Ship time vs port time question

[stanjj111]

In Costa Rico and Panama is the ship time equivalent to the time in the country? How does this affect tours with outside operators?

Thanks for the info.

[RockyTopMom]

I have discovered it depends on the cruise line. Some cruise lines do not adjust their times as they move about the oceans. Be sure and read your ships dailys every night as there is where the information about changing your watch and/or clock will appear.

 

I found that Celebrity ships adjust their time so that the port time is the same as the ships time and there should be no problem with outside tour operators.

[Spender Nui]

We've been on the same cruise with different captains and the time adjustment has been different. We've inquired about this and found the time adjustment is entirely up to the captain.

[DonLou]

On our Galaxy cruise to the Panama Canal the ship time was always adjusted to match the port time.

[Lsimon]

We've had cruises where they adjusted for some ports but not for others!!

 

Bottom line - your daily program for the port will tell you if the ship time is different from the port time - and you should keep this in mind when planning on meeting your tour, and when figuring the timing of getting back to the ship on time! If in doubt ask the pursers desk (customer relations).

[salty dingo]

Most tour operators, especially the ones who will pick you up at the ship, are well aware of the arrival times.

 

You don't have to worry about the time difference, as long as you make it clear which ship and which day you will arrive.

 

Keep in mind the ship could be late getting to port, or you could miss it entirely, so it is best to not pay in advance for any tour.

[joeinsb]

On our recent cruise through the Panama Canal on Summit, clocks were advanced as we sailed southeastward. By the time we were in the far Caribbean (near Puerto Rico) we were four hours ahead of Los Angeles. That is, what would have been 7 a.m LA time, was now 10 a.m. local. We have sailed to Mexican Riviera (Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, etc) six times on five different cruise lines and the clocks have always been advanced as we ventured southeast ward. Frankly, it doesn't make sense for the ship's clocks (at least the one's the public sees) not to be adjusted. Say for example, that they were not and you woke up at 4 a.m. to go to the bathroom only to find the sun streaming through your window. Would you say to your wife or husband, "Gee honey, it sure gets light early here in Mexico." Umm, I don't think so. Maybe in Alaska in the summer...:)