jenesaisquoi11

Update: We were able to disembark. They were disappointed in us, I guess, so we used the fact that I needed a medical appointment as an explanation, which was true although not our initial reason to leave. We checked out at Guest Services before, which was good because they made sure to clear us as we took our bags off in the port. We had no issues flying between EU countries or any passport control at the port. It was pretty stressful, and I wouldn't recommend it, but NCL also didn't trap us in our stateroom or anything.

Also, I don't know how you guys can cruise for longer than a few days...I thought I'd need to buy new clothes for all the food I ate and drinks I had!

Thank you for all who gave advice.

 

Note that all these approvals must be secured in advance.

Can you think of any issue we'd have if we didn't get approval? Could they trap us on the boat? Fine us thousands of dollars? The responses we got from NCL were very like "We don't allow this...but if you read between the lines, we'll let you do this." If I had a medical issue, they couldn't keep me on board, right?

FYI we got approval from the port in Tallinn. And we've got plane tix, so this is happening. Ill-advised or not, we're going to attempt it. I'll report back on how it goes.

Thanks for all the kind words about my boyfriend's defense. I'm sure he'll do fine.

You need to ask your line.

I messed up my reply, but I already called NCL and they had to give me the official line, which is "You should plan to complete the cruise". That's why I'm looking for more of a realistic answer not given by the company.

I called NCL and they had to give me the official line. That's why I'm asking for clarification here.

Hi all, first attempt posting. So much useful info here! Hopefully this hasn't been asked.

My boyfriend's brother is getting married on a 9 day cruise a few weeks before my boyfriend defends his PhD thesis. He wants to be able to go on the cruise (9 days baltic with NCL), but he'll basically be a mess of nerves wishing he could make last minute changes and be working. It's the absolute worst timing, and 9 days is ridiculously long. It's like demanding all your wedding guests take a 2 week vacation. Frustrating. It's a silly problem to have someone buying you a vacation, but the timing could not be worse.

Anyway, we thought we could come to a compromise where we go on the cruise for the first section while the wedding happens, and then disembark in Tallinn Estonia or St. Petersburg, Russia, and fly back to Copenhagen and then home. Talking to the NCL guys on the phone, it was clear they don't want you to do this, but essentially they won't stop you or help you. However, I have a few concerns:

1) Will there be any issue getting our passports for when we disembark?

2) They said "You could have customs issues", which I assume would mean that we go through customs in Estonia or Russia and have to have papers in order...but like could the customs agents be upset that we left early? That we already have flights booked?

3) Would Russia be more of an issue with the political climate (Americans)?

Thanks for any answers. I've mostly seen questions about the Caribbean, so I wasn't sure what international laws might be at play in Europe.