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Choosing Personal Embarkation Port


Oca

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DH and I may be interested in taking a transatlantic cruise on the Westerdam in October, 2010. It leaves from Piraeus, makes a stop in Katakolon (Day 1), has a sea day (Day 2) and then on Day 3 arrives in Venice. It has a scheduled overnight in Venice departing on Day 4 at 12 noon.

 

Is it possible for us to join the ship and embark in Venice on Day 3? We are planning to spend some time prior to the cruise in Italy, finishing up in Venice, and do not want to go to Piraeus to meet the ship for the additional couple of cruise days.

 

I figure that if our flights had been delayed and we had missed the sailaway in Piraeus, HAL wouldn't have a problem with us joining up with them in Venice but I'm not sure if they would allow such a thing just because of personal choice. We would not be asking for a lower fare since it would be our choice to do this. Does anyone know the answer to this question?

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DH and I may be interested in taking a transatlantic cruise on the Westerdam in October, 2010. It leaves from Piraeus, makes a stop in Katakolon (Day 1), has a sea day (Day 2) and then on Day 3 arrives in Venice. It has a scheduled overnight in Venice departing on Day 4 at 12 noon.

 

Is it possible for us to join the ship and embark in Venice on Day 3? We are planning to spend some time prior to the cruise in Italy, finishing up in Venice, and do not want to go to Piraeus to meet the ship for the additional couple of cruise days.

 

I figure that if our flights had been delayed and we had missed the sailaway in Piraeus, HAL wouldn't have a problem with us joining up with them in Venice but I'm not sure if they would allow such a thing just because of personal choice. We would not be asking for a lower fare since it would be our choice to do this. Does anyone know the answer to this question?

 

We are currently asking HAL if we can do something similar but the other way round.

 

We are thinking of taking the Noordam TA next May from Ft Lauderdale to Barcelona. The day before Barcelona the ship calls at Alicante which is where we live. It would be silly for us to stay on for the last night, disembark in Barcelona then have to fly to Alicante.

 

We are waiting for a reply from HAL. They say they have to get agreement from port authorities.

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We are waiting for a reply from HAL. They say they have to get agreement from port authorities.
Typically they need the approval due to customs/Immigration officials of the country. Not all ports have them available.

 

For the OP - this probably won't be a problem for your situation (I know, famous last words). However, expect to pay for the entire cruise - even the days prior to your boarding.

 

Good luck to you both!

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OP,

 

You definitely need to get HAL approval to do that but I think the chances very good they will agree. You will have to pay for missed days, as stated above, but it shouldn't be a problem. You definitely need to be on a list the local authorities will have in order for you to even enter the terminal/port area where the ship is docked.

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Though you live there, you need to process through Immigration and Customs. You cannot enter and disembark with all your luggage without whatever process all travelers returning from being out of the country must do. If you were returning by air, you'd process at the airport. Entering by ship, you must process at the port. HAL has to be sure the proper authorities will be present to do that.

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Immigration should not be a problem as we live here.
As Sail mentioned you'll still need to go through Immigration. Do you think that as U.S. citizens, we don't go through Immigration when disembarking a cruise here? :eek:
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