Has anyone ever got on a full cruise ship by just going to the port and hoping someone had to cancel?

Show all answers

If your bags are packed, and you are willing to invest the time to go see, you just might get on. It sounds like your party has a couple of cabins booked. Couldn't they put you in as the third or forth person in the cabin? You do know that if a cabin does open up you'd have to pay the single supplement price. Which is basically the same price as if two people were in the cabin. There is always someone that has to cancel at the last minute. The downside is Carnival will ask you to pay for whatever category of cabin becomes available. Go with the information that Carnival gave you. The audacity of someone to suggest you tell a Carnival rep. they don't know what their rules are! They do this job 40 hours a week.
And to the novices that say you have to have three days advance purchase for Homeland security. PRINT A LINK WITH THAT INFO. Can't find it ? Because it's not true. Here are the facts. http://www.carnival.com/cms/faqs/embarkation_arrival.aspx The passenger manifest has to be submitted to the local authorities 90 minutes before the ship sails. All passengers must have cleared the check in process at that time. If you do this three days in advance, you only need to be checked in 60 minutes before departure. So. even if you have a reservation, if your late, you don't sail under the post 911 security rules.

Anja H

Next time you speak to the rep of Carnival, tell him/her to check their guidelines.
This used to be possible, before 2001.
Nowadays the cruise line has to inform Homeland Security and the Port 24 to 72 hours before, who will be sailing with the ship.

Time travler

No you can not do this because of homeland security. All cruise companies require at least 24 hours notice if not more. Princess cruises require 72 hours in advance. But you can get on the standby list by booking a cruise now and hoping someone does not go. This is done all the time and cabins open up every day before a cruise. I don't know how far in advance you have, but this is the way to do it. You can no longer just show up at the pier. That use to be OK, but not since 911 can someone do that anymore.

Kevin L

The Carnival rep lied to you. You cannot do this.

The only people that I can think of that are allowed to go standby, are crew members who are traveling "on vacation" for that sailing. And family of crewmembers who are traveling on a reduced rate/standby program.

sally b

No, this will not happen.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: