Planning to stay ashore overnight while ship is in port

[Eloise4Ever]

We will be on Riviera in early June with an overnight in Bordeaux. We are planning to go ashore on the first day, spend the night in a hotel and reboard the ship the next day before she sails. We wondered if we need to let the ship know about this in advance? I'm thinking we should let our stateroom attendant know in any case so they don't worry about us on day 2 when they see our bed hasn't been slept in!

[LHT28]

I would   let the purser & the room staff know 

Also  a number where you can be reached  incase  they move the ship 😉

 

[Eloise4Ever]

44 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

I would   let the purser & the room staff know 

Also  a number where you can be reached  incase  they move the ship 😉

 

 

Good point! 😀 Thank you!

[bob brown]

Agree with above, although on our current ATW cruise where we did a few overnight’s in port, they told us the gangway was open 24 hours, so I don’t see how it would be a problem to remain off the ship overnight.  The only thing was the port operated shuttle from the ship to the gate would not operate after 0200 for a few hours…

[Hanoverian]

We did this several years ago.  We got off in Porto and re-joined the ship in Lisbon the following day. All that Oceania asked when we floated the idea in front of them before the cruise was to be absolutely sure that the reception desk people were fully informed of our plans at least several days in advance.  They also asked that we gave the ship phone numbers and hotel names and our mobile phone numbers so that it could get in touch with us in the event of some unforeseen event, either on our part or theirs.  Informing just your room attendants is not enough.  Ship management needs to be fully informed.

[SellaVee]

We've spent an overnight off the ship on a previous cruise.  I think we let O know well in advance.  It makes sense that they should know in case of a worse case scenario where everyone has to be evacuated!!

[pinotlover]

Going to Israel next month on Vista for 3 days. Lots of fellow cruisers overnighting In Jerusalem instead of making the long drive back to the ship every night. We’ll let management know.

[bob brown]

22 hours ago, Hanoverian said:

We did this several years ago.  We got off in Porto and re-joined the ship in Lisbon the following day. All that Oceania asked when we floated the idea in front of them before the cruise was to be absolutely sure that the reception desk people were fully informed of our plans at least several days in advance.  They also asked that we gave the ship phone numbers and hotel names and our mobile phone numbers so that it could get in touch with us in the event of some unforeseen event, either on our part or theirs.  Informing just your room attendants is not enough.  Ship management needs to be fully informed.

Getting off in one port, and rejoining in another, is an entirely different matter, than staying off overnight and returning in the same port.

You must inform the cruise line and receive approval in advance, as sometimes it is complicated by immigration or “cabotage” regulations.  
That said, Oceania does offer such so-called “Overland” shore excursions on some itineraries, so it is not uncommon…

[shans]

We overnighted in Seville while on Sirena in April. Inform guest relations. They documented hotel information, contact details and also asked how much luggage we were taking with us.

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

Last month we overnighted in Bordeaux.  I didn't stay ashore, but agree with others who say that you need to definitely to let the appropriate people on board the ship know where you'll be.  In Bordeaux, Sirena had to move the gangway at one point, due to the tides on the river.  For us, it took a half hour or less, occurred around 8 PM at night, and was announced in advanced.  It was no big deal.  ButI suppose it might have been a little unsettling if someone hadn't gotten the message and came back to the ship while the move was happening.  In Easter Island, there was a big storm brewing and the captain had to move the ship around to the other side of the island, and then leave the area completely, later.  A few passengers had to be collected, and it was a good thing that Oceania knew how to get a hold of them.