Non Passenger Tour of Ship???

[cfc525]

Daughter & son in law have never cruised, they will be driving us to NY to see us off in June. We will be cruising on the NCL Dawn and was wondering if anyone can tell me if they would be allowed on board to take a tour of the ship. We would like to show them what they have been missing out on.

[DonMar]

Daughter & son in law have never cruised, they will be driving us to NY to see us off in June. We will be cruising on the NCL Dawn and was wondering if anyone can tell me if they would be allowed on board to take a tour of the ship. We would like to show them what they have been missing out on.

 

 

I do not think anyone has been able to do this for many years.

[paul929207]

They do not let non-passengers on board for security reasons.

[cruiserbryce]

Sadly...I think mostly for security reasons, they dont allow this any longer

[timh111]

Nope...Sorry...only TICKETED passengers are allowed to board the ship.

[wrp96]

Sometimes they will allow certain TAs or other groups to tour the ship while it is in a port, but it is a special thing at the invitation of the cruiseline only and has to be arranged in advance. You'll have to rely on pictures of your fabulous vacation to show them what they missed.

[FritzG]

I'm afraid 9/11 stopped this practice.

 

I have fond memories of my aunt & uncle coming on board in LA when we sailed to Mexico with Sitmar. I hadn't seen them in several years, and we had a nice visit with drinks and canapes. Too bad those days are gone.

[sail7seas]

Only VERY rare exceptions. ALMOST no one gets to do that these days.

 

[Capt_BJ]

All these replies are almost true....

 

Since 9-11 the rules have clamped down BUT

 

The secret is to start early and keep digging 'til you find the person in the know.... If you walk up to the gangway on your cruise day the answer will be NO.

 

BUT..... I've been to many Navy League lunches held on cruise ships in Miami during turn around...and been able to arrange Scout and school field trips with prior arrangement.

 

And cruise lines routinely allow weddings and such WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.

 

Along the same line...one CAN still get an invitation to the bridge...

 

 

 

 

but the short answer is correct....no

[sail7seas]

You always would have to give ID in advance so they can do a security check at least as pertains to adults.

 

For young scouts, perhaps only the scout leader etc

 

 

 

[smeyer418]

sometimes you can call the cruise line and arrange a tour IN ADVANCE. It takes some pushing as you have to get permission before hand. You can write a letter to the head office and ask the president to arrange it....sometimes they will say yes mostly they will say no....

[TheVegasMan]

Take along a video camera and give them a video tour when you get home.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

This won't help the OP, but Royal Caribbean does allow wedding guests to attend shipboard weddings and receptions on embarkation day. Just before the life vest drill, those guests who are not sailing are asked to leave the ship.

 

I don't know if non-passenger guests are allowed the run of the ship or if they are restricted to certain areas. They are given special IDS that they must wear.

[sail7seas]

HAL also arranges shipboard weddings in ports and guests (sailing or not) are permitted to attend. They provide ID info in advance and security checks them out before passes are granted them on the gangway day of wedding.

 

[beachchick]

NCL's FAQ says:

 

"Are visitors allowed on board?

 

Due to security reasons, unfortunately, no."

 

While you might be able to wheedle your way up the chain and get pre-approval (and pre-screening for security for your daughter and son-in-law, it's extremely unlikely. If they start making exceptions for a few, they open themselves up to being expected to make exceptions for many. Typically, visitors are only allowed onboard in the circumstances others have mentioned: Wedding guests who are not cruising but attend onboard wedding prior to departure; TA groups (usually specifically invited by the cruise line or arranged through TA groups); Navy personnel during turnaround for pre-arranged lunches, etc.; scout or school field trips (although how this makes a reasonable "educational" field trip is beyond me unless they are allowed to tour the engine rooms or other off-limits areas). IMO, pushing and trying to get the cruise line to make exceptions to these security rules is not a good idea because it puts the cruise line personnel in a difficult position. They want to please customers, but also need to be consistent with the rules, especially those that are security related. We wouldn't do it because we feel that the security has been put in place for a reason. (On that, as always JMO.)

 

beachchick

[smeyer418]

NCL's FAQ says:

 

"Are visitors allowed on board?

 

Due to security reasons, unfortunately, no."

 

While you might be able to wheedle your way up the chain and get pre-approval (and pre-screening for security for your daughter and son-in-law, it's extremely unlikely. If they start making exceptions for a few, they open themselves up to being expected to make exceptions for many. Typically, visitors are only allowed onboard in the circumstances others have mentioned: Wedding guests who are not cruising but attend onboard wedding prior to departure; TA groups (usually specifically invited by the cruise line or arranged through TA groups); Navy personnel during turnaround for pre-arranged lunches, etc.; scout or school field trips (although how this makes a reasonable "educational" field trip is beyond me unless they are allowed to tour the engine rooms or other off-limits areas). IMO, pushing and trying to get the cruise line to make exceptions to these security rules is not a good idea because it puts the cruise line personnel in a difficult position. They want to please customers, but also need to be consistent with the rules, especially those that are security related. We wouldn't do it because we feel that the security has been put in place for a reason. (On that, as always JMO.)

 

beachchick

 

 

The Hotel director on the Gem offered to arrange it for a friend of mine. Yes there are RULES and there are RULES.

 

Same thing with both the Bridge Tours and the engine tours while the official rule is NO, exceptions happen almost every cruise

[cv322]

Daughter & son in law have never cruised, they will be driving us to NY to see us off in June. We will be cruising on the NCL Dawn and was wondering if anyone can tell me if they would be allowed on board to take a tour of the ship. We would like to show them what they have been missing out on.

 

Somehow CC member "Radio" did it last week. See this thread, post # 124:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=908129&highlight=radio

 

;).

[Aquahound]

I work for Homeland Security, so I do have a little knowledge in this area. You can not just show up at the pier and get a tour of a cruise ship. As a non-ticketed passenger, you can not get through the terminal to cross the gangway. Of course, knowing people in the right places can get you on board, but in most cases, no.

 

However, there are pre-arranged tours available. In most cases, they are Travel Agent tours arranged by the cruise line to increase exposure. These tours require an escort provided by the ship.

 

But if you are on board.....

 

The bridge is not off limits to passengers. It is Captain's discretion who enters the bridge.

 

The engine room is off limits to passengers due to insurance demands. If a cruise ship is allowing access to the actual engine room (not just the glassed-in control room), they are doing so at their own risk.

[newcatintown]

Putting all these reasons for it not being allowed to the side, can you just imagine the logistical nightmare this could become? I know I'd be there!! The task at hand is enough to keep everyone very busy, without folks wanting to visit for a while.

[cruiselover57]

Daughter & son in law have never cruised, they will be driving us to NY to see us off in June. We will be cruising on the NCL Dawn and was wondering if anyone can tell me if they would be allowed on board to take a tour of the ship. We would like to show them what they have been missing out on.

 

I had some friends sail on SilverSea in November and with permission, they were allowed to have their son and daughter-in-law for a bon voyage party. However, as others have stated, it's very rare and tough to get anyone on board these days. You either have to be a TA or get a special invitation from the cruise line when the ship is in port. I would write a letter - couldn't hurt - you will probably be told no but at least it's worth a try - nothing to lose right?