Waitlisted (can you show up at port?)

[elusive_23]

Hello all,

 

My parents are heading down to Florida and while down there want to take the Feb 9th Eurodam sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. They are currently the only one on a waitlist for a veranda. I thought I had read on here before that if you show up the day of sailing you have a chance of getting on the boat for really cheap and often in an upgraded room?

I did tell them it would be easier if they were open to an inside/ocean view to get on the boat but they are set on a veranda.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

-Kate

[jayjaycan]

If they have not booked and paid foe a cruise they don't stand a chance of getting on board at the last minute.

The ship has to present a passenger manifest to U.S. Customs for clearance before sailing. This usually occurs no later than 48 hours before the sail date.

 

There are discount cruise agencies in Fort Lauderdale that offer "last minute" bookings but these must be made prior to the aforementioned deadline and boarding passes acquired.

 

They could book whatever category cabin is currently available and request an upgrade once aboard but they will have to pay the difference. If there is a wait list this is not likely to happen/

[catl331]

I thought I had read on here before that if you show up the day of sailing you have a chance of getting on the boat for really cheap and often in an upgraded room?

I'm afraid those days are looooooong gone! (for security reasons) :):)

[elusive_23]

Thanks for your responses. I will let them know.

 

-Kate

[Krazy Kruizers]

Who told them that they were waitlisted?

Did they put down a deposit? Have they paid anything "In Full"?

I haven't heard of people being put on a "Cruise Wait List" in many years.

You need to explain why they figure they are waitlisted.

[Krazy Kruizers]

By the way, people who have booked guaranteed cabins will get first chance at balconies and verandahs.

Some people will get upgrades while others will be offered upsells.

[serendipity1499]

If they have not booked and paid foe a cruise they don't stand a chance of getting on board at the last minute.

The ship has to present a passenger manifest to U.S. Customs for clearance before sailing. This usually occurs no later than 48 hours before the sail date.

 

 

This is not so! Check out:

 

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/apis_pre_departure.ctt/apis_pre_departure.pdf

 

 

 

There are discount cruise agencies in Fort Lauderdale that offer "last minute" bookings but these must be made prior to the aforementioned deadline and boarding passes acquired.

 

They could book whatever category cabin is currently available and request an upgrade once aboard but they will have to pay the difference. If there is a wait list this is not likely to happen/

 

Sorry but your info is incorrect: Cruise lines must present the ship's Manifest several days before arrival into the U.S. However they are not required to present the departing ships manifest until 60 minutes prior to departure..

 

Check out the Federal Register: Vol 72 Re Dept of Homeland Security Pg. 48320

 

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/apis_pre_departure.ctt/apis_pre_departure.pdf

 

Quote: 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.

DATES: Effective Date: February 19, 2008. Unquote

 

To the OP: Suggest to your Parents that they contact HAL a day or two before departure & ask to speak to a Supervisor.. The Supervisor may be able to contact the Port Check in Mgr. or Supervisor & ask if they would permit your Parents to standby for the departure.. However, not sure that they will get a good price ..Believe those days might be gone forever..

 

They also will also need written authorization perhaps by e-mail from HAL as the Port Authorities might not not permit them entry into the port without some kind of standby authorization or a cruise ticket..

 

Please let us know how they made out..

 

Cheers..Betty

[elusive_23]

Who told them that they were waitlisted?

Did they put down a deposit? Have they paid anything "In Full"?

I haven't heard of people being put on a "Cruise Wait List" in many years.

You need to explain why they figure they are waitlisted.

 

Hi Krazy Kruizers,

 

My parents called HAL and spoke to a representative who put them on a "Waitlist". They had to put the normal deposit down. Nothing is expected to be paid in full until they are notified of an open cabin. I believe HAL stated that they could be contacted from now until the day before sailing.

 

-Kate

 

Is it possible they were put on this waitlist because HAL knows that there are some travel agencies that have holds on these rooms until XX date??

[adrift@sea]

Hi Krazy Kruizers,

 

My parents called HAL and spoke to a representative who put them on a "Waitlist". They had to put the normal deposit down. Nothing is expected to be paid in full until they are notified of an open cabin. I believe HAL stated that they could be contacted from now until the day before sailing.

 

-Kate

 

Is it possible they were put on this waitlist because HAL knows that there are some travel agencies that have holds on these rooms until XX date??

 

HAL will attempt to get them on board until the day of sailing. Usually if it is very close to sailing, HAL will ask them what is the cut off where they would accept a cabin, i.e., the day before, the night before, the morning of sailing, etc. We had friends that were put on this list about a week before sailing and HAL did ask them if they would be willing to come to the port the day of sailing and see if there would be availability--they declined.

 

So, yes you can show up at the pier and actually sail the same day, however, only if you are advised by HAL to do so. If you are not on a waitlist (with a paid deposit) prior to showing up at the pier, it would not be possible.

 

Since your sail date is so close, I would highly doubt that there are TA's still holding cabins. HAL is probably filling guarantees, offering upsells, etc. In addition, there are always some cancellations--which is why they will put people on a waitlist. They will do everything within their power to fill all of the cabins.

 

I would venture to guess they your parents stand a good chance of getting on board for this sailing. They may not find out until the day before but if they are willing, why not?

Edited January 29, 2014 by adrift@sea

[voyageur9]

... Suggest to your Parents that they contact HAL a day or two before departure & ask to speak to a Supervisor.. The Supervisor may be able to contact the Port Check in Mgr. or Supervisor & ask if they would permit your Parents to standby for the departure.. However, not sure that they will get a good price ..Believe those days might be gone forever.

 

Nice to see hard facts clearly quoted; especially with regards to CBP notice requirements of 60 minutes.

 

Has anyone further knowledge of "last-minute" strategies; i.e. similar to Serendipity1499's suggestion and actually booking a HAL cruise within the last day or two prior to departure?

[adrift@sea]

Nice to see hard facts clearly quoted; especially with regards to CBP notice requirements of 60 minutes.

 

Has anyone further knowledge of "last-minute" strategies; i.e. similar to Serendipity1499's suggestion and actually booking a HAL cruise within the last day or two prior to departure?

 

No strategies, anyone can book a last minute sailing. Contact your TA or HAL directly, if they have availability, you are good to go. Prices are set at what they were last, prior to the sailing closing.

 

When placed on a waitlist, (if I remember correctly) you receive an email from inventory control stating there is availability and you need to let them know as soon as possible, if you are still interested. We contacted our HAL PCC, they checked what was available (we could only book a category guarantee) and the cost. We agreed to category and the price, paid immediately and received confirmation within a few minutes. We have done this several times. It is really easy and painless.

 

The only downside is that you cannot complete the online check-in if you are within 3 days of sailing and must do so at the pier.

[VermeulT]

if it is very close to sailing, HAL will ask them what is the cut off where they would accept a cabin, i.e., the day before, the night before, the morning of sailing, etc. ....

 

In addition, there are always some cancellations--which is why they will put people on a waitlist. They will do everything within their power to fill all of the cabins.

 

I also had friends try this 2 years ago. They were asked what their cut off was and what categories they wanted to be waitlisted for. (The more categories you'd be willing to accept, the better chance of getting on.)