Missing Embarking?

[ktate82]

I agree that this is too risky. If you do decide to chance it, book a professional driver. You would want someone with knowledge of alternate routes. With Lyft or Uber the driver may just be relying on their car's navigation system.

I think I'm going to prebook a taxi to pick him up. Is that what you meant?

He has gotten the ok to leave about 2, so he has an hour cushion. Since I won't cruise without him, I'm debating going to check out of our hotel and wait at his office then both of us ride together. My other thought was it may be better for me to go to the port, get checked in, and just wait in the port for him. That way I can update them if he will make it or not and if he does, only he has to check in. But if he doesn't make it, what happens with our luggage? Would they let me wait in the port for him and if he didn't make it, step outside? Or should we just stay together?

Worst case is we miss the ship. I looked and flights to Nassau are pretty cheap for Southwest. I am going to book flights on points just in case and then cancel once we are on the ship.

We looked at going up to Port Canaveral and sailing on a 3 day on the Dream, but our son has honor court with Scouts on Monday. We wouldn't make it back in time for that, and we need to be there for that. So this is our best option. I don't know if we are a little crazy as I'm a super planner (we always fly down a few days before the cruise and go to port when they open), so it may be an anxious day, but either way, we will have a fun time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Worst case is we miss the ship. I looked and flights to Nassau are pretty cheap for Southwest. I am going to book flights on points just in case and then cancel once we are on the ship.

If you miss the ship at embarkation, are you thinking of flying to Nassau to join it? That won't work. You can't just "join the ship" at a later port without prior approval (by cruise line).

 

[ScooterScott44]

I think I'm going to prebook a taxi to pick him up. Is that what you meant?

He has gotten the ok to leave about 2, so he has an hour cushion. Since I won't cruise without him, I'm debating going to check out of our hotel and wait at his office then both of us ride together. My other thought was it may be better for me to go to the port, get checked in, and just wait in the port for him.

If he is leaving at two then there is a pretty good chance he will make it. Anything can still happen, so it looks like going separate is the better plan. It makes sense that you can check in and hang out waiting to board until he arrives. You can check a bag but it is probably better to do as much in carry on as possible. Anything checked will probably be cruising without you if you don’t make the ship. Best of luck!

 

[Dug720]

Go with carry-on only. No checked bags if you might miss it.

 

[ktate82]

If you miss the ship at embarkation, are you thinking of flying to Nassau to join it? That won't work. You can't just "join the ship" at a later port without prior approval (by cruise line).

So how does that work?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So how does that work?

Basically, when a cruise begins and ends in the same US port it's deemed to be a "closed loop cruise". As such, certain paperwork must be completed by the cruise line on behalf of the passengers when the ship returns at the end of the cruise.

There's also another type of cruise that begins (or ends) in a foreign port and ends (or begins) in a US port that's deemed to be a "foreign itinerary cruise". The paperwork that the cruise line must complete on behalf of all passengers onboard for that type of cruise is more extensive and the requirements for passengers on those cruises is different.

If even only one passenger gets on a "closed loop cruise" in a foreign port and debarks in a US port, the whole passenger compliment must be processed as if they also boarded in the foreign port and debarked in the US port.

Most cruise lines do not want to do all that paperwork. Time was, they would allow such downstream boarding, but not any longer. EXCEPT in extreme emergency cases. I would think "I missed embarkation in the US port because of work" would NOT be accepted as an extreme emergency

If you want to look into the possibility of such a process, you have to contact DCL and ask them if they will allow it. Before the cruise, not the day of embarkation.

 

[ktate82]

I plan on calling Disney Cruise tomorrow. I wasn't sure if it was like asking CMs at WDW where you get a different answer depending on who you ask.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I plan on calling Disney Cruise tomorrow. I wasn't sure if it was like asking CMs at WDW where you get a different answer depending on who you ask.

Well, the CM answering the phone may or may not have the answer (most likely, not). You may need to ask to speak to a supervisor about the possibility of your husband joining the ship in Nassau.

I'll also suggest, IF (BIG IF) you get a "yes" answer, ask them to email it to you (so that you have it in writing).

 

[FigmentSpark]

I think I'm going to prebook a taxi to pick him up. Is that what you meant?

He has gotten the ok to leave about 2, so he has an hour cushion. Since I won't cruise without him, I'm debating going to check out of our hotel and wait at his office then both of us ride together. My other thought was it may be better for me to go to the port, get checked in, and just wait in the port for him. That way I can update them if he will make it or not and if he does, only he has to check in. But if he doesn't make it, what happens with our luggage? Would they let me wait in the port for him and if he didn't make it, step outside? Or should we just stay together?

Worst case is we miss the ship. I looked and flights to Nassau are pretty cheap for Southwest. I am going to book flights on points just in case and then cancel once we are on the ship.

We looked at going up to Port Canaveral and sailing on a 3 day on the Dream, but our son has honor court with Scouts on Monday. We wouldn't make it back in time for that, and we need to be there for that. So this is our best option. I don't know if we are a little crazy as I'm a super planner (we always fly down a few days before the cruise and go to port when they open), so it may be an anxious day, but either way, we will have a fun time.

I'm not the PP that mentioned a professional driver, but I assumed professional driver meant a limo service. I expect his company would pay for it, just as they would pay for his trip back to the airport after the training, but he'd know more about that, of course.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I think I'm going to prebook a taxi to pick him up. Is that what you meant?

He has gotten the ok to leave about 2, so he has an hour cushion. Since I won't cruise without him, I'm debating going to check out of our hotel and wait at his office then both of us ride together. My other thought was it may be better for me to go to the port, get checked in, and just wait in the port for him. That way I can update them if he will make it or not and if he does, only he has to check in. But if he doesn't make it, what happens with our luggage? Would they let me wait in the port for him and if he didn't make it, step outside? Or should we just stay together?

Worst case is we miss the ship. I looked and flights to Nassau are pretty cheap for Southwest. I am going to book flights on points just in case and then cancel once we are on the ship.

We looked at going up to Port Canaveral and sailing on a 3 day on the Dream, but our son has honor court with Scouts on Monday. We wouldn't make it back in time for that, and we need to be there for that. So this is our best option. I don't know if we are a little crazy as I'm a super planner (we always fly down a few days before the cruise and go to port when they open), so it may be an anxious day, but either way, we will have a fun time.

I think this will work out fine, you should go for it. Just travel with him. Have car waiting and luggage loaded. He has to check in at port anyway, even if you already checked in, and as you say you aren't going without him. I think the back up plan to spend time in Nassau is good too - but hotel cancellation policies in Nassau may not be as good as Southwest's.

 

[dcassetta]

I think I'm going to prebook a taxi to pick him up. Is that what you meant?

A taxi should be fine, as they are likely to be experienced in the Miami area. When booking the service, emphasize your need for timely pickup and a knowledgeable driver in case there are traffic issues. My concern for you with the Uber/Lyft suggestion was getting someone who really didn't know their way around.

 

[ktate82]

Well, the CM answering the phone may or may not have the answer (most likely, not). You may need to ask to speak to a supervisor about the possibility of your husband joining the ship in Nassau.

I'll also suggest, IF (BIG IF) you get a "yes" answer, ask them to email it to you (so that you have it in writing).

I called today and was told it would be up to the folks on the ship if they would let us board at another port.

A taxi should be fine, as they are likely to be experienced in the Miami area. When booking the service, emphasize your need for timely pickup and a knowledgeable driver in case there are traffic issues. My concern for you with the Uber/Lyft suggestion was getting someone who really didn't know their way around.

I agree. We have used Lyft at WDW and had drivers gotten lost on us.

We keep going back and forth on which is a better option. This cruise is cheaper, easier (in that it's local), a 4 day vs 3, and puts us back on Sunday the 9th.

The 3 day out of Port Canaveral would cost more and have us taking flights home with two stops, and just barely make it home for DS's Boy Scout Honor court. But it's a sure thing (as much as one can be) that we would make it.

I really appreciate everyone who has chimed in.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

We arrived once about 4pm to board (Miami, DCLWonder). We didn't realize we were cutting it so late, or that 4 was considered late, so we were not panicked at all. Just sauntered in. Lol. When we arrived at the terminal no one was outside. No luggage. There were two people at the entry door. One looked at our tickets and waved us in. When we got to the check in area, not one passenger was there, just a couple of agents. They checked us in, no issue, and we boarded the ship. No one was there when we walked on the ship, no, "This is the _____ family." They were announcing muster. No one ever told us to hurry. Looking back, ignorance is bliss. I now realize that was cutting it too close! But I think you have more time than you think, like even past 3:45. I wonder when they exactly close that door. I bet not until right until the ship pulls out.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I called today and was told it would be up to the folks on the ship if they would let us board at another port.



I agree. We have used Lyft at WDW and had drivers gotten lost on us.

We keep going back and forth on which is a better option. This cruise is cheaper, easier (in that it's local), a 4 day vs 3, and puts us back on Sunday the 9th.

The 3 day out of Port Canaveral would cost more and have us taking flights home with two stops, and just barely make it home for DS's Boy Scout Honor court. But it's a sure thing (as much as one can be) that we would make it.

I really appreciate everyone who has chimed in.

Go for it OP. Sounds like a fun adventure to me.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I called today and was told it would be up to the folks on the ship if they would let us board at another port.

Was that just one of the CMs answering the phone who told you that? I'm pretty sure arrangements must be made to embark people at a different port. It's not just a "wait til you board" thing.

 

[ktate82]

Was that just one of the CMs answering the phone who told you that? I'm pretty sure arrangements must be made to embark people at a different port. It's not just a "wait til you board" thing.

I thought the same thing, because she also told me I would not be allowed to check in or board till DH got there. In Port Canaveral (so I know it's a different port), DH was returning the rental car while the kids and I checked in and they would have allowed us to board without him. He just had to check in separately.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I thought the same thing, because she also told me I would not be allowed to check in or board till DH got there. In Port Canaveral (so I know it's a different port), DH was returning the rental car while the kids and I checked in and they would have allowed us to board without him. He just had to check in separately.

Sadly, in the past, DCL seems to operate under the assumption that "whatever we want to do, we can". And it just isn't true.

If I haven't gotten a better answer by taking it up the chain of command, I'd be really nervous about flying to another port and just showing up at the dock to board the ship without any sort of prior arrangement.

 

[closetmickey]

Was that just one of the CMs answering the phone who told you that? I'm pretty sure arrangements must be made to embark people at a different port. It's not just a "wait til you board" thing.

As odd as this sounds, I was told the same thing. My circumstances are a little different, however, in that we will be on a European cruise next summer and my husband is not able to join us until the first port stop. And I was told that he could for sure do this. However, when I asked if there was paperwork or anything else involved, the CM responded, “No. just let us know when you check in that he will not be boarding until the next port.” The casual nature of it really surprised me. And reading this thread reminded me that I want to call back and get some sort of approval in writing.
Good luck with your decision- and cruise!

 

[mousefan73]

European cruises and those departing the US have different rules. From what I have read, missing a port on European sailings is not so critical as US cruises.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

European cruises and those departing the US have different rules. From what I have read, missing a port on European sailings is not so critical as US cruises.

Correct.

Basically, the difference is there's no US port involved (either the embarkation or debarkation port).