What happens if I don't take the cruise back?

Doing a 2 night cruise from FLL to Free port and back to FLL. It's only where you get off in Bahamas but have to come back. What happens if we don't come back on the cruise and stay on the island at resorts instead? And then book a one-way ticket back for the return?

Does this violate that Jones Act thing? Are we subject to penalties?

The cruise line is Bahamas Paradise aka Grand Celebration I believe-that cheap one that gives out the free 3 day/2night cruises

Doing a 2 night cruise from FLL to Free port and back to FLL. It's only where you get off in Bahamas but have to come back. What happens if we don't come back on the cruise and stay on the island at resorts instead? And then book a one-way ticket back for the return?

 

Does this violate that Jones Act thing? Are we subject to penalties?

 

The cruise line is Bahamas Paradise aka Grand Celebration I believe-that cheap one that gives out the free 3 day/2night cruises

Few here are familiar with that ship/cruise line. I suggest that you call them with your question.

I've seen packages that offer transportation on that ship to the Bahamas, a stay at a resort, and then transportation back to the U.S. on the same ship.

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Few here are familiar with that ship/cruise line. I suggest that you call them with your question.

I did chat with them and the guy seemed very vague by when I asked what will happen and he said "you will be left behind" Then I asked will I be penalized and he said "Yes you will be penalized by having to book a one-way cruise back"....and then he did not answer me after.

There are also ferries that travel to the Bahamas out of Miami and Ft Lauderdale.

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It’s not a PVSA/Jones act violation.

I do think that in this situation you’ll need the cruise line to be aware because you may have to go through a separate customs process than the other cruise ship passengers. If you were to just walk off with luggage and not saying anything, just a guess, but you may get challenged in the airport on your return flight home for not having an entry stamp.

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I've seen packages that offer transportation on that ship to the Bahamas, a stay at a resort, and then transportation back to the U.S. on the same ship.

 

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I offered a similar suggestion and its disappeared

If you do try this, make sure you have a valid passport for the flight home. Many cruises that return to the same US port that they left from will allow you to travel with just an original birth certificate and a government issued picture ID. But many people get in a mess of trouble if they miss the ship and have to fly back to the US, or they get seriously sick and have to leave the ship for hospitalization. They need a passport to return home by air. In your case, you want to intentionally miss the ship and return home by another ship or by air. Don't even try this without a valid passport.

You need permission in advance from the Captain - they will escort you off the ship first thing upon arrival and then be escorted to Customs and Immigration. Something that needs to be arranged upon booking the cruise