Disembarking a port early

[debnjoe1438]

Quick question for those who know the laws. Is it legal to disembark from a port before the last stop? I'm looking at a 19 day transatlantic 2019 which ends in New Orleans. Well the stop prior to New Orleans, is Miami Florida. I leave 4 hours from Miami, and getting off there maybe preferable. (Still in the "thinking" phase)

 

Yes, one day I will call NCL and ask them, however I figure there are folks here who know more...:)

 

Thanks

[Cruising...our happy place]

I have been told no. Unless it is for unplanned medical reasons.

 

 

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[shof515]

since the cruise starts in Europe (or some other country), i think you are safe and can leave the ship early without a problem. make sure you notify NCL and guest services onboard.

[kitkat343]

Sorry we can't help you - the cruise lines sometimes allow this, and other times don't. People have speculated on this forum that it has something to do with whether there is infrastructure in place to process your disembarkment. You'd need to request permission from them and (of course) pay for the entire cruise.

[zqvol]

Generally they do not allow that to happen on closed loop cruises, but on a repositioning cruise from Europe they may allow it because there is not an issue with the PSVA and you will be clearing immigration in Miami anyway.

[klfhngr]

Worst case scenario: Wreak havoc and cause a huge scene the night before your stop.. youll be escorted off of ship in Mia! :loudcry:

[debenson0723]

I did this last year on my Baltic cruise. I embarked on the Getaway in Warnemunde Germany and disembarked in CPH (no need to go back to Germany). I did have to get permission from NCL and sign a letter stating that I was responsible for any airfare, hotel, etc. if for some reason the ship was unable to port in CPH. There was also talk of a 'fee' because I was changing the itinerary of the cruise but that never materialized. The major problem you might have is if there is no other NCL ship in port that day, there will not be anybody there to process you back into the US. I would call NCL sooner rather than later so that you will have an idea if this is possible in your situation.

 

PS. I am also thinking about this cruise...I love the ports and have been wanting to do a TA.

[jdvmd]

You need to get pre-approval from NCL.

[debnjoe1438]

Worst case scenario: Wreak havoc and cause a huge scene the night before your stop.. youll be escorted off of ship in Mia! :loudcry:

 

I suppose that would work, however I'll want to be allowed to cruise again.:D

[debnjoe1438]

Thank you all for the replies.

[Relax@Sea]

It all has to do with the Jones Act. What I have read about this is that there is a $300 penalty per person.

It has to do with if leaving an American Port the ship must travel to a foreign port prior to coming back to an American Port for the Law to be satisfied. Seeing that Miami is the first Port you might be able to do this without a penalty, BUT I would verify this with the cruise line or Customs and Immagration before to find out the limitations.

[tef43]

It all has to do with the Jones Act.

It has NOTHING to do with the Jones Act. The Jones Act applies to cargo vessels. Cruise ships fall under the purview of the PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act).

[njhorseman]

It all has to do with the Jones Act. What I have read about this is that there is a $300 penalty per person.

It has to do with if leaving an American Port the ship must travel to a foreign port prior to coming back to an American Port for the Law to be satisfied. Seeing that Miami is the first Port you might be able to do this without a penalty, BUT I would verify this with the cruise line or Customs and Immagration before to find out the limitations.

 

The Jones Act applies to transportation of cargo. It's the Passenger Vessel Services Act that applies to the transportation of people.

 

Since the OP's cruise originates in a foreign country the PVSA restrictions are not applicable and it is legally permissible for the OP to disembark in a US port prior to the ship's final destination. However the OP has to get permission from NCL to disembark, and NCL has to ensure that CBP is available to screen the disembarking passenger at the earlier port.

 

BTW, effective Nov. 3, 2015 the fine for violating the PVSA was increased from $300 to $778.

[bluesea777]

Quick question for those who know the laws. Is it legal to disembark from a port before the last stop? I'm looking at a 19 day transatlantic 2019 which ends in New Orleans. Well the stop prior to New Orleans, is Miami Florida. I leave 4 hours from Miami, and getting off there maybe preferable. (Still in the "thinking" phase)

 

Yes, one day I will call NCL and ask them, however I figure there are folks here who know more...:)

 

Thanks

 

Hey, I can chime in ....

 

We were on the Jade TA from BCN to Tampa (Oct 2016) and the stop prior to Tampa was Miami - where we had to go thru Immigration (first port of entry into USA).

 

There were people disembarking in Miami - they had luggage and NCL were helping them. So ... you should be okay to disembark in Miami instead of New Orleans as long as you pay the full fare (to New Orleans instead of Miami) and let NCL know beforehand.

 

Enjoy the stop in Bermuda!!! And Getaway is a fantastic ship for TA!

Edited May 5, 2018 by bluesea777

[jdvmd]

It all has to do with the Jones Act. What I have read about this is that there is a $300 penalty per person.

It has to do with if leaving an American Port the ship must travel to a foreign port prior to coming back to an American Port for the Law to be satisfied. Seeing that Miami is the first Port you might be able to do this without a penalty, BUT I would verify this with the cruise line or Customs and Immagration before to find out the limitations.

 

The Jones Act only applies to cargo. The Act that applies to passenger ships is the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886. The PVSA is violated when a non-U.S. flagged ship (all major cruise ships are non-U.S. flagged aside from NCL's Pride of America) transports someone from one U.S. city to another U.S. city without first stopping at a distant foreign port (Mexico and Canada are not considered distant foreign ports).

 

 

A PVSA violation can also occur on round trip cruises if the ship does not stop at any foreign ports, but for round trip cruises the ship can stop at a Mexican or Canadian port - it does not have to be a distant foreign port. The PVSA does not apply when one's cruise either begins or ends outside of the U.S.

 

 

Jones Act is a round trip from U.S. ports must visit a foreign country before returning to U.S.

 

 

OP is on a Transatlantic.

[bluesea777]

It all has to do with the Jones Act. What I have read about this is that there is a $300 penalty per person.

It has to do with if leaving an American Port the ship must travel to a foreign port prior to coming back to an American Port for the Law to be satisfied. Seeing that Miami is the first Port you might be able to do this without a penalty, BUT I would verify this with the cruise line or Customs and Immagration before to find out the limitations.

 

It has NOTHING to do with the Jones Act. The Jones Act applies to cargo vessels. Cruise ships fall under the purview of the PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act).

 

:confused::confused::confused:

 

OP is on a Transatlantic cruise departing Copenhagen in Europe and will be stopping in Bermuda, Bahamas AND Miami (first port of entry into USA - where all pax have to go thru mandatory Immigration) before New Orleans.

[bluesea777]

 

OP is on a Transatlantic.

 

You and I posted the reply at the same time :D:cool:

[Relax@Sea]

I stand corrected I got my acts messed up. yes it is the The Passenger Services Act.

[bluesea777]

I stand corrected I got my acts messed up. yes it is the The Passenger Services Act.

 

Yes, but OP will be embarking the ship in Europe not in USA. Also, it's a one way cruise, not a loop cruise.

 

You can disembark in either Miami or NO, but you can't embark in Miami to go to NO.