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Can you get off a cruise ship and stay?

The vast majority of passengers simply sail their normal cruise itinerary. But can you just get off the ship and return home on your own terms? The answer is yes, but there are some major complications (and laws) that should be considered.



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Absolutely! Whatever the reason, you're in no way obligated to disembark a cruise ship while visiting a port of call. Mosts guests choose to get off in most cases, but they may do so at different times, for different amounts of time, and some won't get off at all.

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The ship first must be cleared by Customs and port authorities before anyone can disembark. Everyone is assigned a specific time to leave and usually even a specific place to wait on the final morning prior to departing the ship.

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Since 2000, nearly 200 passengers have gone missing from cruise ships. It is the cruise line's responsibility to keep passengers safe and fully investigate disappearances.

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Is there a cruise ship you can live on? There are several cruise ships designed for permanent living. The World is the only one sailing currently but more are coming soon. MV Gemini is the most affordable option, with apartment purchase prices starting at $1,000,000 plus $65,000 per year for fees.

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World cruises – generally ranging from 100 to 180 days – mostly start in January but here are three mega voyages you can still book this year:
  • 274 nights: Royal Caribbean. ...
  • 183 days: Nicko Cruises. ...
  • 101 nights: P&O Cruises.


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Assuming a ship remains punctual, the time at which passengers can disembark depends on how long it takes for local authorities to clear the vessel. Most cruise ships are cleared for passengers to debark between 7 and 9 a.m., depending on their arrival time.

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Feeding Yourself on Debarkation Day Even though you're leaving the ship, you're still entitled to breakfast onboard. These are your options: Eat in a Dining Room You'll be assigned to the same dining room you had dinner in on the last night of your cruise.

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Linger Where You Shouldn't Want to drive the crew crazy? Staying in your cabin past when you've been asked to leave or lingering in the atrium before your debarkation group has been called will do both as these will slow down the entire disembarkation process, delaying everything.

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Most cruise lines have port agents stationed in the port area to assist if your ship has left without you. In cases when cruisers are late returning to the vessel, the ship's crew will often remove the passengers' essential items -- passports, cell phones and medication -- from the ship to leave with the port agents.

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If your ship is docked, you'll be able to simply walk off the vessel directly onto dry land via a movable ramp called a gangway. If it's anchored, you'll have to take a tender -- a small boat that ferries passengers ashore in groups.

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Can you get off and on cruise ship multiple times at port? Absolutely! Whatever the reason, you're in no way obligated to disembark a cruise ship while visiting a port of call.

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Yes, you can go back and forth between the ship and shore as often as you'd like, but if your ship is tendering passengers ashore, you might have to wait in line to catch a ride back to your vessel.

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On average, a 180-day cruise can range from $50,000 to $200,000 per person. This price includes accommodation, meals, entertainment, and access to onboard amenities. The cost of a 180-day cruise may seem steep, but it is crucial to consider what is included in the package.

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The cost of living onboard a cruise ship varies depending on the type of cabin you choose and the amenities you desire. Generally, retirees can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 - $3,000 per month for accommodation, meals, entertainment, and other activities.

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Considering all these factors, the cruise fare for living on a cruise ship can cost anywhere from $60,000 per year to upwards of $150,000. However, knowing what you get and where you spend your money is important. Let's look at what you can expect to spend your money on when living on a cruise ship.

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Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

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U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises will be able to enter or depart the country with proof of citizenship, such as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), a government-issued birth certificate (issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where he or she was born) or passport, and if 16 or older, a government ...

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However, when a crime at sea occurs, cruise ship staff initiate the investigation and usually complete their investigation before federal or local police authorities are able to reach the vessel. Law enforcement tends to rely on the cruise ship company “investigation”.

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