Very very last minute booking and boarding: Is it possible?

[SSCAF001]

I was wondering to which extend it is possible to book and embark a ship at the very last minute. To be more explicit, I intend to settle down close to Fort Lauderdale in a near future and I was wondering whether it would be possible to show up at the cruise terminal let say @ 2 or 3 pm and ask whether there is still some availability on the ship due to depart at 5pm. And if yes whether I could pay and board the ship. Does someone have had this kind of experience and if yes is it possible to get good price? Thanks. 

[DCCruiser57]

Not sure, but do not think so.  I believe that SS has to provide a passenger manifest to the Coast Guard/Port authorities a number of hours or more before departure.  Maybe someone else with more knowledge can chime in.

[Lois R]

Many, many years ago that was an option but once 9/11 happened I believe most cruise lines

 needed a manifest of guests at least 2 or 3 days beforehand.  Now, that may have changed in

more recent times as well but...a BIG but, because of the Virus they may need to know if you have been tested and/or vaccinated.  I don't know for sure but just giving you some information. Just bringing up the virus thing because of

what is happening now. I am guessing they will want to know if you have been

vaccinated (more than tested).

 

 The best thing to do would be to call the Cruise line directly and ask

them about their policies in regard to this request.

[tfred]

These days I would doubt that they would allow this.  Checking passports, putting your data into the system all probably takes at least 24 hours.  They also might dump any unsold cabins to TAs at the 30 or 60 day mark to get them filled

 

If anything was sailing you could check yourself on the website

[Silver Spectre]

2 hours ago, tfred said:

These days I would doubt that they would allow this.  Checking passports, putting your data into the system all probably takes at least 24 hours.  They also might dump any unsold cabins to TAs at the 30 or 60 day mark to get them filled

 

If anything was sailing you could check yourself on the website

SS don’t ‘dump to TAs.

[Cruise Wonderland]

Usually cruise lines will close the reservation 2-3 days before departure. I am not sure if some departure ports (countries) are less strict on this, but at least it is not possible for an extremely last minute booking from US / Canada ports.

 

And this may be more strict in the post-pandemic environment, since cruise lines may require all passengers to submit more declared information before boarding.

[Randyk47]

On 2/16/2021 at 10:40 AM, SSCAF001 said:

I was wondering to which extend it is possible to book and embark a ship at the very last minute. To be more explicit, I intend to settle down close to Fort Lauderdale in a near future and I was wondering whether it would be possible to show up at the cruise terminal let say @ 2 or 3 pm and ask whether there is still some availability on the ship due to depart at 5pm. And if yes whether I could pay and board the ship. Does someone have had this kind of experience and if yes is it possible to get good price? Thanks. 

Eons ago that was possible.  My late parents lived in Orlando and would literally go from terminal to terminal in either Fort Lauderdale or Miami looking for a last minute deal.   My uncle lived in Miami so it was no big deal to drive over, stay with his family, and catch a cruise.  My father was so tight fisted he’d call me collect with some code word like “Mr Cruise” which I’d refuse per our arrangement but I’d know they were off.   9/11 has pretty well done away with that practice plus Silversea consistently maintains they don’t dump open cabins at the last minute.  Actually had that conversation with a Hotel Manager on a Silversea cruise but that was before they got bought out so stuff changes.   

[les37b]

On 2/16/2021 at 11:57 PM, Silver Spectre said:

SS don’t ‘dump to TAs.

 

Agree, they don't seem to do that.... but they definitely do (or have done) handed over cut priced cruises to a company to sell on to people in the travel industry. That includes airline staff, hoteliers, travel agents etc. I saw it in one of the reviews on here from a disgruntled passenger sailing with discounted passengers. I did look it up and it is genuine... Annoyingly I didn't keep the details - but from memory the company is based in the Netherlands. Will see if I can find it - but can 100% confirm it exists and some of the discounts were approx 50% off and represented tremendous value.

[Lois R]

10 hours ago, Randyk47 said:

Eons ago that was possible.  My late parents lived in Orlando and would literally go from terminal to terminal in either Fort Lauderdale or Miami looking for a last minute deal.   My uncle lived in Miami so it was no big deal to drive over, stay with his family, and catch a cruise.  My father was so tight fisted he’d call me collect with some code word like “Mr Cruise” which I’d refuse per our arrangement but I’d know they were off.   9/11 has pretty well done away with that practice plus Silversea consistently maintains they don’t dump open cabins at the last minute.  Actually had that conversation with a Hotel Manager on a Silversea cruise but that was before they got bought out so stuff changes.   

Hi Randy, your story gave me a big smile----the collect call thing sounds like something my

Dad would have done..........🙂.  The memories of our parents..............

[Randyk47]

33 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Hi Randy, your story gave me a big smile----the collect call thing sounds like something my

Dad would have done..........🙂.  The memories of our parents..............

They were remarkably successful grabbing a literally last minute cruise for the better part of 15 years or more.  They liked Holland America and Celebrity the best but often went on Carnival.  Probably age driven but they really liked ships with big buffets and casinos.   Dad suffered his first stroke in 1996 and I don’t remember them terminal hopping after that so the post-9/11 restrictions were not an issue for them.   

Edited February 18, 2021 by Randyk47

[tfred]

There was a Marriott program (CNBC?) that said they will not lower price on a daily basis (close to 6 PM) as it trains people to wait until the last minute and then reserve a room.  Cruiselines are probably the same and would off load cabins to industry for sale -TAs, in house Friends and Family, - someplace that the average full fare pax knows they wouldn't have a shot at 

[Randyk47]

1 hour ago, tfred said:

There was a Marriott program (CNBC?) that said they will not lower price on a daily basis (close to 6 PM) as it trains people to wait until the last minute and then reserve a room.  Cruiselines are probably the same and would off load cabins to industry for sale -TAs, in house Friends and Family, - someplace that the average full fare pax knows they wouldn't have a shot at 

The Silversea hotel manager we talked to said the corporate policy was not to “fire sale” cabins or give discounted onboard upgrades.  She said the line didn’t want to get in the place where passengers were telling other passengers they got a Silver suite for the price of a lower level suite.   She said they are dealing with a significant smaller passenger count means potentially bad news would spread quickly.  She said they felt it was more important to not be like mass market major lines.    

Edited February 19, 2021 by Randyk47

[SSCAF001]

Many thanks for all your answers and comments. Very much appreciated!

[Silver Spectre]

On 2/18/2021 at 11:05 AM, les37b said:

 

Agree, they don't seem to do that.... but they definitely do (or have done) handed over cut priced cruises to a company to sell on to people in the travel industry. That includes airline staff, hoteliers, travel agents etc. I saw it in one of the reviews on here from a disgruntled passenger sailing with discounted passengers. I did look it up and it is genuine... Annoyingly I didn't keep the details - but from memory the company is based in the Netherlands. Will see if I can find it - but can 100% confirm it exists and some of the discounts were approx 50% off and represented tremendous value.

The TA that I used many moons ago would organise a group of 20 or so from amongst their clients for an SS cruise and would get a ‘freebie’ for the TA accompanying them. The guests still paid normal rates. I figure that SS considered it worthwhile to sell 10+ suites in a block.

[cruiseej]

6 hours ago, Silver Spectre said:

The TA that I used many moons ago would organise a group of 20 or so from amongst their clients for an SS cruise and would get a ‘freebie’ for the TA accompanying them. The guests still paid normal rates. I figure that SS considered it worthwhile to sell 10+ suites in a block.

 

I believe anyone can get a group deal; it's not just TAs. I'm not sure how many people you need to get one free; it may vary by cruise line. We did a Crystal river cruise two years ago with 5 other couples, and that earned us fee passage for one person (1/2 of one of the 6 staterooms). I'd guess if you could get a group together for 10 or 12+ staterooms, you'd get a free cruise. 😉 

[Cruise Wonderland]

On 2/20/2021 at 10:19 AM, cruiseej said:

 

I believe anyone can get a group deal; it's not just TAs. I'm not sure how many people you need to get one free; it may vary by cruise line.

 

For Silversea, "Travel Agency will earn one Tour Conductor for every 10 guests booked, based on double occupancy; TC berth applied against 10th guest in group, cruise only. 3rd guest in suite does not count towards earned berth."

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/silversea-rolls-out-new-simplified-group-sales-program.html

 

In simple words, buy 9 get 1 free.