Guest on board before departure?

[blacklabcaleb]

I am taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in February.

 

I have only been on one other cruise, but I think I remember that you can bring a guest on board with you as long as they leave before the departure time.

 

Is that correct? I have a friend who wanted to see the ship. Thanks.

[cb at sea]

Not anymore! It's like airlines....you USED to be able to go to the gate with folks flying, but now, if you don't have a ticket, you can't get close!!

9/11 changed everything.

Edited November 13, 2014 by cb at sea

[CruiserBruce]

Not anymore! It's like airlines....you USED to be able to go to the gate with folks flying, but now, if you don't have a ticket, you can't get close!!

9/11 changed everything.

 

Not true. Many of the cruise lines have various programs to allow visitors on board on the sail away day. I am not familiar with RCI's...it is best to do the research on the RCI board, here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

 

Yes, security is tighter, and there may be a fee involved in bringing your friend on board (the fee typically includes lunch).

[VTX-AL]

Princess has a "guest" program - can't remember all the details but you can check their website. There is a per person fee, which can be applied to a future booking, and I believe it includes lunch.

 

...VTX-Al

[blacklabcaleb]

I called Royal Caribbean and they said only ticket holders on board. True for any of their ships.

 

I am going to follow up with Princess because I would like to know about that.

 

It also occurred to me that it may have something to do with the facilities at the departure port.

[paul929207]

I called Royal Caribbean and they said only ticket holders on board. True for any of their ships.

 

I am going to follow up with Princess because I would like to know about that.

 

It also occurred to me that it may have something to do with the facilities at the departure port.

Princess offers what they call Bon Voyage Experience (BVE) at some embarkation ports. I think the cost is $39 per person and I believe a passenger has to arrange it. The passenger and the guest (s) are among the first to board. The package includes a tour of the ship and lunch in the MDR. I think the guests have the option to purchase an FCC which provides OBC on a future cruise.

[rkmw]

I called Royal Caribbean and they said only ticket holders on board. True for any of their ships.

 

I am going to follow up with Princess because I would like to know about that.

 

It also occurred to me that it may have something to do with the facilities at the departure port.

 

princess has a BVO (Bon Voyage Offer) but its only for certain US ports and i think the cost is approx $40 pp....just do a search

 

Paul beat me to it but it explains it better

Edited November 13, 2014 by rkmw

[blacklabcaleb]

I called Princess and they do have such a program, but it is not available on all ships, you need to set it up ahead of time, and they need the personal information for each guest you want to bring on board.

 

The cost is $39 per guest, and you do get priority embarkation, which is nice.

 

You all get a lunch in the main dining room for 1.5 hours plus a tour of the ship.

 

The problem is that after that they can't really do anything. They can't purchase at the shops, or get a spa treatment, or use any facilities. I guess they can stand around on the deck with you, but I don't think that would be much fun for the kids. Plus, they would have to pay for parking.

 

So, all things considered, I think I will pass. Unless you knew someone who really wanted to see the ship to decide if they want to sail on it, I don't see who this would interest.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone.

[spookwife]

I am taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in February.

 

I have only been on one other cruise, but I think I remember that you can bring a guest on board with you as long as they leave before the departure time.

 

Is that correct? I have a friend who wanted to see the ship. Thanks.

 

 

that ended on 9/11.

 

if you do not have a booking, you do not even get into the terminal.

 

the only people who get to tour are Travel Agents or Wedding party guests

[Dayenu]

 

The problem is that after that they can't really do anything. They can't purchase at the shops, or get a spa treatment, or use any facilities. I guess they can stand around on the deck with you, but I don't think that would be much fun for the kids. Plus, they would have to pay for parking.

 

 

Nobody can use any facilities except restrooms (free) and drinks (pay using your cabin card) till you sail away.

[Hflors]

Rccl and Carnival also have on-board weddings. Guests are allowed with the proper identification. The info we were forwarded as guests seemed pretty strict if you want to go (at least in Galveston) You had to be at a specific place at a specific time and then you had to leave the ship at a certain time unless you were taking the cruise. My niece is getting married next month in Galveston on a carnival ship but DH and I are unable to attend.

[sail7seas]

HAL also has weddings when the ship is tied up. Guests invited to the wedding must submit Passport No. or Drivers License in advance so security can clear them. They must leave the ship before life boat drill begins.

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

I called Princess and they do have such a program, but it is not available on all ships, you need to set it up ahead of time, and they need the personal information for each guest you want to bring on board.

 

The cost is $39 per guest, and you do get priority embarkation, which is nice.

 

You all get a lunch in the main dining room for 1.5 hours plus a tour of the ship.

 

The problem is that after that they can't really do anything. They can't purchase at the shops, or get a spa treatment, or use any facilities. I guess they can stand around on the deck with you, but I don't think that would be much fun for the kids. Plus, they would have to pay for parking.

 

So, all things considered, I think I will pass. Unless you knew someone who really wanted to see the ship to decide if they want to sail on it, I don't see who this would interest.

 

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

The shops as well as the casino won't open until the ship has reached international waters.

 

Basically it's a promotional thing -- the cruise line figures that some people who have never been on a cruise line will get impressed with the meal they'll have (and maybe even get a glimpse of their friend's cabin) that they'll want to take advantage of the credit toward a future cruise. This program has been on Princess for a few years by now, I believe, and they certainly wouldn't continue to bother if they weren't seeing any bookings from it. The BVEs are generally only offered at US ports.

[Keith1010]

As mentioned some lines do have visitor programs.

 

We sail Crystal and we can have guests on board at not only the port of embarkation but at most other ports except at our final port of disembarkation.

 

Keith

[GUT2407]

Boy I wish they had this in Australia, there are a few people I'd love to get on for a look, Mum and Dad foremost and at $39 for priority embarkation a ship tour and luch is, I think pretty good.

[Donray]

The problem is that after that they can't really do anything. They can't purchase at the shops, or get a spa treatment, or use any facilities. I guess they can stand around on the deck with you, but I don't think that would be much fun for the kids. Plus, they would have to pay for parking.

 

 

You do know that know that none of what mention would be available to you as a guest before the ship leave the original port in the USA.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Donray

[marco]

Once upon a time, ANYONE could go aboard prior to sailing. I remember going aboard many ships in NYC even when we knew no one actually sailing that day. Just to check it out, tour the public rooms, walk past many bon voyage parties in cabins or in the corners of public rooms. Some lines even had h'ors douvres and bands playing for dancing. That's definitely a thing of the past and it's much, much more restricted now, but yes on certain lines, certain ships, sailing out of certain ports, guests can go aboard prior to sailing. Pretty much all pre arraigned, and not like it used to be when you could just walk aboard. I'm not even sure it changed post 9/11. Seems it was a while prior to that that one could no longer just "walk on" ships sailing out of NYC.

[CPT Trips]

that ended on 9/11.

 

if you do not have a booking, you do not even get into the terminal.

 

the only people who get to tour are Travel Agents or Wedding party guests

 

Some lines allow TAs to bring representatives of a group they are booking on a TA preview.

[lannp]

According to the Cunard website they allow it only in Southampton during certain months of the year to UK residents.

[sail7seas]

As mentioned some lines do have visitor programs.

 

We sail Crystal and we can have guests on board at not only the port of embarkation but at most other ports except at our final port of disembarkation.

 

Keith

 

We have visited aboard HAL ships and have had friends visit us on HAL ships. It has to arranged in advance with special permission granted.

 

[Keith1010]

We have visited aboard HAL ships and have had friends visit us on HAL ships. It has to arranged in advance with special permission granted.

 

 

 

Same with Crystal. :)

 

Keith