Can you really just "show up" at the cruise terminal? (cruise for $100 - rumor?)

[jetskier]

The answer is 15 minutes before the vessel departs from the US.

 

On April 7, 2005, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) issued a final rule entitled “Electronic Transmission of Passenger and Crew Manifests for Vessels and Aircraft” (70 Fed. Reg. 17820). The rule requires electronic submission of manifests prior to arrival and departure from the United States and became effective on June 6, 2005.

 

Information Required to Be Collected

 

Passenger and crew arrival manifests must include the following information, where applicable: (1) full name; (2) date of birth; (3) gender; (4) citizenship; (5) country of residence; (6) status onboard the vessel; (7) travel document type; (8) passport number; (9) passport country of issuance; (10) passport expiration date; (11) alien registration number; (12) address in the United States; (13) passenger name record locator; (14) foreign port or place where trip began; (15) port or place of first arrival; (16) final foreign port or place of destination; (17) vessel name; (18) vessel registry; (19) vessel IMO or other official number; (20) voyage number; and (21) date of vessel arrival.

 

Passenger and crew departure manifest requirements are largely the same, but omit (1) country of residence; (2) address in the United States; and (3) port or place of first arrival. Additionally, the departure manifests must include the date of vessel departure versus the date of vessel arrival, as listed in requirement (21) of the previous paragraph.

 

“Verification” Requirement

 

For both vessel arrival and departure manifests, operators have an obligation to compare the travel document (e.g., passport) presented by the passenger with the manifest information it intends to submit to the CBP to ensure that the information is accurate. Although the extent of an operator's legal obligation to cross-check this information is unclear, the CBP has stated that it only expects operators to make a “reasonable effort” to ensure accuracy. For example, operators should ensure that the travel document appears to be valid for travel to the United States and that the passenger or crew member presenting the document is the person to whom it was issued.

 

Time Requirement for Transmission of Information

 

For arrivals into the United States, passenger and crew manifests are due at least 96 hours before entering the first United States port or destination for voyages of 96 hours or more. For voyages between 24 and 96 hours, the manifests are due prior to departure of the vessel. In the case of voyages less than 24 hours, the manifests are due at least 24 hours before entering the first U.S. port or destination. In the event of an emergency that forces a vessel to make a stop in a U.S. port, the CBP expects manifest transmission before the vessel enters the U.S. port, but it will take into consideration the circumstances of the emergency and the carrier's ability to transmit the information. For departures from the United States, manifests must be submitted no later than 15 minutes before the vessel departs from the United States. For both arrival and departures, amendments to manifests may be made in case crew members board the vessel after original submission. For arrival crew manifests, these amendments are due at least 12 to 24 hours prior to arrival, depending on the time remaining in the voyage. For departure crew manifests, amendments must be submitted no later than 12 hours after departure from the U.S.

[Little Feet]

While it was not as cheap at $100.00, we evacuated onto a HAL ship during hurricane season 2004. We were staying on a barrier island (Florida)and would have to move inland the next day if we did not go somewhere else. Our TA got us on the next ship out & quite a nice verandah cabin. the weather was still very bad after one week and the cruise line offered us a very nice deal, even cheaper, if we wanted to stay on board another week. It can be done, and the Security thing is not really as iron clad as we are made to think.

[barbarah33]

I don't know about showing up at the pier and just getting on a ship but you can get some deals if you're willing to wait until the last minute. Two years ago I booked on a Friday for a cruise leaving that Sunday and we got a rate of $99 per person for a week long cruise! Of course we had to add taxes and port charges to that $99 fare but still it was a VERY cheap cruise. It left from Boston so no plane tickets needed and it was a 'best available' cabin. Six of us took three cabins and we all ended up getting outside mid-ship so no complaints there.

 

I found out about it through an email. The ship was apparently quite empty so getting people in those cabins for little money then hoping they spend while on board is better than no income at all. If you have a good travel agent and you're interested they often get faxed 'last minute' deals a week or two before a ship sails. If you think you may be interested you should let him or her know to keep you in mind.

[Happy ks]

Seven years ago, I did the 4 night $199 cruise on the Tropicale out of Tampa. I'd seen it advertised. We were taking 4 boys (age 12-14). So we signed up for the cheapest rooms, not 2 months before debarkment. We somehow got an upgrade to OV midship. The boys loved it, I loved it.

 

No way Carnival came out on that cruise! The boys ate more than $200 each, most times 2 entrees a night. Every picture we have they were either eating ice cream or had it dribbled down the front of their shirts. They were not wasteful, just growing boys. The would have contest to see who could eat the most in a day. My son topped out at 39! I finished up the cruise with more money than I left home with...not by much, but I spent plenty & did plenty, and still came out ahead in the casino (although they have reclaimed that money since!). It was probably the best vacation/cruise in all of them & the cheapest.

quote]

 

Did you know that the cruiselines budget around $12 per day, per pax, for food? Even if your sons ate more than a typical share, they would have had to consume enough for more than 5 people to exceed their cost allowance. It averages out, because some eat far less than the allowance.

 

Like Vegas casinos, cruiselines make money, no matter what.

 

But, it does sound like you had a fun vacation with the kids :)