Are There Any Cruises That Do Not Go Out of the USA? Please (more info inside)

[JasonShannon76]

My husband and I have been on 2 WONDERFUL Royal Caribbean Cruises (one to the Caribbean and 1 to Mexico). We loved them both!

 

I really want to take my kids on a cruise, but I put a clause in my custody papers that my ex cannot take them out of the country (which means I need to follow the same rules).

 

Every single Royal Caribbean Cruise I see has at least one port in Canada or Mexico. I tried looking for Hawaiian or Alaskan Cruises, but they all have at least 1 stop in Canada or Mexico, which requires a passport.

 

Are there ANY cruises that stay only in the USA without going to another country? I'd love a San Diego to Seattle or something like that. Or even a San Diego to Hawaii that does not stop in Mexico.

 

 

If you know of any (it doesn't matter what cruise line, but we prefer Royal Caribbean), please let me know! Thanks so much!!

 

:)

[RoofingPrincess]

Sorry, Shannon, I suspect you're out of luck. And it's not just Royal Caribbean, it's probably all cruise lines.

I believe they have to stop in at least one foreign port so as not to run afoul of the Passenger Vessel Services Act.

[akcruz]

Unfortunately there is a law (don't know what the name is but I'm sure someone here does) that states a ship must make a call outside of the US, so bottom line is No, there are not US only cruises.

 

I do think NCL has one in Hawaii but they had to do something special but haven't heard great reviews on it. Sorry.

 

One other note, while passports are highly suggested they are not required for cruises that depart from and return to a US port, only original birth certificates. Not sure if that will help you or not???

[NYcruzzer]

Sorry, Shannon, I suspect you're out of luck. And it's not just Royal Caribbean, it's probably all cruise lines.

I believe they have to stop in at least one foreign port so as not to run afoul of the Passenger Vessel Services Act.

 

NCL Pride of America would work under your circumstances

 

Sat Honolulu - 8:00 PM

Sun

Mon Maui (Kahului) 8:00 AM

- Overnight

6:00 PM

Tue Hilo 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Wed Kona 7:00 AM 6:00 PM

Thu

Fri Kauai 8:00 AM

- Overnight

2:00 PM

Sat Honolulu 7:00 AM -

[John Henry on CC]

There is a law called the Passenger Services Act, or PSA, popularly referred to as the Jones Act.

 

These are cabotage laws, and many countries have them.

 

They are written to protect the domestic ship industry.

 

They basically say that only U.S. flagged ships can transport cargo and/or people between two U.S. ports.

 

There are exceptions for "closed-loop" sailings, i.e., ones that depart and return to the same U.S. port. These, however, MUST stop in at least one foreign port. If they DO sail between two different U.S. ports, i.e., they do NOT return to the place where they started, they must stop in at least one "distant" foreign port.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line has experimented with an all-American ship. (it's not really, but they were allowed to fudge the details). There were two (3?) but now there is only one. (is it still going?) It does Hawaii only cruises.

 

All other cruiselines have to do "work-arounds" that result in stops in Mexico, Canada or some tiny little island in the middle of the Pacific whose name eludes me at the moment.

[Maxiecat3]

I do not know exactly how your divorce papers read, but in my divorce, neither parent was able to leave the state (or country) without the other parents permission. Would you be able to get a signed statement allowing you to take the children on a cruise. I never had a problem even though we didn't have a pretty divorce, because we both tried to put the children first. As you can see I have been on 3 cruises with my kids.

 

Gregg

[critterchick]

Can you get your ex to sign a waiver of the clause? Otherwise NCLA is your only option. Or a river cruise in Oregon, but I suspect that your kids would be bored silly.

[mjldvlks]

The problem is that most cruise ships are flagged in foreign countries for a variety of tax and labor law reasons. The law mentioned above precludes foreign flagged ships from cruising and returning to the US without visiting a foreign port. There are arcane rules about near foreign ports and distant foreign ports that apply, but are probably irrelevant to your situation.

 

The only possible answer that I am aware of is NCL. I believe NCL still runs one US flagged ship [the Pride of America] that visits only Hawaii. One caution -- even this ship may venture outside of US waters so beware of the possibility this may violate your custody orders.

 

[i see several others gave you the same information while I was trying to verify NCl was still running these cruises. For what it's worth they are still listed on NCL's website.]

[John Henry on CC]

There are small cruise companies that do American cruises. These are small ships.

 

Cruise West: http://www.cruisewest.com/alaska-cruises

 

Lindblad/National Geographic: http://www.expeditions.com/Itineraries45.asp?Expedition=187&Destination=282

 

USA River Cruises: http://usarivercruises.com/index.php

 

American Cruiselines: http://www.smallshipcruises.com/americancruises.shtml

[ma_t_gus]

NCL has a 2 night cruise to nowhere from LA on 11/21/09. Kids might have a good time since most of them like to hang out on the pool area all day. You wouldn't need to get off.

[The Big Booper]

..>>SNIP<<...All other cruiselines have to do "work-arounds" that result in stops in Mexico, Canada or some tiny little island in the middle of the Pacific whose name eludes me at the moment.

 

You are thinking of Fanning Island, a desolate slag heap far away from Hawaii. NCL used that for it's Hawaii sailings before they requested that Sen Inouye help legitimize NCLA with it's "American Fleet". Originally 3 ships, NCL lost a fortune before downsizing to one ship in the NCLA division.

 

My wife says I am a trove of useless trivia, which is why we do great in the on-board trivia games and win tons of cruise cr-p. She wants me to try out for daytime "Millionaire".

[JasonShannon76]

Here is the deal, yes my papers say that we can do it the other parent gives permission. My problem is, that he is not exactly trustworthy (lots of past history there) which is why I made sure my papers state that. He asks me all the time to take them out of the country (to dangerous places that I do not want him to take them). I always say "no" because I do not trust that he will bring them back. If I asked him, he'd say yes but only if I agree to let him take them also. So that is why I'd rather just find a US Cruise if possible.

 

Now how come NCL is allowed to do a US Only Cruise in Hawaii but the other cruise lines are not? How did they get around that?

 

Thanks for your help!

[mjldvlks]

. . . win tons of cruise cr-p. She wants me to try out for daytime "Millionaire".

Innumerable key chains, caps, document holders, waterproof wallets, medals, a T shirt or two [usually from some discontinued program], and assorted other bits and pieces. I know what you mean. As the designated trivia host on Monarch last fall said: "More cr-p to pack."

[John Henry on CC]

You are thinking of Fanning Island, a desolate slag heap far away from Hawaii. NCL used that for it's Hawaii sailings before they requested that Sen Inouye help legitimize NCLA with it's "American Fleet". Originally 3 ships, NCL lost a fortune before downsizing to one ship in the NCLA division.

 

My wife says I am a trove of useless trivia, which is why we do great in the on-board trivia games and win tons of cruise cr-p. She wants me to try out for daytime "Millionaire".

 

Thank you for filling in the gap between neurons. :)

 

I LOVE Royal Caribbean Crap! Viva La Trivia!

[John Henry on CC]

Here is the deal, yes my papers say that we can do it the other parent gives permission. My problem is, that he is not exactly trustworthy (lots of past history there) which is why I made sure my papers state that. He asks me all the time to take them out of the country (to dangerous places that I do not want him to take them). I always say "no" because I do not trust that he will bring them back. If I asked him, he'd say yes but only if I agree to let him take them also. So that is why I'd rather just find a US Cruise if possible.

 

Now how come NCL is allowed to do a US Only Cruise in Hawaii but the other cruise lines are not? How did they get around that?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

As several of us have explained to you, NCL has an American-flagged ship, the Pride of America. Since it was "built" in the United States (it wasn't really, that's the part that they fudged) and employes U.S. workers on board and obeys U.S. labor laws and flies the American flag, it is part of the "protected" industry described above. IT has permission to sail within the United States.

[39august]

NCL's ship in Hawaii is an American registered ship. All the other major cruise lines ships are registered in other countries. That's how NCL can do this.

[The Big Booper]

..>>SNIP<<...Now how come NCL is allowed to do a US Only Cruise in Hawaii but the other cruise lines are not? How did they get around that?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

The restrictions of the PSA apply to foreign flagged cruise ships, which covers every ship except NCL's American Division (NCLA). They can cruise leaving a US port and stopping only at other US Ports.

 

NCLA uses American Flagged ships (down to one now) that fly the American Flag, are registered in the US, are subject to US labor laws and emply mostly US citizens. And American young people don't want to put the long hours in that young people from poorer countries willingly do. Constant turnover leads to poorer service. And there are no casinos on the ship.

[Carolin]

You can take a cruise to nowhere. They aren't long but definitely american ports only.

[Sunny AZ Girl]

Now how come NCL is allowed to do a US Only Cruise in Hawaii but the other cruise lines are not? How did they get around that?

 

Thanks for your help!

I am sure others can give you more accurate details as to what had to happen, but in a nutshell NCL USA had to reflag these ships to be under the US flag. By doing so they had to hire mostly US workers and be able to fit under all the US labor laws. The end result has been poorer than average service reviews. However, I know several people who have gone on these cruise and have enjoyed them. The more experienced cruisers I know say that you will have a good time if you don't go with the expectation that it will be the same cruise experience as you have enjoyed on RCI. You are going for the islands anyway. You would still have fun. I would go for it! I can understand your concerns about getting parental permission for any other cruises.

[BonneAmie]

Now how come NCL is allowed to do a US Only Cruise in Hawaii but the other cruise lines are not? How did they get around that?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

NCL's ship is registered in the US - All the other cruise lines have ships registered in foreign countries. The ship must have a hull built in the US to fly an American flag + registering in the US is a lot more expensive.

[critterchick]

Here is the deal, yes my papers say that we can do it the other parent gives permission. My problem is, that he is not exactly trustworthy (lots of past history there) which is why I made sure my papers state that. He asks me all the time to take them out of the country (to dangerous places that I do not want him to take them). I always say "no" because I do not trust that he will bring them back. If I asked him, he'd say yes but only if I agree to let him take them also. So that is why I'd rather just find a US Cruise if possible.

 

Now how come NCL is allowed to do a US Only Cruise in Hawaii but the other cruise lines are not? How did they get around that?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

In order to operate in US waters without any foreign ports, the company must be a US company, the ship must be built in the US and the crew must be some overwhelming percentage US citizens (90%?)

 

NCLA lobbied hard to get an exemption to the US-built law so that they could operate in Hawaii. From everything I have heard (including a trusted neighbor who is a travel commentator on radio), the service is apparently horrid and the overall experience lackluster at best.

 

Sorry that you're in such a difficult situation.

[JasonShannon76]

Ok, Thank You so much for your informative answers! I understand about ships being flagged in other places.

 

Now, are there any cruise lines that offer the "Cruise to Nowhere" besides NCL? I'd love to be on a RCCL Cruise to Nowhere, but I did not see them on their website! After all, they would not be "docking" in other places, so it should be allowed right? LOL

 

My boys are 11 and 13, if I want them to be on RCCL I just might have to wait until they are 18! :)

 

OH and BY THE WAY, I LOVE Royal Caribbean Trivia!! I always win that junk. I excel in the "Name that Tune" (Romantic Movies), 80's Trivia, Movie Trivia, and my husband did well in Sports Trivia. :) :)

[red devil 66]

I was told that a foreign port is necessary to allow the casino to operate for the cruise duration. Hawaii with NCL may well be your only option, as OP have said. I feel for you in your custody position. Good luck!

[MagicMike]

There's also

 

http://www.americancruiselines.com/

 

Small ships, expensive.

 

There are small cruise companies that do American cruises. These are small ships.

 

Cruise West: http://www.cruisewest.com/alaska-cruises

 

Lindblad/National Geographic: http://www.expeditions.com/Itineraries45.asp?Expedition=187&Destination=282

 

USA River Cruises: http://usarivercruises.com/index.php

 

American Cruiselines: http://www.smallshipcruises.com/americancruises.shtml

[JasonShannon76]

Yes, those ships do look small and expensive.

 

A cruise to nowhere might be an option, if I can find a nice cruise line that does them. Thanks!