Going 'standby'

[holly05]

hi: Is there any such thing as going on a cruise "standby".
I'm quite new to cruising. We are senior citizens, live right beside Canada Place, bags are always packed an ready to go and just can't afford to keep cruising, unless, there is some standby prices. Has anyone ever heard of going on a cruise standby?.....and how many days would they let you know in advance.? I fully understand that there would be a big possibility of not getting on at all.
Can anyone help me?

Thank you.

[grannynurse]

Hi Holly,
I know HAL has last minute fares when cabins are unsold after final payment. They also have 24 hour flash fares. Our friends who are now onboard the Amsterdam got the flash fares within 30 days of sailing for a marvelous price.
There is a place on the HAL website to sign up for last minute notices but I can't tell you exactly where to find the sign-up. See if you can browse the site and find it.
GN

[Nancyquilts]

It seems that since 9/11 the cruise lines have to turn over their passenger manifest several days before the sailing, so you couldn't wait around the pier, but the ideas above sound doable. Nancy

[cruznon]

I suggest you watch the online agencies' ads. Sometimes the last minute deals are great!

[Krazy Kruizers]

No "stand-by" anymore for any cruise line. 9/11 did change everything. Cruise lines will have a sale about a week before a ship sails if there are a lot of cabins still available. Alaska is very popular - doubt if any cruise line has such a sale for there. The sale only lasts a couple of days as all cruise lines must have a final manifest 72 hours before the ship sails.

[Grumpy1]

I keep reading about the requirements for cruiselines to submit manifests several days ahead, but I also read that their is no such requirement for PRE clearance, only that the final boarding manifest be submitted for scrutiny. I have personally talked with a couple that went to the dock in San Diego and were able to get a Mexican Riveria cruise THAT DAY! And this was post 9/11. It wasn't a bargain price, though.

There were also last minute bookings on the Noordam inaugural sailing. It can be done. Watch for the flash sales a week or two before sailing to get the best last minute prices.