is it possible for a member of our group to board the ship NOT in the departure port?

[Aldeya]

Hypothetical situation.

 

We book a cruise for 10 people departing from NY. Next port for our cruise is Boston, MA.

 

Can 2 people from our group board the ship in Boston where they live instead of NY (taking in consideration that they paid in full for the whole trip)? Can they pay only for the ports they visit?

 

Is it allowed by the cruiseline? (security reasons, etc)

 

TIA

[sgttami]

Our friends live in St. John and on cruises where St. Thomas is the first port, they take the ferry over from St. John and board in St. Thomas rather than going to STT and flying to Puerto Rico and then cruising back to St. Thomas. Makes no sense..At the end of the trip they fly from Puerto Rico back home.

 

We planned to do something similiar last year as we were already in St. Thomas and our TA said that it can be done but for security reasons it has to be pre-approved by the cruise line. (Even before 9/11)

We ended up doing a whole different itinerary.

 

Last year we got off the ship in St. Thomas (last port) before it cruised back to San Juan as we were staying in St. John for an extended time. It still had to be pre-approved so that we/ and the ship could clear customs and be accountable for the passenger count when they returned to San Juan.

 

Of course, there is no reduction in fare. We had to complete a form and waiver of some type before we could leave. Took a few minutes and we were on our way.

[wrp96]

It really depends on the itinerary. Your best bet is to call RCI directly and ask about the specific itinerary you are looking at.

[brn2crz]

Hypothetical situation.

 

We book a cruise for 10 people departing from NY. Next port for our cruise is Boston, MA.

 

Can 2 people from our group board the ship in Boston where they live instead of NY (taking in consideration that they paid in full for the whole trip)? Can they pay only for the ports they visit?

 

Is it allowed by the cruiseline? (security reasons, etc)

 

TIA

 

They can not get on in an alternate US port...They would have to get on in a foreign port.And no..They can not pay for only the ports visited.

[smeyer418]

Hypothetical situation.

 

We book a cruise for 10 people departing from NY. Next port for our cruise is Boston, MA.

 

Can 2 people from our group board the ship in Boston where they live instead of NY (taking in consideration that they paid in full for the whole trip)? Can they pay only for the ports they visit?

 

Is it allowed by the cruiseline? (security reasons, etc)

 

TIA

 

NO in this case this is a violation of the Jones Act(actually the passenger services act). You can get on and off if you go to the first port in Canada or Mexico or anywhere but not in the US(unless ths ship is American registered). Not a security issue. The cruise line will be fined and get into trouble.

[patpav]

We (a party of 4) are leaving this Sunday out of PHL for NE/Canada. One member of our party has a very sick father and may not be able to make it. We called the cruiseline and they said they would need to know by Thursday night whether she was going because of the final manifest. They said we would have a problem if they were not aware ahead of time that she was not sailing They cited security reasons.

 

Patty

[kenandlaura06]

Good to know. Thanks everyone!

[Schplinky]

I thought you couldn't get off but you could get on. Best to call RCCL directly.

[smeyer418]

We (a party of 4) are leaving this Sunday out of PHL for NE/Canada. One member of our party has a very sick father and may not be able to make it. We called the cruiseline and they said they would need to know by Thursday night whether she was going because of the final manifest. They said we would have a problem if they were not aware ahead of time that she was not sailing They cited security reasons.

 

Patty

nonsense. People don't show fairly often. What do they do hold the ship? Yes they have to have a list in at least 48 hours before but that only means your name has to be on the list to sail. Having extra names that don't sail doesn't hold the ship up. There may be reasons for them to know as soon as possible but the only rule is that you can't sail unless your name is on the list(the issue of getting on at a second US port is discussed above).