Is disembarcation permitted in another port

[Tampa Girl]

We would like to take the QM2 on a 25-day cruise, sailing from San Francisco, with scheduled disembarkation in Sydney.  However, we would like to disembark in Auckland because we are boarding another ship two days after the Qm2 stops  in Auckland.  We would rather sail for 22 days than fly for 13 hours in Economy.  I have read 2018 posts reporting that this can be done, but the Cunard telephone rep says "No."  Has anyone had any experience in doing this?  HAL, for instance, does allow this, as long as it doesn't violate the PVSA.

[bluemarble]

Assuming this is the 2026 voyage M605 on QM2 from San Francisco to Sydney, I'll mention there is a 20-night segment of that voyage (M506A) from San Francisco to Auckland listed on the Cunard website. That voyage is currently listed as Sold Out so perhaps it isn't operating any more but it might give you something to pursue with Cunard. Here's the link to that voyage from San Francisco to Auckland.

 

https://www.cunard.com/en-us/find-a-cruise/M605A/M605A

[Tampa Girl]

33 minutes ago, bluemarble said:

Assuming this is the 2026 voyage M605 on QM2 from San Francisco to Sydney, I'll mention there is a 20-night segment of that voyage (M506A) from San Francisco to Auckland listed on the Cunard website. That voyage is currently listed as Sold Out so perhaps it isn't operating any more but it might give you something to pursue with Cunard. Here's the link to that voyage from San Francisco to Auckland.

 

https://www.cunard.com/en-us/find-a-cruise/M605A/M605A

 

Thank you, John.  That is the new QAnne voyage, listing all classes as sold out.  Still, it might open up after final payment next year.  Or, as you suggested, a good TA might make use of the Anne's current unavailability to further pursue an early disembarkation.

[Planning to cruise]

I have had experience of trying to do this sort of thing with Cunard but, like you, without success.  

 

We booked Cape Town to Sydney but having been to Sydney we thought we would disembark a few days earlier and visit someone.  Cunard wouldnt entertain it.  

As it turned out it was academic anyway as we never went anywhere thanks to covid cancellation of the whole thing.  

[david,Mississauga]

From my experience and the experiences of others Cunard always says no to such requests.  If there is no law being violated you should be able to do it.  If you have a good travel agent, get that person to escalate the request. 

 

It was dealing with Canada not New Zealand, but it didn't take long for my TA to obtain a "deviation of itinerary" from Cunard.  

[JimDee363636]

@Tampa Girl

As @david,Mississauga points out, if there's no law being broken---and the only possible law I can think of would be some NZ immigration law---why should Cunard object? You're evidently not asking for a pro-rated refund for the final three nights, so Cunard would even be making a slight profit based on the food you're not consuming for three days. Again, absent some law prohibiting it, Cunard can't hold you prisoner. I would keep pushing the issue.

 

Jim

[Victoria2]

We asked about this years ago and was told it depends on the immigration policies of the country involved and whether the port has immigration status [my phraseology].

Not being an immigration specialist I can't argue either way.

 

[rog747]

If Auckland call is part of a 'segment' then other pax (and often crew) will be disembarking and new pax will be embarking the ship, therefore Immigration/Customs controls will be there in-situ for Cunard.

I would have thought then it should be possible to get off there rather than Sydney - cannot fathom why Cunard would refuse TBH

[david63]

As a generalisation I cannot see it being a major problem in many ports, even tender ports, unless there is a large number of passengers wanting to do it - after all entertainers, amongst others, come and go at various ports.

[Jim_Iain]

While I have never done this on Cunard, I've done it a number of times on Celebrity.

 

As many mentioned I had to make a request in advance and pay a fee to be processed.   They Documentation Agent had to check the sailing, applicable laws in the country and ability to arrange for Customs/Immigration.  

 

Many countries have restrictions enacted to protect local competition of sea transportation from foreign flag carriers with staff making less than minimum wage.  In the U.S. the call it the Cabotage Act.

 

I would definitely elicit the aid of my Travel Agent to make the inquiry.