Is it true you can purchase a cruise last minute for $100, just by showing up before it leaves?

Question

I have heard of this, but I have never spoken to anyone who has done it. I also don't know how you would go about it. Any help would be great?

Answer 1

absolutely not, you must book at least a week in advance so your cruise tickets and appropriate documentation can be sent to you.

Answer 2

Ask the cruise lines, I don't think so.

Answer 3

after 9/11, security checks have made this impossible.  the cruise lines have the final roster at least a week in advance.  No last minute cruises from the pier are possible.

Answer 4

No not at all!

Answer 5

No this is not true! I have never heard of this either.

You have to book at least 3 weeks in advance.

Answer 6

No it is not true.  Some cruiselines offer discounts on the sail date if the ship is not full - but not for $100.

Answer 7

No such thing exists..  There used to be a time back in the 70's where they had "pier standby" fares.  That came to a halt before 1982.

First, most ships sail 100% occupied - and they will have signs to that effect at the pier.  If they have empty cabins, they will upgrade the paying passengers to the higher cabins. Secondly, since 9/11, Homeland Security must have the manifest for each ship 30 days prior to the sailing.  Last minute purchasers (within the 30 days) may or may not make the cruise...it all depends upon what Homeland Security says.  They have the last word on who can and cannot sail from U.S. Ports.

If you are a resident of Florida, there are really, really good deals much of the time.  In some cases, a Florida resident can make a "standby reservation" several days or weeks ahead of time, show up on sailing day (unless the cruiseline has called them and told them the ship is full) and board the ship after paying the Florida resident price.

On rare occasions, under certain conditions, you may be able to purchase at the pier but you would pay FULL price for the stateroom.  You would have to contact the cruiseline to find out what sailings they are offering, if any, for these conditions.

Answer 8

YES, but I think the cost may vary, but they do that in Galveston (Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean).  You have to show up, bags packed with a passport, ready to go.

After they have boarded everyone with tickets, they will release unfilled cabins and cancellations to stand-by passengers.

You still have to pay for all the crew tips and stuff at the end.

The Princess website has a link on the front page for their "Stand-by Program".

Apparently some ships have "Stand by" call lists if you don't mind 3 weeks notice, though those fares won't be $100, they'll be really cheap.  But at least you can aim for a specific cruise you want.

Answer 9

First of all it depends on the length of the cruise.  Second of all, since the cruise lines have to submit the manifest two days ahead of time, I don't think you can book less then three days prior to the cruise departing.

Answer 10

I am leaving on Nov 25 for a 7 day cruise on a Voyager Class ship (142,000 tons) and have a balcony cabin paying about $1200 ($2400 for both of us).  We will have a blast.

You get what you pay for, and in the case of "$100", you won't get much (assuming you get anything at all).

Answer 11

Not since 9/11. The cruise line has to submit its manifest at least 3 days before sailing. Also the huge increase in the number of cruisers most often means sailing at full capacity.

Answer 12

I have been on almost 20 cruises and I have never heard of anyone doing that.  And for sure you will not get a cruise for $100, unless its a one day cruise to nowhere.  A couple months ago I asked a representative of Royal Caribbean about last minute stuff and was told that she had never seen that happen.  She said that the closes to a cruise that you can get on last minute is about 3 weeks.  Since 9/11 and all of the security requirements of homeland security they use the passport to check on passengers,; at least check to see if there are any alerts in the system for your passport.  In addition I have never seen any indication that the cruise lines will take last minute bookings.  They really do not know if there is a no show until 30 minutes before departure (that's when everyone is supposed to be on ship).  So all that talk about last minute is just that.