Permanently Leave ship at the last port.

[Oceanside2]

We are on a MSC cruise and the last port before returning to Barcelona is Mallorca. We would like to leave the ship permanently in Mallorca and spend a few days there before getting our own transportation back to Barcelona. Is this possible and what would the requirements be?

[leaveitallbehind]

At the very least you would have to discuss this with the cruise line to make sure they are aware of your plans and OK it, and they would also let you know of anything needed to do through them.

 

I'm sure you are also aware that there would not be any financial credit issued by the cruise line for your time off the ship. 

Edited February 26 by leaveitallbehind

[mom says]

You need to get advance authorization from the cruise line. They need to arrange Immigration and Customs (if necessary) as well as updating their manifest. A nominal charge may be required as well. No refund would be given for the days not spent on board.

Edited February 26 by mom says

[Hlitner]

MSC operates almost like a ferry line, when cruising in most of Europe.  Unlike other cruise lines, MSC will generally embark/disembark passengers at every port (when allowed by law).  While you certainly should notify MSC in advance (with their lousy customer service you are likely to get no response) but you should expect no problem.  MSC will not charge you any extra fees (some of the US based lines no charge an extra fee) but do not expect a discount.

 

Hank

[John Bull]

As per Hank's post, MSC is one of the most obliging lines in this respect. 

And Mallorca (aka Majorca) & Barcelona are both in Spain.

But you need the cruise line's OK. In writing is best, so ask by e-mail

 

 

JB 🙂

[ontheweb]

And don't forget sometimes ports are missed. This could happen for a port that one wishes early disembarkation.

[Oceanside2]

26 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

And don't forget sometimes ports are missed. This could happen for a port that one wishes early disembarkation.

Good point. I won't prepay the hotel room.

[Oceanside2]

1 hour ago, John Bull said:

As per Hank's post, MSC is one of the most obliging lines in this respect. 

And Mallorca (aka Majorca) & Barcelona are both in Spain.

But you need the cruise line's OK. In writing is best, so ask by e-mail

 

 

JB 🙂

John and Hank, who would we E-Mail? We called MSC Customer Service and they said no but another said maybe but if they get fined, they will pass it on to us. How much would the fine be?

[John Bull]

8 minutes ago, Oceanside2 said:

John and Hank, who would we E-Mail? We called MSC Customer Service and they said no but another said maybe but if they get fined, they will pass it on to us. How much would the fine be?

 

 I have no idea what a fine would be - and don't try to leave the ship without their OK, you can't plan to "accidentally" miss the sailing because it doesn't need Sherlock Holmes to know what you're up to when you schlepp your luggage off the ship 😏  

 

But the responses you got  from MSC demonstrate why you need to prove permission in writing, hence my suggestion of e-mail.

Sorry, can't help with an e-mail address, I guess you need to phone Customer Services again.

 

JB 🙂

[chengkp75]

8 hours ago, Oceanside2 said:

John and Hank, who would we E-Mail? We called MSC Customer Service and they said no but another said maybe but if they get fined, they will pass it on to us. How much would the fine be?

This is a case of a customer service rep answering a question using a boilerplate answer sheet.  The fine would be if this was a US based cruise, due to the US's cabotage laws.  While the EU also has similar cabotage laws, unless the port prior to Majorca was also in Spain, there will be no fine or problem with EU laws.  If the prior port is in Spain, there may be a cabotage problem, but whether there would be a fine or not, I can't say.

[BruceMuzz]

Whenever you contact a cruise line Head Office to get an answer on issues like this, the Head Office then emails the ship and has the Purser contact the local Agent to get a definitive answer to the question.

That is what you can do. It is even easier to speak personally to the ship's Purser once you get onboard. He can usually get an answer for you within one day.

 

It may be helpful for you to know that in most cases, your cabin keycard is your temporary visa to visit the country the ship has called at. The moment that your ship is out of the country's territorial waters, your temporary visa is cancelled. If you are no longer onboard the ship when that happens, you instantly become an illegal alien.

It is very important that you notify the ship when you board, that you plan to disembark early. This allows time for the ship and the Agent to arrange proper visa procedures to keep everyting legal.

[John Bull]

1 hour ago, BruceMuzz said:

. It is even easier to speak personally to the ship's Purser once you get onboard. He can usually get an answer for you within one day.

.

 

Absolutely, Bruce. Crew on-board (understandably) know far more than head-office staff on matters like this, ship-issued visas, passports, inoculation requirements, etc etc.

Problem is, other arrangements - hotels, ferries, flights etc - can't be left until then, at least not without excessive late-booking grief & costs.

I've often wondered - is there any way to get the answer from the ship in advance ?

 

JB 🙂

[BruceMuzz]

6 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Absolutely, Bruce. Crew on-board (understandably) know far more than head-office staff on matters like this, ship-issued visas, passports, inoculation requirements, etc etc.

Problem is, other arrangements - hotels, ferries, flights etc - can't be left until then, at least not without excessive late-booking grief & costs.

I've often wondered - is there any way to get the answer from the ship in advance ?

 

JB 🙂

Yes, there is.

If you can find the email address or telephone number of the ship, you can contact them directly.

If you canot find those contact numbers, you must go through the Head Office and they can make the request to the ship for you.