Can somebody explain "Ship Time"

[jpodds]

If you cruise between 2 time zones like eastern time zone and central time zone, does the time aboard ship change also. I really wonder for two reasons....What if you are late getting back from an excursion (round of golf)because the time on your watch doesnt sync up with time aboard ship? And, we'll be aboard on New Years Eve and would not want to miss midnight. Thanks.

[Sue L]

They do it all types of ways, my past cruise, big announcements to STAY on ship's time and not to ask the time in port as it would be an hour off. It is your responsibility to keep track of time if you are off on an excursion on your own. It will be in the compass and such.

[cruiseguy1016]

Some ships change time, some don't. It's at the discretion of the captain. In my experience, I have found that most don't change. We have stayed on whatever time zone we left from. I don't think I have ever changed my watch while on a cruise. Make sure you know what the ship's time is though before you leave the ship. If the ship says they sail at 5:00, then they will sail at five based on the ship's time. If you're not there at 5:00, I hope you have your camera because you'll be able to get a nice picture of the back of the ship.

[amybeth4]

Up until last week's Liberty, I'd never experienced a ship that stayed on ship's time. We were constantly changing our watches.

It's better now. When you get off the ship, DON'T CHANGE YOUR WATCH. I was supposed to do an independent excursion at 10:30 Cozumel time. I double-checked via email the previous week if that meant 10:30 or 11:30 and he reiterated 10:30 Cozumel time, 11:30 Miami time. So that was it. I changed it in my head to the excursion beginning at 11:30.

It's much more dangerous if you DO change your watch. If the captain says, "Be back onboard at 7:30pm," then just look at your watch for 7:30pm!

[Desert Cruizers]

Interesting reading, I have always changed my watch to the ships time, for the time zone we are in. We have never missed a tour & returned well in advance of departure.

[Mark_K]

Originally Posted by jpodds

If you cruise between 2 time zones like eastern time zone and central time zone, does the time aboard ship change also. I really wonder for two reasons....What if you are late getting back from an excursion (round of golf)because the time on your watch doesnt sync up with time aboard ship? And, we'll be aboard on New Years Eve and would not want to miss midnight. Thanks.

On the bright side, if the ship changes to Central time on New Year's Eve and you don't, instead of missing midnight, you'll get to do it twice.

[SWACK]

Did a Princess Mexican Riviera last year, and they changed constantly.. was very confusing. Most times they stay on ship time, but as you leave, ask... there is ussually a clock and a sign stating that info right there..

[amybeth4]

Originally Posted by Desert Cruizers

Interesting reading, I have always changed my watch to the ships time, for the time zone we are in. We have never missed a tour & returned well in advance of departure.

At least the way the captain was calling it last week on the Liberty, you're confusing "ship time" with "local time." He considered "ship time" to be Eastern Standard Time, so there WAS no changing your watch. Know what I mean?

[Desert Cruizers]

Swack yes they change at least twice if my memory is good. Looks CC is playing games again and misplacing count Down Clocks unless it reappears on this post.
Amy sorry if I didn't word it correctly, I know there is a Ships time vs local time, I was referring to the currant time of the Port we were in that given day.

[SWACK]

Actually 1 to Cabo, 1 to Vallarta, then 1 to cabo, then 1 to san diego...

4 times in 7 days...

[cb at sea]

ALWAYS make sure your watch (don't use a cell phone!!!!) is set to SHIP'S TIME! ALWAYS!
Then, you have no reason to be late!
There are clocks at every exit of the ship--check before you leave EVERY TIME!!!!!

[Canuker]

It's soley up to the Captian. It's his (are there any her's? I might start a thread on that...) ship so they are his clocks!
It can get confusing, but as others have said, keep that watch to ship's time if you go ashore, or risk watching the ship sailing away as you gaze out to sea.