Now That's What I Call Last Minute!

Just off the Fantasy out of Charleston. Booked on Friday @ 1:00, Sailed on Saturday @ 4:00. I know this question comes around every once in awhile, so I thought I would share my experience. The 72 hour rule either does not really exist, or they are able to revise the submitted manifest after initial submission.

Some thoughts on really last minute bookings:

• My PVP was shocked - I am always hitting her with email requests for last minute sailings, but never booked one this late (my previous record was 2 days prior to sailing). I had been watching 2 sailings (Dream and Fascination). When I went to check for the last time Friday morning, the Fantasy also popped up as available. Pricing was not bad, but certainly not the cheapest I have booked.
  
• We booked an inside GTY, and we received an OV on deck 6.
  
• Even though we did our funpass as soon as we confirmed the booking, at checkin we had to go through the manual process. No big deal, just took awhile.
  
• At checkin, we were handed S&S cards for someone else - cabin number was right on the envelope, but not us.
  
• Had to get S&S cards printed (took awhile to get that straightened out) and the dining time was listed as "See Maître D". Maître D was very accommodating, and got us a table for 2.
  
• In the room, the guests who were supposed to be in our room were Platinum (as are we), so the welcome letter was written out to them.
  
• Room Steward called us by the wrong name most of the week. I didn't have the heart to correct him after a couple of tries. I gave him credit for trying! I assume the list he was given had the old guests name on the list.
  
• We were not on the casino list for free slot entry - but they happily accommodated us
  
• I sent my shareholder OBC request in Friday afternoon, and got an email on Monday that it had been applied.
  

Had a great 6 days on the Fantasy. Great (small) ship, great crew, lots of Southerners onboard (N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Georgia).

Just off the Fantasy out of Charleston. Booked on Friday @ 1:00, Sailed on Saturday @ 4:00. I know this question comes around every once in awhile, so I thought I would share my experience. The 72 hour rule either does not really exist, or they are able to revise the submitted manifest after initial submission.

 

Some thoughts on really last minute bookings:

 

• My PVP was shocked - I am always hitting her with email requests for last minute sailings, but never booked one this late (my previous record was 2 days prior to sailing). I had been watching 2 sailings (Dream and Fascination). When I went to check for the last time Friday morning, the Fantasy also popped up as available. Pricing was not bad, but certainly not the cheapest I have booked.
  
• We booked an inside GTY, and we received an OV on deck 6.
  
• Even though we did our funpass as soon as we confirmed the booking, at checkin we had to go through the manual process. No big deal, just took awhile.
  
• At checkin, we were handed S&S cards for someone else - cabin number was right on the envelope, but not us.
  
• Had to get S&S cards printed (took awhile to get that straightened out) and the dining time was listed as "See Maître D". Maître D was very accommodating, and got us a table for 2.
  
• In the room, the guests who were supposed to be in our room were Platinum (as are we), so the welcome letter was written out to them.
  
• Room Steward called us by the wrong name most of the week. I didn't have the heart to correct him after a couple of tries. I gave him credit for trying! I assume the list he was given had the old guests name on the list.
  
• We were not on the casino list for free slot entry - but they happily accommodated us
  
• I sent my shareholder OBC request in Friday afternoon, and got an email on Monday that it had been applied.
  

Had a great 6 days on the Fantasy. Great (small) ship, great crew, lots of Southerners onboard (N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Georgia).

'wow thats great. Was the price lower than the normal 6 months out that I usually book at? Just wondered. I love that ship, and would love a last-minute if the price is right.

Im surprised your PVP didnt know it could be done. I would be upset if my PVP didnt know something like that.

My PVP booked me on Ecstasy the day of a cruise, and several of us have posted that we have all booked the day of the cruise.

There is no 72 hour rule. Its a bad rumor that people keep spreading. You state it as if its a fact, when its not.

The last manifest goes in 60 minutes before the ship sails and you have to be on by then.

Lets put that rumor to rest finally!!! There is no 72 hour rule. Maybe there used to be back in 9/11, but not since 2006, when I been back to cruising.

Wow that really is last min. Glad that you had a good time and didn't have any problems. I suure do wish I could jump on a cruise last min. IMHO it's the best way to vacation.

Just off the Fantasy out of Charleston. Booked on Friday @ 1:00, Sailed on Saturday @ 4:00. I know this question comes around every once in awhile, so I thought I would share my experience. The 72 hour rule either does not really exist, or they are able to revise the submitted manifest after initial submission.

 

Some thoughts on really last minute bookings:

 

• My PVP was shocked - I am always hitting her with email requests for last minute sailings, but never booked one this late (my previous record was 2 days prior to sailing). I had been watching 2 sailings (Dream and Fascination). When I went to check for the last time Friday morning, the Fantasy also popped up as available. Pricing was not bad, but certainly not the cheapest I have booked.
  
• We booked an inside GTY, and we received an OV on deck 6.
  
• Even though we did our funpass as soon as we confirmed the booking, at checkin we had to go through the manual process. No big deal, just took awhile.
  
• At checkin, we were handed S&S cards for someone else - cabin number was right on the envelope, but not us.
  
• Had to get S&S cards printed (took awhile to get that straightened out) and the dining time was listed as "See Maître D". Maître D was very accommodating, and got us a table for 2.
  
• In the room, the guests who were supposed to be in our room were Platinum (as are we), so the welcome letter was written out to them.
  
• Room Steward called us by the wrong name most of the week. I didn't have the heart to correct him after a couple of tries. I gave him credit for trying! I assume the list he was given had the old guests name on the list.
  
• We were not on the casino list for free slot entry - but they happily accommodated us
  
• I sent my shareholder OBC request in Friday afternoon, and got an email on Monday that it had been applied.
  

Had a great 6 days on the Fantasy. Great (small) ship, great crew, lots of Southerners onboard (N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Georgia).

Sounds like Carnival may have had a last minute cancellation for the cabin they put you in. Did you book last minute on purpose or just a last minute decision? Glad it worked out for you though.

I've seen reservations made the morning of sailing. Just call the 800 reservation number. Don't get your hopes up, but it does happen if space is available.

David

I've seen reservations made the morning of sailing. Just call the 800 reservation number. Don't get your hopes up, but it does happen if space is available.

David

When I did it, the toll free number folks didnt have the price, I had to wait until my PVP got into the office. Talk about cutting it too close. The booking didnt get done until 10 am and im 5 hours from Galveston and hit a storm thru Houston.

I love last minute .. but not that last minute!!

Iv booked 4, 5 and 8 days out. I booked a couple weeks out for Triumph in January.

There are some deals sometimes. I dont know if Carnival still does unpublished prices, but thats how I booked, and we got them pulled when I posted the price on CC. It cant be in public because TAs cant book it.

do you get a very reduced price doing it this way ?

Was the price lower than the normal 6 months out that I usually book at? Just wondered. I love that ship, and would love a last-minute if the price is right.

Sounds like Carnival may have had a last minute cancellation for the cabin they put you in. Did you book last minute on purpose or just a last minute decision? Glad it worked out for you though.

Just a last minute decision. I typically book whenever the schedule and cost meet my budget and schedule :-).

Im surprised your PVP didnt know it could be done. I would be upset if my PVP didnt know something like that.

She knew, no problems there... she was just shocked I actually pulled the trigger. We both shared a laugh as I am on the every-other-month-on-a-cruise club at the moment.

There is no 72 hour rule. Its a bad rumor that people keep spreading. You state it as if its a fact, when its not.

The last manifest goes in 60 minutes before the ship sails and you have to be on by then.

Lets put that rumor to rest finally!!! There is no 72 hour rule. Maybe there used to be back in 9/11, but not since 2006, when I been back to cruising.

There is indeed a 72 hour rule. It is a fact. You can read about the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) here: link if you would like. The APIS system "encourages" carriers to submit a manifest 72 hours prior to departure. The good news is that "encourages" is not "requires" (yet). The restrictions our government is placing on us are real, don't tell me I'm making it up. There is indeed a 72 hour rule. It is just appears it is not enforced by CBP - or easily overlooked as long as the final manifest is submitted 60 minutes prior to departure (and assuming that no one on the manifest alerts the "not cleared" status).

From the APIS Final Rule comments:

A vessel carrier may, however, transmit the required data elements in §4.64(b)(3)(i) through (x) for any portion of the passengers or crew in advance of the transmission deadline, provided that this transmission is followed by timely transmission of a final, complete, and validated manifest (through eNOA/D) no later than 60 minutes prior to departure from the U.S. port.

I agree with you though, we should put to rest for now the rumor that the 72 hours rule is being enforced. So long as there is a room - they will sell it to you!

Just a last minute decision. I typically book whenever the schedule and cost meet my budget and schedule :-).

 

 

She knew, no problems there... she was just shocked I actually pulled the trigger. We both shared a laugh as I am on the every-other-month-on-a-cruise club at the moment.

 

 

 

There is indeed a 72 hour rule. It is a fact. You can read about the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) here: link if you would like. The APIS system "encourages" carriers to submit a manifest 72 hours prior to departure. The good news is that "encourages" is not "requires" (yet). The restrictions our government is placing on us are real, don't tell me I'm making it up. There is indeed a 72 hour rule. It is just appears it is not enforced by CBP - or easily overlooked as long as the final manifest is submitted 60 minutes prior to departure (and assuming that no one on the manifest alerts the "not cleared" status).

 

From the APIS Final Rule comments:

A vessel carrier may, however, transmit the required data elements in §4.64(b)(3)(i) through (x) for any portion of the passengers or crew in advance of the transmission deadline, provided that this transmission is followed by timely transmission of a final, complete, and validated manifest (through eNOA/D) no later than 60 minutes prior to departure from the U.S. port.

 

I agree with you though, we should put to rest for now the rumor that the 72 hours rule is being enforced. So long as there is a room - they will sell it to you!

Just because they ALSO submit a manifest at a earlier time doenst mean there is such a thing as a 72 hour rule.

Maybe I cant read .. but I see nothing saying "72 hour rule" in what you quoted in your post.

I see your link now .. but not going to read all that looking for "72 hour rule" ..

Great info! We are sailing on the Fantasy in April. I am also curious on the price of last minute booking. also, since we are traveling with our 2 yr old granddaughter who we just obtained custody of, we will probably eat at the buffet more than in the dining room. Any feedback on the buffet food? I was dissapointed last August when we sailed out of Jacksonville.

Thanks for all the info!

we tried to get a last minute 3 day cruise on Feb 9th wehn our crown Princess cruise was cancelled midway through but they had no openings.

Unfortunately I hopped on the plane with my tail between my legs and went home.

I also called RCI the day before and they said it was too late to book for the next day.

Bill

Years ago I booked a 7-day cruise on the ELATION out of San Pedro at 11:00am for a 4:00pm Sailaway the SAME DAY ! :D

Hardest part was convincing the REP that, yes, I was quite aware that the ship was leaving in 5 hours. I only lived about 35 minutes from the port. I called Carnival about 10:30, had to put the REP on hold to see if my ex-wife could get away (she couldn't get away from work) so then 30 minutes later I booked the cruise SOLO.

Had to go through the entire embarkation process up to the photo and Sail'n'Sign with SOMEONE ELSE's documents. When I got to the pier the REP there had to cross out a cabin intended for SOMEONE ELSE and handwrite my name on the docs. Nice FREE upgrade also from an inside to an oceanview cabin.:)

To the poster that asked about the price. I thought I got an EXCELLENT price. This was back in the days of 150%DO for a SOLO. Carnival will usually do just about anything to fill their ships. Cruised last minute (booked 3-5 days before the cruise) with my son on a 3-dayer out of San Diego for $99pp. The only 3 day cruise I've ever taken, but had a ball with him.

We also booked on the same day around 10am for a 4pm departure. :)

When hurricane Katrina hit Miami in 2005, I used to live there. The 3 night weekend cruise had to be shortened to a 2 night cruise since Katrina hit on the day of departure. Needless to say a lot of people canceled their cruise last minute.

I got a call from my PVP that morning and he asked if I'd be interested in sailing that afternoon for $79 pp. :eek: I said YES, called my wife and asked her to get a weekend bag ready, picked her up and drove straight to the port of Miami, Shortly after that, we were off to Nassau for 2 nights in a porthole cabin on the Empress Deck.:D

Just a last minute decision. I typically book whenever the schedule and cost meet my budget and schedule :-).

 

 

She knew, no problems there... she was just shocked I actually pulled the trigger. We both shared a laugh as I am on the every-other-month-on-a-cruise club at the moment.

 

 

 

There is indeed a 72 hour rule. It is a fact. You can read about the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) here: link if you would like. The APIS system "encourages" carriers to submit a manifest 72 hours prior to departure. The good news is that "encourages" is not "requires" (yet). The restrictions our government is placing on us are real, don't tell me I'm making it up. There is indeed a 72 hour rule. It is just appears it is not enforced by CBP - or easily overlooked as long as the final manifest is submitted 60 minutes prior to departure (and assuming that no one on the manifest alerts the "not cleared" status).

 

From the APIS Final Rule comments:

A vessel carrier may, however, transmit the required data elements in §4.64(b)(3)(i) through (x) for any portion of the passengers or crew in advance of the transmission deadline, provided that this transmission is followed by timely transmission of a final, complete, and validated manifest (through eNOA/D) no later than 60 minutes prior to departure from the U.S. port.

 

I agree with you though, we should put to rest for now the rumor that the 72 hours rule is being enforced. So long as there is a room - they will sell it to you!

From the link you provided...

For sea travel, CBP will require vessel

carriers to transmit passenger and crew

manifests for vessels departing from the

United States no later than 60 minutes

prior to departure. For vessels departing

from foreign ports destined to arrive at

a U.S. port, CBP is retaining the current

requirement to transmit passenger and

crew arrival manifest data at least 24

hours and up to 96 hours prior to the

vessel’s entry at the U.S. port of arrival

That was CLOSE! WOW - we have booked a couple of weeks out but never that close. Glad you had a great time!

We did last minute last year we booked Wed @ 7pm and left for Mobile from Nashville to Cruise next day Thur it was one of the best Vacations. ....

I never understood how the 72 hour rule got set in stone. There may be a requirement to have an advanced passenger manifest sent 72 hours prior to sailing but there is nothing preventing a passenger from booking right before departure as long as they are on the final manifest.

Passengers can book international flights which is considered a much higher security risk hours before take off. So why would the government restrict cruise line passengers which when it comes to security a much lower risk?

Vinnie

Since DH and I are still working we cannot book this close to sail date. We lucked out in 2009 during the Swine Flu Fiasco, and booked a week long cruise on the Fantasy for $200pp total. We booked that on a Monday and sailed Saturday of that week. That's as close as we've ever done. I've not seen a rate like that again. But feel certain if I do, there will be little to keep us from it, lol!

After reviewing the link and searching everything with "72" in it, it looks as though the 72 hour "rule" only is stated for airline carriers. But even they can submit 30 min prior to departure. There is not a rule for anything about 72 hours for cruises.

See copy below. This is copied from the link provided by the OP

pertaining to international flights.

THE BELOW IS ON A DIFFERENT PAGE

business practice).

I've always wanted to do a "pack n go" cruise (live within sight of the port) but have been afraid of the $$$$$$ How much did this one set you back?;)

How fun!! I wish I lived where I would be able to hop on a last minute cruise. I love spontaneity!!

How does one get there own PVP? I booked my first cruise with Carnival with an agency, and wasn't thrilled. I would perfer booking with the line directly. I tend to be in the once-a-year cruise club.

How does one get there own PVP? I booked my first cruise with Carnival with an agency, and wasn't thrilled. I would perfer booking with the line directly. I tend to be in the once-a-year cruise club.

Put your phone number in the box for a call back on the carnival site (do not call as you get CSRs who take incoming calls).

I also would talk to folks if you meet some on your next cruise, if they use a PVP. Many at Carnival do, even though I use a TA for other cruiselines. I use a PVP for early saver rates or pack no goes last minute. She puts in my FCC and does so much more.

I thought our 7day advance booking was close, I guess I was wrong. Leaving from Buffalo, NY doesn't give us many travel options for last minute cruises. We have to book flights or drive which takes 2 days to florida. I'll have to watch northeast departures a little closer now.