Princess allows non-cruisers onboard for embarkation day

[Infi]

I really think this is a fantastic idea. I'm sure this will hook new cruisers, and the cost to Princess is minimal. Allowing the visitors to put the $39 towards a future cruise is a nice touch that they didn't have to do. Heck, I could see myself doing this for a fun afternoon and then putting the $39 towards my next Princess cruise anyway, similar to an FCC. Sounds good to me!

 

For all those who have security concerns, are you aware that ships have visitors now? Travel agents, wedding parties, and even friends/family of crew visit the ships and nothing has happened. All of these guests go through the screening process just like passengers do, and I'm sure they will keep the visitor's passport/driver's license/credit card to insure they leave the ship. If a terrorist did want to bomb a ship (god forbid) he would probably just book a cabin like anyone else and plant the bomb that way. So I don't see how allowing visitors suddenly invites would-be terrorists aboard.

 

I just wonder how Princess has negotiated this with port security. I know from experience ever since Oasis has arrived at FLL, it's been impossible to get in the port unless you are cruising. The security checkpoints ask to see your paperwork, luggage, etc. This should be a new fun snafu for those pleasant folks.

[CaptData]

It is a nice idea however, I do see some problems. The limit of 50 could creat a problem in that some peopl will only have one or two friends while other could have the whole amount filled up with just their friends. It could be mis-used by the local TA's who may have someone on board and use it to invite 50 people (clients) to see what it will be like to use it for their increase exposure.

 

I think the idea of charging $39.00 and including wine is a good price and give it as a credit if booking from it is good. Wha time limit would there be?

[bob brown]

... did I read someone said $39 is excessive... well here in australia my husband and I are going to have lunch on the diamond princess next week while she is in port ... it is organised through a TA... yes they are charging us $99 each (that would be $87 US ):eek:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joanne

This is almost a 'giveaway'!

Just try to find a comparable luncheon with wine at a NYC riverside restaurant. Oh, and with 'entertainment' thrown in (the ship tour:)).

And the price being credited toward a future purchase.

 

It just doesn't get any better than that.

[Cruise Junky]

So if one is a visitor to the USA one can be invited on the ship in a USA port although one is not a USA citizen.?

The ships are not registered in USA but I think Bermuda.

Hum I thought everyone getting on the the ship must go through passport control?

All passport details have to be given to authorities a few days before boarding also.

 

Well unless they run it very differently in Vancouver than what they would in say Ft. Lauderdale, you have to go through US immigration to get on a ship. Maybe come Alaska season they'll have something in place or they just might not bother if US immigration has to get involved.

[RaMar]

I hope that this does not create embarkation delays and/or departure delays from ports.

[Doug R.]

I don't like it at all! With today's terrorist threats I don't need anyone having even a slight chance of someone planting anything in a hidden corner. I'm sure some will argue that even a passenger could do that, but why ask for more chances of trouble? We've had family who lives near ports join us for pre-sail parties in the mid '70's, but that was a much different time.

 

I am certain that Princess will require the same level of security that they do for embarking passengers. Therefore, logically I see no increased threat.

[kruisey]

Have just spoken to Princess and they have assured me that eventually other non USA ports will be offered this service.I am thrilled that this will be allowed.:)

[cruzrbachoua]

Great idea and a great advertising gimmick. The people get a lunch, ship tour and some experience of what a cruise might be like and they get their $39 back when and if they book a cruise. Someone at Princess is thinking forward.

 

If the $39 is given back to them essentially how much money will the cost the ship with food and what not........will this then raise the prices for those of that are sailing??:confused:

[MszKitty]

Cue the Streamers: Princess Revives Old-School Bon Voyage Experience, with a Twi$t

 

 

Read more:

http://www.frommers.com/community/blogs/cruise.cfm?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&UID=52f8da68-7f6d-4edc-b082-451715e6da97&plckPostId=Blog%3a52f8da68-7f6d-4edc-b082-451715e6da97Post%3a4b9893bd-d8e5-4d79-912b-b7740d26e332&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest#ixzz0fIiqYtAo

 

 

I didn't realize this thread was already going when I started a new one so the monitors moved my post here. I even checked back two pages to see if there was already a thread going before I started a new one. I don't know how I missed it.

 

Anyway...I think this is a great idea. I just wish it was also available to someone who doesn't have a friend sailing. I know, I know...there'd be more complications involved with that and I don't see it happening......its just wishful thinking.

[Cuizer2]

I didn't realize this thread was already going when I started a new one so the monitors moved my post here. I even checked back two pages to see if there was already a thread going before I started a new one. I don't know how I missed it.

 

Don't worry about it. The world didn't end. In fact, it didn't even slow down.

[Colo Cruiser]

Have just spoken to Princess and they have assured me that eventually other non USA ports will be offered this service.I am thrilled that this will be allowed.:)

 

 

Heather you have to call 3 times and average the answers. :eek:

[ibfern]

Heather you have to call 3 times and average the answers. :eek:

 

I called yesterday and after the bewilderment of not knowing what I was talking about (she had not read the release), I was told this only applies to US ports. Of course I take this info with a grain of salt until I hear it here on cruise critic!

 

Low and behold, it is already going on in Australia (PC support said no way DH can come on board in Sydney:) ) although the kids at the home office are clueless about this.

 

Even if I average three calls, I am coming up with negative numbers which means they own me! LOL

[Cuizer2]

I called yesterday and after the bewilderment of not knowing what I was talking about (she had not read the release), I was told this only applies to US ports. Of course I take this info with a grain of salt until I hear it here on cruise critic!

 

Low and behold, it is already going on in Australia (PC support said no way DH can come on board in Sydney:) ) although the kids at the home office are clueless about this.

 

Even if I average three calls, I am coming up with negative numbers which means they own me! LOL

 

The cruise line staff is the last to known. So what else is new?

[kruisey]

This time I got the impression they were trying these 4 USA ports to see if it went well..

They didnot say that this would not be expanded to non USA ports .So there is still hope if everything turns out fine with the first four.:)

[Northender]

For all you posters who wonder how we get off the couch everyday. It took a long time.:o If you were not there, don't condemn the ones that were please.

[ibfern]

This time I got the impression they were trying these 4 USA ports to see if it went well..

They didnot say that this would not be expanded to non USA ports .So there is still hope if everything turns out fine with the first four.:)

 

I like this idea of bringing guests onboard for a looksee, I didn't realize that this has been going on all the while, just not available to us (not in the travel industry) regular folks.

 

My brother and his wife are reticent to cruise, they wonder about the food, the casinos, and what its like on a ship, but beyond wondering they are not willing to try out a cruise. If they could spend 4 hours on the ship and have a mini "experience" they would likely decide to give it a try--I know them and they will love the service and the available host of activities and being on the ship is different than being told about it!

 

I've been trying to get them to try a cruise for years, maybe this is the way to get them hooked!

[Happy ks]

I think it's a great idea and will be taking advantage of it next year if the program works out.

 

To the nay-sayers, do you realize there are a lot of non-cruisers already coming onboard? I've been on several ship tours already, it's been fun. You have to sign up in advance, give your passport number and other info, they hold your passport or drivers license when you board. Many probably won't even realize they are there, I'd not have known tours were being conducted except for the fact I noticed the papers they were carrying.

 

The cabin tours are conducted before the guests are allowed to get to their cabins, so no disruption there either. We have had to manuever around the laundry/trash carts in the corridors, but no big deal. There are generally several cabin types on display and we are only shown those cabins. So, much of the time the visitors aren't even in the same area as the regular pax. Lunch is private and held in the dining room, away from the buffets, so none of the tour people are in the way there. You cannont purchase a drink onboard, so none of them are crowding the pool bar. By the time the tour is over, you have maybe an hour to roam around the ship, with strict instructions to meet and get off.

 

The tours I've been on have been limited in attendance, no way they held up embarcation for anyone. Maybe I should say 3-5 minutes at most, we were held together in an area and embarked all at once, no one has any more than a camera and purse to go through security.

 

I've also attended a couple weddings and pretty much the same thing, register in advance, you are escorted on and off the ship. We were embarked through the ship personnel entrance and weren't even close to the regular pax area.

 

With the list being limited to 50 people, there will be little to no disruption to the sailing pax.

[bob brown]

I like this idea of bringing guests onboard for a looksee, I didn't realize that this has been going on all the while, just not available to us (not in the travel industry) regular folks.

 

My brother and his wife are reticent to cruise, they wonder about the food, the casinos, and what its like on a ship, but beyond wondering they are not willing to try out a cruise. If they could spend 4 hours on the ship and have a mini "experience" they would likely decide to give it a try--I know them and they will love the service and the available host of activities and being on the ship is different than being told about it!

 

I've been trying to get them to try a cruise for years, maybe this is the way to get them hooked!

Have you ever considered a one night cruise for a "'see' trial"?

They are available at many ports.;)

[Cuizer2]

Have you ever considered a one night cruise for a "'see' trial"?

They are available at many ports.;)

 

They are very few and far between, not available for every ship, and not of much value to some who lives more than a few hours from the port (nobody is going to fly half away across the country to try out a one night cruise).

[notentirelynormal]

Plus, the one night cruises are usually one way so you now have the added burden of getting back to your car and extra cost in transportation.

[MoonPet]

I think this is great! I hope that this will be in place in Red Hook in July; I would love for my brother and his family to be able to spend some time on the ship. They'll be able to see just how great the ship is and hopefully book a future cruise!

[Feelin' Nauti']

 

With the list being limited to 50 people, there will be little to no disruption to the sailing pax.

Not to sure about this....Time will tell.

 

 

~

 

 

So many complain about not being able to have lunch on embarkment day in the main dining room yet with this new "Bon Voyage Experience" non-paying guests are entitled to a four-course dining room lunch with wine. :cool: Just don't get it.

[Feelin' Nauti']

I think this is great! I hope that this will be in place in Red Hook in July; I would love for my brother and his family to be able to spend some time on the ship. They'll be able to see just how great the ship is and hopefully book a future cruise!

Yes

Starting in May aboard the CB :cool:

Let's see how priority embarkation goes.:rolleyes:

[ibfern]

Have you ever considered a one night cruise for a "'see' trial"?

They are available at many ports.;)

 

Los Angeles has lots of 3 day cruises, but they are different types of cruises than a Princess and less refined. We rarely have short Princess cruises out of LA.

[pg.]

I think its a great idea,, and if they limit to 50 people,, it should be farily painless for all.

 

I think some of you do not realize that all cruises have visitors onboards at certain ports ,.. ta's get to do familarilzation visits, wedding parties ,, and media.

 

My husband is in the media and I remember when the Star Princess visiting our home port years ago,, we got lunch and a tour then too!

 

Security is just as easy,, if not easier, since visitors bring no bags but purses, and they do check them ,, and you still will walk through a metal detector.