I've been looking at a 2 week Christmas and New Year's cruise on Caribbean Princess as a family trip for the holidays. We sailed on her maiden voyage in 2004 and thought it would be fun to sail on her again, plus the itinerary is great!

When we first called Princess, we had told them my brother and father both work in the movie industry and would likely miss the embarkation in Fort Lauderdale but could meet the ship in St. Thomas 3 days later and board there. They claimed this was possible and that we would need to complete "Route Deviation Forms" for them.

Yesterday we received a voicemail saying it was not possible because of the Jones Act. I listened the voicemail a couple of times and can't figure out how Fort Lauderdale is any different than St. Thomas, as they are both US. I found the below on Carnival's website:

Quote

THE JONES ACT / PASSENGER SERVICES ACT / CABOTAGE LAW

The Jones Act (also known as the Passenger Services Act) prohibits ships of Non-U.S registry from embarking and debarking guests at two different U.S ports. Such travel would constitute point-to-point transportation between two U.S ports, which is prohibited on foreign flagged ships. The exception to this rule is if the itinerary includes a ‘distant foreign port’ - in this case, a ship can embark and debark guests at two different U.S. ports. The following ports qualify as ‘distant foreign ports’:

• Countries in South America
• Aruba
• Bonaire
• Curacao

The following ports do not qualify as ‘distant foreign ports’:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Central America
• Bermuda
• Most Caribbean Islands

Note: Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands (St. Thomas; St. Croix; St. John) are not in the category of U.S ports under this act. For example: If an itinerary sails from Puerto Rico to Miami, this cruise is not in violation of the Jones Act because Puerto Rico is not considered a U.S port under this act.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue before? I've attached a copy of the itinerary and the voicemail from Princess. My understanding of the law makes me feel like the Princess Representative misspoke and that my brother and father should be able to join in St. Thomas. 

Thanks!