Celebrity Cruises won't let passenger leave ship

[ahwahoo2006]

"When we reached Juneau, I had to return to Los Angeles. But when I tried, with my luggage, to leave the ship along with the hundreds of other passengers disembarking to see the city, the ship's crew stopped me and informed me that I would not be permitted to leave the ship with my luggage. Then, in the rudest possible way and without explanation, the ship's security escorted me, as though I were a criminal, to the ship's Guest Relations desk, where the security officer informed the concierge that I had tried to escape."

 

http://consumerist.com/5039311/celebrity-cruises-wont-let-passenger-leave-ship-and-go-home

 

http://withoutbaggage.com/essays/66716/

[Gonzo70]

This likely was because of the Jones Act; the U.S. has a law that does not allow people to leave a cruise ship when it departs from a U.S. port until it has travelled to a foreign country. In emerencies some arrangement often can be made (there often would be a fine involved that sometimes can be waived for emergencies), but you have to clear that with the ship. It is not the ship assessing the fine, but the government.

[judie43]

Hank...sorry you had a problem but I loved reading your story...you are a funny guy!!!

[PurpleCow]

I see this is your first post to CC. Had you been here previous to your cruise you would probably have known about the "Jones Act" and proceded through the proper channels to leave the ship in Juneau. There's lots of discussion about this silly law here on these boards.Sorry for your trouble, though you seem to have made the best of it. I enjoyed reading your tale of woe.

[SCCAcruiser]

If you click on the "consumerist" link and read the full thread, not just the OP's side of the story, you see the proper reference to the Passenger Vessel Act, a 122 year old law that is sadly in need of updating. This law has led to the mess in Hawaii, whereby NCL had to conform to numerous requirements (most importantly, hiring U.S. citizens, at U.S. wage rates, as crew) that were untenable economically (as well as a failure on a service-delivery basis) just to have ships sail around Hawaii without long treks across the Pacific. The same reason that every ship sailing out of Seattle has to make a few hour stop in Victoria, B.C. Absurd. Come on, Congress, there's no "U.S. passenger shipping industry" to protect anymore!

 

And, as some say in that thread, if the guy had made proper arrangements, it probably would have gone smoothly (although probably still having to pay the government's fine). But to just show up at the gangway with your luggage - how do you expect Security to react???

 

Each time I read this type of "tale of woe", it reminds me of my boss in one of my first jobs - his favorite saying to his staff: "Remember the Seven P's: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance."

[shipshape sam]

"When we reached Juneau, I had to return to Los Angeles. But when I tried, with my luggage, to leave the ship along with the hundreds of other passengers disembarking to see the city, the ship's crew stopped me and informed me that I would not be permitted to leave the ship with my luggage. Then, in the rudest possible way and without explanation, the ship's security escorted me, as though I were a criminal, to the ship's Guest Relations desk, where the security officer informed the concierge that I had tried to escape."

 

http://consumerist.com/5039311/celebrity-cruises-wont-let-passenger-leave-ship-and-go-home

 

http://withoutbaggage.com/essays/66716/

 

Great story telling article! Glad you did make it off the ship.

 

I liked the waffles, but loved the omelettes! Also for lunch, the pasta bar was my siren song. I am fortunate that I love to walk/exercise to counter the effects of my weaknesses!

 

You ought to consider Travel writing. Could pay for the trip! :)

[catkoe1]

In my opinion, with the security in effect with all modes of transportation....look how much paperwork and security you needed to get on the ship... Wouldn't you think at the end of a voyage, everyone would need to be cleared "OFF THE SHIP" as well?

 

This could have easily been handled as we did it once before also...in Hawaii. We were staying in Maui for a week after a cruise. Our last port before cruising back to Honolulu the next morning was Maui. We called the cruise line... We explained and asked nicely if we might be able to get off the ship in Maui to stay at our vacation home. They said yes, all you need to do is this, this, and this.. We met the customs agents in the morning and then we met our luggage at the end of the dock and we were set to go. All we missed was the last night putting our luggage out. We were thrilled they went out of their way to help us do this. It sure did save us the hassle of getting off the ship in honolulu and then getting to the airport to fly back to Maui. This was, of course, prior to the ferry being opened.

So with all of this said, we learn by those things that sometimes are the hardest for us to accomplish. However, I loved your story. Very funny and well written....but it sure sounds, you are better suited for a more adventuresome cruise next time. Hope you did enjoy your cruise somewhat!!!

 

Happy Cruisin' To All!

[MonaCD]

If you go to the original blog site http://withoutbaggage.com/ you will see that "Without Baggage is an online magazine about traveling." and "Hank Leukart, the personality behind Without Baggage, is a Los Angeles-based freelance television producer (Big Brother on CBS) and journalist (covering travel, technology, and the arts)."

 

This information and the tone of the article suggests to me that the author took some poetic license it telling his tale. Though I'm sure the incident took place I think he's embellished it somewhat to make it more entertaining to his readers. I found it humorous as well as being a cautionary tale to those who may be thinking of doing something similar.

 

This man is a world travler, so I'm sure he's been through more traumatic experiences. I suppose he just never thought that something as simple as a cruise might lead to him feeling like he was an escapee from the waffle boat.

[Susan-M]

It's unfortunate that you made the assumption that you could disembark the ship at any port and found out the hard way that it wasn't possible. A quick check with guest relations would have saved a lot of embarrassment and inconvenience. Also unfortunate that you had to cut a one week cruise short, esp. when it was a celebration of your mother's birthday and a family get-together that you were looking forward to.

[Host Anne]

Folks ~ I don't believe that the OP is the person (Hank) in the story. I think they were simply relaying the story here because it happened on a Celebrity ship. The OP doesn't say this happened to him/her.

 

Additionally, it's the kind of inaccurate reporting in the comsumerist article that drives me crazy (the Jones Act was not enacted in 2006) and makes me sad that I was a journalism major in college. It's pretty one-sided and it isn't "Celebrity" who does not allow passengers to disembark. It's a law (a rather poor one, but a law for now all the same).

[Susan-M]

Thanks for the clarification Anne.... I should have said "Hank" instead of "you" in my post above.

[shipshape sam]

It is a story told with humor. I reread the OP and the OP is from DC area (( assuming DC refers to District of Columbia) vs Damm California)), so looks like OP was just posting this article. :)

[cruzisme]

humourous story; a true event written to entertain us but also to inform.

I think it would be obvious that your first step would be to go to Guest Relations to explain the situation, as passengers do leave a ship early for different reasons.

 

Hank has a talent for writing which he has used well in his life and to make his living.:)

[Rogerm]

Will I have a problem? On our cruise in Oct., we're in Maui for 2 days. We are planning on staying at a hotel overnight. Maui is our first stop after departing from Ensenada, which means we need to go through US Customs there.

[Gonzo70]

Will I have a problem? On our cruise in Oct., we're in Maui for 2 days. We are planning on staying at a hotel overnight. Maui is our first stop after departing from Ensenada, which means we need to go through US Customs there.

 

I think that what you are doing is fine since you are not travelling from a U.S. Port. I am not 100% certain though.

[bug_dan]

Roger,

 

You will have to go through Immigration before we tender into Lahaina, not customs. The duty free shops on board are open after we leave the various ports, so you could purchase items that you would have to declare. These items would be no different than what you could purchase in Mexico before Embarkation. You will be required to fill out the standard customs form and turn it in before disembarking in Honolulu. Should you exceed the limits, you settle up in Honolulu. Should you disembark in Lahaina, that is leave the ship and not return, that would probably be subject to a fine.

[Blazerboy]

The article writer is a moron. And a malcontent. And a, shall I say, bender of truths. Typical drivel put out by those who don't really want to cruise, but are happy to find fault, make wild accusations, and give liberally enhanced versions of the situation all in the name of feeling superior to others by making snide comments.

 

But other than the above, I bet he's a great guy....;)

[Shirley and Les]

The article writer is a moron. And a malcontent. And a, shall I say, bender of truths. Typical drivel put out by those who don't really want to cruise, but are happy to find fault, make wild accusations, and give liberally enhanced versions of the situation all in the name of feeling superior to others by making snide comments.

 

But other than the above, I bet he's a great guy....;)

Don't hold back..... :eek: .... How do you really feel?

Les

[Gonzo70]

Don't hold back..... :eek: .... How do you really feel?

Les

 

lol, I was just about to type the same thing and saw your response! :D

[dkjretired]

And here is a story of a woman who doesn't want to leave the ship but has to...

 

http://www.gadling.com/2008/08/20/life-at-sea-9-year-cruise-ship-resident-looking-for-a-new-home/?icid=100214839x1207882862x1200440617

[DocJohnB]

It is a story told with humor. I reread the OP and the OP is from DC area (( assuming DC refers to District of Columbia) vs Damm California)), so looks like OP was just posting this article. :)

 

OK,

 

Now that clears this whole thing up. He is a politician . . . . :p

[Blazerboy]

Don't hold back..... :eek: .... How do you really feel?

Les

lol, I was just about to type the same thing and saw your response! :D

Was I too harsh?:o (don't let me read stupid articles when I'm dieting and it's 30 minutes until my next meal!)

 

A.-

[excitedofharpenden]

And here is a story of a woman who doesn't want to leave the ship but has to...

 

http://www.gadling.com/2008/08/20/life-at-sea-9-year-cruise-ship-resident-looking-for-a-new-home/?icid=100214839x1207882862x1200440617

 

Wow, she's still alive! I read about Beatrice Muller a few years ago. The sea air obviously does her good. Or maybe it's Cunard's cooking/hospitality;)

 

Phil

[Blazerboy]

Funny...I heard she just fell, broke her wrist, and is suing Cunard for $51 Million...perhaps she wants to buy her own ship.:rolleyes:

 

Andrew

[JNCRUISEBUMS]

If this is any help for you. We were on the Summit in September 2007 and we had 2 days in Maui, we got off the ship and spent the night at the Hyatt and had no problem whatsoever and didn't ask anyone's permission. We had a marvelous time! :cool: