JUST Home from Crown ! They DO leave passengers behind !

[tinatark]

I was on the Crown last week :) When the pages kept calling for the missing passengers, I told my hubby we needed to be on our balcony, videoing... but we didn't... heard the stories later about the girls running down the pier as we sailed! The same thing almost happened again the next day, in Aruba... a family was paged repeatedly - they finally showed up just before sailaway - but still later than we were scheduled to leave.

 

I think I am going to bring the patter ashore with me from now on - there is always a "port agent" phone number listed. I'm thinking if anything ever happened with me being late, I could call the agent and let them know what's going on.

[Treven]

...

I think I am going to bring the patter ashore with me from now on - there is always a "port agent" phone number listed. I'm thinking if anything ever happened with me being late, I could call the agent and let them know what's going on.

 

That's always recommended in the Patters.

[Loonbeam]

If I am carrying my phone I grab a snap of it so I don't have to carry paper.

 

I was on the Crown last week :) When the pages kept calling for the missing passengers, I told my hubby we needed to be on our balcony, videoing... but we didn't... heard the stories later about the girls running down the pier as we sailed! The same thing almost happened again the next day, in Aruba... a family was paged repeatedly - they finally showed up just before sailaway - but still later than we were scheduled to leave.

 

I think I am going to bring the patter ashore with me from now on - there is always a "port agent" phone number listed. I'm thinking if anything ever happened with me being late, I could call the agent and let them know what's going on.

[Posaune]

We were on a Grand Med cruise where the folks in the cabin next to us missed the ship twice!

[paddingtonbear]

We were on a Grand Med cruise where the folks in the cabin next to us missed the ship twice!

 

That must have added to the cost of their holiday!! :eek:

[Pam in CA]

We were on a Grand Med cruise where the folks in the cabin next to us missed the ship twice!

I'm surprised the Captain didn't order their things packed and not allow them back on the ship after the 2nd time. That's just stupidity, not circumstances.

[dotty52]

LOL Littlesteelo!!! I love that, the "Running of the Drunks" in Cozumel!! That is one of our favorite ports for just that reason, and we have seen some crazy people running and swaying their way back to the ship at that port. We also have seen very drunk folks being wheeled back in wheelchairs with their ambulatory friends not much better off.

 

We have seen people left at the dock as we pull away, in a few different ports of our travel. It is always safe to get back at least 1/2 hour before they tell you because that must be the worst feeling to see the ship sailing away without you.

 

One time, we were on the Star from Sydney to Los Angeles. In Fiji, we were on a bus with about 60 very fun and crazy cruise critic roll call friends on a tour NOT purchased through the ship. We were about 10-15 minutes late when we finally arrived back and had to dodge our way through the military marching band to board. It seemed as if the whole ship was on that side watching the band and we had many shouts, laughing and clapping from the other passengers. We just kept telling ourselves that certainly the ship would not sail off without that many passengers...... but we will never want to cut it that close again!!!

 

Peggy

Hi Peggysand

we were on that excursion in Fiji, we still have a laugh about that , I was wet through by the time we got back to thip

[spunkyhungry]

I was on the Grand Princess, when the ship did wait for late people. It was at Grand Cayman. 4 passengers were late. The captain sounded upset, but he did wait for them. They were about 30 minutes late.

[Flipper4599]

We were on Ruby 4/1-8, we saw long lines of folks getting back on the ship at the dock in St Thomas. After everyone was boarded, a crew member was escorted off with 4 pieces of luggage, in his uniform with the gold name tag still on his coat pocket. A worker at the pier, escorted him off and out the gate, locked the gate behind him. We could hear the pier worker say to the guys getting ready to pull up our ropes, that he sure hoped that liquor was good. One of our party of 6 took a photo and asked about it. The crew member worked in the casino boutique and I suppose was drinking on the job. Feel certain that there is no tolerance. Although this isn't passengers left behind, wondered how often this type of thing happens.

[Nomsayin]

We were once told by a tour guide that the only difference between a passenger and a hitchhiker is about three minutes.

[jnc411]

I've seen it a number of times.

 

I have seen it happen a few times myself.

Cori

[sammiedawg]

We were on a private tour in Europe, one of the group members was demanding, difficult , wandering off on her own and was a nuisance to the tour guide and inconsiderate to the rest of us. This person happened to be a quasi cruise ship employee- she was on board as the Jewish officiant for religious services. We did not miss the ship's 6:00 pm departure but we were 5 minutes late for the all aboard, we arrived at 5:35 due to this wandering passenger. Holland America is pretty strict and questioned us what had happened. I said nothing, one guy stated we were late d/t "traffic". We all wanted to throw the problem person under the bus but we refrained.

 

Another time we were on a cruise ship tour, a friend wanted to browse the local fish market, he is responsible but lost track of the time. Princess waited 10 minutes for him, we were most grateful. Everyone was hanging out on their balconies watching him run up to the ship. Things can happen. Last minute shopping seems to be a common problem.

[Pam in CA]

I was on a Princess tour to Marrakech and we were walking through the souk (market) and were told to look but not stop, and don't buy anything, on our way to lunch. We exited the souk and two people were missing. After waiting 15-20 minutes for them, the guide led us to the restaurant as we had a reservation for a particular time. He then went back to find the father and son, who apparently had been having a great time wandering around the souk and buying stuff. The guide finally found them but it put us off schedule. Due to traffic and a stop by the police (because they could) just outside Casablanca to examine each person's passport, we didn't get back to the ship until almost two hours after the scheduled sail time. We were met at the pier by the CD, port lecturer and head of Shore Excursions. :)

[lynwar]

In 2003 our ship was between the Navigator of the Seas and Grand Princess. We had an aft balcony. At the appropriate time, the Navigator of the Seas left, and the next thing we knew was that a high speed boat was hightailing it out to that ship, which by that time seemed just outside the harbor area. The ship actually turned so that the cruisers could board on the "gangplank" side-although there was no plank. From what I'm reading, it must have been quite an experience for those folks to get back on that ship-rope ladders? Jumping TO the ship?? There were lots of spectators watching that exercise. We were on another cruise when we the ship was running a late departure and all of a sudden, two full sized buses came out to the ship on the pier!! It was narrow out there, and it was interesting to see how the buses got backed up to get back to the port.

 

I've always been wary of non-ship sponsored excursions for the very reason of late returns. In 2004, my husband actually made arrangements for us to rent a car in St. Maarten and go off on our own. That, in itself, made me very nervous. And, I can remember the instructions to get back before 4-4:30 because the traffic gets heavy in Phillipsburg at that time and we didn't want to get stuck on the other side of the city.

As luck had it, our ship's itinerary was diverted West to help hurricane victims on those islands so we never took that solo excursion(by that time had found another couple to share expenses).

 

I will say, though, that we did hop on a taxi van in Dominica that needed two more people to fill it for a trip and the price was right so we went--to the rain forest. It turned out to be a good time and we were back early. And, we did go on an hour's ride in the Turks last year which was nice. In both cases, it saved Hubby from having to stay in port and shop!!! Or, just go into town and shop. :D On our last cruise on the Ruby Jan 22-29, we walked into Phillipsburg, via another street, and found a nice little establishment down by the beach, had a drink and there were some shops there, as well. We did take a cab back.

 

My point is--I want to be back to the ship early. (HOME), And, I do carry the Patter with us so we have the agent's number. Good idea, though, to have the first page copy of the passport. Thanks for that suggestion from some cruising buddies! (Ruby, 2008)

 

Lynne

[Astro Flyer]

Once as we sailed from Honolulu's Aloha Tower pier we could see a passenger running down the pier towards the ship that was already underway. She was lucky to get on the harbor pilot boat as it went to the ship to get the harbor pilot & she got onboard. I have no idea who she was however it was surprising that they would risk the liability of transferring someone from the harbor pilot's boat onto the ship.

[gooch47]

What really amazes me are the passengers who you see strolling down the dock without a care in the world 15, 20 or more minutes after the ship was supposed to sail.

[dread_pirate]

I was on the Sapphire in Shanghai in 2006. We were suppose to sail at about 830pm...we were at dinner, not near a window...thought we had sailed. finished dinner and did some things on the ship then went to our room. My traveling companion was tired and wanted to go to sleep...I wasn't and decided to go to the casino...when I got there it was closed, so I decided to see what was going on. when I got to the main deck (by the gangplank area) the captain and a chinese gentleman (in full uniform) were standiang by the open gang plank door...there was a white grease board by them that had four names on it. When I asked what was going on I was told to go to my room.

I found out the next day that the Chinesse goverment would not let the ship sail without all passangers on board...the US embasy (the missing were from the us) was contacted. the 4 were found in a hotel room, apparently they thought they missed the ship...found a hotel and didn't call the port people (lesson do this) they were found after midnight and brought back to the ship. I heard they were fined a very hefty amount.

China is a tad bit different than most countries - I believe that tourists are not permitted to wander around without a guide, and these passengers from the cruise didn't have one.

 

I'm sure that most crew do whatever they can to wait as long as they can. But, as noted many times, there are many times when they simply cannot wait due to all the situations described here.

 

Then it's the passenger's fault, not the ship's.

[gdisney]

I remember a few years ago we were leaving port in Mexico, had just shoved off and began to sail away from the pier, and a couple came running down the pier and yelling and waving. A little ways down from me someone was talking to their friend and said "Oh, do you think they'll pull over and get them?". I had to laugh at that...the thought of a cruise ship slamming on its brakes, throwing it in reverse and backing up to the pier to pick someone up :rolleyes:

[littlesteelo]

In 2003 our ship was between the Navigator of the Seas and Grand Princess. We had an aft balcony. At the appropriate time, the Navigator of the Seas left, and the next thing we knew was that a high speed boat was hightailing it out to that ship, which by that time seemed just outside the harbor area. The ship actually turned so that the cruisers could board on the "gangplank" side-although there was no plank. From what I'm reading, it must have been quite an experience for those folks to get back on that ship-rope ladders? Jumping TO the ship??

 

Might I draw your attention to this hilarious video taken from Navigator of the Seas:

 

It brings a new meaning to the phrase 'walking the plank' :D

[DENNAS]

Might I draw your attention to this hilarious video taken from Navigator of the Seas:

 

It brings a new meaning to the phrase 'walking the plank' :D

 

OMG ! Just watched it, UNREAL. And boy, the folks on board were unrelenting to the ladies !! lol.

[Cruisin' Chick]

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.
  

 

Great info for newbies to know. Always take the ship's newsletter with you (which will have the time listed to be back onboard), always double check your watches against ship's time (and it's great if one in your party has an alarm on his/her watch), always aim to be back on board way before the deadline (we do this, especially as hubby wants to avoid the longer lines for the tender and for security checks to return) and as someone said, it's nice to be able to drop off your bags of tee shirts and other purchases to give you time to be on deck for the sailaway.

 

I still remember a Baja cruise on a Carnival ship during Easter weekend so plenty of college kids onboard. We were back onboard in Ensenada pretty early and it was fun to be on deck watching college kids staggering back to the ship. One trio of girls got out of a taxi and the two on the ends had to hold up the middle girl. It was soooo quiet the next morning (Easter) so I'm guessing many of the students were praying to the porcelain gods in honor of their trip to Hussongs.

 

The one time we did get back to the ship after the scheduled sailaway time was when we were on an excursion booked through Princess. The sailing time had been pushed up an hour between the time we booked the excursion and the cruise, but the excursion's time wasn't changed. Plus the weather was foggy so the van had to go slower. At dinner, we were told our names (as well as the others on the tour, I guess) were announced. You would think that the shore excursions desk would have a list of those on the excursions still out, but at least the ship waited.

 

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:

 

I hope you read the replies to your post as there are many important points that have been made, including that the ships need to leave by their appointed time as there's sea conditions, use of the port master, possibly other ships waiting to use that dock (I've had at least one ship that was sharing a berth with another...we were tendered until the other ship left and our ship moved into that position).

 

It is hoped that when you leave the ship in port that you understand that its your responsibility to return to the ship on time. Else you are being inconsiderate or naive. And if you are going on an independent excursion that takes you far from the port, or go out on your own, you understand the risk. I may be overly cautious, but we try to stay within a specific distance of the ship so we could easily return way before time. I would be embarrass to be showing up at the gangway late knowing that I've caused the ship's departure to be delayed.

 

 

Is it the Captain's decision then to GO or NOT GO back? Crown didn't. We thought perhaps penalties to go back to the pier... since they have to leave at a certain time. OR perhaps liability if they sent a tender/pilot boat to get them and then one of the girls "got hurt" passing from the tender back onto the ship and wanted to sue? We talked about this quite a bit that evening and the next day. Lots of questions, but no real answers.

 

Something interesting.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Ahhh Cozumel...many eves we have sat on our port side balcony next to, usually a Carnival ship, and watched the late and obviuously intoxicated , run down the pier to a closed up and moving away ship. Most times the ship has left port with the yelling and angry psx left on the concrete. This seems to increase proportionately during spring breaks. I am sorry that folks miss the sail away but agree there is that personal responsibility thing about being back on ship 30 minutes before sailaway. Someone in a party crowd needs to be the designated timekeeper for sure.

We have been late back to ship sailaway times while on ship excursions due to traffic in small towns or ports, but at least on a ship's tour, they have waited..the captains have never been all too happy, but they've waited.

Thanks for sharing the thoughts about the Cozumel crowd, it brought back some memories. Meanwhile, take a watch and passport on shore, and designate a timekeeper, just to be safe.

 

I love the idea of designated timekeeper. If anyone wants to pay for my fare (cruise, air, etc.), I'm not a drinker. :)

[Posaune]

I'm surprised the Captain didn't order their things packed and not allow them back on the ship after the 2nd time. That's just stupidity, not circumstances.

 

 

I noticed that after the second time they did not come back to the ship. I guess you were right!

 

We almost missed the ship in Monte Carlo when there was an unannounced two hour train strike while we were trying to get back from Nice. We got back just at the announced time of the last tender and there must have been 500 people still in line. The train strike got a lot of people!

[caribill]

China is a tad bit different than most countries - I believe that tourists are not permitted to wander around without a guide, and these passengers from the cruise didn't have one.

 

No problem going around in China without a guide. However, China does not want people left ashore who were supposed to sail although the visa needed to stop in China on a cruise ship is the same one to arrive by plane.

 

Russia in St. Petersburg requires all ship passengers who do not have a visa to only be ashore with a licensed guide. Russia does not have this requirement in Vladivostok.

[gooch47]

I believe it was on a Mexican Riviera cruise that we met two of the most inconsiderate passengers ever.

 

We were on a tour with them the first stop and we learned their names. They were late getting back to the bus on every stop that tour made. And sure enough, that evening we heard them paging them.

 

The next stop, once again we heard them being paged.

 

On another stop we saw them sauntering down the dock a full half hour after the ship was supposed to leave.

 

We kept wondering if they were VIP's or something.