guest on ship

we are planning on being in boston harbor for the fourth of july. would like to invite relatives to join us on board for fireworks

. How do we go about this?

Short answer: you can't due to ship security rules. There are only a few exceptions ever made.

Loved doing this in 70’s and 80’s , no chance of doing this now even pre 9/11 normally could not do it .

Used to be done but not any longer. Security prevents non passengers from boarding.

Security policies no longer permit pax to invite guests aboard at any port. Only the officers and crew can invite guests aboard the vessel.

Security policies no longer permit pax to invite guests aboard at any port. Only the officers and crew can invite guests aboard the vessel.

Princess, and maybe other lines, allow passengers to invite guests on board at certain embarkation ports. Princess calls it the Bon Voyage Experience and describes it as

we are planning on being in boston harbor for the fourth of july. would like to invite relatives to join us on board for fireworks

 

. How do we go about this?

Wondering why you are asking here, and not the cruiseline....

It can be done, and has been done post 9/11, but it depends greatly on the port and the cruise line involved. You would have to contact the cruise line (and it may be too late now) to get permission, which depends on the company's ISPS Code (International Ship and Port Security) as to whether they will grant it, and then they will have to clear it with the port, which has its own ISPS Code, to give permission . You would have to have the potential guests provide ID to the cruise line for vetting, and given the time frame until the 4th, this may not work, even for a line that would normally allow this.

we are planning on being in boston harbor for the fourth of july. would like to invite relatives to join us on board for fireworks

 

. How do we go about this?

you don't. its not an option to request.

We were able to join friends once, post 9/11, on a Crystal ship in Newport RI. The process was handled through our TA [we all had the same one] who provided us with a form to complete; we had to supply our passport documentation on the application. The process took about 3 weeks.

At the port, we had to hand over our passports to the security person on the pier, received a temporary ID card and then were allowed to take the tender to the ship to meet our friends. After coffee, and meeting some of the officers we all went ashore, picked up our passports and enjoyed a visit to the mansions together.

Security in Boston is very tight. There are times when TA's are allowed to take a client onto the ship in the early hours while most passengers are ashore. I've done it, but it's not common and again, security and the cruise line sets the parameters for visits.

Darcy

Technically not allowed but there have been exceptions especially if you have a TA with some connections to the cruise line .

As far as viewing the Boston Fireworks from the cruise ship docked ? Forget it . Too far off to hear and buildings at the pier block the views .

Technically not allowed but there have been exceptions especially if you have a TA with some connections to the cruise line .

As far as viewing the Boston Fireworks from the cruise ship docked ? Forget it . Too far off to hear and buildings at the pier block the views .

Boston's fireworks are set off over the Charles River, on the other side of Beacon Hill. There's no way you will see anything from Flynn Terminal area. However, local TV does broadcast the evening's events. Maybe a local bar/lounge along the seaport has a TV tuned into the station, then plan to meet friends there. I've done the "camp out along the Esplanade " all day to take in the evenings festivities - great time, but unless you are willing to endure the craziness of very early arrival, stand in long lines for the rest room facilities, heightened security, crowds, etc., look for alternatives.

Darcy

you don't. its not an option to request.

This and the other answers like it are wrong. It certainly is allowed and it is an option to request. Although very limited, some cruise lines do allow day visitors in ports. I know...I've I've visited friends on board in port.

Like chengkp75 said, you just have to contact the cruise line and learn of their procedures. It probably is too late now for the request, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

It all depends on the line. The true luxury lines are more likely to allow it than the mass market and the upscale lines. OP seems to be on Celebrity so it is not likely.

It all depends on the line. The true luxury lines are more likely to allow it than the mass market and the upscale lines. OP seems to be on Celebrity so it is not likely.

This is not exactly accurate as others have noted. They may as well ask and may actually get permission. Are they well known to the cruise line? That can make a difference if they are big time repeat cruisers.