Ever miss the ship while on a Private Excursion?

[junglejane]

We only book ship's excursions, partly for that reason, and partly because the cruise lines vett the tour companies they use for the excursions they offer, for vehicle safety, health safety (if food is involved), quality of the excursion, and do ongoing evaluations by placing ship's staff in the tour groups anonymously.

To me, both of those reasons make it worth the few extra dollars of cost for ship's excursions.

 

When we were on the Crown Princess in July 2009 (British Isles), our Cruise Critic Roll Call group had a get together in the middle of the cruise that was attended by James Deering, the Hotel Director (or whatever his exact title was). There were tons of complaints about the ship's excursions. Mr. Deering explained that in some ports, the cruise line has lots of choices of tour operators and can be picky and demanding about them. But in other ports there weren't many tour operators to contract with. So even though Princess was aware of on-going complaints about buses breaking down, inadequate a/c, rude drivers and less than stellar tour guides, they had no choice but to keep using the only game in town.

[Putterdude]

Short answer is .. No! But we always plan to be back in the harbour area at least a full hour before sailing.

[pg.]

Nope! I'm not willing to run that risk!

We only book ship's excursions, partly for that reason, and partly because the cruise lines vett the tour companies they use for the excursions they offer, for vehicle safety, health safety (if food is involved), quality of the excursion, and do ongoing evaluations by placing ship's staff in the tour groups anonymously.

To me, both of those reasons make it worth the few extra dollars of cost for ship's excursions.

 

 

 

Flamomo,, ships excursions do not really seem any safer to me.. I remember that terrible bus accident where a young American man was killed, with his poor parents right there,, and that was on a ship excursion. In many of those places ( small poor islands) the bus driver is still just a bloke with poor driving skills, and likely no special liscence.As for food safety,, thats a new one to me,, you think the ships personal check out the kitchens,, ha ha. But, I see you have bought into the ships fear tactics. And btw , I do not believe they place ships staff anoy. on shore exes.

[peg013]

I haven't missed the ship but we stood on our aft balcony on the Dawn last year and watched 4 people miss the Caribbean Princess in Bermuda. Their next port was Puerto Rico. Sure hope they had their passports with them. They had asked as we took the ferry back from St Georges to the Dockyard if any of the passengers on the ferry were from the C. Princess as they were missing 9 passengers. As we got off the ferry we watched the 5 of them that were on the ferry with us running towards their ship. They were lucky because they got on the ferry at St. Georges at 4PM for a 40 minute ride and they were supposed to be back on the ship at 4:30. Then about 15 minutes later we watched the other 4 completely miss the ship.

 

CruisnGram also missed the ship in Boston so I know it happens. Maybe she will stop by to tell her story.

[imsulin]

A bit OT, but there's a great link out there somewhere of a couple literally missing the ship. They weren't on an excursion, just walking and shopping, apparently. This was in Nassau, and I think it was a Carnival ship. The whole thing was taped by passengers on their balcony. It showed this couple literally running across the pier (and that Nassau pier is really l--o--n--g!), and the ship pulled away while these balcony passengers were filming. Does anyone have a link? I'm not smart enough to find it. Thanks!

[Interrogation Room]

If you do miss the ship you could always look for help.........!

 

 

:D:D

 

 

This is CRAZY! Was there people drinking :confused:

[cruiseco]

...

[satxdiver]

Nope! I'm not willing to run that risk!

We only book ship's excursions, partly for that reason, and partly because the cruise lines vett the tour companies they use for the excursions they offer, for vehicle safety, health safety (if food is involved), quality of the excursion, and do ongoing evaluations by placing ship's staff in the tour groups anonymously.

To me, both of those reasons make it worth the few extra dollars of cost for ship's excursions.

 

 

 

Flamomo,, ships excursions do not really seem any safer to me.. I remember that terrible bus accident where a young American man was killed, with his poor parents right there,, and that was on a ship excursion. In many of those places ( small poor islands) the bus driver is still just a bloke with poor driving skills, and likely no special liscence.As for food safety,, thats a new one to me,, you think the ships personal check out the kitchens,, ha ha. But, I see you have bought into the ships fear tactics. And btw , I do not believe they place ships staff anoy. on shore exes.

 

I was on the Ruby last February. On one shore excursion that involved a hike through the woods to a secluded beach, a member of the ship went with us. I presume to observe the tour operator and his operation. He did elicit comments from the pax during and after the trip. He was there in uniform representing the ship. I assume he was monitoring the tour for a report.

[Hlitner]

Nope! I'm not willing to run that risk!

We only book ship's excursions, partly for that reason, and partly because the cruise lines vett the tour companies they use for the excursions they offer, for vehicle safety, health safety (if food is involved), quality of the excursion, and do ongoing evaluations by placing ship's staff in the tour groups anonymously.

To me, both of those reasons make it worth the few extra dollars of cost for ship's excursions.

 

Actually, on my very first cruise, our ship's tour was over an hour past sailing time in getting us back to the pier, due to traffic issues when returning from the other coast of Panama. It was a huge relief to arrive at the port in Cristobal and see that ship sitting there waiting for our tour group to reboard.

"Ship" does happen!!!

 

We did smile after reading this post. A few examples that come to mind (besides that horrible bus accident already mentioned) was a tour in the Mexican Riviera where a group who were horseback riding in the countryside were robbed (at gun point). There was also a bus tour on Jamaica a few years ago that was stopped by gunman who entered the bus and robbed all the passengers. We also smile because of our experience in Egypt where we spent 2 weeks on our own traveling throughout the country (we did hire private guides and drivers). Many cruise line excursions in that country that use large buses need to have armed escorts to protect the passengers since large groups are inviting targets. Those on their own have little to fear. :)

 

Hank

[Morgsmom]

 

Of course, you can never completely eliminate risk. I always make sure to carry the ship newsletter with the phone number of the ship's agent in port.

 

This is such an important point and I have talked to so many fellow cruisers who didn't know to do this. We take independent excursions 99% of the time and always take this phone number. If something went terribly amiss your local guide (usually a CC referred one) has a cell phone plan that works in the area (duh) and could get through to the ship's agent for you. If the ship KNEW where you were and what the issue was they might likely stay in port a few extra minutes assuming you make a connection with them. It's the "would Mr. Smith dial XXX" calls that means the ship has no idea where you are!

[Nevertoolate]

Easily answered, either yes or no. If yes, short description only.

 

I did not find anything rude about the question at all. Understood his point of view and NO we have not had any problems getting back to the ship and we use private tours.

 

:D