bridget

I have already reserved my frequent flier air for my family from the east coast to Hawaii for next June. <BR>I wanted to book a cabin on the new Norwegian ship Star. The only problem is that the itinerary goes Sunday to Sunday. <BR>I told my travel agent that my family plans on disembarking on Saturday in Kauai instead of getting back on the ship and sailing to disembark on early Sunday morning in Honolulu. <BR> With our free air tickets we have no choice but to fly home on Saturday as the next few days were unavailable. <BR> Anyone I was told by the agent that I would not be ALLOWED to leave the ship early because the JONES law prohibits it. <BR> I do not see what the problem is. WE are US citizens and are leaving the ship in a US port. <BR> Has anyone ever heard of the Jones Act? <BR>Is there some place I can contact to get special permission to disembark early? If we are unable to leave Saturday then we will be unable to take the cruise. Please help! <BR>Thank you

John

Bridget, the Jones Act was enacted many years ago in order to protect the US shipbuilding industry. Among various things, the Act prohibits foreign-flag carriers (such as NCL) from carrying passengers between US ports without originating, ending, or having an intervening stop in a foreign country. This is the reason, for example, that most of the Alaska cruises begin and end in Vancouver BC. In the case of your cruise, your itinerary includes a stop at Fanning Island in the Republic of Kiribati (pronounced "Kiri-bas") before returning to Hawaii for disembarking. If they let you off before you've stopped in Kiribati, they've violated the Jones Act, with potentially enormous financial consequences to the carrier. The Jones Act is very controversial, but it remains the law, thanks to active lobbying in the Congress by parties who want to keep the status quo. Sorry, but them's the facts.

Michael

Just take a carry-on and "disappear" at the stop you want to get off at.....lots of people miss the ship during shore excursions!

Laura

oh brother... <BR> <BR>Bridget, PLEASE do not listen to Michael's advice.

Patricia

I don't see how you will be violating the Jones Act if you disembark on Saturday rather than Sunday as you will have already visited Fanning Island(Kiribati)two days earlier. Would'nt this make you and the ship in compliance with the law. I would'nt give up without getting a correct answer from someone at NCL. Tell your travel agent to check into this further.

Rita

Bridget, I was on a cruise in the Caribbean last spring and a couple I know tried to get off the ship in Key West one day before we were to disembark in Fort Lauderdale. They too ran into the Jones Act and I believe had to pay an outrageous fee of $250 per person to the custom agents on board the ship. I am not sure if the cruiseline was liable as well and had to anty up some cash. <BR> <BR>Frankly, if I were considering this I would not be asking for advice on this forum. A cavalier attitude like Michael's may just be enough to ban you from future travel through US customs (that is if you are not a US citizen) and possibly NCL. My advice would be to contact a lawyer or a travel agent who has experience in this field.

Paul Therault

<BR>John has given the correct information. It is the law. No travel agent or lawyer can change it. <BR> <BR>If you jump ship you will have a big problem with immigration. <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

Maui Chuck

Wrong again everyone.<BR>I work on the Star. The Jones Act requires any passenger who embarks in a US Port to visit a foreign port before disembarking in an American Port. As soon as Fanning Island has been visited, any passenger may disembark at any American Port with no penalty. We do this every week.

xx

Oh but Maui, Paul is never wrong didn't you know that? He is the answer to everyone's question wether he is right or they want it.

just

why was this thread pulled back up? the new statement did not have any new questions, and chuck only pulled it out for what reason, look how old it is and all of the sudden it comes back up for no apparent reason?

Justreplying

Just asking, Maybe because everyone is sick and tired of seeing Paul's comments that are usually wrong.

just

I wonder if those that are complaning the most have any thing good to say at all? AT LEAST PAUL DOES NOT TURN THIS BOARD INTO A B**** SESSION FOR HIS PERSONAL USE! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK PAUL

Paul Therault

<BR>Thanks for the kind words, just.<BR><BR>Most people do not read my posts they just join in with the others. Same as they do in school.<BR><BR>I was simply responding to John's post which was correct. xxx should learn how to read.<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

Peter

Wiggle, wiggle, squirm. I can read, Paul and yes, you were agreeing with John, BUT you went on to say - "If you jump ship you will have a big problem with immigration."<BR><BR>Prior to your post, Patricia said she couldn't understand why you couldn't get off once you've already been to Fanning. Then your comments. <BR><BR>Maui Chuck then posted the correct info and now you're trying to wiggle out of your mis-information. What a coward!

Phyllis

I think pauls alright leave him alone. also i was woundering if it worked out that they could disembark a day earle.

xx

Most people do not read my posts they just join in with the others. Same as they do in school.<BR><BR>Then please don't bother to post any as you yourself Paul have just said no one reads them.

Just

If Maui Chuck is correct, then please explain this:<BR>How is it that passengers on cruises to nowhere or gambling or dinner cruises are allowed to disembark in American ports?

Maui Chuck

That's an easy one:<BR>1) Most of the vessels on these runs have an American Flag, so the Jones Act does not even apply to them.<BR>2) The Jones Act requires that a foreign flag vessel (including airplanes)cannot transport passengers between TWO American ports without going foreign. A cruise to nowhere is exactly what it says. Going nowhere does not constitute transport between TWO American ports.<BR><BR>That's why the Concorde was allowed to take people on joy rides out of Honolulu several years ago. They departed Honolulu Airport, flew in circles, and landed at Honolulu Aiport again. A flight to nowhere.