo ID will suffice. When you return to the US you will go through customs, this is the only time you will have any hassle at all. You will need your ID (Passport or alternative) and you will have to go through customs and declare your out of country purchases. (Requires you fill out paperwork) It's still fairly simple and not much of a problem, so don't obsess about it.

You do wait in line at the port and they do check your passport. Then they ask for your id and major credit card. You can do some of this on line before your cruise, but they check anyway against there records. Then they give you a cruise card which is used for everything you by while on the ship and is your major identification to get back on the ship while in port. After that you may sign a quick form and they take your picture as you are getting on the ship. That's it.