JUST Home from Crown ! They DO leave passengers behind !

[triviaplayer7425]

I was just on the Grand Princess December 17th and the same thing happened there. They were calling for a couple when we watched a woman running for the ship. She got on and we found out later that her husband would not leave the Casino! We left as we were 45 minutes late. Being we were going to Princess Cays, then a sea day to Ft. Lauderdale, I hope he was a big winner and it was worth it for him. I wonder if his wife is talking to him yet? LOL

[triviaplayer7425]

I asked about that once and the Captain told us that there are many other things to consider. First, once the gangplank is up, to put it back down results in $$$$$ for the docking fees. Second, there are tides that change. Third, he said that he will not inconvenience 2,000 plus passenger for one or two who know what time to be back and are not. The ship waits 30 minutes after the allotted time mentioned in the Princess Patter, plus the time is listed there when you disembark the ship.

[Pam in CA]

I was just on the Grand Princess December 17th and the same thing happened there. They were calling for a couple when we watched a woman running for the ship. She got on and we found out later that her husband would not leave the Casino! We left as we were 45 minutes late. Being we were going to Princess Cays, then a sea day to Ft. Lauderdale, I hope he was a big winner and it was worth it for him. I wonder if his wife is talking to him yet? LOL

Bet his wife had a great couple of days until disembarkation. Wonder if she packed his clothes before leaving.

[beg3yrs]

Bet his wife had a great couple of days until disembarkation. Wonder if she packed his clothes before leaving.

 

LOL! I can just see her on the stern tossing a suitcase overboard. Or, even better, just opening the suitcase and dumping his clothes in the ocean. Why ruin a perfectly good suitcase?

[CanadaDeb]

We had a guy running up to the ship with a beer in each hand. People on balconies started to cheer him on and he stopped running to lap it up..pumping his hands up and dancing around. The ship pulled away and he was left on the dock :) He wasn't so happy anymore.

[goldies155]

Recently on the Ruby we had pulled away when a couple arrived in a taxi - about an hour late. The husband seemed concerned however appearances were the wife was very arrogant and of course we should all wait for her. The captain was gracious and pulled back to pick them up. You guess it - same names were called the next day.

[badger1829]

I really have no sympathy whatsoever for people who miss the ship. They know exactly what time they have to be back on, and it really isn't that hard to keep to that time.

It is simple:

 

• Know what time the ship is supposed to leave, and get back half an hour before that time at the very least.
  
• Make sure all your watches/phones are set to ship time. I know one guy who very nearly missed the ship because he decide to use his phone, which he had forgotten to change.
  
• Don't get drunk! You will end up being part of the infamous 'running of the drunks' in Cozumel :D
  
• If you take a tour not organized with the ship, make sure it isn't scheduled to get back 15 minutes before the ship leaves, because it's sod's law that you will get stuck in traffic on the way back.
  

Absolutely agree! How selfish and egotistical can you be to think that you are so important that 2000+ other passengers must wait until you decide to come back to the ship!

[dickwho]

In 2008 we were in Montevideo, where the ship [QE2] docked overnight. At departure time it came over the P.A. would Mr. & Mrs. Whatever, check with the pursers desk.

 

So we pulled out, and then a taxi came screaming down the wharf stopped and a man & a woman got out, started waving, but the vessel plowed on.

 

The next port of call was to be the Falkland Islands, but the captain wouldn't enter the harbour claiming it was too windy. So we then went to Punta Arenas, swung around the pick for a while, but we couldn't get ashore that time either, too windy. However, a tender came out to do a crew change-over. Our missing passengers were on board.

 

Rumour has it that it cost them a fair bit flying to and fro to try to pick up the ship, plus accommodation and new clobber.

 

It was a good lesson for all on board. The captain came on the P.A. that evening after we departed Punta Arenas and made the point quite clear, time & tide waits for no man or woman.

[dread_pirate]

No where do they say they will not leave a ship excursion behind. They will try to wait. However, there are times when they are obligated to sail.

From the Princess website:

Service – Princess organizes your tours in advance so your time in port is maximized and worry-free. We closely monitor tour departures and returns and we are able to hold the ship in the event your tour is delayed.

(emphasis added)

http://www.princess.com/learn/excursions/index.jsp

 

Of course, there are unforeseen circumstances in which the ship must sail, but as noted above, they'll get you back to the ship.

[caribill]

Of course, there are unforeseen circumstances in which the ship must sail, but as noted above, they'll get you back to the ship.

 

As we told one bus driver on an independent tour when we were late returning to the ship: "Just be sure you get us to the ship before that Princess tour bus which is behind us."

 

We had no problem, and the ship waited over two more hours for the remaining Princess busses to get to the pier.

[cricketgal]

DB came within 15 mins of missing his ship last week in St Maarten. I warned him about the traffic in Phillipsburg but does he listen to his sister.....NOO!! :p The good news is his wife is now speaking to him again.

[OCruisers]

I've seen it a number of times.

 

So have we ... quite a few times with independent operators ... but WAY less now than in the past. Thinking cell phones, etc. have made a big difference.

 

LuLu

~~~~

[OCruisers]

DB came within 15 mins of missing his ship last week in St Maarten. I warned him about the traffic in Phillipsburg but does he listen to his sister.....NOO!! :p The good news is his wife is now speaking to him again.

 

:D Funny Above!

 

LuLu

~~~~

[gooch47]

Wouldn't you think there would be liability issues with passengers climbing ladders and walking up tiny gangplanks? I'm amazed that it is allowed.

[LoveThisCruisingThing]

If they were on the dock and the captain could see them he should have waited or at the least launched one of the rescue craft. If not on the dock then go ahead and go, but to leave them is just plain wrong and the captain should be ashamed of himself, and if I saw him anyother time on the crusie I would make sure he knew what I felt about the poor job he did and how little he felt about the saftey of his customers on the dock. He would have a rather worn out ear to be sure........:eek:

 

The captain did the right thing. Everyone is told to be back 30 minutes before the ship departs. If the ship had to wait for all people to come aboard whenever they felt like it, the ship would have to start missing ports or shortened times in ports. I have no sympathy for those who choose to ignore the guidelines.

[John Reid]

I was just on the Grand Princess December 17th and the same thing happened there. They were calling for a couple when we watched a woman running for the ship. She got on and we found out later that her husband would not leave the Casino! We left as we were 45 minutes late. Being we were going to Princess Cays, then a sea day to Ft. Lauderdale, I hope he was a big winner and it was worth it for him. I wonder if his wife is talking to him yet? LOL

 

What makes you think she wasn't the one who told him, "Go ahead and stay, dear, I'm sure they will wait for you"? :) Possibly she enjoyed her cruise even more.

[DoulaAnn]

I haven't seen this happen yet (only one cruise), but I, too, have no sympathy. 3000+ people managed to make it back on time. They shouldn't be delayed because of 4+/- people who can't keep track of time. If the ship waits too long, their docking at the next port can be affected and shore excursions shortened, etc. And if I should ever be unlucky enough to be one of those people, I deserve whatever I get.

[thedirector1]

Always comical to watch those who partook in the festivities at Carlos and Charlie's in Cozumel at sail away time...................:D

[jmkennett]

Back in the 80's, were on the Oceanic (Home Lines), docked in San Juan. Next to us, was the Chandris Victoria (half the size). We were sailing at 1AM. The Victoria at midnight. We were sitting in one of the bars, talking to a fairly tipsy couple, when one of them mentioned the other ship sailing. About a minute later they realized they were on the wrong ship! In a panicked, drunken state, they took off, headed off the gangway, trying to flag down the ship. The Victoria did not return.

 

As funny as it was, due to their drunken state, they were now stuck in San Juan. We spoke with one of the front office managers about letting them stay on the Oceanic until the next day, when both ships would be docked in St. Thomas. The Head Purser agreed to accommodate them, gave them a mini-suite, and asked that they go "quietly" the next morning, with no charge!

 

We saw them the next day. Now somewhat sober, they thanked us and headed back to the Victoria. The good old days!

[windsor26]

We were at a port in New Zealand and two members of staff were very l;ate back (they should be back 30 mins before passengers. The ship was getting ready to cast off and these two run to the ship We could see the Captain on that bit that sticks out and he asked the Head of Housekeeping whether he should put back the stairway for them and the Housekeeper was seen to say NO let them find their way to the next port.

 

They left them behind and the gossip later was that when they did catch up at the next port the next day they were dismissed.

[paul929207]

In the late 90's, we were on the original Island Princess docked in Kusadasi from 10am until 5 pm. Next to us was her sister the original Pacific Princess. She arrived at 7 am and sailed at 1 pm. A teenage girl from the Pacific came back from her tour and got on our ship by mistake. As luck would have it, she decided to go to the buffet for lunch without going by her cabin (key would not have worked). She sat their eating as the Pacific started to sail away. She suddenly realized her mistake. The Pacific waited while the pilot boat came back for her.

 

This was before the magnetic cruise cards we have today.

[gooch47]

We saw a couple get left behind in Venice. A water taxi boat came screaming up to the dock just as the ship pulled away. Then we saw a police boat stop the poor taxi boat captain, probably to give him a ticket for speeding.

[SeattleCruiselover]

I really have no sympathy whatsoever for people who miss the ship. They know exactly what time they have to be back on, and it really isn't that hard to keep to that time.

It is simple:

 

• Know what time the ship is supposed to leave, and get back half an hour before that time at the very least.
  
• Make sure all your watches/phones are set to ship time. I know one guy who very nearly missed the ship because he decide to use his phone, which he had forgotten to change.
  
• Don't get drunk! You will end up being part of the infamous 'running of the drunks' in Cozumel :D
  
• If you take a tour not organized with the ship, make sure it isn't scheduled to get back 15 minutes before the ship leaves, because it's sod's law that you will get stuck in traffic on the way back.
  

 

 

DD rags on me all of the time because, if we are due back on board 30 minutes before sailing, I insist on one hour before, "Just in case". But I have never come close to being left behind and don't plan to in the future, either.

[SeattleCruiselover]

We were at a port in New Zealand and two members of staff were very l;ate back (they should be back 30 mins before passengers. The ship was getting ready to cast off and these two run to the ship We could see the Captain on that bit that sticks out and he asked the Head of Housekeeping whether he should put back the stairway for them and the Housekeeper was seen to say NO let them find their way to the next port.

 

They left them behind and the gossip later was that when they did catch up at the next port the next day they were dismissed.

 

Yep, on all of the major cruise lines that I know of, missing sailing is a termination offense without appeal. (I once applied to be a nurse on NCL Hawaii, and they mentioned that several times during the interview).

[Kentchikan]

There are many videos of people being left behind on YouTube. Just search for "cruise ship leaving people" or "cruise ship leaving passengers".