Denied Boarding for No Show?

[Cruisedude]

We’re supposed to be going on a cruise this week out of Galveston, but my wife and son may not be able to go. Was thinking I would just cruise solo if they couldn’t make it, but when I called RCI to ask about changing the names on the cruise the representative told me I would be denied boarding if they didn’t show up. 

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Is this true? I don’t think I’ll have time or be able to find anyone to come along, or time to get the names changed before the manifest is printed. 

[SpeedNoodles]

When you get to the port, just check in. Don't tell anyone she's not going to come.  They don't require everyone to show up at the same time.  They would have probably repriced your cruise if you'd gotten the right (wrong) person on the phone.

#alwaysuseatravelagent

[Pattycruise]

Was it a casino comp in her name? If that’s the case you’d pay full price.  I’ve never heard of being denied boarding due to now show.  I’d call back and inquire again. 

[HeWhoWaits]

On 9/9/2024 at 11:35 PM, Cruisedude said:

when I called RCI to ask about changing the names on the cruise the representative told me I would be denied boarding if they didn’t show up.

ChatGPT doesn't always know how things work.

OP shows as joining the site one minute later than the post is time stamped (guess the algorithms for those two functions are not aligned). 

[michelle]

On 9/9/2024 at 11:35 PM, Cruisedude said:

We’re supposed to be going on a cruise this week out of Galveston, but my wife and son may not be able to go. Was thinking I would just cruise solo if they couldn’t make it, but when I called RCI to ask about changing the names on the cruise the representative told me I would be denied boarding if they didn’t show up. 

This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this. Is this true? I don’t think I’ll have time or be able to find anyone to come along, or time to get the names changed before the manifest is printed. 

Some agents are new, or they maybe are being schooled in all matters but also they may have been told to tell this to you by RCI

But from all that I know, this is not true - Usually you can change a person's name outside of 72-96 hours prior to sailing, once the ship
has been sent the Name Manifest (72 hours out) then they cannot do this.

Again, the agent may not have known this, but that person is not charged as no show, cruise lines just do not like people doing this
And if the do no show, you will get that persons' taxes, gratuities, planner items refunded.  Cruise fare is not refunded
but I would make sure of this and follow up on it later.

Timing is everything - if you know someone cannot travel with you - and you cannot replace them, and you 30 days or less
from cruising, then a no show is kind of your best option.

If 30+ days outside of travel, if you try and cancel that person, it may actually cost you money, because they reprice the cruise that day

Lots of details but that is what a good Res Agent or better TA is for... hope it works out.