How can you arrange to bring a visitor aboard a cruise ship?

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Kevin L

Passengers are not permitted to bring visitors aboard ship. It is a security issue. Security will generally only issue visitor passes to:

a.) Family and friends of crew members working aboard the ship who are visiting for the day. And those have to be approved in advance by the Captain/Staff Captain and Head of Security

b.) Vendors who have official business aboard the ship.

c.) In some cases they will issue visitor passes to travel agents or incentive groups who are on a ship tour for marketing and sales purposes.

d.) People who are part of an onboard ceremony (wedding), but are not sailing with the ship.

It is not up to your travel agent to get your friend aboard ship. Your travel agent has no say in whether or not your friend will be allowed aboard ship, and cannot get your friend on the ship.

Unfortunately, you will have to arrange to meet your friend for coffee or drinks on shore.

randall_nd

All cruise lines have a no visitors policy. No exceptions. Sorry. I suppose they are afraid they might eat or something.

lax<3

Buy her a coffee ashore. There's no wayyy they'll let you past security.

Time travler

Because of security, no one except passengers are allowed on a cruise ship. Many years ago, they did allow visitors. If you have ever watched the series the love boat, they did let visitors on, but that was a very long time ago. Sometimes the cruise company will allow someone to come on to perform on the ship for the day or something like that, but no regular visitors are allowed.

Mgoo

About twenty years ago our cruise ship (better remain nameless) was anchored off Villefranche. We met friends as planned on the quayside and as a party of four boarded the tender and motored out to the ship. Boarding was simple and we gave them a thourough tour followed by a buffet lunch ( we didn't have the nerve to go to the dining room). After lunch we all left together on a tender back to the shore. Not a single challenge throughout the entire process.

About ten years ago we were on SagaRose visiting Iceland and requested the purser's office to allow friends on board - special passes were issued - we all had afternoon tea together - no charge.

Nowdays it is going to be much more difficult - but if you have a very, very, good reason and write a suitably pleading letter to both the cruise line and the Captain it is just possible that it could be arranged.
Personally though I wouldn't bother even though I am a Gold card holder with two of the majot cruise lines.

Good luck!

Mary L

The only time I have ever known of visitors allowed on a cruise ship has been for weddings held on board, and that has always been while the ship is in port for the day dropping off passengers from one cruise and getting ready for the next one leaving the same day. Those are special occasions arranged well in advance. (On my first cruise the bride and groom were staying on board for the departing cruise, and went to the lifeboat drill in their wedding clothes! The ship's photographer got some great photos of them wearing orange life jackets over bridal gown and tux!) ) Other than that, I do know that all cruise lines have a strict "no visitor" rule, and nobody is allowed on board other than passengers and crew, all of whom are required to present their special ID cards to security. Unless your friend is a VIP such as a head of state or member of the royal family or the Captain's wife, I suspect you are out of luck, and will have to treat your friend on shore. However, if never hurts to ask!

Bill in Kansas

Simple answer:

NO VISITORS ON BOARD EVER

No Ticket = No Boarding

antontravel2004

I visit ships all the time. And I see other visitors on ships all the time. There will be an announcement about 30 minutes before the cruise leaves saying "all visitors must leave now."

I am a wedding planner, and when a couple gets married they always have guests who come on the ship to watch the wedding in the ship's chapel.

I've had 150 non-sailing guests board a ship as visitors. Visitors come aboard all the time.

Tell your travel agent to arrange your visitor's visit. If you booked yourself instead of thru a travel agent you're screwed because you have no clout.

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