Ever got a cruise the day it departs?

[sun16]

A few years ago someone we met on a cruise said they go to certain hotels near the Florida cruise port and they inquire about last minute cruises. Apparently the cruise lines use these hotels to help fill empty cabins at really low prices.

 

Anyone heard of this and if so do you have any information on it? Sounds too good to be true so thats why I'm asking. We will be in Florida in March and would be interested.

[easyboy]

Not heard of it. Sounds interesting!

 

 

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[cmdchiefthom]

With today's security issues, most Cruise Lines take a risk allowing someone to board not already on the passenger manifest. I believe, not absolutely sure however, that there is a certain number of days prior to sailing, beyond which you can't make a booking for security reasons. I'm sure some folks on Cruise Critic have the for sure info!;)

[calliopecruiser]

I think that's unlikely, for security reasons.

[leaveitallbehind]

I think it is something like 24-48 hours prior to departure in terms of final stateroom sales. Never heard of the hotel connection either. As most cruises sail full these days not sure what availability there would be other than within the time frame indicated or with too much of a discount. Additionally March in general with the spring school breaks is a very popular cruise season and not likely to have too many unsold staterooms - and not at a significant discount.

[Shmoo here]

A few years ago someone we met on a cruise said they go to certain hotels near the Florida cruise port and they inquire about last minute cruises. Apparently the cruise lines use these hotels to help fill empty cabins at really low prices.

 

Anyone heard of this and if so do you have any information on it? Sounds too good to be true so thats why I'm asking. We will be in Florida in March and would be interested.

Generally, it's possible to book a cruise all the way up to the morning of the cruise. But, typically, you have to do this via phone call if it's within 3 days of the cruise in question.

 

I doubt that trolling hotels for cruisers would be a good option.

[Essiesmom]

It is possible to book a cruise in the morning and sail in the afternoon. Particularly on Carnival. the rumor that the manifest must be in 72 - 48-24 hours before sailing has been debunked many times on this forum. It goes in 60 minutes before departure. That's why everyone must be checked in 60 minutes before departure. After the hurricanes last fall, and the shuffling of ships, Carnival emailed folks with offer of a free cruise if they could sail the next day. (they were casino offers). Some didn't get the emails until the next morning, and were able to sail. EM

[Keith1010]

My understanding is that this is no longer allowed due to security.

 

Keith

[Keith1010]

I just wanted to note that years ago (before 9/11) this could be done but times have changed.

 

Keith

[jdvmd]

I booked a last minute NCL cruise on a Monday night and we left Friday afternoon.

[Shmoo here]

I booked a last minute NCL cruise on a Monday night and we left Friday afternoon.

The shortest lead time we had was booking a cruise on Thursday night for a Sunday departure.

[iancal]

Closest we have done is three days post 9/11 and two days pre 9/11.

 

I do know people in Vancouver who quite happily booked a last minute Alaska cruise last year late on the afternnoon prior to the next day sailing. They saw it on a last minute cruise website, then called the cruise line to book.

[Velvetwater]

A few years back there was a lady waiting in Florida to see if she could board with her parents/family and on the day of sailing she got the green light and got a cabin. This could have been a lie of course but who knows. She was posting on here right up to sailing.

 

Does anyone else remember this?

 

Since that posting I have read in recent years that this no longer happens- around the same time cruises to nowhere stopped in the US.

[AmeliaF]

Ive not last-minute booked myself, however i regularly get emails or see ads for cruises departing in the same week. However, i did not recognize how long exactly the time span is. Could be a few days, then just one day.

Anyway i dont see why the couple should have lied to you, so there has to be a way to do cruises this way.

[Rommatti80]

I remember seeing an online price for a 7 day Royal Caribbean out of Galveston for $199 per person. It was about 24h before departure.

 

 

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[zqvol]

You can book the morning of the cruise by phone for most lines. The problem is that by then the deals are gone and it is not going to be inexpensive.