andy1 Posted January 26, 2011 #1 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I suggested to some friends that we should just show up at the port on the day of a cruise and see if they would practically give us tickets for free... Certainly, we would pay, but wouldn't they want even a small amount of money rather than have an empty room? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolin Posted January 26, 2011 #2 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Sorry. That doesn't happen anymore since 9/11. You can call whichever cruiseline the day before or morning of and ask about cabin pricing. The major reason is home land security. You book via phone and if there is room, you will be able to board the ship. Don't be surprised if its not the deal you hoped for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toto2Kansas Posted January 26, 2011 #3 Share Posted January 26, 2011 LOL, that isn't going to happen anymore. They have to turn over the passenger list to port security so many days before the cruise now. Before 9/11 this was possible, but afraid you are just going to have to turn around and go back home now, as they will not allow you to book the day of sailing now. Sorry! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted January 26, 2011 #4 Share Posted January 26, 2011 As the others have said, you cannot show up on sailing day and buy passage on a cruise ship. At least not one departing from a US port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo70 Posted January 26, 2011 #5 Share Posted January 26, 2011 LOL, that isn't going to happen anymore. They have to turn over the passenger list to port security so many days before the cruise now. Before 9/11 this was possible, but afraid you are just going to have to turn around and go back home now, as they will not allow you to book the day of sailing now. Sorry! Actually the manifest is due 60 minutes prior to sailing time, not days before. However as the previous poster explained you cannot just show up to the port and book. It has to be done over the phone and it will not be for a deeply discounted price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okgirl Posted January 26, 2011 #6 Share Posted January 26, 2011 If you just showed up at the port there wouldn't be any way for you to get into the terminal. The Carnival shoreside agents that check you in have no ability to sell you a cruise, they can't even take your cash to secure your account with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lochncup Posted January 26, 2011 #7 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Can't just show up anymore. My friend's Dad retired to Delray Beach and nearly every weekend he would turn up in Ft Lauderdale to see if there was space. If there was he would just get on board. I don't remember exactly what he paid but I seem to recall that it was under $200. He used to tell his kids that it was cheaper than staying in his condo for a week! But that was all pre 9/11...alas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG_Steve Posted January 26, 2011 #8 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Can't just show up anymore. My friend's Dad retired to Delray Beach and nearly every weekend he would turn up in Ft Lauderdale to see if there was space. If there was he would just get on board. I don't remember exactly what he paid but I seem to recall that it was under $200. He used to tell his kids that it was cheaper than staying in his condo for a week! But that was all pre 9/11...alas! You're not helping........... ;):D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sargent_Schultz Posted January 26, 2011 #9 Share Posted January 26, 2011 LOL, that isn't going to happen anymore. They have to turn over the passenger list to port security so many days before the cruise now. Before 9/11 this was possible, but afraid you are just going to have to turn around and go back home now, as they will not allow you to book the day of sailing now. Sorry! Myth. Manifest is due 60 minutes prior to sailing. Yes, it is possible to book the same day as the sailing but you do have to call the cruise line. The cruise ship doesn't have access to the available cabin inventory among other reasons. The price may or may not be a deal. Ports with a number of cruise ships are probably the best bet, but don't expect to have a choice of itinerary, cruise ship, or even cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dforeigner Posted January 27, 2011 #10 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Actually the manifest is due 60 minutes prior to sailing time, not days before. However as the previous poster explained you cannot just show up to the port and book. It has to be done over the phone and it will not be for a deeply discounted price. Myth. Manifest is due 60 minutes prior to sailing. Yes, it is possible to book the same day as the sailing but you do have to call the cruise line. The cruise ship doesn't have access to the available cabin inventory among other reasons. The price may or may not be a deal. Ports with a number of cruise ships are probably the best bet, but don't expect to have a choice of itinerary, cruise ship, or even cruise line. These answers are the correct ones. Federal law requires the manifest to sent electronically 60 minutes prior to sailing. That being said, many ports, for security reasons, will not let you inside the terminal without your boarding pass already printed. You can always try and call the cruiseline to see if they will sell you a room the same day as the departing day and then print the boarding pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted January 27, 2011 #11 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Ships go out full almost every sailing these days. If sail date approaches and they have empty cabins, they keep lowering the price until they sell them all. It is rare for there to be empty cabins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toto2Kansas Posted January 27, 2011 #12 Share Posted January 27, 2011 My error, make that 60 minutes before sailing, as so many have repeated over and over again. But you still can't just show up and book a stateroom at the pier. ;);) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceMuzz Posted January 27, 2011 #13 Share Posted January 27, 2011 I sail on a mass market ship out of Ft Lauderdale. In the past year we have had 2 cruises with unsold cabins. In April we had 2 inside cabins unsold. In November we had one inside cabin unsold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy ks Posted January 27, 2011 #14 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Ships go out full almost every sailing these days. If sail date approaches and they have empty cabins, they keep lowering the price until they sell them all. It is rare for there to be empty cabins. I have checked in the week before sail date and the price did not go down, it went up! I thought for sure they would want those cabins filled and about 4 days before the cruise they were sold out. The same thing happened this past December on Sapphire Princess, I watched to see if we could upgrade and all the balcony cabins sold out the very last day before I could call for a free (or pay) upgrade. I had a suspicion perhaps the cruiseline employees could do a friends/family special last minute. There have been cruises where 2 months before the prices are reduced, then they have gone back up again. I was in the spa one time, talking with 2 younger couples, they were thrilled at their "last minute pricing", I did not have the heart to tell them I paid hundreds less for my balcony than they did for their inside cabins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacation luvver Posted January 29, 2011 #15 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Actually the manifest is due 60 minutes prior to sailing time, not days before. That's what I thought, since I booked a cruise on the Norwegian Dawn 13 days ahead of time in November of 2006. I got a very good deal. I eventually figured out that it cost less than if I had stayed at the Red Roof Inn and ate all of my meals at McDonald's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted January 29, 2011 #16 Share Posted January 29, 2011 LOL, that isn't going to happen anymore. They have to turn over the passenger list to port security so many days before the cruise now. Before 9/11 this was possible, but afraid you are just going to have to turn around and go back home now, as they will not allow you to book the day of sailing now. Sorry! As previously mentioned, you do have to call .. but you certainly can book the day of a cruise.. its a myth that people on CC keep repeating who dont have facts. I have done it myself and know others who have also booked the day of a cruise. Wouldnt do it again, as I almost missed the ship while the booking got finalized. Had to wait until 10 am my time for my Carnival PVP to come in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted January 29, 2011 #17 Share Posted January 29, 2011 I have checked in the week before sail date and the price did not go down, it went up! I thought for sure they would want those cabins filled and about 4 days before the cruise they were sold out. The same thing happened this past December on Sapphire Princess, I watched to see if we could upgrade and all the balcony cabins sold out the very last day before I could call for a free (or pay) upgrade. I had a suspicion perhaps the cruiseline employees could do a friends/family special last minute. There have been cruises where 2 months before the prices are reduced, then they have gone back up again. I was in the spa one time, talking with 2 younger couples, they were thrilled at their "last minute pricing", I did not have the heart to tell them I paid hundreds less for my balcony than they did for their inside cabins. Chances are very good those are examples of the 'magic upgrade fairy' at work. :D As cruise date nears, it is not unusual for them to offer those in some of the lower price cabins an 'upsell' for a lower price than they would have paid had they originally booked that cabin or they may give upgrades. Upgrades are not additional cost for a higher category cabin. If they have vacant mini suites, suites or higher priced cabins, it is harder to sell them than lower priced cabins. That is when the upsells and upgrades 'kick in'. They have better chance of sell a cabin that costs $899 than one that costs 2,999, for example. It was kind of you to not mention what you paid for your cabin to the 'happy couple'. We NEVER, NOt EVER discuss what we paid for our cruises with anyone. Why would we? No one's business. It can either make them feel really bad........ or make us feel really bad. :( It's a lose - lose IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG_Steve Posted January 29, 2011 #18 Share Posted January 29, 2011 It was explained to me (and the info could be wrong) that the manifest with all booked names and info is submitted a few days in advance, about the time the bookings drop off line. And that the Manifest submitted 60 min prior to sailing was pretty much to see who neglected to check in, and to use as a final tally if you will. I don't know if that's more or less accurate then all the other info here, and I ain't gonna argue it......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG_Steve Posted January 29, 2011 #19 Share Posted January 29, 2011 It was explained to me (and the info could be wrong) that the manifest with all booked names and info is submitted a few days in advance, about the time the bookings drop off line. And that the Manifest submitted 60 min prior to sailing was pretty much to see who neglected to check in, and to use as a final tally if you will. I don't know if that's more or less accurate then all the other info here, and I ain't gonna argue it......... Well, it looks like we were all wrong. The manifest must be submitted 15 minutes before sailing. http://www.blankrome.com/index.cfm?contentID=37&itemID=58 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted January 29, 2011 #20 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Who knows.. there is supposedly one submitted 60 minutes before, but I boarded at 5 pm and we pulled from the dock within 30 minutes the one time I booked the day of the cruise. It might have been because it was going to be a cruise to nowhere?? We did 3 days no ports, because a hurricane delayed the ship leaving. But I had also been told I could book within the last 24 hours for a weekend cruise by RCL. It seems to be extra work to book that much last minute for the booking reps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matj2000 Posted January 30, 2011 #21 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Why do some many go to the 9/11 reference? It has nothing to do with this topic. I guess someone repeats it over & over, others do to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted January 30, 2011 #22 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Cruise can not be booked at the pier . Even if you could book via phone on day of/day before the cruise , you may be paying more than you would have 30 - 60 days out . Cruise lines don't wait too long (usually right after final payment date ) to offer great "new booking only " rates on unsold cabins, if neccessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_BJ Posted January 30, 2011 #23 Share Posted January 30, 2011 clarrification what the law says and what the line has implemented to ensure they comply with the law are different things. What IS true as that in my recent experiences you can not get into the terminal without proof of your contract - Sea Pass, Ticket, Magic Handshake or something. But I sure haven't sailed every port and/or every line. But nor have I seen a provision to handle money at the cruiseline checkin counters. MAYBE it exists. SO OP ... do us all a favor and try it . . . . What we need is a thread "How late did you book?" I took a Disney 5 days out, when you could pickup your paperwork in the terminal. But my name did appear on a manifest they had at the port entrance else I would not have been allowed into the parking lot or the terminal, and this was b4 9/11 OTOH I know you can park in some lots of Port Canaveral with no documents (because the parking is beyond the safe minimum for port/ship safety) ... but getting past the terminal door ... well not this past November anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly333 Posted January 30, 2011 #24 Share Posted January 30, 2011 What we need is a thread "How late did you book?" I booked a RCL cruise late thursday night for the following Sunday. My name was NOT on the manifest and my papers said TBA for cabin!!! He refused to check my suitcase. Luckily I had someone with me to hold it. He made me go to the check in desk (who refused to let me in that section with my large suitcase). Until I showed him my check in card and the paper with my cabin #, he wouldnt take the suitcase, was a pain. My Dad had been in the hospital and I drove him home and then came home and booked, I dont do late bookings on purpose. There were only two more sailing that spring of Voyager, so I jumped on it. They gave me late dining and the whole table was people who booked even later than I did. My cabin steward has us as a empty cabin too, and hadnt locked the connecting door. I booked Carnival 4 and 8 days out. .. besides the one I booked the morning of a cruise I swore not to do again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njhorseman Posted January 31, 2011 #25 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Well, it looks like we were all wrong. The manifest must be submitted 15 minutes before sailing. http://www.blankrome.com/index.cfm?contentID=37&itemID=58 No..that 2005 rule is out of date. A revised rule was published in the Federal Register in August, 2007. 60 minutes in advance is correct. Here's the rule summary, from the Federal Register (see the part highlighted in red in the last paragraph): http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/GPOgate.cgi?WAISdocID=lsrzEm/0/3/0&WAISaction=retrieve [Federal Register: August 23, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 163)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 48319-48345] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr23au07-14] [[Page 48319]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Part II Department of Homeland Security ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bureau of Customs and Border Protection ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 CFR Parts 4 and 122; 6 CFR Part 5 Advance Electronic Transmission of Passenger and Crew Member Manifests for Commercial Aircraft and Vessels; Final Rule Privacy Act of 1974: Customs and Border Protection Advanced Passenger Information System of Records; Notice Privacy Act of 1974: Implementation of Exemptions; Advanced Passenger Information System; Proposed Rule [[Page 48320]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Bureau of Customs and Border Protection 19 CFR Parts 4 and 122 [uSCBP-2005-0003; CBP Dec. 07-64] RIN 1651-AA62 Advance Electronic Transmission of Passenger and Crew Member Manifests for Commercial Aircraft and Vessels AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, DHS. ACTION: Final rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This rule adopts as final, with the modifications set forth in this document, proposed amendments to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations concerning electronic manifest transmission requirements relative to travelers (passengers, crew members, and, in some instances, non-crew members) onboard international commercial flights and voyages arriving in and departing from the United States. The rule is designed to enhance national security and the level of security provided under the regulations for the commercial air and sea travel industries, and consequently increase national security in general. The rule also implements the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which requires that electronic manifest information for passengers onboard commercial aircraft arriving in and departing from the United States, and passengers and crew onboard arriving and departing commercial vessels (with certain exceptions), be vetted by DHS against a government-established and maintained terrorist watch list prior to departure of the aircraft or vessel. Under this final rule, there are three options for air carriers to transmit manifest data for aircraft departing from or en route to the United States: Transmission of passenger manifests in batch form by an interactive method no later than 30 minutes prior to the securing of the aircraft doors (APIS 30); transmission of individual passenger manifest information as each passenger checks in for the flight, up to, but no later than, the time the flight crew secures the aircraft doors (APIS interactive Quick Query or AQQ); and transmission of passenger manifests in batch form by a non-interactive method no later than 30 minutes prior to the securing of the aircraft doors (APIS 30 ``non- interactive''). 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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