lynnber Posted November 16, 2019 #1 Share Posted November 16, 2019 So my large family is scheduled for a Thanksgiving cruise, and my son who is in the military just found out that he absolutely has to be somewhere the day before the cruise returns. We've looked into his still going on the cruise and flying back home when we get to St. Thomas and its do-able schedule wise. What would be our next steps? Do we have to inform the cruise line ahead of time? Would his card still be active once he's gone? What about his drink package? My other son will still be in the room. Thanks for any insight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare little britain Posted November 16, 2019 #2 Share Posted November 16, 2019 I think it depends on itinerary, and potential violations of PVSA? You do have to tell them and there is now an admin fee for early disembarking $75 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Dazzles Posted November 16, 2019 #3 Share Posted November 16, 2019 There are definite rules and a fee to pay. He will also need a passport in case he doesn’t right now - need to get. Would suggest checking with RC. Not something I would trust to be answered correctly on a public forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty G Posted November 16, 2019 #4 Share Posted November 16, 2019 5 minutes ago, Grandma Dazzles said: There are definite rules and a fee to pay. He will also need a passport in case he doesn’t right now - need to get. Would suggest checking with RC. Not something I would trust to be answered correctly on a public forum No passport required since St. Thomas is a United States territory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogbay Posted November 16, 2019 #5 Share Posted November 16, 2019 Contact who you booked through for a Downline request form , He has to Ding off with card , Drink package gone too ,No refund , Let other son out of room https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/partial-cruise-request 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted November 16, 2019 #6 Share Posted November 16, 2019 Here is some info from the cruise line: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/partial-cruise-request I think you should be able to do it, even with the PVSA law, because the US Virgin Islands are exempt, however the cruise line might not know those details. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellunderwater Posted November 16, 2019 #7 Share Posted November 16, 2019 From all of us, thank your son for his service... 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WI-Cruiser Posted November 16, 2019 #8 Share Posted November 16, 2019 Many businesses will make exceptions for military personnel under official orders (i.e. report to X no later than...). If this is the case, don't hesitate to bring it up when dealing with RC (and be prepared to provide a copy of the orders if requested). Even if not under official transfer orders, a letter from his commanding officer may suffice. They might give you a break on some of the additional fees. At least it's worth a try. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Dazzles Posted November 16, 2019 #9 Share Posted November 16, 2019 4 hours ago, Scotty G said: No passport required since St. Thomas is a United States territory. My mistake - thought you needed to fly but not for cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted November 16, 2019 #10 Share Posted November 16, 2019 You, or your TA, definitely need to request this in writing well in advance of the cruise. They have to approve it. Since it's St. Thomas and a US territory where he'd be getting off the ship, he should be fine but he'll still need that approval. He won't have a penalty (which can be many hundreds of dollars in some countries), so it's a good thing he's leaving from there. He won't be liable for the daily added gratuities for the days he's not on the ship and his onboard account will be closed out the day he leaves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug S Posted November 17, 2019 #11 Share Posted November 17, 2019 Keep in mind that itineraries can change with little or no notice. No guarantee you will be on St Thomas on a given day. Weather, mechanical, or other ship emergencies could alter the plan. Not saying this is likely, but I'd be worried about that possibility. Hate to be a downer, but in my military days, I'd have hated to rely on a cruise line schedule to report as ordered... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2sailAgain Posted November 17, 2019 #12 Share Posted November 17, 2019 20 hours ago, Doug S said: Keep in mind that itineraries can change with little or no notice. No guarantee you will be on St Thomas on a given day. Weather, mechanical, or other ship emergencies could alter the plan. Not saying this is likely, but I'd be worried about that possibility. Hate to be a downer, but in my military days, I'd have hated to rely on a cruise line schedule to report as ordered... Definitely something to seriously consider. Our stop in San Juan was skipped due to the unrest back in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatour Posted November 18, 2019 #13 Share Posted November 18, 2019 Here is an applicable link. Definitely contact RCCL ASAP. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/partial-cruise-request I am not sure how PVSA applies to St Thomas and San Juan, but it definitely applies to getting on a ship in Ft Lauderdale and getting off the ship in Key West before the ship returns to Ft Lauderdale. Now if he gets off in Nassau, Jamaica, Cozumel it is more straight forward gov't rule wise. He just need to make sure he has a passport, but you still need to let RCCL know beforehand and they may or may not grant the request. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynnber Posted November 18, 2019 Author #14 Share Posted November 18, 2019 Update: We contacted our travel agent who contacted RCCL and got an immediate response and approval. We had to call a phone number and give a credit card for the $65 charge for leaving early, and as soon as I did so they emailed me the letter that he has to bring off the ship with him. A little annoyed at the charge since he's military, but the whole thing was pretty painless 🙂 and as long as there are no weather disasters he should be good to go. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ONECRUISER Posted November 18, 2019 #15 Share Posted November 18, 2019 On 11/16/2019 at 5:34 PM, WI-Cruiser said: Many businesses will make exceptions for military personnel under official orders (i.e. report to X no later than...). If this is the case, don't hesitate to bring it up when dealing with RC (and be prepared to provide a copy of the orders if requested). Even if not under official transfer orders, a letter from his commanding officer may suffice. They might give you a break on some of the additional fees. At least it's worth a try. Agree, been a few years but Royal worked with me twice. US ARMY(now Retired) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted November 18, 2019 #16 Share Posted November 18, 2019 10 hours ago, lynnber said: A little annoyed at the charge since he's military, Not sure why expect them to waive the fee, for anyone. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommaBear55 Posted November 18, 2019 #17 Share Posted November 18, 2019 11 hours ago, lynnber said: little annoyed at the charge since he's military, but the whole thing was pretty painless 🙂 and as long as there are no weather disasters he should be good to go. They are just expecting to be reimbursed for their expenses. As a navy wife, I wouldn't expect anything different. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted November 19, 2019 #18 Share Posted November 19, 2019 On 11/17/2019 at 9:47 PM, lynnber said: Update: We contacted our travel agent who contacted RCCL and got an immediate response and approval. We had to call a phone number and give a credit card for the $65 charge for leaving early, and as soon as I did so they emailed me the letter that he has to bring off the ship with him. A little annoyed at the charge since he's military, but the whole thing was pretty painless 🙂 and as long as there are no weather disasters he should be good to go. The charge is for arranging immigration and customs clearance. It is not Royal making money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted November 19, 2019 #19 Share Posted November 19, 2019 44 minutes ago, SRF said: The charge is for arranging immigration and customs clearance. It is not Royal making money. For context, that arrangement used to be free till about 3 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogbay Posted November 19, 2019 #20 Share Posted November 19, 2019 7 hours ago, SRF said: The charge is for arranging immigration and customs clearance. It is not Royal making money. I think its a money making scam because Australians are charged AUD $ 65 for downlining https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/faq/questions/Can-I-request-to-embark-the-ship-at-a-different-port?country=AUS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DragonOfTheSeas Posted November 19, 2019 #21 Share Posted November 19, 2019 I am sure the ship has to pay a fee, so it is reasonable to charge the passengers. However, sometimes it will be a money maker. For example. I was on a cruise last month that stopped in Prt Canaveral before we disembarked in Port Everglades. 300 passengers got off in Port Canaveral and paid the fee. If we can assume it is an average of 2 per cabin. It would be 150 X $69 is ~$10,350 USD. Not a bad sum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted November 19, 2019 #22 Share Posted November 19, 2019 27 minutes ago, Hogbay said: I think its a money making scam because Australians are charged AUD $ 65 for downlining You then get a break - for US bookings it's USD $65. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Illbcruzn4life Posted November 20, 2019 #23 Share Posted November 20, 2019 5 hours ago, DragonOfTheSeas said: I am sure the ship has to pay a fee, so it is reasonable to charge the passengers. However, sometimes it will be a money maker. For example. I was on a cruise last month that stopped in Prt Canaveral before we disembarked in Port Everglades. 300 passengers got off in Port Canaveral and paid the fee. If we can assume it is an average of 2 per cabin. It would be 150 X $69 is ~$10,350 USD. Not a bad sum. what port did this cruise start from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hogbay Posted November 20, 2019 #24 Share Posted November 20, 2019 6 hours ago, Biker19 said: You then get a break - for US bookings it's USD $65. Yes the only one USD $65 about AUD $94 So its a arbitrary amount people to pay . They can't do that for us with cruise price or drink package 😢 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papaflamingo Posted November 20, 2019 #25 Share Posted November 20, 2019 (edited) On 11/16/2019 at 12:27 PM, lynnber said: So my large family is scheduled for a Thanksgiving cruise, and my son who is in the military just found out that he absolutely has to be somewhere the day before the cruise returns. We've looked into his still going on the cruise and flying Not to be nosy, but I assume that your son has been approved for Leave? If so, was his leave changed? Or was he no longer on leave when the ship gets in? I only bring this up because I am retired military and my son is career Navy. The rules, at least as I understand them, is that a military member cannot be out of the country if not on authorized leave. Just a consideration. If for some reason the ship skips St. Thomas and he misses his duty obligation, he might find himself in a lot more trouble than he thinks. He might want to make sure his command is aware of his travel plans. Edited November 20, 2019 by papaflamingo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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