What to do if your ship leaves without you

[Chesneygirl]

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/couple-misses-cruise-what-to-do

[SRF]

Glad to see they stated it this way - "According to Cruise Critic, “the ship's crew will often remove the passengers' essential items — passports, cell phones, and medication — from the ship to leave with the port agents.”"

 

It is most likely they will, but not guaranteed.  However they did not mention that they will only remove items from the safe to give to the port agent.  However, I am sure, that if they go through the trouble of opening your safe, they will pick up your passport or cell phone if it is sitting in the desk. 😄

 

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Interesting that the OP should choose to post a link to an article from February that pretty much summarizes an article from Cruise Critic.  Maybe better to find the article here and link to it.  But I tried to find it...it must be buried deep, although I didn't try a search...EM

[Krazy Kruizers]

They would find our passports, wallets and cell phone in the safe.

 

But I couldn't possibly keep all the medications in there.  I have them locked up in another place.  We would be in trouble in we missed the ship and didn't have our medications -- especially DH who takes 17 different medications -- some of them 3 times a day.

[John Bull]

I don't know if this is the the strategy advised by the cruise lines, or whether it's successful,  but it seems to be the most popular routine adopted by folk who miss the ship.....................

 

Run, then walk, then run down the pier.

Stop to wait for grandma.

Run, then jog, then walk.

Stop to wave at the ship, motioning to the captain to select reverse..

Run, then saunter, then stop to tap their watch.

Respond to the mix of encouragement & jeers from those lining the prom deck rail, using open arms and the occasional obscene gesture.

Run again, rather more slowly.

Drop their bag in their haste (no problem, grandma's behind & will pick it up).

Go to the very edge of the pier, put hands on hips & judge distance between pier & ship.

Having assessed that 200 ft may be just a little too far to jump, sink to their knees & put their head in their hands.

Grandma having now caught up, reach into the bag for what's left in the bottle of duty-free.

 

JB 

ps probably a more successful strategy would be to check the back-on-board time in the ships's newspaper and again on the notice at the gangway, check their watch when they disembark (noting whether local time is different to ship's time), allow for delays getting back to the ship, and steer clear of Senor Frog's. This should ensure that you're at the prom deck rail in good time to watch as others run, then walk, then run down the pier, wait for grandma, run then jog then walk, stop to wave at the ship motioning to the captain to select reverse, run, then saunter ......................................  

Edited June 29, 2019 by John Bull

[navybankerteacher]

A) Try to get to the next port of call.

B) Failing that, try to get home.

C) Think carefully before leaving your house again.

[hancock]

CRY

[soonernstlouis]

Consider it fate & become the beach bum I always wanted to be.

[CarolinaGirl2010]

Don't miss the ship.  I saw them wait half an hour for 12 people once in Cozumel, but there is no guarantee unless you take a ship's excursion.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Don't! There is no reason to miss your ship. Make sure you are on ships time when leaving to go on shore. They will always tell you when you need to be back by and a sign is there also. Take an early tour. You are guaranteed a return if you book it with the ship. No guarantees any other way. Out of all our cruises we returned late one time but the tour was booked with the cruise line and the ship was notified and waited for us. One last thing. If it leaves with out you. You better have your passports to leave what ever country you are in.

[paul929207]

We rarely take ships tours. We have always gotten back to the ship in time. Independent tour guides do not want to ruin their reputation by causing passengers to miss the ship.

 

Also, the ship does NOT guarantee they will not leave without you. They do guarantee they will arrange for you to catch up with the ship it if has had to sail without one or more of their passengers.

[navybankerteacher]

Having your ship leave without you is only one of many things you do not want to let happen on a cruise.

 

Do not let yourself fall overboard.

 

Do not take a lot of borrowed money with you on a cruise and lose it all in the casino.

 

Do not pick fights with street toughs in bad neighborhoods at port calls.

 

The list can go on - but the same general principal will help you avoid many of such unpleasant experiences while cruising:  DON’T DO STUPID THINGS.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

3 hours ago, paul929207 said:

We rarely take ships tours. We have always gotten back to the ship in time. Independent tour guides do not want to ruin their reputation by causing passengers to miss the ship.

 

Also, the ship does NOT guarantee they will not leave without you. They do guarantee they will arrange for you to catch up with the ship it if has had to sail without one or more of their passengers.

Independent tours are great. Cost far less. What if there vehicle breaks down on the way back to the ship just prior to the ship leaving port? As I mentioned. Take it early so there is plenty of time to get back.

[davekathy]

Have your camera ready for an amazing Kodak moment as your ship sails away. 

[Aquahound]

On 6/27/2019 at 12:22 PM, Essiesmom said:

Interesting that the OP should choose to post a link to an article from February that pretty much summarizes an article from Cruise Critic.  Maybe better to find the article here and link to it.  But I tried to find it...it must be buried deep, although I didn't try a search...EM

 

It's the OP's video on the article.  They're just trying to get more views to benefit from the advertising on it.  Personally, I think its disgusting because you hear the op and a dude laughing at this couple and finding joy in their misery.  Pretty shallow thing to do in my opinion.  

[Hlitner]

"What to do if the ship leaves without you?"  Sit down on the pier and CRY!  Once you get past the initial shock you should contact the ship's local agent (this info is provided onboard the ship and its wise to carry it on your person).  Then you should implement "Plan B" which is to catch-up to the ship at the next port.  If your ship is off doing a Transpacific or transatlantic....then I guess more crying is in order :(.

 

Hank

[SRF]

BTW, the port agent is standing on the pier until the ship sails away.  If you miss the ship, they will probably walk over an introduce themselves.

[Hlitner]

10 minutes ago, SRF said:

BTW, the port agent is standing on the pier until the ship sails away.  If you miss the ship, they will probably walk over an introduce themselves.

Last year we had a very long day in Osaka, Japan....dealing with the local port agent (for Princess) and several of their employees.  It gave us a renewed appreciation for what a good port agent (which is actually a company...not a single person) can do to help cruisers.   In our case it involved accessing competent medical help and the agent was truly a life saver (more accurately a leg saver).  Our agency contact told us, "this is what we do" and he was right.  When I asked him about passengers missing a ship he laughed and said that was one of the easier issues with which they had to deal.

 

But the agent is only as good as a passengers knowledge that they exist and how to contact these folks in an emergency (or missing the ship).  Most cruise lines will put their info (including a local phone number) in the daily schedule given out for a port day...and sometimes in another port handout.  It is very vital info and yet, we assume that many cruisers pay little attention and do not copy or take the info.  We have developed a habit of putting their info into our phones (that we carry ashore).  Lately I have also asked at Guest Relations if they have a direct phone number for the ship (sometimes yes and sometimes no).  Since DW and I generally do our own thing, having all this extra info is simply part of our basic planning.

 

Hank

[SRF]

Yes.

 

I had to deal with the port agent when my mother had a medical issue.

 

My Dad went with her in the ambulance.  I packed a small bag for each of us, then went off the ship.

 

The port agent called a cab for me.  And when the ship left and the cab had not come, he not only drove me to the hospital, he went in with me until my Dad and I got together.

 

And offered to come back and take us to the hotel.  As well as offered to make reservations (I had already done so on my phone).

 

VERY helpful person.

[ger_77]

I had to deal with a port agent when we were medically disembarked in Colon, Panama - the port agent there was as useless as grease on a doorknob.  He was off to the side in his car, smoking, and if I hadn't gone to him to ask if he was indeed the port agent, I don't believe he'd have come to me.  I was concerned because hubby had to be taken to Panama City, but I had no idea how I, or any of our luggage, was to get there.  He simply grunted:  "Get in the ambulance."  With that, he started his car and drove off, leaving me there.  Thankfully, one of the ambulance attendants came over and gave me assistance, otherwise I think I'd have dissolved into tears.  I'm glad others have had more positive experiences than mine.

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

[iancal]

Wave goodbye from the dock.  Go to the bar and have a drink.

[ggtjr]

On 7/2/2019 at 7:25 PM, hancock said:

CRY

PRAY!