PVSA/Early Exit

[tagetracy]

We are attempting to book a family cruise this fall but two of our family members need to get off the cruise at the last port to attend an important family function. We will be leaving a US Port and stopping at two Central America ports prior to the last stop (in Mexico) where they need to get off early and back to support another segment of the family. Is this possible as per reviewing the PVSA, it appears challenging? I can't believe we are the only cruisers that have had to deal with this issue so any advice on handling it would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

[mom says]

Don't think PVSA has anything to do with it in this situation. But you need to notify the cruise line in advance for this kind of thing. It's not uncommon, but they need to arrange for immigration for those disembarking, and will have to alter the ships manifest as well. Usually there is a fee involved, and no refund for early departure. Don't forget that those who leave the ship in Mexico will need a passport.

[Essiesmom]

Cruise lines used to approve this all the time, but with the increased paperwork involved most of them are not giving approval.  EM

[Shmoo here]

2 hours ago, tagetracy said:

We are attempting to book a family cruise this fall but two of our family members need to get off the cruise at the last port to attend an important family function. We will be leaving a US Port and stopping at two Central America ports prior to the last stop (in Mexico) where they need to get off early and back to support another segment of the family. Is this possible as per reviewing the PVSA, it appears challenging? I can't believe we are the only cruisers that have had to deal with this issue so any advice on handling it would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

While boarding in a US port and debarking in a non-US port do not fall under the PVSA laws, the chances of this being permitted are low.

 

Time was, it would be OK.  But, with the debarkation of even one passenger at a foreign port, it changes the cruise from a "closed loop" cruise to a "foreign itinerary" cruise.  For all passengers.  And, as such, the paperwork required for debarkation for everyone onboard at the final port is more involved.  Most cruise lines don't want to deal with that any longer.

 

You certainly may ask, but don't be surprised if the answer is "no".

 

 

 

 

[zqvol]

You can do it and the ship cannot stop you, BUT if you go without permission you are responsible for clearing customs and immigration. You would also be responsible for any fees that may be incurred by the cruise line. If you leave without permission be prepared to be blacklisted for future cruises with that cruise line.

 

Both of the above posts are incorrect. If they don't let you leave the ship whenever you want they are kidnapping you.

Edited July 12, 2019 by zqvol

[paul929207]

They would need to get approval from Mexico in advance.

 

Also, they would need a US passport.

[SRF]

Which cruise line?

 

Some are fine with it, you just have to set it up early.  And there is typically a charge.  

 

Also, everyone getting off with need to have a valid passport.

[Elaine5715]

20 hours ago, zqvol said:

You can do it and the ship cannot stop you, BUT if you go without permission you are responsible for clearing customs and immigration. You would also be responsible for any fees that may be incurred by the cruise line. If you leave without permission be prepared to be blacklisted for future cruises with that cruise line.

 

Both of the above posts are incorrect. If they don't let you leave the ship whenever you want they are kidnapping you.

I think that fee is about $798 a person

[Shmoo here]

11 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

I think that fee is about $798 a person

Well, that's the fine if you get off in different US port on a closed loop cruise out of a US port, without visiting a distant foreign port.

 

That's not the fee that the others are talking about.

 

In those rare instances where a person is allowed to debark (legally) in a different port than the actual debarkation port, there are extra costs involved (arranging Immigration/Customs services, porters, etc.  Plus the additional paperwork costs) , and the cruise line typically now charges for that service.  I've seen most of the fees being in the $75- $200 range.

[sanger727]

The PVSA only applies if you board in one US port and debark in a different US port. As you want people to debark in Mexico, the PVSA doesn’t apply. It should be run by the cruise line since this is planned in advance and depending on the line it may be denied or simply paying a admin fee. For example, I believe NCL doesn’t allow people to board or leave at all outside of the scheduled itinerary but There have been reports on RCL of these situations being approved but required to pay a small processing fee. 

 

Though, at the end of the day, people leave cruises mid cruise for a variety of emergency reasons so it’s unlikely they would try to stop you from leaving. You would have to deal w customs in Mexico.

[dadroy]

Didn't Carnival offer a guarantee program where if you were not happy with the cruise you could get off at the first port and get a refund?  If so, it cannot be that hard to get off wherever you want. 

[Shmoo here]

20 minutes ago, dadroy said:

Didn't Carnival offer a guarantee program where if you were not happy with the cruise you could get off at the first port and get a refund?  If so, it cannot be that hard to get off wherever you want. 

There are restrictions:

The Great Vacation Guarantee applies to our failure to meet expectations on service and/or product delivery but does not apply for itinerary deviations due to safety, weather, emergency debarkations or other operational or governmental reasons beyond Carnival’s control.  In the event Carnival believes that the Great Vacation Guarantee is otherwise being intentionally abused or manipulated to circumvent its intent, Carnival reserves the right to reject future offer claims from any persons who participated in such actions and in such event Carnival will refuse to honor the Great VacationGuarantee. 

 

I don't think OP would qualify for that, as they are asking about debarking at the last port before returning.  

 

Plus, as noted, the passenger, if allowed to get off early, must have a passport.

[zqvol]

1 hour ago, dadroy said:

Didn't Carnival offer a guarantee program where if you were not happy with the cruise you could get off at the first port and get a refund?  If so, it cannot be that hard to get off wherever you want. 

Yes