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Cruises to Nowhere


teddybear231
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What happened to Carnival offering frequent "cruises to nowhere"? I remember they used to offer them on a regular basis out of New York in the early 2000s, but haven't seen them to frequent (practically non-existent) anymore. I remember it was a cheap weekend getaway, better then always going to Atlantic City or the Poconos, and the food was included so it was a good deal.

 

I'm assuming they weren't making much money off of them that's why they are no longer offered. But I remember the ships being full when we sailed on them. Any idea if Carnival will bring these back?

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"Due to U.S. government regulations, cruises to nowhere will not be allowed from American ports, starting in 2016. Ships leaving the U.S. will be required to call on at least one foreign port before returning to the U.S. Cruises to nowhere departing from foreign countries will not be impacted."

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"Due to U.S. government regulations, cruises to nowhere will not be allowed from American ports, starting in 2016. Ships leaving the U.S. will be required to call on at least one foreign port before returning to the U.S. Cruises to nowhere departing from foreign countries will not be impacted."

 

oh well

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So what happens if you are on a 3 or 4 day cruise with only one stop and the weather is bad and they can’t dock? Do they just return to the home port after the cruise is over, or are they forced to stop somewhere else??

 

I thought I remember seeing other ships that were delayed getting home do to mechanical issues and the subsequent cruise was cut short and became a cruise to nowhere.?.?

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I am amazed a cruise to nowhere was ever allowed! Foreign flagged vessels cannot transport a passenger from one US port to another (including round trips) without first stopping in another country.

 

For cruisers in NYC that likely means at least a stop somewhere in Canada.

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So what happens if you are on a 3 or 4 day cruise with only one stop and the weather is bad and they can’t dock? Do they just return to the home port after the cruise is over, or are they forced to stop somewhere else??

 

I thought I remember seeing other ships that were delayed getting home do to mechanical issues and the subsequent cruise was cut short and became a cruise to nowhere.?.?

They would need to stop somewhere else or face a massive fine.

 

The exception may be if there was a disaster and they had to return ASAP, but weather is no excuse since it is very predictable and ships can change itinerary to avoid it.

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I am amazed a cruise to nowhere was ever allowed! Foreign flagged vessels cannot transport a passenger from one US port to another (including round trips) without first stopping in another country.

 

 

 

For cruisers in NYC that likely means at least a stop somewhere in Canada.

 

 

 

They used to be fairly regular, especially for new vessels....kind of like a break in. Not sure or why not that was OK for the Passenger act. Our local expert might be able to add more color.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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So what happens if you are on a 3 or 4 day cruise with only one stop and the weather is bad and they can’t dock? Do they just return to the home port after the cruise is over, or are they forced to stop somewhere else??

 

I thought I remember seeing other ships that were delayed getting home do to mechanical issues and the subsequent cruise was cut short and became a cruise to nowhere.?.?

 

 

The "cruises to nowhere" were/are repositioning cruises, moving the ship from one home port to another. The example you've given is a ship that has a scheduled itinerary. If the itinerary is canceled due to bad weather or mechanical issues and is forced to return to its' home port (point of origin), then it would be considered an interrupted itinerary, and not a cruise to nowhere.

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We used to enjoy "cruises to nowhere" out of Tampa. Went out into the Gulf of Mexico, then cruised very slowly for two or three days, then returned to Tampa. GREAT FUN IMO, and we always enjoyed the "sea days", without thinking about what to do in port. LOL I truly miss those leisurely cruises.

 

"SKY"

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The "cruises to nowhere" were/are repositioning cruises, moving the ship from one home port to another. The example you've given is a ship that has a scheduled itinerary. If the itinerary is canceled due to bad weather or mechanical issues and is forced to return to its' home port (point of origin), then it would be considered an interrupted itinerary, and not a cruise to nowhere.

 

Well no, the cruises to nowhere were not repositioning cruises, although they sometimes happened in conjunction with repositioning. Cruises to nowhere started and ended at the same port, which, by definition, is not a repositioning. Many years ago they were used to fill gaps in ship itineraries that would have otherwise left a ship empty for a day or two. Carnival used to run them a lot out of Norfolk, where a 2-3 days schedule gap was not long enough to reach a destination and return.

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As I understand it CBP allowed this as an exception but then a court case changed the way they interpret the visas for the crew, which precludes them being able to offer CTNs (and this applies to all lines). Of course if a cruise is scheduled for 3 days and weather or other unforeseen circumstances prevent a port call this would be likely excused, but as with anything else the facts and circumstances would dictate the outcome.

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What a stupid law. Like there is some definitive advantage to having to stop at a foreign port.

 

In the future, I'm sure cruise lines will lobby to allow this again. One day there will be tons of 5000+ passenger cruise ships that would otherwise clog the ports. Offering cruises to no where would help keep that business viable, for longer.

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So what happens if you are on a 3 or 4 day cruise with only one stop and the weather is bad and they can’t dock? Do they just return to the home port after the cruise is over, or are they forced to stop somewhere else??

 

I thought I remember seeing other ships that were delayed getting home do to mechanical issues and the subsequent cruise was cut short and became a cruise to nowhere.?.?

 

They can ask for and will likely be granted a waiver in situations like that. There's precedent in recent weather and mechanical events.

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We almost took a CTN as our first cruise in 2012, but decided we'd rather have at least one stop and were concerned these would be too much of a party/booze cruise.

 

It seems like many passengers treat Bahamas as cruises to nowhere with all the advice to stay on the ship.

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I think it's because of the Jones Act, which is antiquated and pointless. Should be repealed.

 

It has absolutely nothing to do with either the Jones Act (which only applies to cargo ships) or the PVSA (which applies to passenger ships), since the PVSA has a specific exemption allowing cruises to nowhere. And, by the way, neither are antiquated or pointless, and both provide employment for hundreds of thousands of US citizens, and add billions to the US economy.

 

Cruise lines did these on an irregular basis, and not all that frequently, so CBP didn't look to closely at the whole concept. What changed was, as noted in the article linked, that Bimini Superfast started offering casino cruises to nowhere using foreign flag ships on a twice weekly basis. This meant that the foreign crew on their ship was essentially working in the US (leaving from a US port and returning to a US port, without engaging in foreign commerce (calling at a foreign port)) without the requirement of a B1 work visa. Foreign crew on foreign ships typically get a C1/D1 crew visa, which is fairly easy to obtain, but come with significant restrictions on crew movement off the ship. The B1 work visa requires more rigorous background checking and the company to vouch for the crew, and take full financial responsibility for the crew, on or off the ship. These visas are far more expensive to obtain, so this would be an onerous burden on the cruise line for a thousand crew to get B1 visas, so while the cruises to nowhere are still legal, they must be done with crew with B1 visas, which no cruise line can afford to do, just for a few one night cruises each year.

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Come to Australia; we have about 15 a year; 3 night week-ends. leave Sydney harbour Friday evening, get back in Monday Morning.. About $400 Aus dollars, so $500 USD. No drinks package though.. Worlds greatest harbour though...

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