By Cruising Towards Digital ID: Royal Caribbean Passengers Disembark with Biometric Verification
Editor's CommentAirports, stadiums, stores, workplaces, highways, government buildings, museums, and now cruise ships. Soon there will be no where one can go without being surveilled or required to provide biometric identification for access. The spectre of Big Brother is now our reality!
by Evie Kim Sing | Identity Week
The first biometric debarkation has been completed on Royal Caribbean cruise passengers, reducing passenger clearance times by 30% from ship to shore.
Biometrics significantly reduced clearance times for passengers disembarking a Royal Caribbean cruise to San Juan. Carrying over 2,000 passengers, the vessel port in San Juan with biometric screening processes enabling a smooth transition from shore to land. 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.” Read Full Article >
