Question on CB

[nabby]

This probably belongs in the Ports thread, but I thought people who have sailed the Classic Southern itinerary on the Caribbean Princess could answer me right away.

 

The itinerary shows port time in St. Thomas as 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The next stop is Tortola, the next morning.

 

Now, taking the ship from St. Thomas to Tortola (including clearing the ship with authorities) takes probably about 90 minutes. Question: What does the ship do that night? Are you still docked in St. Thomas, but unable to leave the ship? Does the ship go out into the ocean and just go in circles all night? Stupid question, but for some reason it has been bugging me. :D

[mizLORInj]

Yes; you'll sail around about the Caribbean sea (or is it the Atlantic?) for the night. It's fun to watch on the navigation channel.

[Colo Cruiser]

Float. :eek:

[nabby]

So the next question is: Why? Does the port of St. Thomas charge extra once you hit 6:00 pm? Do they not want cruise passengers running around at night? Seems like a way to bring in some extra revenue.

[LarryL]

So the next question is: Why? Does the port of St. Thomas charge extra once you hit 6:00 pm? Do they not want cruise passengers running around at night? Seems like a way to bring in some extra revenue.

 

Oh, I'm sure any port would be more than happy to have cruise ship passengers spending money during an overnight stay. In this case, the ship is the destination and although they go very slow between some ports, this is why you are cruising and not on a land based vacation. By the time the action starts for the evening it won't matter if your next destination is 20 miles or 200, you'll rarely notice. It is weird though as last year we arrived in Whittier, AK just after midnight and came to a complete stop before we went to bed that night. We still had a great time and never considered getting off the ship.

[nabby]

Ah Ha! Of course, if passengers are spending money ashore they are not spending it on board the ship. Makes sense. It's just kind of funny.

[LarryL]

Ah Ha! Of course, if passengers are spending money ashore they are not spending it on board the ship. Makes sense. It's just kind of funny.

 

Exactly

[Doug R.]

This probably belongs in the Ports thread, but I thought people who have sailed the Classic Southern itinerary on the Caribbean Princess could answer me right away.

 

The itinerary shows port time in St. Thomas as 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The next stop is Tortola, the next morning.

 

Now, taking the ship from St. Thomas to Tortola (including clearing the ship with authorities) takes probably about 90 minutes. Question: What does the ship do that night? Are you still docked in St. Thomas, but unable to leave the ship? Does the ship go out into the ocean and just go in circles all night? Stupid question, but for some reason it has been bugging me. :D

 

We did the opposite on the Crown, went from Tortola to St Thomas. We sailed in a south and west loop, sailing south of St Croix and then sailing north and east to St Thomas.

[Tralynn]

The ship must putter around at sea in order to open the shops, casino, and have live entertainment on board the ship. It's a deal that's made with all of the ports that the ship shuts down certain things during the time it's docked.

[bbenson]

The ship must putter around at sea in order to open the shops, casino, and have live entertainment on board the ship. It's a deal that's made with all of the ports that the ship shuts down certain things during the time it's docked.

 

 

Its not so much a deal as sales tax...... in some ports, especially us ports the ship has to abide by state and federal laws.... and pay sales tax... so they shut down shops casino etc.... If you ever cruise out of galveston they can only serve certain liqours in port, the ones with texas sales tax stamps.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Sometimes, it has to do with the tides, but I've also wondered if the time that a ship leaves a port has something to do with the pier workers. I would think they would get over time pay if they worked too many hours or over a certain time in the evening in US ports. Anyone know if this affects a departure time at all?

[RickEk]

I believe it's mostly to open the shops/casino etc.

[bbenson]

Sometimes, it has to do with the tides, but I've also wondered if the time that a ship leaves a port has something to do with the pier workers. I would think they would get over time pay if they worked too many hours or over a certain time in the evening in US ports. Anyone know if this affects a departure time at all?

 

It very well could but more likely it's that the cruise line wants you back onboard and ready to spend some money on drinks while you discuss what you did on the island, or shoping for some "after sun" because you got lobster backed at the beach, or gambling in the casino after dinner.

 

The more time you spend on ship spending money the less you spend money in port... though it should be pointed out that in this day and age the cruise lines own a major stake in the ports they visit...but still, on ship you spend money directly with them.

 

After all the cruise lines have shown willingness time and time again to spend millions and hundreds of millions of dollars to get you to part with your hard earned money.

[DrivesLikeMario]

I guess the cruise line making money is more important than the port's dock workers getting paid OT. Makes sense, thanks.