So I had someone tell me that if you go down to the cruise port in Vancouver on the day a cruise is leaving, once they have all the passengers boarded they then sell the remaining available rooms for the price of just the taxes to try to fill up the ship. Is this true?! Has anyone done this?!

I'd be curious to hear the answer to this, but I can't see why they'd do it. It would be a cost to them for staffing, food, etc. Hopefully someone has some wisdom!

Following

following

*

@

F

Following.

.

I worked for a cruise line up until recently and I've never heard of this
Doesn't mean its not true though!

Following....

.

*

I believe they may have done this in the past but due to needing to check passports etc they need at least 3 days notice

Never heard of it ...online yes...

You need to book your travel in advance when you're crossing a border - its usually 3 to 4 days.

I don’t think it would happen since the cruise lines and the port authorities need to validate the passengers’ travel documents a few days before the cruise starts. There are legal issues preventing the stand-by rates to happen.

That was on the past. For security reasons they need one week prior to departure.

Used to be a thing in the 90th down in Fort Lauderdale. Not here in Vancouver.

Prior to 2001 this was true.

I work at the Vancouver Port and that is absolutely not true.. also my son works for Royal Caribbean and I do get family discount but I get notified a day or two before only if there is room available.

Nell Ross I’m off for the next two days and will return back to work on Friday and will find out from friends the best rate you can find around there... I have a part time job and am there every Friday and Sundays and maybe on Mondays when we are really busy... will contact you Friday night.. Take care

Nell Ross check out Parkopedia.com lists all parking lots in the city.
PARKOPEDIA.COM
Find Parking, Car Parks, Street Parking, Private Garages - Book Parking

Nell Ross.. I did ask my colleagues if there were reasonable parking lots for cruisers. I was told the prices are pretty much the same and they suggested that you should log in to ..
easy parking.ca
Good luck and enjoy your cruise

Following

Ivy Zhang

Worked on cruise ships... doesn’t happen.

Not a chance.

Maybe pre 911, not worth current security. Sadly.

nope used to work on ships ! Be super cool if that was the case tho

Maybe someone should start a bungie jumping company at the Pan Pacific. You could save the tax too!

https://badgerherald.com/.../10/03/canadian-man-tries-t/
BADGERHERALD.COM
Canadian man tries to bungee onto ship — misses

Ah so sounds like the consensus is this is a thing of the past... what a bummer lol!!

nope, that has never happened. There may be a few cheaper rates but nope..

I'm a Cruise addict. Just got back from Paris yesterday. Like everyone said no same day hop ons. I get last minute offers all the time. The shortest one was 3 days pre Cruise.

Chris where do you find these deals?

Tracee Bonnici I belong to a Solo Travelers Group.

The ships need to register their guests days prior to sailing (I think with Port Authority). So this can’t happen anymore.

you’re absolutely correct

I have cruised a fair bit and never heard of that. What I have heard about is BC resident specials, where they offer residents of BC a special reduced rate to fill the ship. They typically offer the resident rates a few weeks before sailing.

Margo do you know how you get on these lists?

Gloria - I spent a while a while looking at the different Alaska cruise itinerary offered by several cruise lines. When I narrowed my search to a few cruise lines I phoned there reservations department and confirmed what the resident rate on the sailing I was interested in. The cruise line I ended up choosing has 2 different rates, 1 was where I could choose my cabin location, and 2) the cheaper rate was taking a guaranteed cabin, meaning the cruise line chooses the location. You can pick from outside cabin, or one with a balacony but they choose the location.

You wish, I think someone is telling you porky pies (Lies).

Vacationstogo.com
VACATIONSTOGO.COM
Discount Cruises, Last Minute Cruises, Cruise, Cruise Line, Cruise Vacation

Nell Ross you can easily change the currency: the website offers a currency converter.

Katherin they use in this currency converter is NOT correct and you end up paying more than it states as they charge you in US dollars. Just call an expedia cruiseship Center. They often have group rates lower than the cruiselines and have access to any last minute deals.

So if it’s not a thing how do you get a super cheap last minute cruise deal?

Matthew Lorne Kittle I did. But it was in Orlando. 3 night Bahamas on carnival for 99.99

I did 4 days to ensenada Mexico with a port of call to Catalina island for 99 cnd from long beach. In a state room

Matia but the question asked was HOW did you get this deal?

Andrew but the question asked was HOW did you get this deal? I'm curious too as I work for an airline so can absolutely go last minute !

Miranda Martin I just waited with packed luggage at the port.. then they tried to fill up the ship once everyone boarded

Miranda Martin I called directly to carnival cruise agent and see if they had anything. Also registered for there email lists.

Check “Vacations to Go” Cheapest rates to Alaska are now or early Sept.

The best you could do with last minute cruises is probably a couple of days before. If the ship is going to Alaska, it means you have to clear US customs before you even board the ship. So by the time “all passengers boarded” it’s unlikely you could get all the requirements to clear US customs in time.

I’ve also seen ads for cruises out of Cuba for about $1100 per person, includes airfare. But it was basically sailing in 3 days when booking.

In the past... But not lately! I think too many people started going for that so ships werent filling up... And then.. Security

Sally they must provide government with a list of all passengers days in advance for security reasons so last minute is now days before the cruise.

Guess you could jump off of Lions Gate on its way under

Steve wait for the Norwegian Bliss, it’s only a 5 foot drop! But you’ll be arrested and returned to shore and a cell within seconds of landing on Board. Do not pass go, go directly to jail!

total rubbish, 20 years ago you could though.

I'm I riding by the dump?

not since 911:(

I asked last year when I was at the terminal. Apparently no longer can be done there isn’t even a location you can go too ask. I spoke to the cruise ship terminal office

Urban Legend....

Since 9-11 you have to be on the passenger list for 72 hours to be able to board the ship.

F

myth

The best deals you will find are by investing lots of time watching and following cruise prices and deals. Then you are prepared to jump if and when the best prices come along typically in the final two months or so. Cruise prices can change daily, it is all supply and demand working towards filling the ship just before it leaves.