Ship Visits – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many ship visits are there per year and when?

Q: How can I get to go on ship visits?

Q: Which ships do you visit?

Q: Where do the ship visits usually take place?

Q: Can members suggest ship visits?

Q: What personal details are needed for visits and do I need to bring a passport to the ship? 

Q: Is there a charge for ship visits?

Q: Are children allowed on ship visits?

Q: How are the visit places allocated and how can I increase my chances?

Q: How many ship visits are there per year and when?

 In a good year we may have ten visits, but it all depend on the generosity of the cruise line.  Most visits take place between April and September, although they can take place at any time of year

Q:  How can I get to go on ship visits?

If you are a fully paid up member of the Ocean Liner Society and are registered as being ‘interested’ in ship visits, you will normally be advised by letter of all forthcoming ship visits and will have the opportunity to apply. You may be able to bring a partner or friend, depending on the allocation available. However, on occasions when we get short-notice visits, sometimes with a very small allocation of places, e-mail will be used to advise members. However, members are still required to make their application by form and to send a cheque to the address in the notification letter or email. It is strongly recommended that members supply a current email address, since cruise lines have given very little notice for many recent visits, giving insufficient time to send out letters. To make sure we have your latest contact details, correct email address, and have your interest in visits registered, please update your details using this Form.

Send update forms only to the Membership Secretary, Mayes House, Vansittart Estate, Windsor, SL4 1SE

You will be advised in the notification letters and emails where to send your visit booking forms and cheques.

Q: Which ships do you visit? 

Each year we contact all of the major cruise lines and many of the minor ones too, requesting visits.  It is at the discretion of the different lines as to which ships we are able to visit. Not all cruise lines welcome are willing to welcome the Ocean Liner Society onboard with open arms. Several lines have a policy of ‘travel partners’ only onboard.  Our past experience has shown that the smaller cruise lines are usually more sympathetic to our cause - which is an added bonus for us because they often have the most eclectic and interesting ships!.

Q Where do the ship visits usually take place?

Visits are offered wherever the different lines offer them. Often this is Dover and Southampton, simply because those are the busiest two ports in the UK, serving most of the major cruise lines. Harwich and Tilbury seem to be increasing in popularity with the cruise lines. Occasionally we have been secured visits in Devon, Scotland and Ireland.

Q: Can members suggest ship visits?

Yes, Members are welcome to suggest ship visits to me via e-mail or letter, but the cooperation of the cruise lines can never be guaranteed.  Any visit that is secured will be offered to all members. We are always on the lookout for interesting vessels visiting our shores, including newbuilds. If you have industry contacts, their details would be much appreciated too.

Q: What personal details are needed for visits and do I need to bring a passport to the ship? 

All cruise lines now require member’s details due to heightened security and the concerns about terrorism. Those details are typically passport details. Passports need to be shown at ports to secure embarkation cards for visitors. All UK ports are now secure and include X-ray machines and metal detectors in the embarkation lounges, as airports have done for some years.

Q: Is there a charge for ship visits?

The Ocean Liner Society only charges a small fee (currently £5), to cover the cost of our stamps, envelopes paper and printing. This is in addition to and fees charged by the cruise line. Where the line does impose fees this is usually to cover costs such as onboard refreshments.