6 hours ago, jsglow said:

That's a bit of an exaggeration with respect to 'last call' for disembarkation. Most typically that's closer to 9:30 or maybe even 10:00. I certainly recall signing up for a 9:20-9:30 digital slot earlier this year.

 

Reason I wanted to respond is that some folks actually prefer to legitimately linger in allowed public areas as they have later flights out. It's actually an interesting process that one gets to fully experience if doing a B2B. It goes from the first announcement of 'All remaining guests kindly disembark' to the CD calling out actual names in the final 30 minutes. (I've never had my name called.) Then, once they 'zero out', it's perhaps 30-45 minutes before the new Diamonds board. 

On a B2B, you do get to see the consequences of the inconsiderate "I'll leave when I want" people.  There is something profound about seeing crew lined up with all their belongings, saying their goodbyes as they wait to leave the ship to go home but can't because someone is finishing their 3rd coffee on Lido.

4 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Yes but it's also good to know what the company would do if anyone had experience. Just another data point and the more data points the better. 

It isn't a company decision.  It is the decision of the physician onboard  that ship, that sailing.

1 hour ago, ishap said:

I just wasn't sure if Uber would be available or hard to come by.  That would be my preferred option.  We have time as flight is not till after 2pm.

 

Flying in the day before and staying in a hotel next to port, so TO port not a problem.

 

 

Thanks for this insight.  I think I may look and see how much an uber is the debarkation day and if very pricey, take the port shuttle.  So far it seems that other options are better than the Carnival airport transfer.

Rideshare drivers may accept the ride but then cancel if they think your party will not fit.  They may also request additional cash since they may need to deadhead back.  They aren't supposed to, but they do when the distance/time is great.

3 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

If a person presents themselves to a CBP station or officer, they are on US territory, and regardless of how they got there, they cannot be denied entry if they are US citizens.  So, CBP is required to check databases to see if the person presenting themselves as a US citizen matches information in US databases (photo from drivers license database, dob from state birth records, etcn if proven as US citizens, they cannot deny entry just because of no passport.

 

As noted, given that the OP was talking about a Canadian or Mexican port of entry, they could just walk up to the CBP checkpoint.

 

Even if a person used a US passport to board a flight in Europe, and the passport was lost or stolen while on the plane (or maybe in a transit lounge), when that person gets to the CBP station at the airport on arrival, they cannot be denied entry just because they don't have a passport, if other means proves their citizenship.  

Except you can't present yourself to CBP if left behind in a country that doesn't share a land border.  

The poster I was responding to has stated that if you are left behind in another country while on a cruise, you can simply present yourself at the airport, answer a few questions and you will be granted a "humanitarian" exception to International laws.  

@BruceMuzz laid out some specific situations where the lack of a passport resulted in disaster and not a return to the US.   

If you lost your passport in flight after exiting another country, you at least left that country legally.  

4 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Maybe not, but it is still a US citizen having an emergency and that is part of what the government is there for (and getting someone home who is having difficulty of some sort can certainly be seen as humanitarian). Here are the regulations that give us the closed loop exception (para 2). See paragraphs 9 and 10 for the waiver provisions:

22 CFR § 53.2 - Exceptions. | Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)

 

 

3 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Maybe not, but it is still a US citizen having an emergency and that is part of what the government is there for (and getting someone home who is having difficulty of some sort can certainly be seen as humanitarian). Here are the regulations that give us the closed loop exception (para 2). See paragraphs 9 and 10 for the waiver provisions:

22 CFR § 53.2 - Exceptions. | Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute (cornell.edu)

 

 

Not even close to being applicable. 

This is

On 6/11/2024 at 5:49 AM, sparks1093 said:

Since the poster mentioned a port of entry in Canada or Mexico presumably via vehicle. It happens a couple times per year around here (8 miles from the border)- someone (usually young but not always) goes up to Canada and loses their documentation. They present themselves to CBP at the border and after spending some time in secondary inspection they are allowed on their way.

 

And even on cruises if one is left behind and/or has to leave during the cruise it isn't necessary to proceed to a Consulate and obtain an emergency passport. The regulations covering closed loop cruises contain provisions for the waiver of the passport requirement for emergencies and for humanitarian reasons. There will be a delay while things get sorted out (and the passenger is not typically involved in the sorting out process). 

I have yet to see US regulations on this exception.  Please post your source.  

A personal emergency is not a humanitarian crisis.

14 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I may be very wrong with this, but what we expect in North America in liability is desperately missing in other parts of the world.  That is why we should all buy medical insurance when we travel.

 

I have climbed some sketchy stairs without railings and rock steps carved out of a rock face and my thought is that this is my risk and no one is going to pay me any life changing windfall if I am injured.

During an excursion to the Belize Zoo, the guide gave one warning that the electricity to the fences were supposed to be off.  When people reached through the fencing, they ignored them and when one guy got knocked on his rear, they turned away quickly to hide their reaction.  Most of us did not hide our reaction.  😆 

20 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

You are dealing with companies that are not registered in the USA, ships that are not flagged in the USA, and travel providers that are not registered in the USA.

 

I don't think that US standards, expectations, and litigious nature will hold up in other countries. 

 

I may be completely wrong, but I would not assume that tripping on uneven pavement in a foreign country would net any kind of legal satisfaction.   Just walk down the streets in Buenos Aires and you have to have eyes all around you at all times because of the gaps and the holes and the shambles that are their sidewalks... injuries are just waiting to happen and I would say that those travel providers are not concerned about legal action.

Very true.  Many of the idiot labels and signs custom to the US aren't present in other places.  Ancient sites haven't installed railings nor signs that say "Watch Your Step"

2 hours ago, LexK said:

Hello, fellow Michigander! The reason we thought of Puerto Rico is that we didn't want too much on ship time as we've never really done it. Can you elaborate why you would leave from Florida?

Thank you so much

You will LOVE ship time...

Florida homeports will offer you many more flight options (with better pricing) both to and from your cruise.  Experienced cruisers will always recommend flying in at least a day early and Florida home ports will give you many more options.  If you are planning a cruise between December and March two day head start is better given our weather. Direct flights from Detroit are far better than any connecting but if like me, your local airport requires connections in Detroit or Chicago, choose Detroit.  

I got caught in last year's ice storm, with a cancelled flight on Thursday, an extremely delayed flight on Friday, finally arriving late Friday night for a Saturday cruise. Due to the other cancelled flights that week, another flight was not an option for me or the other 150 people on board, so this year, I flew down on Wednesday and the weather was so mild, didn't even de-ice.

Puerto Rico can also pose some language barriers for inexperienced travelers.  It will also have far fewer cruise options.

13 hours ago, LexK said:

Thanks to all!

 

" it's always in "ship's time", which sometimes isn't the same as "local time""

 

How do they keep time on ship? does ship display their time?

How do i know where best view from balcony with respect to cruise travel path. ie If the ship has the islands on the right, i want a room on the right. If most of the travel path has islands on the right - that's what I want.

 

Thank you again. You all ARE FABULOUS!

Ships never sail close enough to islands to view them.  However, you can google "cruise ship tracking" to see where ships travel, like planes, there are specific routes.  Ships have clocks all over and tvs in rooms with times.

I also live in Michigan and would suggest for a first timer, to consider ships leaving from Florida ports.  

17 hours ago, simplelife said:

Yes,  we are definitely planning to do that

You can touch history (if you dare)

16 minutes ago, Luvtoeat said:

I was looking into go port and looks really good but how long is the wait for transport to the ship but more important its always crazy when getting off ship and waiting for transport back to their facility to pick up your car. Might be tons of people waiting for same vehicle. Last Nov. sailed on MSC and parked at terminal . Very convenient but way more expensive.

A friend used Go Port in Feb for a Mardi Gras sailing.  The driver dropped them at port with luggage and went to park.  It was over an hour before the driver got back.

5 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

"in no time" may be a couple of hours,  and may result in a missed flight.

Days... also closed on weekends, holidays..

On 5/13/2024 at 2:13 PM, ToneBarone said:

Just in case someone is reading this and is freaked out.  The US will never prohibit a US citizen from coming home passport or not.  Obviously having one certainly makes things easier but going to a port of entry (Canada or Mexico) or visiting an American embassy/consulate (everywhere else) they'll ask you a few questions, check some things and you'll be on your way home in no time.

How do you get to that border?  You will need to get yourself to an American Consulate and apply for an emergency passport.  

Passport cards are useless if you need to fly home from a foreign port.

15 minutes ago, simplelife said:

I just booked our 20th cruise - October of 2025, Carnival Miracle, Panama Canal itinerary. This is our first time on this ship and to this destination. A couple of new ports of call as well ( Limon, Mahogany Bay) . Any info you can share is appreciated. 

Take a Carnival excursion that goes through the locks.  

2 minutes ago, icft said:

Now you guys are just screwing with the heads of new cruisers 😆 There will probably be a thread started by someone worried they will make a mistake and get charged $5.

Then they will write to JH and make a crew condiment.  

9 hours ago, VentureMan_2000 said:

Established 1853...

 

What's the difference between ketchup and fancy ketchup?

 

Fancy is a qualification from the USDA that certifies it as high-quality ketchup (Heinz is also considered Fancy ketchup). Fancy ketchup is a U.S. grade A ketchup that has good color, good consistency, good flavor, and is free from defects, according to the USDA.

 

Fancy is served only on Elegant Night, though

20 hours ago, simplelife said:

This was in response to someone who said to put a hold on the cruise and THEN call.

And?

I am a sucker for those heated loungers...best sea nap EVER

Answer depends on your traveling companions...if solo, as desired but if your spouse is hoping for a nice dressy photo, well   "Black shades, white gloves
Lookin' sharp, lookin' for love"

10 hours ago, cmukid87 said:

This ^.  I have the physical gift card in my travel wallet but will take pictures of it/them just in case.  The kiosk nor guest services need a physical card since they will just manually type in the numbers anyways.

Hard gift cards are slid thru

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

The latest ingot assigned was at the port. At the port inside where the porters work out of the  ain guy has a list of everyone and their cabin number. I had to go to him once before I was allowed to check in and he has the final list. He gave me my cabin number and then I could take it back to check in and was allowed to check in. I did book the cruise late though. 

 

During covid they sometimes were blocking off corridors for covid. I had booked a 1A with the two port holders, which I like because it's a larger than usual cabin for the money. I got a slip of paper at the port and changed to a deluxe ov which was a  oce upgrade.

 

Another time I booked my favorite port hole larger cabin and went in and unpacked and noticed a paper addressed to someone else. I had already unpacked. That was hard to explain why I unpacked in a cabin not mine. With no  notice whatsoever I was changed toma tiny HC 4J. Much smaller, so small the beds had to be end to end and a wheel in shower that took up a lot of the cabin. At  night the black out curtains had to be closed for navigation. I think they should have notified me if they changed my cabin. This was before covid. I used to like my PVP but she continued to say carnival has the right to change your cabin without notifying you. She has 0 sympathy that I unpacked in the cabin I booked and then had to explain to get access to get my stuff repackaged. After that I rarely booked with her. Ii also now use a TA. I want someone on my side.

 

I've had some good and some bad gty. Good imgot pool deck, my favorite. Bad, below the kitchen, not the dining room the actual kitchen. Noisy. On the older ships the bunks came out of the wall and had wooden braces. Now they come out of the ceiling. Once solo ingot one of these quads with the wooden braces. Was hard to read in bed. 

 

Carnival seems to love to surprise me and give me just any cabin they happen to have. 

 

 

They can change your cabin at any time for any reason

4 hours ago, Dave from Ont said:

Bring the expired passport too.

4 hours ago, newcruzer2 said:

Excellent suggestion, it will add to the proof even though it's expired.

It is worthless once expired