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Found Out Why Cruise Staff Don't Go to Port Very Often.

JustCruiseMe

By JustCruiseMe,
in Carnival Cruise Lines

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Lace

Lace

Posted
Posted
Yes, we were just there and I had never thought of it but when told they (carnival) has to pay for every person getting off the ship to the country/port.

 

So what do they do about passengers that don't get off the ship? We never get off when we port in San Juan.

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JustCruiseMe

JustCruiseMe

Posted
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Posted (edited)
So what do they do about passengers that don't get off the ship? We never get off when we port in San Juan.

You know I never thought about it but I am guessing you paid for it just in case you want to go anyway.

 

PS: I'll never get off in SJU again either.

Edited by JustCruiseMe
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firemanbobswife

firemanbobswife

Posted
Posted
So what do they do about passengers that don't get off the ship? We never get off when we port in San Juan.

 

I'm guessing it's calculated on how many passengers on board. I don't get off a lot of times and I've never been credited back.

 

I remember watching that show on TV with the RC ship (at least I think it was that one, I've watched so many cruise shows) and if I remember right, they had a person from the ship meet the person who is in charge of the port with a check for how many people were on board. This was way before the ship was scheduled to leave, so it sounds like it's a predetermined amount based on passengers.

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!!SAM!!

!!SAM!!

Posted
Posted
Found out on our cruise last month that if they do they have to pay port fees and taxes.

 

 

I don't think this is correct. The ship has paid the port fees way before most passengers have even gotten off the ship. Much less the staff, who usually are not able to get off before noon.

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pauleydm

pauleydm

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Posted (edited)

I used to be a singer for two different cruise lines. There was never an issue getting off of the ship. A lot of the staff stay on board because they are still working. As an entertainer, my shows were at night, so I was able to get off at any port I chose:)

Edited by pauleydm
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kicia

kicia

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We've never had any of the staff/crew say they have to pay any fees. The reason most of them don't get off, assuming they're not working, is they would rather sleep. When they do get off most of the time they're at an internet café catching up on e-mails, etc.

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Tapi Great Review Rare

Tapi

Posted
Posted (edited)

I don't think this is right. Many crewmembers don't get off the ship simply because they are still on duty. As an airline crewmember, I am not subject to the same taxation as regular passengers are subject to. I cant see cruise ship crewmembers being treated differently. When I layover at an international destination, I enter and leave the country without being charged a dime.

 

And while most passengers do want to get off the ship and explore the different ports of call, from experience, crewmembers have been to these places SO many times that they don't even care about getting off the ship. Personally, when I'm working, many times I choose to relax at the hotel just because I've already "been there, done that".

Edited by Tapi
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CWcruisers

CWcruisers

Posted
Posted
I used to be a singer for two different cruise lines. There was never an issue getting off of the ship. A lot of the staff stay on board because they are still working. As an entertainer, my shows were at night, so I was able to get off at any port I chose:)

 

 

Thank you for that clarification.:)

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rolaur

rolaur

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I was an officer for Windjammer Barefoot Cruises for some time (granted a long time ago) and the crew never worried about port charges or taxes. These arrangements were made by and paid for from corporate in Miami long before we ever got to a port. If a crew member was off duty, they could request for shore leave and go. Even though you think these folks have been to these ports very often, they do go ashore to a free wifi spot or to a local bar that has great deals for crew. Plus just getting off the ship is nice.

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Lerin

Lerin

Posted
Posted
Alrighty, I guess I was given wrong information. I stand corrected! Thanks!

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

I see crew leaving ship all the time. On one cruise we took they were all over town, not sure who was even left on the ship!

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mtsnd1900

mtsnd1900

Posted
Posted

My friend worked for Princess. While in port, crew have some duties in addition to their normal duties such as buffet staff, or other areas on the ship. Her first few months, she would pay another staff member to take her shifts so she could go ashore, see the sites, etc. After visiting the same sites over time, and seeing everything in all the different ports, she stopped going ashore - she would then have the newer staff people pay her to work their shifts.

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lostdart1

lostdart1

Posted
Posted (edited)
Found out on our cruise last month that if they do they have to pay port fees and taxes.

 

Another bunch of "hooey rumor" getting spread here on these boards.

 

Port fees are charged by the port by the amount of passengers on the boat whether or not they actually get off the boat.

 

The crew is not "paying extra" to get off the boat.

 

Much of the crew gets off the boat to go to the calling centers that surround the boat to call or email home.....or to buy some sundries or groceries.

 

The officer and management staff my do some sightseeing in ports but the rest of the crew can't afford to pay others to do their shifts.

Edited by lostdart1
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frayedend

frayedend

Posted
Posted
May I ask why?

 

I'm curious too! I booked my next cruise on Valor out of San Juan and also a hotel 2 days early because I've heard such good things. Now there are 2 posts in this thread saying they don't like San Juan! Eeek, so what's wrong with San Juan?

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sparks1093 Great Review Rare

sparks1093

Posted
Posted
Alrighty, I guess I was given wrong information. I stand corrected! Thanks!

 

Sounds like your source may have been having you on. When I was in the Navy we used to make up stuff while talking to civilians to mess with their minds or impress them.

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Lace

Lace

Posted
Posted
I'm curious too! I booked my next cruise on Valor out of San Juan and also a hotel 2 days early because I've heard such good things. Now there are 2 posts in this thread saying they don't like San Juan! Eeek, so what's wrong with San Juan?

 

There's nothing "wrong" with San Juan. We have flown in the day before,and simply had an extra day of touring. Not sure about venturing out at night. We never did it. But if I did, we would have taken a cab to where we wanted to go.

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woodey

woodey

Posted
Posted

I have many friends who have worked in the Casinos on board...none of them ever told me they had to pay to get off.....I cant believe this information is correct but I will double check today and report back if this information hasn't been dealt with yet

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vacruizer

vacruizer

Posted
Posted

No charge for crew to get off the ship. They have very limited time off - sometimes just a few hours once a week on a port day, but they are usually anxious to get off the ship. Friends of ours always wanted non-ship food and to use Wi-Fi somewhere to check with their family at home.

 

As for the question about San Juan, it's a beautiful city. Plenty to see, lots of history, very walkable. There are lots of wonderful shops and restaurants and very few pushy vendors like some ports. Not sure why anyone would think it was terrible. :confused:

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indychristine

indychristine

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Posted

We enjoyed San Juan. I agree with what vacruizer said! I don't actually remember any pushy vendors and the city is nice to walk around. We took a tour and dropped off further away from the ship in town so that we could walk it. Hope you enjoy !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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LeisaH3067

LeisaH3067

Posted
Posted
I'm curious too! I booked my next cruise on Valor out of San Juan and also a hotel 2 days early because I've heard such good things. Now there are 2 posts in this thread saying they don't like San Juan! Eeek, so what's wrong with San Juan?

 

I don't think they said they didn't like San Juan, just that they wouldn't get off the ship again there. Don't worry, San Juan is a great port. Maybe it's just a case of them being there so many times before (or maybe they really don't care for it). We have been fortunate to visit Cozumel so many times before that we are actually thinking of staying on the ship in a few weeks for that port. I am liking the idea of relaxing and enjoying the empty ship.

 

We really enjoy San Juan and would love to experience it again.

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