Will the ship wait for me???

[CaveDiving]

I thought the folllowing information was particularly informative when thinking about this question. I found it on another posting on a CC board.

<< This is from a web log of Captain Albert of Holland America. Some wonder what happens when passengers are late arriving to the ship. Will they wait for me? is the most common question. Captain Albert writes: "There was a spot of bad weather somewhere over the United States and that got our Air/Sea ticketing department all excited. Even to such an extent that they were asking me if I could delay the departure time, if necessary. That decision involves looking at a large number of things. The most important ones: One; How long can I stay and still make the next port on time, while running a safe speed all the time? I have to cross the North Sea and there are areas where the traffic is so dense that racing through them at full sea speed it is not always good seamanship. Two: How will this affect my fuel consumption, in relation to the number of people affected? It does not make much sense to spend $20,000 extra on fuel if one or two guests have to be flown to the next port and it would cost only $ 500. Three: Are these people flying on HAL tickets or are they on own arrangements? E.G lays the responsibility of a timely arrival at the ship with themselves or with the company. Four: even if they land on time, will they make it quickly to the ship? Traffic Jams could delay their arrival by yet another hour. Five: If I delay the ship and I would not make the next port on time, would this be fair to the guests already onboard? This is a consideration that comes into play when we are talking higher numbers. Normally if the next port call can be extended then is not such a big issue but if it can’t then it takes a good bit of consideration".>>

I hope you find it informative.

Scott & Karen

[jhannah]

Thanks for posting this so all can see what the considerations are. It is OUR responsibility to be on the ship on time. That's why flying to port a day ahead (at least) is a good idea.

Purchase travel insurance to cover the possibility that a delay may occur, causing the necessity of purchasing passage to the next port.

[lka1012]

I think (and I could be wrong) that if you book your air travel through HAL, they will either wait for you, or get you to the next port on their dime.

[Randyk47]

I can't say HAL has ever waited for us but the one, and last, time we flew in the day of the cruise we barely made the ship in Ft Lauderdale. It was HAL air and thanks to our cell phone I'd been in contact with HAL through all the weather and equipment delays that day. The HAL rep was expecting us and met us in a "minor panic" at baggage claim. We literally ran to a service van, threw our bags in the back, and raced to the cruise terminal. At the terminal we checked in with the one remaining agent and then were led through the warehouse to a service entrance on the ship as the main gangway had been pulled back from the ship. We always joke that we and the bananas were the last things loaded. The Ryndam left within 30 minutes of us boarding. I don't know what would have happened if we'd not had HAL air but the end result was we never, ever fly in the same day after that. In fact, the one time we drove to a port, a one time cruise on Celebrity out of Galveston in 2005, we went the day before and that's only a five or so hour drive.

[kazu]

I can't say HAL has ever waited for us but the one, and last, time we flew in the day of the cruise we barely made the ship in Ft Lauderdale. It was HAL air and thanks to our cell phone I'd been in contact with HAL through all the weather and equipment delays that day. The HAL rep was expecting us and met us in a "minor panic" at baggage claim. We literally ran to a service van, threw our bags in the back, and raced to the cruise terminal. At the terminal we checked in with the one remaining agent and then were led through the warehouse to a service entrance on the ship as the main gangway had been pulled back from the ship. We always joke that we and the bananas were the last things loaded. The Ryndam left within 30 minutes of us boarding. I don't know what would have happened if we'd not had HAL air but the end result was we never, ever fly in the same day after that. In fact, the one time we drove to a port, a one time cruise on Celebrity out of Galveston in 2005, we went the day before and that's only a five or so hour drive.

You were lucky. Another good reason to do the exress check in. Without it done in this day and age, you wouldn't have been able to get on.

The ship will wait if it can, but there are times they can't, no matter whose air you are on. We, like you, find it much more relaxing to fly at least one day early and then we are relaxed, can enjoy the port and board the ship at our leisure.

[navybankerteacher]

I understand that if you book air through HAL that they will make every "reasonable effort" to get you to the ship, either by holding departure briefly or getting you to the first port -- but they do not absolutely guarantee anything.

The idea of significantly delaying sailing is essentially absurd: why should 1,500 to 2,000 passengers have their vacation plans upset for the sake of a few? There should be no likelihood of HAL significantly delaying a sailing for someone who's late arrival was not the result of HAL or HAL's agents failing to deliver.

[Randyk47]

You were lucky. Another good reason to do the exress check in. Without it done in this day and age, you wouldn't have been able to get on.

The ship will wait if it can, but there are times they can't, no matter whose air you are on. We, like you, find it much more relaxing to fly at least one day early and then we are relaxed, can enjoy the port and board the ship at our leisure.

Interestingly this episode was before express check-in. :eek::) I'm trying to remember but I think we actually had to finish our check-in (i.e., provide them a credit card) at the main desk on the ship. Considering this was our honeymoon cruise and my bride's first cruise it wasn't exactly coming all together like I'd planned. :o

[jtl513]

Capt Albert was talking about the initial embarkation, but many of the same cost considerations apply to whether the ship can wait for you at an en route port. On our last cruise Capt Mateboer waited until 5:25p, nearly an hour after the on-board time of 4:30, for a couple who were not even on a HAL excursion!! :eek: (They were in contact with the ship through the Port Agent.) He said he had the luxury of delaying that long only because the run from Martinique to Barbados is under 200 naut miles, and he had about 14 hours to do it!

[tomc]

Thanks a lot, guys. :( I dreamed about this last night, only it wasn't about me. Some guy (in the dream) was leaving his third-floor verandah motel room, fixing his tie, as we were pulling out at 3:15 and we did this quick turn-around --as fast as a car might-- and I noted it was now 3:17. He should have known to get back to the ship on time. What he was doing in the motel, I don't know; maybe it was embarkation. Anyway, we sailed without him.

Then my alarm clock went off and I never did learn if he met the ship at the next port.

[matondo]

Just putting in my two cents worth. I agree with flying in the day before. On our next cruise our first two days are at sea. I would not be a happy camper if I could not board my beloved HAL ship until day 3 of my 7 day cruise. I know other cruises are worse. There is also something about the excitment in the hotel waiting for the shuttle with other fellow cruisers the day of. I feel like it is part of the whole experience.

[Himself]

The other night I did a tour of Victoria BC in Canada and the tour bus driver asked us if we knew the difference between a tourist and a Hitch-hiker? (The answer is 5 minutes.) If one is in a port of call and it is a tour late returning, they will hold the ship if it is a HAL tour. If you are on your own and are late, I hope you're a good swimmer.

[agathasmum]

We were on the 3rd July Maasdam sailing. Previously I have only ever seen late passengers left behind on the dock. However on this sailing, late passengers were accommodated on two occasions, although rather them than me, in the manner it was accomplished!!!

On embarkation day we left Boston on time but very slowly. The Captain made an announcement that an additional 4 passengers and baggage were being bought to the ship on the pilot boat and would board when the pilot left. Very interesting watching 4 people and their suitcases coming aboard while at sea.

Before we left Charlottetown several announcements were made for a couple of doctors to contact the front office immediately. Later after we had left port when we were approaching the Confederation Bridge we saw there were 2 extra people on the pilot boat, who did indeed come aboard - the missing doctors.

[Taxguy77]

One time we were using cruise-air (not HAL) and paid extra to get a better flight. Good-their schedule would not have come close to making the ship!:(
The flight we were on was delayed, and when we got to Miami we were met by the rep and taken to a spot to wait for the bus. An hous wait! (At least it seemed like an hour.)
We finally arrived at the ship terminal with another couple, after all but one employee had left registration, with my cane we beat the other couple who had a wheelchair. When we found our cabin, the lifeboat drill was in session.
Note: Don't use cruise-air now!:cool::cool:

[Pam in CA]

Depending on the port, there are other considerations as well. In some ports, ships arrive and dock "in order" and when leaving, they have to leave in the same order. If one ship is delayed, it holds up another ship or two. I remember being in a port where the Captain came on the PA and said, "For those passengers who can't tell time, this is their lucky day. The Celebrity ship at the harbor entrance will be delayed an hour." Sure 'nuff, 45 minutes later, two cabs came screaming up to the ship and disgorged six passengers. We sailed 15 minutes later.

Another consideration is pilot availability. I've been on cruises when we were delayed and "lost" our pilot; when the missing passengers finally made it on the ship, we had to wait another hour for a pilot.

I've been on at least a couple of ship's excursions that were an hour or two late arriving at the dock. The ship waited.

[Typhoon1]

We were departing Fort Lauderdale a few years ago. The captain announced our departure would be delayed due to a snowstorm in Chicago.

Gloria Gaynor was entertaining, and we were waiting for her flight to arrive.

[cruisinjudy]

Sometime in the 90s we were on a Princess cruise leaving out of San Francisco. My daughter had not been to San Francisco before so we were showing her around town, thinking the ship left at five. We casually parked the car and proceeded to board the ship. As we got to our cabin the ship started to move. I don't know what schedule I was using that I got the idea it left at five. Anyway we came close to missing the ship. I guess the departure time was four not five.

A friend of mine met a ship her aunt and uncle were sailing on in San Diego. She showed them around the town and got them to the pier in time for what they thought was the sailing time. Wrong! They watched the ship sail away without them. I think this was only a four day cruise and it was sailing for Catalina. Apparently the departure time had changed and it was posted at the gangway but they missed the sign.

[3rdGenCunarder]

We did a Princess cruise a few years ago. One of the stops was St Thomas. We had an unusually early departure time, something like 3 PM. We heard that two members of a family group didn't get back to the ship in time. They were "kids," maybe late teens early twenties. They were in contact with their family, so they were able to work out plans. The only solution to get them from St Thomas to Grand Turk was for them to fly St Thomas to Miami, spend the night in Miami, and then fly to Grand Turk the next day. That must have cost plenty.

Does travel insurance cover that sort of thing, when the only reason you missed the ship is your own error?

[kazu]

We were on the 3rd July Maasdam sailing. Previously I have only ever seen late passengers left behind on the dock. However on this sailing, late passengers were accommodated on two occasions, although rather them than me, in the manner it was accomplished!!!

On embarkation day we left Boston on time but very slowly. The Captain made an announcement that an additional 4 passengers and baggage were being bought to the ship on the pilot boat and would board when the pilot left. Very interesting watching 4 people and their suitcases coming aboard while at sea.

Before we left Charlottetown several announcements were made for a couple of doctors to contact the front office immediately. Later after we had left port when we were approaching the Confederation Bridge we saw there were 2 extra people on the pilot boat, who did indeed come aboard - the missing doctors.

I have seen passengers brought on board with the pilot too!! The captain really doesn't want to leave anyone behind unless he has to.

[world~citizen]

With the caveats noted above, generally speaking, the ship WILL NOT wait if you are not there.

Its almost a maritime tradition.

Fly in a day early.

Smooth sailing...

[IRL_Joanie]

You should read the following thread. Sad (felt horrible for the mans wife, but not him) and yet funny at the same time since several of us CC members were aboard the ship and I even have pictures:

Beware!! Westerdam Capt. Waits for noboby http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1157383&highlight=captain+waits+for+man

Joanie

[BaltiGator]

On embarkation day we left Boston on time but very slowly. The Captain made an announcement that an additional 4 passengers and baggage were being bought to the ship on the pilot boat and would board when the pilot left. Very interesting watching 4 people and their suitcases coming aboard while at sea.

Before we left Charlottetown several announcements were made for a couple of doctors to contact the front office immediately. Later after we had left port when we were approaching the Confederation Bridge we saw there were 2 extra people on the pilot boat, who did indeed come aboard - the missing doctors.

I always wondered about people being brought on board via the pilot ship in special circumstances. Certainly getting the doctors on board by any means possible made sense - though they might have received a tongue lashing from the captain if they were late for no good reason!

I wonder who the other pax were that you saw get on board that way? Entertainers? Other staff? Hard to imagine that they would let "ordinary" pax board that way.

[jtl513]

Hard to imagine that they would let "ordinary" pax board that way.Quite often ordinary passengers too. Anyone who missed the sailing, basically.

[m steve]

Time and tide wait for no man

[navybankerteacher]

You should read the following thread. Sad (felt horrible for the mans wife, but not him) and yet funny at the same time since several of us CC members were aboard the ship and I even have pictures:

Beware!! Westerdam Capt. Waits for noboby http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1157383&highlight=captain+waits+for+man

Joanie

The OP on this sad tale moaned that the ship wouldn't wait 15 minutes for him -- that 15 minute delay, applied to the 1900 other passengers, would aggregate 2850 minutes, or 475 hours, or over 19 days. True, it is easier for each of many individuals to lose 15 minutes than for one to lose a few days; but, since a late arriver has no one to blame but himself, why should he assume that a couple of thousand people should pay anypenalty for his irresponsibility?

[BaltiGator]

Quite often ordinary passengers too. Anyone who missed the sailing, basically.

Really? I've never heard of anyone missing a sailing and getting brought on board that way, and I can't recall anyone reporting that around here either. But I'm not doubting you. I'd like to hear people tell their tales about it, and whether maybe it was a little nerve-wracking stepping from the pilot ship onto the big one.

[RuthC]

Really? I've never heard of anyone missing a sailing and getting brought on board that way, and I can't recall anyone reporting that around here either. But I'm not doubting you. I'd like to hear people tell their tales about it, and whether maybe it was a little nerve-wracking stepping from the pilot ship onto the big one.
My first Alaska cruise was out of Vancouver. The ship pulled away from the dock, backed into the harbor, straightened out as if to head for the bridge, and stopped. For a very long time we sat there going nowhere.
After a while a small boat came out to the ship and a family---she carrying a little baby!---climbed up the outside stairs. There were ship personnel to carry their luggage, and assorted baby paraphernalia, including a stroller.

Seems they were on cruise air, and the flight was late. The ship had to leave the dock, as it would have cost some outrageous tens of thousands of dollars to stay there for another hour.
I know I wouldn't have wanted to board that way!

[jtl513]

Really? I've never heard of anyone missing a sailing and getting brought on board that way, and I can't recall anyone reporting that around here either. But I'm not doubting you. I'd like to hear people tell their tales about it, and whether maybe it was a little nerve-wracking stepping from the pilot ship onto the big one.I've read about a half dozen instances on this forum. Here's three of them:

I have seen pax who were late brought out to the ship in the pilot boat (Ensenada, Mexico, a long time ago on RCCL). But doing that opens up a new can of worms and a pretty good increase in liability for the cruise line (speaking of passenger safety) and that's climbing a Jacob's ladder:eek:. Ever done it?
On our recent Noordam cruise, we had 4 people who missed the ship in Martinique. For about 1/2 hour before our departure time of 4pm (which was, to be fair, an hour earlier than any other port), they paged the 4 passengers in question in case they had entered the ship without checking in. Captain made the decision to leave at 4 as scheduled - and no more than 30 seconds after we had started to leave, there were the 4 passengers running towards the pier. As the pilot boat was still at the pier, they were able to take the boat and board the ship, which after having pulled away and sailed a bit, stopped long enough to let them on. The folks up a trivia were revelling in their misery... :D
A couple of years ago a couple missed the Westerdam in Monaco. As we were leaving and heading out to sea, the Captain announced that he was slowing down to pick up two passengers since he was not yet in international waters he could do that. They were fortunate to be brought over by some coast guard type boat out of Monaco.
I don't remember seeing a first-person case posted, though.

[BaltiGator]

I don't remember seeing a first-person case posted, though.

Yeah that's what I meant. But thank you (and RuthC too) for the other anecdotes. I do wonder about the liability. Can you imagine if someone fell into the water while trying to board? :(

[agathasmum]

I always wondered about people being brought on board via the pilot ship in special circumstances. Certainly getting the doctors on board by any means possible made sense - though they might have received a tongue lashing from the captain if they were late for no good reason!

I wonder who the other pax were that you saw get on board that way? Entertainers? Other staff? Hard to imagine that they would let "ordinary" pax board that way.

My original post may have been misunderstood, so to clarify, I think both sets of passengers were "ordinary".

The first set of passengers who came aboard with their suitcases from the pilot boat were a family of 4, looked like 2 adults and 2 teenage children.

The 2 doctors, were probably not part of the crew and may not even have been medical doctors. The announcement made when they were not on board was along the lines of "Would Dr John Doe and Dr Jane Doe of cabin 123 please call the front office on extension 5678 immediately if they are on board".

I think we had a very considerate Captain and pilot boat crews on both occasions, and that the persons concerned should think themselves very lucky!

[3rdGenCunarder]

Time and tide wait for no man

Aw, shucks, you beat me to it! :p

DH gets nervous if we aren't on board a full hour before sailing time. We have never seen anyone running toward the ship as the lines are cast off.

This thread reminds me of the QE2 episode of "Keeping Up Appearances" where Hyacinth and her husband are on the pier in Southampton watching the ship sail away, with Hyacinth shouting "Wait! Come back!"

[kazu]

Yeah that's what I meant. But thank you (and RuthC too) for the other anecdotes. I do wonder about the liability. Can you imagine if someone fell into the water while trying to board? :(

no difference than falling off a tender which I have seen. I am sure some type of waiver is signed and I have SEEN people brought on board on the pilot boats. At our ports, not the embarkation. think about your options, take a plane to the next stop or take the pilot boat what would you do?

Two times in the last two cruises. i wasn't on them. I'm on time but I heard the calls for the people and then we watched as they climbed that ladder to get on board. ( a lot of crew around them ) really, seriously we saw it as we laughed from our balcony. I said to DH never will I do that.

It does happen and, actually the people are lucky. Myself, I prefer to be back one half an hour earlier than called for and that is what we always do. As to arriving - always at least the day before. There are some things that you just don't risk or play around with.

And I don't want to climb that ladder, thank you. It is true and does happen but it's definitely not the way to travel as far as I am concerned. :):)

[3rdGenCunarder]

On our Veendam cruise, about 20 minutes after the posted "all aboard" time, there was an announcement for some passengers to contact the front desk. Ten minutes later, two of the names were announced a second time. And possibly a third time after that. We realized the number was a promenade deck cabin. Curiosity made us check out the cabin as we walked around the deck, and it was a lanai. At sailaway, all the deck chairs on promenade were occupied. Except the two chairs for that cabin. :eek:

We didn't see anyone climb out of the teeny-tiny pilot boat, but we didn't hear anything about someone missing the ship, so I guess they got on board in time.

[world~citizen]

Really? I've never heard of anyone missing a sailing and getting brought on board that way, and I can't recall anyone reporting that around here either. But I'm not doubting you. I'd like to hear people tell their tales about it, and whether maybe it was a little nerve-wracking stepping from the pilot ship onto the big one.

I've seen it happen in Bermuda. Ordinary pax too - if we pax can be called ordinary.;)

Smooth sailing to you...

[Typhoon1]

Fly in a day early.

Smooth sailing...

Fly in three to four days early if you're departing a wintry location.

Sure, it costs a few $$$ extra, but I won't risk being delayed due to weather, and waving goodbye as the ship leaves the pier.

We just consider it part of winter cruising.

[Pam in CA]

The OP on this sad tale moaned that the ship wouldn't wait 15 minutes for him -- that 15 minute delay, applied to the 1900 other passengers, would aggregate 2850 minutes, or 475 hours, or over 19 days. True, it is easier for each of many individuals to lose 15 minutes than for one to lose a few days; but, since a late arriver has no one to blame but himself, why should he assume that a couple of thousand people should pay anypenalty for his irresponsibility?The idiot who moaned and groaned about this "sad" tale thought the ship was sailing at 5pm although the time was changed. What the heck was he doing getting to the ship at 4:45pm when he thought it sailed at 5? He whines that he missed the gangway by five minutes and it was raised at 4:41pm. No sympathy here.

Really? I've never heard of anyone missing a sailing and getting brought on board that way, and I can't recall anyone reporting that around here either. But I'm not doubting you. I'd like to hear people tell their tales about it, and whether maybe it was a little nerve-wracking stepping from the pilot ship onto the big one.I've seen people boarding via the pilot boat several times. The comments I heard afterwards were that it was a very expensive embarkation. I gather they also have to pay a hefty sum for the privilege of risking their lives.

[sprockie]

We missed the Westerdam about 10 years ago in St. Thomas. It took years off our lives, and a big dent in our bank account.
There were 11 ships in port that day, we were scheduled to dock, but plans were changed and had to tender at the last minute - all aboard was shifted back an hour.
We headed back from Coki beach in what we thought was enough time, but ran into major traffic and an accident on the way back and arrived back after the last tender. We raced to the port authority, and they radioed the ship, but the anchor was being pulled up and it was too late. The next stop was Half Moon Cay, so we flew back to Ft. Lauderdale and waited until the ship returned. We called the ship, and they said they were packing up our cabin and we would find our things at the pier terminal. We begged them to get back on to pack up, to which they agreed, thankfully.
We only had our snorkel equipment, ship ID and a Visa card. Two major lessons learned here. We always take our passports with us, and we're back a few hours before we leave.
We can laugh about it now, but it was terrifying. You just never know what can happen.

[world~citizen]

Fly in three to four days early if you're departing a wintry location.

Sure, it costs a few $$$ extra, but I won't risk being delayed due to weather, and waving goodbye as the ship leaves the pier.

We just consider it part of winter cruising.

Couldn't agree more.

We were living in NYC when we booked a cruise out of New Orleans on the Maasdam in January.

We booked three nights in a hotel previous to the cruise and got hit with what they called the snow storm of the century.

We couldn't get a flight over all that time, and caught-up with the ship in Cozumel, the first port.

We never, never, ever fly in the same day as a cruise. Even then we realize it may not be enough.

Once bitten...

Smooth sailing to you.

[kazu]

Couldn't agree more.

We were living in NYC when we booked a cruise out of New Orleans on the Maasdam in January.

We booked three nights in a hotel previous to the cruise and got hit with what they called the snow storm of the century.

We couldn't get a flight over all that time, and caught-up with the ship in Cozumel, the first port.

We never, never, ever fly in the same day as a cruise. Even then we realize it may not be enough.

Once bitten...

Smooth sailing to you.

How awful :( you did everything right and we're still caught. but in most times what you did would be right. I agree always fly in early and then you get to enjoy the port. who wants to sail out of a port they haven't seen?

Part of our rationale for not always picking winter months. Storms wait for no man or no ship. Thank you for sharing.

[DutchByAssociation]

I think (and I could be wrong) that if you book your air travel through HAL, they will either wait for you, or get you to the next port on their dime.

When you purchase air through HAL, that is correct

[Hwy101A]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXE9Dk4Y0M

[BaltiGator]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXE9Dk4Y0M

Thanks for the link!

[Watson's aunt]

when they tell you the ship sails at 5 that does not mean you get to pier at 4:55. It mean you get there at 4:30 or earlier. do you have any idea how much those tug boats cost to bring you out to the ship. It probably cost them the price of the cruise. Yhe cruise does not pay it you do and you pay it before you board the tug boat

Mary

[jcrandle]

Many years ago, on a Carnival cruise, the cruise director asked, "Do you know who the ship will wait for?" Someone suggested the Captain. "No," came the reply, "the First Officer is fully qualified to command the ship in the absence of the Captain." "The answer is the ships physician, as maritime law requires the ship to have a medical doctor on board."

Years later on a HAL cruise we had the good fortune to be seated at dinner with the ship's doctor and his wife. I remarked that I was going to shadow them on shore excursions to be sure the ship would wait in the event of unforeseen circumstances. He shook his head and said that it would be a big mistake, as there was also a doctor on board who's primary responsibility was the crew, but he could satisfy the physician on board requirement!

[trouble1964]

It's me again---the newbie with the stupid questions-------

Is that the normal length of a ship dock? I've never seen one before, and I thought you just walked down a short ramp, but apparently I am quite wrong. We have to walk that far with our bags when we board?

I don't plan on even cutting it close when it comes to reboarding after excursions. In fact, we only booked on in each port because we are concerned we won't have enough time to get back!

[Hwy101A]

but here is a guess. http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=SaXQnyV-4gs&feature=channel

[Hwy101A]

driving this vehicle..http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1154971&icid=autos_1588&GT1=22022

[casamariposa]

My mother and I sailed out of San Francisco to Alaska in 1990 on the Royal Viking Sea. We had just left port and were almost under the Golden Gate Bridge when mom screamed because there was a launch moving fast right outside our lower deck portholes. Apparently a couple missed the departure, and the crew opened the "door" facing the sea in the corridor right next to our cabin, which was the the first cabin in the corridor. The couple's luggage was hurled on board, followed by the couple. I have never forgotten that scene and have always wondered if I would have the courage to be lifted and passed over to a deckhand from a moving launch. After that experience, I make sure I arrive in port at least a day in advance of sailing.

[Copper10-8]

Really? I've never heard of anyone missing a sailing and getting brought on board that way, and I can't recall anyone reporting that around here either. But I'm not doubting you. I'd like to hear people tell their tales about it, and whether maybe it was a little nerve-wracking stepping from the pilot ship onto the big one.

Here's a pic of a Jacob's ladder, frequently the only way to get onboard the dam ship from the pilot boat. The avg HAL passenger is not going to be able to accomplish that, let alone the risk that's involved in climbing that bad boy:cool:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/NauticalJacobsLadder.jpg/375px-NauticalJacobsLadder.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/NauticalJacobsLadder.jpg)

[fann1sh]

Watson's Aunt - your post reminded me of a Maasdam Caribbean cruise - maybe 2002?

Two pax caught up with the ship by pilot boat in Nassau harbour. I met one of them the next day, and she confided that short boat ride cost each of them around $1000 (IIRC) - in any case, more than either of them paid for the cruise itself.


Do you have any idea how much those tug boats cost to bring you out to the ship. It probably cost them the price of the cruise.

[jtl513]

It's me again---the newbie with the stupid questions-------

Is that the normal length of a ship dock? I've never seen one before, and I thought you just walked down a short ramp, but apparently I am quite wrong. We have to walk that far with our bags when we board?On initial embarkation you'll turn your bags over to a porter before you even check in, and the gangway will usually (but not always) be attached to or right next to the terminal building.

At ports en route the amount of walking required varies widely. If the pier is "alongside" you will be on land when you reach the bottom of the gangway, but if the pier is situated perpendicular to land you typically have to walk anywhere from 1/3 ship length to 1.5 ship lengths to reach land. That would translate to somewhere between 300 feet and 1500 feet. Once you are on land you may have another 2 or 3 ship lengths to reach the port entrance or pier gate where a taxi would drop you off. Some places it's far enough that there will be shuttle buses or "super-sized golf cart" trams provided. So worst case, you may have to run 4000 feet or more ... 0.8 mile ... from the taxi to the gangway! :)

[Copper10-8]

Here's a pic of a Jacob's ladder, frequently the only way to get onboard the dam ship from the pilot boat. The avg HAL passenger is not going to be able to accomplish that, let alone the risk that's involved in climbing that bad boy:cool:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/NauticalJacobsLadder.jpg/375px-NauticalJacobsLadder.jpg (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d7/NauticalJacobsLadder.jpg)

Forgot to add; the ship in this pic where the Coastie is hanging on to the bottom of the Jacob's Ladder, waiting to get picked up by his buds, is not a cruise ship, let alone a HAL ship, btw, but you get the drift!;)

[DizzyDallasDi]

Many years ago, on a Carnival cruise, the cruise director asked, "Do you know who the ship will wait for?" Someone suggested the Captain. "No," came the reply, "the First Officer is fully qualified to command the ship in the absence of the Captain." "The answer is the ships physician, as maritime law requires the ship to have a medical doctor on board."


In May 2009, the Zuiderdam waited for the ship's priest and we departed about 30 minutes late from Vancouver. I know this to be a fact as to why we waited because the captain announced it while we sat at the dock. The Princess ship that was supposed to follow us out watched us follow her out. :)

[BaltiGator]

Forgot to add; the ship in this pic where the Coastie is hanging on to the bottom of the Jacob's Ladder, waiting to get picked up by his buds, is not a cruise ship, let alone a HAL ship, btw, but you get the drift!;)

Yeah, I get the drift. Get the heck on board before the ship leaves! :D

Thanks for the great pic.

[BaltiGator]

In May 2009, the Zuiderdam waited for the ship's priest and we departed about 30 minutes late from Vancouver. I know this to be a fact as to why we waited because the captain announced it while we sat at the dock. The Princess ship that was supposed to follow us out watched us follow her out. :)

Well, you gotta like your chances better with the priest on board rather than ditched in port. :D

[Grandmacheryl]

Our cruise begins with an overnight in Barcelona. Is it still necessary for us to get there a day earlier?:rolleyes:

[E-500]

Our cruise begins with an overnight in Barcelona. Is it still necessary for us to get there a day earlier?:rolleyes:

Not a bad idea, Barcelona is a great city to tour if arriving early, and you sail rested after a trans-Atlantic flight.

[LindaM]

Our cruise begins with an overnight in Barcelona. Is it still necessary for us to get there a day earlier?:rolleyes:

Barcelona is a wonderful city to wander around in. You could also have time to pick up a tour to the Picasso Museum or La Familia Sagrada or other picasso attactionsl Flight delays are very common nowadays. If there is bad weather in the city you are connecting to, you could miss your flight. I don't know what the next port in your intinerary is, but it could cost you a lot of money to meet the ship there, if you miss your connection. Just my opinion, after missing flights traveling from not far from you in Michigan!

[Copper10-8]

Our cruise begins with an overnight in Barcelona. Is it still necessary for us to get there a day earlier?:rolleyes:

Barca is a great city! Walk Las Ramblas and/or consider taking a 'hop on, hop off' bus for an overview of the city and its sights

[Cinder Again]

One time I was on the San Diego round trip to Hawaii, on the Statendam, I believe. It was a 15 day cruise, and in those days, I was working and had to work very hard to manage 15 days off together. So, since there is the 3 hour time difference, our T/A suggested that we should fly in the same morning as the cruise, which we did. When we got to SD airport, around 11:00 a.m. it was clear something was wrong, as there were all these people around the gates, but no one near baggage collection. A porter told us the radar had gone down for the entire airport, so they were diverting planes to other airports. We were allowed to land, only because we were coming from the east coast and didn't have enough fuel to go on. We got to the ship, and boarded about 12:00. At 4:30, the Captain announced that 800 of approximated 1200 pax were missing because of the airport issues, and we would wait. People who were meeting other couples were panicked, wondering if their friends would make it, or if they should get off, in case they needed to reschedule their cruise. The ship's staff was pretty good about reporting what they knew, but all they knew was that a lot of people were being bused in from LA, etc and we didn't know their eta... We sailed that night around 10:00, just as we were finishing dinner. I never heard any stories about people still left behind, but it made me a believer. I always fly in one or two days ahead of schedule.