Should You Travel Standby on a Cruise Ship?

Is it worth the savings to sail last minute in a cabin you might not have chosen? One thing is holding me back. And to you, it might seem petty…

I just received an email from Princess inviting us to join their cruise standby program. After sailing the Enchanted Princess twice, my husband and I were intrigued.

Here’s the deal: For 99 dollars per person per night, you get a balcony stateroom, that’s all. You can’t choose the location, the deck, nothing.

Still, that is a great price. You pay for your cabin up to seven days ahead of time for the Fort Lauderdale cruise terminal (other ports might be different.) We live less than two hours from Port Everglades, so we don’t have to rely on booking air.

The only thing holding me back from this incredible deal is the bathroom situation! You see, we have only stayed in a mini suite on Princess, never a regular balcony stateroom. The difference is only about 100 square feet. That is OK. But the bathroom is definitely smaller…Not by much, but it is smaller.

Is Sailing Standby Actually Worth it?

After checking various cruise boards, some say yes, others…a hard no. I get it. Unless you live a short distance from a cruise terminal, it definitely is not worth the hassle. Also, if you have your heart set on a particular cabin or area of the ship (i.e. needing to be mid ship lower deck for motion sickness) that can be a problem.

In addition, you are likely to be stuck with an obstructed balcony. To me, that is fine. Yes, I like to gaze out at the ocean, but people…it is all about the bathroom.

Why, you ask am I obsessing over a vanity and a shower? Because I have a big bathroom at home, that’s why. I don’t know, if all I was used to was an airplane lavatory, maybe this wouldn’t be a big deal, but I’m sorry, it is. Call me entitled if you want, but we all have our priorities.

Fancy drinks and Broadway-style shows are at the bottom of my list, where as a large shower and place to spread out my makeup is at the top.

One cruiser who lives in Vancouver, BC mentioned in a forum that he packed and went all the way to the cruise terminal for a Holland American standby deal, and never got on the ship. Granted, the cruise line didn’t guarantee him a cabin. He knew he was taking a chance. Still it must have been so disappointing to have to go back home and unpack.

That would not happen to us. We live two hours away. If there isn’t a spot the day before sailing, we will turn it down. And if you do that, they will refund all your money.

Sailing Standby is an Adventure!

That is how I look at it. After talking it over with my husband, we decided to try next summer. We have three cruises booked this fall and winter. They are in suites that I spent hours agonizing over the location, the view, etc.

So, if we end up say, in the middle of July on a Bahamas cruise in a small balcony state room with a view of the life boat, will I spend the entire vacation sulking? No, absolutely not. First off all, I am not that entitled, and second, I love a good deal! 

So, realizing how much money we are saving, will actually make any slight inconveniences worthwhile. Just one little problem… I like to book shore excursions on line ahead of time. Can’t do that on a last-minute cruise. It’s OK. We will adapt. And I am sure the folks over at the guest services desk are really nice and helpful.