Is it true that if you show up to a cruise port the day of departure any extra rooms are extremely discounted?

Question

Is it true that if you show up to a cruise port the day of departure any extra rooms are extremely discounted? I've heard this rumor before and I was wondering if it is true.

Answer 1

They do not do it any more.

Answer 2

NO, its not true.  Since the 9/11 attack the cruise lines have been requiring passenger to register for the cruise far in advance either on their web sites or by mail.  They no longer let people just show up and get a cruise.  This is from the Royal Caribbean web site:

"  Due to new government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure manifests at least 60 minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete Online Check-in no later than 3 days prior to their cruise. If you do not complete Online Check-in 3 days prior, you will be required to complete this process at the pier at least two hours prior to the published sailing time."

  

This is from the Celebrity Cruise line site:

     "In most instances there is no space available on our sailings within a week of the departure date and it is a misconception that rates are reduced drastically at that time. While it is possible that staterooms may become available for sale, the rate for these staterooms would have been increasing as the sail date approaches and the demand for space becomes higher. Thus, at the last minute the rates will likely be the same as during the entire last quarter or previous three months."

This is from the Carnival Cruise line web site:

     "Following the events of September 11, 2001, all cruise ship lines, cruise vessels and cruise terminals are in a heightened state of alert. The primary responsibility for the safety and security of cruise vessels in the United States territorial waters lies with the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard has initiated a directive for all cruise vessel operations to be at the highest security level. At this level, additional measures are taken to ensure the safety of crew and guests. These measures include:  

Enforcing a 300' separation zone from all cruise vessels while in port and en route into and out of port.

Escorting all cruise vessels into and out of port.

All terminal and vessel restricted areas must have increased guards and/or intrusion alarm devices.  

All baggage and cargo are screened to include x-ray screening prior to going on board.

All guests and carry-on items are screened prior to boarding.

All guests are confirmed against the official guest list before being allowed on board.

All baggage is confirmed against the official guest list before being allowed on board.  

Other measures include a definitive security review of the terminal prior to allowing a vessel to come into port.

Additionally, Carnival has instituted additional measures:

Background checks for all crew members.  

The guest manifest is checked against INS and FBI computers and matched for suspects.

Pre and post cruise bomb searches are conducted.

All provisions are inspected for explosives.

All crew are patted down.

All guests go through metal detection at every port-of-call.

All port-of-call items brought on the vessel are x-rayed.

All ships have a guest Visual-ID System (A-pass Security System). Divers are sent to check the hull of the ship at every port, twice. Enhanced security at every out port.

There are a number of other initiatives underway which are inappropriate to be disclosed."

NOTE THAT THEY CHECK THE GUEST MANIFEST AGAINST IMMIGRATION AND FBI COMPUTERS.  This would pretty much preclude you getting on the ship at the last minute.

Answer 3

This is no longer true.  The cruise lines have instituted new rules where you have to now do your advanced guest registration 3 days ahead of boarding the ship.

Answer 4

Yes, it's true. But you can't always count on

it. When I was young I took advantage of

that option but with work and all the stuff

going on, I haven't opted for it for decades.

When I did it, it cost $300 for the 7 day

cruise. But you took the chance of no space

and you standing at the dock watching the

ship sail away.  Sometimes, it works because  people miss their connecting

flights or last minute illness. Does anyone

else know if this has changed of late? DonH