Debarking before end of cruise?

[jalapeno_pretzel]

Not specific to DCL, but I'm curious about the possibility of debarking in the middle of a cruise rather than completing the entire length of cruise back to the original port? Is that allowed?

For instance I see one cruise that starts and ends in Southampton, but really what I would like would be to debark in Oslo (last stop before heading back to Southampton) and spend a week land based in Norway after doing the cruise portion of the trip. Anyone have experience doing something like this?

 

[Marc D]

Cruise lines are monitored by border services and the manifest is closely looked at by the authorities at all ports. Cruise passengers enter countries from sea under specific visas that vary based on their country of origin, and that are limited to the time the ship is in port. Therefore, unless you are a resident of a country with open borders with the country you planning on leaving the ship at (for example, you reside in the Schengen area and are planning on entering Norway, which is part of the agreement), you would face major hurdles since you are entering the country from an unexpected entry point.

Even then, the cruise line might raise serious issues with you not completing the voyage for multiple legal reasons. A cruise is not a transport means, like a train or a ferry, and operated under the assumption that the passengers will complete the journey, outside of unforeseen events. Don't plan your trip based on that possibility.

 

[sjuncfan]

We are going on an MSC cruise this summer and I swear I saw somewhere that there is an option to debark earlier. The cruise is round-trip to Copenhagen and I thought I saw mention that it was an option to debark in Kiel (which is the last stop). So perhaps if the cruise plans for it you can, but you can't do it randomly.

 

[SteveMouse]

Depending upon the itinerary, what passport(s) you hold, where the ship is from, , and various laws that may or may not be permitted, and it may ir may or may not affect fares.

In the US, there are laws that limit travel between US cities to US flagged ships. afrom a cruise perspective, to a very few ships, most notably the Pride of America. Every other cruise ship MUST visit a foreign port before the end of an itinerary.

Travel. in Europe and other parts of the world are different.

 

[lanejudy]

You would need to pre-arrange the early debarkation with DCL. I believe there are fines involved if passengers simply do it on their own. The cruiseline could (not saying they will) pass that fine along to the guest.

 

[Flossbolna]

I have read reports in here that people had arranged it with DCL beforehand. A situation where one family member had a very important event that they needed to get to or such.

Since entertainment staff is getting on and off at various ports, I am sure it’s possible if arranged beforehand. Not sure how willing DCL is to work with you when it’s just for fun.

 

[imbelle]

I contacted DCL about the possibility of not reboarding at the Santorini port, flying to Heraklion to see Knossos on Crete, and then reboarding in Chania, Crete. The rep checked with their manager who said that while such an arrangement could be made in some ports, it was not possible in Greece due to the local laws.