Can I board a cruiseship on a Caribbean Island?

[sushi171]

Hi!

I live in Trinidad and see cruise ships coming in and out from here but always wondered if it is even possible to board one of those ships here for a cruise.

Bests,

[cruisin' chick]

If a cruiseship's sailing begins on your island. But if the ship's itinerary starts at some other location, you should plan to go there. Usually it's only when a passenger misses getting on a ship at the starting point (because of a flight problem), they may be able to join a ship later on. But the ship needs to be aware of this; else the cabin could be given to someone else on a waiting list who was able to get to the port.

What happens at the embarkation port is that you check in at the counter with cruiseline personnel who will check your passport and credit card and otherwise finish with the paperwork. Then you go through security and board the ship where you get the photo taken that's embedded into your cabin card. At other ports during the cruise, there may not be cruiseline personnel set up your final paperwork.

[johnthed0g]

Quite a few start & finish in Barbados.

[shoretours.com.au]

I'm pretty sure Carnival has one from Puerto Rico as well

[canarymoon]

As does Royal Caraibean . . .

[cruisin' chick]

So even if there may not be a cruise originating from your island, you should be able to start a cruise at other islands, where an itinerary starts.

[MrPaul180]

Yes u can, as long you have all the paperwork ready (done by cruise line) and you'll pay for the entire cost of the cruise regardless of what Island you got on. I have seen people getting on ships in Bermuda, and sailing back to New York

[JoeyandDavid]

Yes u can, as long you have all the paperwork ready (done by cruise line) and you'll pay for the entire cost of the cruise regardless of what Island you got on. I have seen people getting on ships in Bermuda, and sailing back to New York

Great information Mr Paul...... the only addition I would make would be for the rare occasion where you are denied embarkation(health concern) or for what ever reason and the line said you can pick up the ship at the next port of call..of course in those instances it would be your responsibility to meet up with the ship at you own expense to one other reason

[reggierail]

What you would be doing is a downline embarkation. This would have to be coordinated through and approved by the cruise line. Care should be made that the shortened itinerary doesn't violate the Jones Act. An example of that would be a round trip from Miami that has a port call in Key West. Downline embarkation would not be approved for boarding at Key West since that would violate the Jones Act.

Reggie