Can you stay on a cruise ship at port?

The choice is totally yours. You can go ashore on a tour, explore the cruise port on your own or stay onboard and relax by the pool, book a (usually discounted on port days) spa treatment or take advantage of other activities on your ship during the day.



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Generally, passengers are required to disembark within an hour or two after docking. However, some cruise lines may allow passengers to remain onboard for a few extra hours if they have special arrangements with the port authority.

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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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Can I come and go as I please between my ship and land? 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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Whenever a ?ruise ship docks at a port of call, the local authorities require a fee. Before a cruise starts, the cruise line will add up the port charges from the different ports of call on the cruise itinerary and will pass the cost of these port charges on to the passengers.

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Anyone travelling some distance to join their cruise ship, or taking a shore excursion in distant lands will have had the thought cross their mind - “What if I don't make it to the ship in time?” It is estimated that around 5% of passengers will miss their ship once in their cruising lifetime.

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Most cruise ports require you to carry a photo ID to verify the name on the ship card matches. Even if your cruise is closed-loop, meaning it starts and ends at the same U.S. port, bring your passport. In an emergency, the ship may need to dock at a foreign port, requiring clearance through immigration.

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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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Money makers on the ship are drinks, casino, and shops - they need that income. The costs of staying in port are very high between fees, dock rental and employees who come with that, security, taxes, etc. Many ports don't have enough cruise ship docks to have some come in an stay a few days either.

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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is included on all cruise ships, at least on sea days. When in port, or on embarkation or debarkation day, many cruise ships offer limited meal options, so check your ship's individual policy for those days.

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If you lose your passport, report it immediately to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and make arrangements to get a replacement passport, for a fee.

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More often than not, the answer is no. U.S. citizens don't need a passport if the cruise starts and ends in the same U.S. city. This is known as a closed-loop cruise. That said, some may require a passport if you want to disembark at ports in any Caribbean destination.

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All travelers are advised to carry a valid passport with them when taking a cruise to Mexico, regardless of their nationality and port of departure. US citizens on closed-loop cruises, meaning they begin and end at the same US port, can travel to Mexico with proof of citizenship other than a passport.

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Cruise ships can and have tipped over, but it is extremely rare. One of the most notable incidents was the capsizing of the Costa Concordia in 2012, which resulted in the deaths of 32 people. The accident was attributed to human error and resulted in many changes within the industry, particularly in bridge management.

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While it doesn't happen too often that a passenger gets left behind, people arriving late is all too common. If you stand out on deck, shortly before the ship is scheduled to depart, you'll likely notice the last few stragglers running for their life in order to get back to the ship before the gangway is pulled back.

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Can I board a cruise ship late? Not only can you not board a cruise ship late, the cut-off time for boarding is actually a lot earlier than the sail-away time. This is a case where everything you've learned about airplanes is true for cruise ships, too.

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Once the ship realizes you have not returned, they'll often enter your stateroom to remove any essential items like passports and leave the items with the port agents on land. Keeping these items in an easy-to-find place (like the safe) can help crew members locate the items quickly in an emergency.

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Policy – No alcohol may be taken aboard at embarkation, and alcohol purchased in port or at the ship's duty-free shop will be held and returned at the end of the cruise. Policy – Wine and champagne are allowed onboard. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.

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