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May 29, 2013QUESTION: To all the cruise ships out there: What's the protocol for folding bikes aboard your cruise ship?
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One of many advantages of owning a folding bike... in my case a Brompton... is portability. My Question all the cruise ships out there: What's the protocol for folding bikes aboard your cruise ship? Can I take this super-compact form of transportation on my travels... specifically, when stopped at ports to explore?
Here's the results of my research so far:
Folding Bikes - Not Allowed
No - "May 16, 2013 -- Thank you for contacting Carnival Cruise Lines. Thank you for your interest in booking a cruise vacation with us. Bicycles (this includes travel bicycles that can be folded up) are prohibited and will be disposed of prior to boarding. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you again for allowing us to be of assistance. If there is anything else we can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. Sincerely, Byron Rocha, Guest Solutions Specialist"
No - "April 30, 2013 -- Thank you for your email. We apologize for the delay in our response. Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean International does not allow bicycles onboard our ships. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Thank you for choosing Royal Caribbean International. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future. Sincerely, Kathy Reese, Customer Service Representative"
Yes! Folding Bikes = Port Stop Exploring.
Yes - "April 30, 2013 -- Thank you for your recent email about bring your Brompton Folding Bike onboard. Yes you will be able to bring it and disembark with the bike to explore the ports. One thing: you will have to store the bike in your cabin. there is not a place that we can store it onboard. We look forward to welcoming you onboard. Sincerely, Princess Cruises, Customer Relations Specialist"
Yes - UPDATED: "May 17, 2013 -- We welcome guests to bring their personal bicycles on board our ships. You must stow your bike in your stateroom, and we do not allow the bike to be riden on board the ship at any time. However, you are allowed to take your bike with you ashore while the ship is docked. Kind Regards, Shane, Holland America Line"
Yes - UPDATED: "May 20, 2013 -- Guests are allowed to bring bicycles onboard. They must be foldable, and stored in their staterooms. The bicycles cannot be used onboard, only ashore in ports of call. Regards, Pre-cruise Desk NCL.com"
Yes - UPDATED: "May 20, 2013 -- You may bring a folding bicycle stored in a container no bigger than a large suitcase, but it must be stored in your stateroom and cannot be utilized onboard. Sincerely, Natalie Dick, Celebrity Cruises Captains Club"
Conclusion
I've been on the Sapphire Princess on a September Inside Passage Alaska Cruise and looks to me so far that they will continue to obtain my business making it convenient for guests with folding bikes to bring along their mode of transportation to explore at each port stop. Thank you Princess Cruises!!! Plus I will be considering a cruise on: Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) and Celebrity, as well.
UPDATED: February 20, 2017 – It's always good practice to call the cruise ships and confirm current or changes in policies.