JUST Home from Crown ! They DO leave passengers behind !

[BassettMom]

Hi There

 

Happens all the time, also you get crew left behind.....

 

yours Shogun

 

When I was on the Diamond Princess we were in Shanghai docked at the container port (due to the Diamond's size) while the Sea Princess was docked closer to town. Two crew members from the Sea Princess went ashore and when it was time to get back to the ship, they took a taxi. Unfortunately, the taxi driver delivered them to the Diamond Princess, which was way out of town, and it was too late for the the two crew members to get back to their ship.

 

They came aboard the Diamond and left Shanghai with us. We were scheduled to go to Nagasaki next, then Busan, while the Sea Princess was scheduled to go to Busan next, then Nagasaki. When we arrived in Nagasaki, the two crew members disembarked and I was told by one of the officers on board that Princess would pay for their overnight hotel in Nagasaki while awaiting the arrival of their ship. I also asked what would happen to them since they missed their ship in Shanghai, and was told it depended on if they had any other past "issues." If this was the first time, they would be in trouble, but wouldn't lose their jobs, but if there were other past problems, then they would be sent home.

 

Presumably, the Sea Princess arrived the next day and they were able to get back on board. So, yes, sometimes crew get left behind as well.

[pompeynanny]

This video is on the CC Photo Board.

 

 

It was taken from quite a distance away.

 

The funniest part is where someone asks the person taking the video "Are you zoomed in?" When told he was, she asks "What are they saying?"

 

LOL

[Treven]

This video is on the CC Photo Board.

 

 

It was taken from quite a distance away.

 

The funniest part is where someone asks the person taking the video "Are you zoomed in?" When told he was, she asks "What are they saying?"

 

LOL

Actually I thought the funniest part was when she asked the guy taking the video, "Do you think they'll pull over?"

[cruiselvr1]

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.
  

I have to agree with you. On all our cruises someone has missed the ship.

[cruiselvr1]

When I was on the Diamond Princess we were in Shanghai docked at the container port (due to the Diamond's size) while the Sea Princess was docked closer to town. Two crew members from the Sea Princess went ashore and when it was time to get back to the ship, they took a taxi. Unfortunately, the taxi driver delivered them to the Diamond Princess, which was way out of town, and it was too late for the the two crew members to get back to their ship.

 

They came aboard the Diamond and left Shanghai with us. We were scheduled to go to Nagasaki next, then Busan, while the Sea Princess was scheduled to go to Busan next, then Nagasaki. When we arrived in Nagasaki, the two crew members disembarked and I was told by one of the officers on board that Princess would pay for their overnight hotel in Nagasaki while awaiting the arrival of their ship. I also asked what would happen to them since they missed their ship in Shanghai, and was told it depended on if they had any other past "issues." If this was the first time, they would be in trouble, but wouldn't lose their jobs, but if there were other past problems, then they would be sent home.

 

Presumably, the Sea Princess arrived the next day and they were able to get back on board. So, yes, sometimes crew get left behind as well.

Once they pull the lines, that is that. The only other thing would be to charge them the thousands it would cost to retie the lines.

[cruiselvr1]

Of course, I do not know this, but our group "thought" that perhaps there was drinking involved...... but THAT was our opinion only. Also, there is a casino attached to that hotel, right off the dock, so maybe they got caught up gambling?

 

I got into a discussion at the International Cafe, (which is PHENOMENAL by the way... but I digress...) with an older gentleman, who COMPLETELY felt it was PRINCESS' FAULT for having itineraries that leave ports THAT late in the evening.

I said, very politely, "Sir, I beg to differ, they were all ADULTS who KNOW what time to be back on board." I was not going to argue, everyone has their own opinions... and I had the feeling he had the strong opinion that Princess should leave any port at 5:00 each day...lol.

Some people would still miss the ship. Even on an overnight stop.

[cruiselvr1]

I was on the same tour in Fiji that Peggy was on. Tour included several small boats touring on a river and one of them ran out of gas holding everyone up. Fortunatley the bus diver drove like a crazy man to get us back.

 

My one real close call was in Puerto Rico. We diverted there instead of going to Dominican Reb. to side step a huricane so I had nothing planned. I took one of those tours they sell off the dock. I asked if it would be back by 3 as we had all aboard by 3:30 and was assured it would be. Turned out the tour was scheduled to go to about 5pm. Everyone else on the bus was from another ship not leaving until 8pm. Once the driver started to realize time was getting tight and I was starting to panic, the driver broke about every traffic law there is to get me back to the ship at 4 before continuing with the others. He even called the port to let them know he was on the way (not sure if that got to the ship). I was fortunate a medical situation held the ship up and it did not sail until after 5.

Actually that is how they drive there.

[cruiselvr1]

I've been late getting back, only once and it was a ship-sponsored excursion. It was my first cruise too, in Hawaii. We were the last tour to get back, but as it was a ship's tour we had a ship waiting for us (about 8 or so of us) when we got back; we got caught up in traffic that the driver hadn't anticipated.:rolleyes: I wonder what it would cost the tour company to get all of us to the next port.

 

7 years later I'm still not real comfortable taking non sponsored excursions, although on my next cruise, in June to Alaska, I'm taking two excursions semi on my own.

My DW and I agree. We feel more comfortable knowing we won't miss the ship.

[cruiselvr1]

And if you arrive late to the airport,the Captain should taxi back to get you?

good one

[cruiselvr1]

I can never understand why people feel the need to wait till the last minute to get back on board. Heaven knows, they are given enough reminders. I certainly wouldn't laugh about it. I'd be devastated. Okay, it was an inter island flight in this case, but what would have happened if it was a transatlantic crossing?:eek:

There aren't that many stops on a TA.

[cruiselvr1]

Some port stays are as little as 4 hours. That means between the time you can get off the ship and the time you should be back on it there are only three hours. I can easily see why some people would push the limit under these circumstances.

These are same people who push the speed limit.

[cruiselvr1]

We will never forget an unfortunate couple almost left behind on the Sea Princess in Isla Margarita one time.

 

We were tendered and the captain actually made an announcement that they were sending a tender back to look for the missing couple. When they found them, he came on the speaker to explain that they found them shopping on the pier and would be coming along side shortly.

 

He suggested it that we should all come to the side to greet them back onboard.

 

Well they had taken up the tender docks and made them climb the rope ladder to get back up on board. With a couple of helpful boosts:eek: from the crew of the tender and very loud cheering(leers) they made it up the ladder. To say the least I'm sure they were never late again. Neither was anyone else on the ship.

 

It certainly was the subject of discussion at dinner.

That is best story.

[cruiselvr1]

While I totally agree that people can be irresponsible and not heed the warnings of being back on time, I do have to say that sometimes Its beyond the persons control! When we were in Rome there was a wildcat taxi strike where the cab drivers blocked every route possible, got out of their cabs and left! Thankfully we had a great guide who knew amazing detours, but others were not so lucky! People who were not on a ships tour were delayed by hours getting back to the ship!

 

 

Another time there were people on a tour bus going to see the Pyramids in Mexico and the bus broke down! It was not the cruiselines tour, it was privately chartered by about 20 people! Again we ended up waiting hours beyond our departure time!

It still isn't the ship's responsibility to wait. You try to save money, sometimes bad things happen. This is what people need to remember, when going on your own.

[JimmyVWine]

Some people would still miss the ship. Even on an overnight stop.

It is incredible how thoughtless some people can be. But I guess that is what happens when you congregate 3,000 people.

 

On our last stop in Cozumel. the "All Aboard" was 4:30. At around 4:20, the crew members packed up the mid-ship gangway, leaving the fore entry available. At 4:29, a group of passengers made their way, (slowly) out of the duty free shop and on to the long cement walkway. OK. So they were going to be a little late. No biggie. The crew saw them and assumed that they would be the last ones. So they started to pack up the railings and signs and what have you around the ship. That group arrived at around 4:40. But just as they got to the entry way, another couple came through the duty free and proceeded to make that long walk just as slow as could be. It seriously took them 15 minutes minimum. And they had to know that they were last as the security people locked up the gates behind them. Did they do anything to speed up the process? No. They took their sweet time, stopping to take pictures along the way. We realized that the crew had spied them and were waiting. But secretly, we were hoping that they would give up, pull up stakes and leave those two behind. They didn't board until 5:00. Now, I know that the ship would never leave people behind who were already on the walkway (unless the lines had been untied), but still. If I knew that I was last, I'd at least give the appearance that I was jogging or rushing back. The pace at which they walked, stopping for photos and all, was just inconsiderate to the crew as well as everyone on board.

[4x4bob]

Over the years I have seen some interesting activity as the ship pulls away from the dock.

I always try to watch sail away with my camera in hand to record the actions of the passengers who think the ship will/should wait for them.

The best photos was when I saw four young women wearing bathing suits, carrying towels, jump out of a cab and try to run 200 yards in flip/flop beach shoes back to the ship as the crew started to close up the entry port.

I always wondered just how they would have been able to travel either home or on to the next port to catch the ship as they were dressed. And, the need for a pass port which I doubted that they took to the beach with them.

 

Bob

[RickEk]

It is incredible how thoughtless some people can be. But I guess that is what happens when you congregate 3,000 people.

 

On our last stop in Cozumel. the "All Aboard" was 4:30. At around 4:20, the crew members packed up the mid-ship gangway, leaving the fore entry available. At 4:29, a group of passengers made their way, (slowly) out of the duty free shop and on to the long cement walkway. OK. So they were going to be a little late. No biggie. The crew saw them and assumed that they would be the last ones. So they started to pack up the railings and signs and what have you around the ship. That group arrived at around 4:40. But just as they got to the entry way, another couple came through the duty free and proceeded to make that long walk just as slow as could be. It seriously took them 15 minutes minimum. And they had to know that they were last as the security people locked up the gates behind them. Did they do anything to speed up the process? No. They took their sweet time, stopping to take pictures along the way. We realized that the crew had spied them and were waiting. But secretly, we were hoping that they would give up, pull up stakes and leave those two behind. They didn't board until 5:00. Now, I know that the ship would never leave people behind who were already on the walkway (unless the lines had been untied), but still. If I knew that I was last, I'd at least give the appearance that I was jogging or rushing back. The pace at which they walked, stopping for photos and all, was just inconsiderate to the crew as well as everyone on board.

 

Well, that's a case where everyone on board on that side of the ship should have been giving them what for! :)

[meredemer]

I too have seen a few of these situations. I like to book on the port side in order to rubber-neck when leaving ports. Perhaps the funniest situation was in St.Petersburg - on the Star in 2005. We were enjoying our drinks on the balcony..a P&O ship was across from us, in back of us was a Costa ship and across the end was O's Regatta. We heard 2 girls paged several times. Finally, moving sideways away from the dock, we spotted 2 girls running from a tour bus in Regatta's parking lot. (don't know if they got on wrong tour bus..all looked alike, or hitched a ride to port...don't know). Seemed all of the port-side balconies were full of people watching, gawking, hooting & hollering. Girls came to our dock, fell to their knees (quite dramatically), pleading for us to come back. Of course, the Russian immigration guards came running out of their hut to "escort" them back to the hut. The ships all began blowing their horns (Almost like they were chuckling/chortling). One certainly did not want to be left behind in that container port. Guess what the topic of conversation was at dinner that night...throughout the ship!. We were all wondering what ever became of them. Next day, in Tallin: again, we were rubber-necking..getting ready for departure and watching a Costa ship pull in across the narrow dock from us. When Costa's first gangway was put out, guess who were the first to pop out!...they quickly, quietly & unobtrusively slipped right into the Star's boarding line & onto the ship. Never saw them again...think they purposely kept a very low profile. Luckily, they were able to hitch a ride on Costa's ship who was following us. So, all ended well. ;)

[wobblybob74]

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:

 

Nope. Don't agree with you one little bit. If a couple of thousand of other people have managed to do everything possible to get back on time, then why on earth should the Captain disrupt his work and put himself and the crew out just to accomodate people who are arrogant enough to think that sailaway times don't apply to them?

 

There are too many people on the world now who think that rules apply to everybody else and that they somehow deserve special treatment.

[cruzer0415]

In Alaska I have seen ship's personnel looking through the bars for folks, but in Euope and the Caribbean there are too many to look through. And as been stated before there are times posted to be back aboard by and if you do not pay attention then it is your nickel to get to the next port. And if you do not take your passports or a copy of them with you then it is still your problem.

 

This should be a lesson for all of us.

[Lookingforfacts]

Obviously people need to take responsibility for getting back to the ship on time.

 

That said there are people, even posters in this thread, that seem to delight in the misfortunes of others.

 

Just because a person made a mistake---didn't allow enough time for traffic, couldn't get on the last ferry, was the victim of a long line at a car rental desk should be a cause for joy.

 

The vast majority of posters on cc suggest skipping the cruise line tours. It's inevitable that a (small) % of people doing so will miss the ship.

[caribill]

The vast majority of posters on cc suggest skipping the cruise line tours. It's inevitable that a (small) % of people doing so will miss the ship.

 

It is very rare that an independent tour provider will cause passengers to miss their ship.

 

But people who do their own thing using public transportation or just wander about doing shopping are the ones that are most at risk for not getting back on time.

[JimmyVWine]

But people who do their own thing using public transportation or just wander about doing shopping and drinking are the ones that are most at risk for not getting back on time.

Had to add that.:)

[suzyed]

Yes it happens. Two years ago on the Ruby TA the captain left 2 people in Venice' date=' 2 at another port and our last stop but crossing the Atlantic the Arozes he left 4 people. We stay aboard and did the Caribbean on the Ruby and he left someone at every port. The Captain left right on time at every port.[/quote']

 

We left some people in the Azores when we sailed on the Ruby. Unfortunately, they were elderly and we heard one of them had Alzheimer's. :(

 

Also, we just got back from a TA/British Isles cruise on the Grand and heard some were left in one port (I believe it was, Dublin, but not sure). Apparently there were many traffic problems.

 

While we were in Greenock, we were supposed to be back on the ship at 5:30 and we were told by the Maitre'd at 6:00, that there were still 1100 passengers still on shore!!!

And then in La Have, there were 1600 passengers still in port about an hour after we were supposed to be back on board!!!

[geoherb]

Even after taking two dozen cruises, I still love watching them let go of the ropes then sailing away from a port. The only time I've seen someone left behind was also in Curacao. The woman who was stuck on the wrong side of the pontoon bridge wasn't as lucky as the OP's four ladies. Curacao was the last port of call on that cruise, so she would have had to fly back to Fort Lauderdale and miss the last days of our cruise.

[Treven]

While we were in Greenock, we were supposed to be back on the ship at 5:30 and we were told by the Maitre'd at 6:00, that there were still 1100 passengers still on shore!!!

And then in La Have, there were 1600 passengers still in port about an hour after we were supposed to be back on board!!!

 

Since we're not talking about one or two people here, did the ship wait? I assume all those people would have been on ship sponsored tours, so the ship certainly would have delayed their departure.