bsharynu Posted November 21, 2012 #1 Share Posted November 21, 2012 My parents are meeting us in Tampa to see us and their grandchildren sail off. How close to the port or ship can they get before we have to part from them? I'm sure things have changed with secuirty from years ago but just wondering if they can come to the port with us or if that is a waste for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeyancho Posted November 21, 2012 #2 Share Posted November 21, 2012 They can say bon voyage outside the drop off point. After that a ticket is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapeCodCruiser Posted November 21, 2012 #3 Share Posted November 21, 2012 They can say bon voyage outside the drop off point. After that a ticket is needed. That area is always chaos - have a nice long leisurely breakfast with them somewhere and they should skip the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccruisequeen Posted November 21, 2012 #4 Share Posted November 21, 2012 If there's a park near the port, as is the case in Long Beach, maybe they can wait there. Once you board, go up to the lido deck and wave to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ehpride Posted November 21, 2012 #5 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Channelside is right next to the port and they could go in the Courtyard. There's a gate and guard to prevent you from getting next to the ship, but they could see you on aft lido or the outside promenade from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted November 21, 2012 #6 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Since you'll need to be on the ship at least 90 mins. before it sets sail, that's a long time to wait to "see you sailaway"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrPete Posted November 21, 2012 #7 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Ah, the days of the old Bon Voyage parties. I ran into someone who once said he'd pack a cooler and board a ship not knowing anyone and have a nice afternoon on board and get aff at the horn blow. But why do I remember a recent FB post asking if they offered Bon Voyage for a price, would anyone be interested? Interesting concept. Not sure if I would pay. But then again, I wouldn't pay for a FTTF either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCT61 Posted November 21, 2012 #8 Share Posted November 21, 2012 PRINCESS offers (for a price of course) non-cruising guests of booked passengers, the ability to tour the ship and have lunch onboard before the ship departs. I wish all cruiselines would do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tef43 Posted November 21, 2012 #9 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Since you'll need to be on the ship at least 90 mins. before it sets sail, that's a long time to wait to "see you sailaway"!Not to mention the time it takes you to go through the embarkation queue. :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnival_Brides Posted November 21, 2012 #10 Share Posted November 21, 2012 PRINCESS offers (for a price of course) non-cruising guests of booked passengers, the ability to tour the ship and have lunch onboard before the ship departs. I wish all cruiselines would do this. I think they charge $50 for this and they let you put this towards a deposit after you tour the ship. I wish Carnival would do that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted November 21, 2012 #11 Share Posted November 21, 2012 You can view the ship and speak to cruisers on the Promenade Deck from Channelside courtyard upper level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upandadam Posted November 21, 2012 #12 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Might be a bit difficult since ships often leave late too. I've had them leave up to 6 hours late. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewD65 Posted November 21, 2012 #13 Share Posted November 21, 2012 Tampa does offer a few options, as I lived in Tampa for 6 years and have been to Channelside many times. You can park in the Parking Garage where there is one hour free parking, on the top level you can see the ship, and watch it sail off. If not they have the option in between the buildings they can watch the ship, or the best spot is on the second level in channelside where the they can sit and eat, it's the top level of of the security fence and watch them sail off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeg001 Posted November 21, 2012 #14 Share Posted November 21, 2012 There are 2 places i would recommend. On the 2nd floor of channelside (Bennigans) you can sit outside. Or Davis Island dog park, i see people on the edge of the water all the time waving at the ships leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad09821 Posted November 22, 2012 #15 Share Posted November 22, 2012 We have watched my parents sail away from the kiddie playground at the aquarium. We have also watched the ship leave and then hopped on 275 to the Sunshine Skyway bridge and parked on the fishing pier just in time to see the ship reach and sail under the bridge. When we cruised the Paradise in February, my parents did the same thing. Watched us sail away from the aquarium and headed to the bridge to watch us go under. I think it is relatively cheap to buy a pass to watch the ship and not have to fish. We could actually see the kids waving to us from the deck all the way out on the pier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2trvlnow Posted November 22, 2012 #16 Share Posted November 22, 2012 PRINCESS offers (for a price of course) non-cruising guests of booked passengers, the ability to tour the ship and have lunch onboard before the ship departs. I wish all cruiselines would do this. I think they charge $50 for this and they let you put this towards a deposit after you tour the ship. I wish Carnival would do that too. Princess has the Bon Voyage Experience. It costs $39 a person. You get a tour of the ship, a picture of you on the ship, and lunch in the main dining room with wine. You spend 4 hours onboard. You don't need to be guests of booked passengers. And yes the $39 will be put towards a cruise if you booked within a certain number of days. You can also buy their version of the future cruise certificate while onboard. We are going to be doing this after we get off the Breeze in April. We will drive up to Fort Lauderdale and check out the Ruby Princess. Sharon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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