Friday before they departed in New York a group on the cruise had a reception for those who were not sailing. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon, sitting in the lounge, drinks, served appetizers, good company, all that stuff. I was a bit stunned it was possible to do that, and it looked like apparently passengers could also bring a guest on for lunch and drinks or whatever.

There was an approval process, names and ID information had to be submitted to the line a while ago, people were approved, you traded your license or passport for a guest ID and got it back when you left.

At no time on board however did we feel restricted. We walked on, walked around the ship a bit on the way to the lounge, nobody watched as I went to the bathroom to make sure I didn't go someplace else, etc. Not saying had I strolled up to the buffet somebody may not have noticed, just didn't feel like our movement was restricted.

This was on Crystal, do any other lines allow guests on board when they are in port? Not that I think I'll have huge chances to take advantage of it, but just in case.......