Staying on the ship last day

[ellasnan]

On Equinox next August and have a late flight from Miami. Has anyone stayed on board the ship after it has docked. 
what time did you disembark? Did they arrange transport to Miami? And did it include classic drinks package? Do you go through customs when you get off or do you do it earlier with disembarking passengers?
Alternatively I could hire a mini bus for 10 and book day use hotel in Miami.

trying to decide best option.

TIA  for any advice.

[bEwAbG]

They do not have the "extend your stay" option in US ports.  You'll need to be off by 9 or 9:30 or so (they want you out of your room by 8am).

[PTC DAWG]

You will not have the option to stay on the ship all day in Miami....unless you are booked on the next cruise.  You will need to be off around 9 or so at the latest, that's my experience anyways.  

[hopeless holiday booker]

You are not correct.  Some cruises now from the US allow you to stay on board.  Our cruise on silhouette in February round trip fort lauderdale, allows this.  I have been told that you will have to get off the ship but will be allowed back on again after clearing immigration and customs and picking up your bag.  You will then put your bag somewhere that will have all the bags of people coming back on board for the day.  You do have the equivalent to a classic drinks package and any extras you can pay by credit card.  You have to leave the ship 90 minutes before it leaves.  You will have to provide your own transport when you get off.

Edited December 10, 2019 by hopeless holiday booker

[Fouremco]

A recent thread on the same topic:

 

 

[ellasnan]

29 minutes ago, hopeless holiday booker said:

You are not correct.  Some cruises now from the US allow you to stay on board.  Our cruise on silhouette in February round trip fort lauderdale, allows this.  I have been told that you will have to get off the ship but will be allowed back on again after clearing immigration and customs and picking up your bag.  You will then put your bag somewhere that will have all the bags of people coming back on board for the day.  You do have the equivalent to a classic drinks package and any extras you can pay by credit card.  You have to leave the ship 90 minutes before it leaves.  You will have to provide your own transport when you get off.

Thank you.

It is on my planner but doesn’t give much information. It does say they can arrange transfers but I thought it would be cheaper to arrange our own.As usual cruise critic supplies it.

 

[bEwAbG]

Has anyone done this successfully yet?  I now understand that it's being offered on the cruise planner, but this is a major change to how it's worked in the past, so I'm curious if they've actually done it.

 

You still have to be up early to vacate your stateroom and hang out in the public areas of the ship...basically like hanging out in a hotel lobby all day.  I'd think getting a day room would be better, personally.  

[fleckle]

But even when available, it is not worth the hassle except perhaps if you get it for free.

I certainly would not be willing to pay anything extra for it. 

 

You don't even have access to your own cabin as you are required to remain out in the public areas of the ship for the entire time.

The ship should provide that option to passengers as a courtesy, not charge them extra for it.

 

When I have an extended period of time to spend after a cruise before my flight out, I would rather book an excursion, or rent a car, or else book a day room at an airport hotel (or a beach hotel, depending on location), where I can stretch out in comfort and have my own bathroom, desk and large screen TV.

 

Edited December 10, 2019 by fleckle

[ellasnan]

29 minutes ago, fleckle said:

But even when available, it is not worth the hassle except perhaps if you get it for free.

I certainly would not be willing to pay anything extra for it. 

 

You don't even have access to your own cabin as you are required to remain out in the public areas of the ship for the entire time.

 

When I have an extended period of time to spend after a cruise before my flight out, I would rather book an excursion, or rent a car, or else book a day room at an airport hotel (or a beach hotel, depending on location), where I can stretch out in comfort and have my own bathroom, desk and large screen TV.

 

43 minutes ago, bEwAbG said:

Has anyone done this successfully yet?  I now understand that it's being offered on the cruise planner, but this is a major change to how it's worked in the past, so I'm curious if they've actually done it.

 

You still have to be up early to vacate your stateroom and hang out in the public areas of the ship...basically like hanging out in a hotel lobby all day.  I'd think getting a day room would be better, personally.  

It says you keep your cabin until 9am.

yes you have to go through immigration and collect your luggage but they will keep it for you until it’s time to disembark, you have to do this even if you weren’t staying on board.

Spending my last day of my holiday sat in a hotel room watching a large TV and using a desk doesn’t appeal to us.

I was looking for positive and negative reviews from people who have actually used this service, not from people “who wouldn’t do it”!!!!

I do appreciate the information from those who are helpful.

[cruisestitch]

It is so very new (In the US)  that i am not surprised that we haven’t heard from anyone who has done it.

[PTC DAWG]

1 hour ago, fleckle said:

But even when available, it is not worth the hassle except perhaps if you get it for free.

I certainly would not be willing to pay anything extra for it. 

 

You don't even have access to your own cabin as you are required to remain out in the public areas of the ship for the entire time.

The ship should provide that option to passengers as a courtesy, not charge them extra for it.

 

When I have an extended period of time to spend after a cruise before my flight out, I would rather book an excursion, or rent a car, or else book a day room at an airport hotel (or a beach hotel, depending on location), where I can stretch out in comfort and have my own bathroom, desk and large screen TV.

 

Agree, I just don't see the logistics of this working at all.  You have to get off the ship, wait until everyone else has boarded for the new cruise (apparently) then you can board...and not for all that long.  I suppose it may work for some..

[PTC DAWG]

31 minutes ago, ellasnan said:

It says you keep your cabin until 9am.

yes you have to go through immigration and collect your luggage but they will keep it for you until it’s time to disembark, you have to do this even if you weren’t staying on board.

Spending my last day of my holiday sat in a hotel room watching a large TV and using a desk doesn’t appeal to us.

I was looking for positive and negative reviews from people who have actually used this service, not from people “who wouldn’t do it”!!!!

I do appreciate the information from those who are helpful.

I will also be curious to hear from someone who has done this....actually how long you would have once you rebounded the ship would be the biggest question I would have.  I even could see a sail away delayed because of someone not disembarking in a timely manner...will be interesting to read the comments from those who have tried it, or been delayed because folks would get off the ship.  

[bEwAbG]

54 minutes ago, ellasnan said:

I was looking for positive and negative reviews from people who have actually used this service, not from people “who wouldn’t do it”!!!!

I do appreciate the information from those who are helpful.

 

Your original post asked about day use in a hotel as an alternative option.  The opinions expressed are naturally going to take that into consideration.  

[Jeremiah1212]

This is what it shows for our upcoming Edge cruise from Fort Lauderdale:
 

Not quite ready to say goodbye? Neither are we. Extend your vacation a few extra hours. Let us store your luggage while you relax by the pool and sip on a cocktail from your Classic Beverage package. Relax with a massage at the spa. There's so much more you can do. So, there's no need to rush to the airport. With Extend Your Stay, you can take your time and return home completely rejuvenated. Plus, we can arrange private or group transportation for you to the airport for an additional fee. FT97

 

Highlights

• Extend Your Stay program: Relax and spend more time on board on departure day.
• Classic Beverage Package for the day.

What To Bring

• Small bag with personal belongings
• Medication
• Credit Cards

What To Wear

• Comfortable Clothing
• Swimsuit (if planning to use pool)

Important Notes

• Guests that sign up for Extend Your Stay in Fort Lauderdale are required to put their luggage outside their staterooms the evening before debarking. Luggage will be marked with Extend Your Stay Luggage and will be offloaded into the customs luggage area in Pier 25.
• Guests can stay in their room until 9AM.
• As per Federal regulation, all guests in Fort Lauderdale need to debark before anyone is allowed to go back on board. Extend Your Stay Guests will be led to the luggage area to collect their Extend Your Stay marked luggage and proceed to clear Customs. 
• Once Customs is cleared, Extend Your Stay guests will be able to return to the ship and will be guided by our staff to drop-off their luggage in the designated area. A ticket receipt will be provided so guests can collect their belongings once departing the ship for good.
• Minibar service is not included in this program. 
• Guests will have access to all public lounges and the pool deck. 
• Please note that no exit and re-entry to the ship will be permitted on departure day.
• For your convenience, personal credit cards will be accepted for onboard purchases throughout the day.
• Private and group transportation is available upon request.
• Guests who have booked transfers through Celebrity Cruises will have the option to request a later transfer upon signing-up for the Extend Your Stay Program.

[ellasnan]

13 hours ago, bEwAbG said:

 

Your original post asked about day use in a hotel as an alternative option.  The opinions expressed are naturally going to take that into consideration.  

Sorry I misled you there. I’ve done the day use before. I meant I’m trying to decide as I haven’t done the ship stay. 

[Knighton]

Posted this on the other thread but didn't get an answer.  For those who have done this, I understand you can use "all the facilities", but what's going on besides the pool?  My mom's not the pool type, not sure if she'd want to sit there all day.  I get that casino and shops closed, that's standard in port.  My experience has been that anyplace serving food doesn't serve after 8:30, and probably doesn't open up til 11:30 or 12.  Will any of the bars be open?  Seems like we've got the classic package for the day but if there's nowhere to use it what's the point?

 

We do have a hotel in Miami, so I reserved a rental car since we have to drive down there anyway.  Just trying to decide if the $140 for the 2 of us is worth it to stay on the ship awhile.  This is my moms very first cruise (she's always been afraid she'll get seasick, so this is a good trial for her) so I want her to get as much out of it as I can.  It's only a 2 nighter on the Equinox.

[Fouremco]

17 minutes ago, Knighton said:

My mom's not the pool type

According to post # 14, "Guests will have access to all public lounges and the pool deck." That's pretty limiting, and if your mom's not interested in lying around the pool, I really think that it would be a waste of your money. Head off to Miami instead, where there's plenty to do.

[micheleata]

I also think this is a waste of money.   You are right that the food areas will shut down at 8:30, and then you have to leave your room at 9.   So where are you going to go?  Most areas are full of people waiting for their luggage # to be called.   Then you leave the ship,  and lets say that if everything goes as planned, and you can reboard at  10:30.  You have to be off 90 minutes before sail away, so 2:00.   That's 3 1/2 hours for $140.00.   The buffet will open at 11:30, and the bars and pool will be open.   You can have a nice lunch with drinks for far less in Miami.   

[Knighton]

Yeah, that is kinda dumb.  Thanks for the info!  I'll just go get the car and head to Miami.

[hopeless holiday booker]

2 hours ago, micheleata said:

I also think this is a waste of money.   You are right that the food areas will shut down at 8:30, and then you have to leave your room at 9.   So where are you going to go?  Most areas are full of people waiting for their luggage # to be called.   Then you leave the ship,  and lets say that if everything goes as planned, and you can reboard at  10:30.  You have to be off 90 minutes before sail away, so 2:00.   That's 3 1/2 hours for $140.00.   The buffet will open at 11:30, and the bars and pool will be open.   You can have a nice lunch with drinks for far less in Miami.   

I don't disagree when you put it like that but I think you'd be on board before 10.30 - but again I don't know that.  Our ship leaves later so we could stay on until 4.30 but intact we have to be at the airport for 2.30 so will leave the ship at 2 anyway.  The difference for me although I haven't decided yet is that we'll have to take our bags with us in a cab to somewhere in Miami, leave them probably at a bag bnb, find something to do for 5 hours, pick up our bag and get another cab back to Miami airport.

As we are pool people, maybe easier just to stay on board.

[Jim_Iain]

It took me awhile to find it on my upcoming cruises on Equinox.   While I have never done it this thread opened the possibilities.    On our upcoming cruise B2B2B our return flight will not be until 3:30 PM from FLL.   While this really isn't late - even if we left the ship at 9:00 we would be at the airport for 6 hours.  

 

I'm sure we are the exception, but as a Zenith we get Extend your Stay for FREE.   

 

Trying to figure this out further, I had a chat with the Zenith Desk and they were really helpful   They explained it is very similar to a B2B  with the exception that you put your luggage out the night before with Extend you Stay Tags.  You can stay in your room until 9:00 AM and usually will be called with the other B2B's to exit the ship.   At that point you will clear both Immigration and Customs.     After cleared you drop you luggage and they will give you a claim check.   You can then re-board the ship along with the B2B's after the ship has been zeroed out. 

 

If we decide to try this we would probably hang out in The Retreat, grab a bite for lunch and head to the airport giving us plenty of time checking in and security.   

 

Would be interested to hear if they also offer Luggage Valet in Fort Lauderdale.    I know it was discontinued for a period of time but haven't confirmed it is available again.    That would make things even more relaxed.

 

[ellasnan]

Think after finding more out from Celebrity here we’ll just hire a minibus and drive to a hotel for the day. The thing that swung it for us is the 2year old can have a nap whilst the others can swim.

We don’t go until August next year so it’ll be interesting if anyone who does it outs on a review.

[CruisinDawn]

It is available for our Equinox cruise in February too. We looked at it but it sounded like a pain to get off the ship then wait to get back on just for a few hours back on the ship. Equinox leaves at 3:30 and I assume we would need to be off much earlier than that. We opted to rent a car for $80 and plan to just drive around and explore or maybe hit up a movie, find a place for a nice lunch then head to the airport. 

 

BonVoyage

Dawna