Can you book at the pier ?

[Gilbo]

We are travelling over Christmas from Canada and we are not sure what we will be doing. We thought if we can go to the pier and book then ? Any insight ?

Tia

[zoncom]

No way. Ships have to present passenger manifest to authorities to assure no bad guys will be aboard.72 hours prior to sail as I recall.Aside from that, ships sail full and probably priciest 2 weeks of year.

[wieslaw]

Few years ago it was possible but not anymore.

I read a lot of posts and have not seen one that someone was able to do that in last few years.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Cruise lines submit preliminary manifests to DHS & CBP at 72 hrs, Final manifest sent at 48 or 24 hrs depending on cruiseline. Typically once final manifest sent they allow no new bookings or name changes.

 

Rather than trying to book at the pier you would want to call various cruise lines directly and see what, if any, rooms are still available at about 72 hrs out. Prices will most likely be high, and selection limited, if rooms can even still be had. As others have said the ships sail full and Christmas/New Years are two of the most expensive, and heavily booked, weeks of the year.

[GUT2407]

Certainly not in Canada, and not in any other country I know of, there are all sorts of security checks to be carried out first.

[soxfan2013]

I think I've seen cabins being offered on the Celebrity website within 72 hours...I have a sense they might sell up to 24 hours in advance, but not sure.

[Keith1010]

Homeland Security does not allow this.

 

All cruise lines must provide them with a list of everyone traveling prior to embarkation day.

 

Keith

[Essiesmom]

Lots of misinformation here. It's possible that cruise lines submit a manifest 72 hours in advance....But that is not the final manifest. That is submitted 60 minutes before sailing. Most lines allow you to call the day/evening before sailing and book - but you have to call, can't do it online. With Carnival, you can call in the morning and sail in the afternoon. this does mean that you would have to be there to check in 90 minutes before sailing, as you would not be able to do online checkin. EM

[DZalumni]

It usually depends on the agency you use to book. Interline lets you up to the very last minute (depending on cruise line rules). We've booked Holland American the day before and Celebrity & Disney 2 days out.

[cle-guy]

I have booked on a friday at 6pm EST for a cruise that leaves on Sunday at 4pm. Just last summer Summit to Bermuda. Even got an AquaClass cheaper than a veranda, and with no single supplement!

[chrismakris]

I've always wondered the same thing. I was going to a wedding downtown Vancouver and one of the Celebrity ships was in port. I looked at it was trying to figure out if I should go to the wedding or just go to the ship and see if i could get on for an Alaska cruise. [emoji13]

[agargoyle]

Hi,

 

I am not sure how Celebrity does short notice booking but I know NCL does.. we were cruising out of New Orleans once and several people showed up saying they had called the night before.

 

I was also checking out the Princess website. You can sign up for short notification cruises. When I retire I think that will be one of the first things I do.

[wieslaw]

I have booked on a friday at 6pm EST for a cruise that leaves on Sunday at 4pm. Just last summer Summit to Bermuda. Even got an AquaClass cheaper than a veranda, and with no single supplement!

 

Hi,

how do you handle the transportation to the port city from your residence on such a short notice ?

 

For me (and probably for a lot of us if not most of us) it would be almost impossible: either no air available , .... or very expensive tickets.

Edited September 9, 2015 by wieslaw

[DrivesLikeMario]

Hi,

 

I am not sure how Celebrity does short notice booking but I know NCL does.. we were cruising out of New Orleans once and several people showed up saying they had called the night before.

 

I was also checking out the Princess website. You can sign up for short notification cruises. When I retire I think that will be one of the first things I do.

 

Good luck with that. I've had that little box checked with Princess for years and have never, ever been offered a last-minute cruise. I live within 1-2 hours of two ports too. :(

[oneputt18]

No sailings for Celebrity tomorrow, but Royals Liberty has cabins available for tomorrow's sailing.

[Gilbo]

Thanks everyone for the info. I called celebrity and they don't sell cabins at the pier:-(.

[Langley Cruisers]

Thanks everyone for the info. I called celebrity and they don't sell cabins at the pier:-(.

 

No offense, but isn't that what everyone who replied said? :) You can buy a fare on short notice (each company is different) but you can't buy a room at the pier and hop on the ship.