bringing a guest on board at a port - how hard?

[tennislvr]

As I mentioned on a previous post, we're traveling on the Monarch this Monday to Ensenada. One of the ports is San Diego and our son is going to college there.

I'd really like to show him the ship; but I hear this is next to impossible due to the 9/11 security issue.

What's the best way to approach this? Has anyone ever been successful?

By the way, it will be our 25th wedding anniversary that day and I was hoping that they might make an exception since its our special day. However, I realize a rule is a rule, but I thought I would ask your opinions.. He's got school that day so he won't be staying long on the ship..maybe an hour or two....and I could bring along his passport if it helps.

 

Thanks for your replies!

[tngirl1979]

This is impossible since 9/11. I have posed the same question when we went on our last two cruises.

[timbo89]

I have tried, begged, pleaded, etc ---- no go since 9/11

[douglinc@msn.com]

Only passengers are allowed on the ship now.

 

Doug

[alphakitty]

Sorry to say, but I'd say it's impossible. Guests and friends are not allowed on board in any port according to RCI. If you don't have a Seapass card, you can't get on the ship.

[cruising with marti]

Sorry, can not and will not happen under any circumstances.

 

 

phil

[mrchips14]

and for our safety lets keep it that way, Sorry.

[negc]

unless your friend is in the travel industry or a VIP and RCI decides to offer tours of the ship, your idea is virtually impossible.

[PhoenixCruiser]

and for our safety lets keep it that way, Sorry.

 

Agreed!

 

###

[parrotthead]

and for our safety lets keep it that way, Sorry.

I agree also. To the OP, Im sorry. You know how it is..if they made an exceptipn because it's your 'special day' then they would have to do it across the board. Better safe than sorry.

Take lots of pictures and share them with him. You will have lots of neat stories to enhance the slide show. Happy sailing:)

[critterchick]

You can have guests onboard for a wedding prior to embarkation, but that's about all - I doubt that they would allow it mid-cruise. We were on a recent Monarch cruise where the band got lost trying to find their way off the ship just prior to sailing. They seemed a little panicked that they might end up cruising with us!:D

[Cape Cruiser 2007]

Happy Anniversary!

[ryansmemom]

OK, so it's most likely impossible. No way it's going to happen. Not after 9/11. So, armed with that information, does it really hurt to ask? What do you have to lose?

 

Pick up the phone. Better yet, write a letter. Not an e-mail, a real letter. My mother would say send it to the President. She always said go right to the top if you want action. Plead you case in the nicest, politest way. Send it Certified mail with a return receipt. Make sure it looks as important to them as it is to you. Get their attention.

 

Who knows? They may just make an exception. You have nothing to lose.

 

Linda

[madisonms]

Sorry but that's not going to be allowed at all. I agree with the others. Better for all of our safety! Think about how many "exceptions" they would have to make with the thousands of cruisers every week.

 

Have a Happy Anniversary though!

[suzeyQ]

I hope it doesn't start happening again. I certainly a feel a little safer knowing that it's only passengers allowed on.

[ElvisandTracey]

Sad, but in these times letting random, "unchecked" persons on and off would be dangerous.

 

I am in my early 30's, and one of the best memories I have was when I was about 4-5, my grandparents were leaving out of LA on a month long cruise, and they had a bon voyage party on ship-about 10-15 family members not cruising went to the party on the ship-I went with my parents-it was such a blast for a little kid-that's probably part of the reason I love cruising now-

 

That type of thing could never happen now, sad to say-

[ZZROX]

Sorry to say, it's not going to happen...you are checked off the ship with your sea pass card and checked back in with it..have him meet you at the pier and enjoy a wonderful day off the ship with your son.

[HappyCruiser383]

Can you imagine all of the people who would get lost and couldn't find their way off the ship? You think chaise hogs are bad now? You'd wake up in the morning to find people sleeping in them! LOL

[RDeagazio]

It's not going to happen. The only way to get a visitor on the ship is to have your TA schedule a ship tour with their RCI Rep, and the Rep will not do this for someone who wishes to have a visitor onboard. First off the Rep would have to be the escort, and they are far too busy to be running people on and off the ships. I've arranged several tours of the Monarch on her San Diego stops, but that was for clients who had booked cruise groups or were about to book.

 

If you'd like to have that person see a ship, you can email me at rdeagazio@hotmail.com and I'll give you some info on the ship tour and lunch I'm doing in San Diego on HAL's Oosterdam on March 4th.. he's more than welcome to join us then.

[kenandlaura06]

I agree that it is best for security purposes, but totally understand why you would be disappointed by this...hopefully you can arrange for a special place to meet in San Diego where you can have a nice celebration together. Good luck.

[threeofus]

I am in my early 30's, and one of the best memories I have was when I was about 4-5, my grandparents were leaving out of LA on a month long cruise, and they had a bon voyage party on ship-about 10-15 family members not cruising went to the party on the ship-I went with my parents-it was such a blast for a little kid-that's probably part of the reason I love cruising now-

 

That type of thing could never happen now, sad to say-

 

Yes, I remember seeing my parents off on a cruise...many many years ago. I also remember that once they got out to sea the price for alcohol dropped. So much for the good old days.

[ga-shel]

You can always book him as a 3rd in your room depending on how much it is worth to you. Then he could come on board, I have heard of they booking "partial cruises" before. See if this will work for your situation.

 

Unfortunately this is the only way the US Coast Guard and HOmeland Security will let him on the ship is if he is at least on the Manifest.

 

Good Luck. With all of the unrest around the world and the ships that have had problems around the world, please don't be mad that there isn't a loop hole. It is the iron clad security that helps ensure that the ship and ALL of its passengers make it safely from Port to Port without incident. They can't stop everything, but as much as we would like for it to be like it was on the "Love Boat" visitors celebrating onboard prior to departure, times are too different.

[parrothead60450]

We are with a wedding party for our upcoming cruise this weekend. This is from the e-mail sent out for the wedding party.

 

Non-sailing Guests: All non-sailing guests are to be completely dressed and ready for the wedding when

arriving at the cruise terminal. Since they have not booked a stateroom, they will not have a changing room

available. Before boarding the ship, they will leave the ID with Security and be given a guest pass. All

Non-sailing guests will be required to take a picture at the "A" Pass before boarding the Ships.

Non-sailing guests are welcome to tour the ship until the ceremony time. When leaving the ship, they will

need to redeem their ID. All non-sailing guests need to depart the ship no later than one hour prior to

sailing. Non-sailing guests are not allowed to eat at the Windjammer. This is reserved for sailing guests on

 

 

So as previously stated, only weddings are the exception. as should be. And they take the proper precautions to insure that they are offf before the cruise sets sail.

 

Still does not hurt to write a letter. Best of luck.

[Sheffie]

Okay, story time! When I was 11 years old my father got a job with Boeing and our family moved from Indiana to Seattle. My parents drove out with my baby sister, and my 2 other siblings and I got to fly from Chicago to Seattle. This was when ORD only had about 2 wings on it! Anyway, we girls wore matching dresses (it was when you dressed up to fly) and Grandma put name tags on us. (I don't know why, since it was a non-stop flight.) Grandma and my aunt walked us out to the plane and even made sure that we were in our correct seats! Things have REALLY changed since 1961!

[tennislvr]

you are all so right in mentioning security and strangers....and I agree with your points about not letting him on. He'll just have to watch us from the dock as we depart.

 

How sad that 9/11 has robbed us of such pleasures. For our 5 year anniversary (20 years ago) we sailed on Princess. We hosted a bon-voyage party complete with appetizers and drinks for 20 guests...you should see the group photo that our steward took - 20 adults crammed in a very small cabin! With enough champagne you can do anything!

 

Thanks again...I won't mention to my son that we could have paid for a "partial trip" for him...don't want to give him any ideas. Remember, this is our 2nd honeymoon 25 years later!