JUST Home from Crown ! They DO leave passengers behind !

[cruisemom42]

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!!!

 

And I'm sure those folks (or the huge majority of them) were on the ship's excursions, which are (in my experience) often late getting back....because they know they can be.

[duck addict]

On my last cruise, one of the entertainers did not make it back on time. He arrived two days later, after one of his co-entertainers had to get off with his passport and ferry (fly) it to him on the first stop and then had to fly to Aruba and then to the 'next's stop. The CD said that it was at their own expensene, not the cruiselines.

[awhcruiser]

Why? It's clearly stated in the patter what time passengers need to be back on the ship.

 

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:

[suzyed]

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.

 

Yes, we waited both times. Not sure who was on what kind of tour, but I am betting many were on ship sponsored tours.

 

Many times the allocated time to get to the next port is generous and the captain was able to make up the time and we arrived in the next ports on time.

[FritzG]

Both of times we were in Gibraltar on a TA we sat on our balcony and watched the tour buses coming down the mountain long after we were supposed to sail. Since they were Princess tours the ship waited until every tour returned.

[Aplmac]

It was noted earlier in this thread that two passports were found in the cabin.

I was replying to Dennas, who wondered how all four could fly from Curaçao to Aruba,

but we do not know if any had taken passports ashore or even if they all had passports.

It is probably now fair to assume so, since all four were in Aruba the next day.

The other thing to bear in mind is that this kinda thing has happened before :cool:

and some folks have ended up with nothing more to lean on, but the strength of their Sail & Sign card

which they surely still have with them.

 

Yes, it's no great claim to fame, and it sure isn't a valid travel document

nevertheless it remains a claim to boarding the ship that just left them behind.

 

Port agent radios the ships to ascertain who has been left

the names add up with what S&S cards he sees before him (and local Immigration officials!)

and I'm guessing temp. travel docs are then hastily arranged

so the pier runners can travel on to the ship's next port of call!

 

 

Just think how often this happens to the Authorities in Cozumel

that most famous-of-all ports for Runners!

.

[DENNAS]

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.

 

Holy Cow, this thread is still going strong...

 

Thanks for all the entertaining stories ! They have all been making for quite an interesting read !

[Smokeyham]

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.

 

As you say..... just inconsiderate! Sounds like they had a feeling of entitlement. It would be great if they were met by an officer, and read the riot act! Better yet, maybe some passengers yelling at them to get a move on might have got through to them!

[Tina G]

Suggestion for calling at late passengers from the railings:

 

(Military style, like a sound-off)

 

Who's late? You're late!

Who's late? You're late!

Who's late? You're late!

DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!!!

 

This chant was used by my high school students on field trips.

[satxdiver]

Both of times we were in Gibraltar on a TA we sat on our balcony and watched the tour buses coming down the mountain long after we were supposed to sail. Since they were Princess tours the ship waited until every tour returned.

 

That is the major benefit in taking ship sponsored tours. I have been on ships that delayed leaving waiting for their tours to return.

 

We left a couple in Curacao also who rejoined us in St Marteen. We also left a newly wed couple in Cozumel as we departed for Galveston. They joined us there to get their belongings. It happens all too frequently.

[Treven]

Holy Cow, this thread is still going strong...

 

Thanks for all the entertaining stories ! They have all been making for quite an interesting read !

Yes, this thread has turned out to be rather humorous. I certainly have been entertained by it.

 

I wonder what it would be like if I happened to be late, and there I am hobbling up the walkway using my cane or my walker, hoping that the ship would take pity on me and wait a few more minutes. Of course since I'm well aware that I don't move as quickly or as fluidly as I did 20-30 years ago, I wouldn't wait until the last minute to start toward the ship.

[Matcodixon]

One of the most important points here is that if it becomes common knowledge that the ship will wait for you if you are late, say up to 1/2 hour, then they might as well simply post the departure time as 1/2 hour later.

 

We all know people that make a habit of being late for practically everything. They all seem to have one thing in common, They HATE TO WAIT for anyone else.:mad:

 

Missing the ship becomes an important learning opportunity for them!:rolleyes:

[Lookingforfacts]

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.

 

Agreed. The regulars on this board almost always suggest against ships excursions. Saving money and DIY tours with public transportation is suggested more often then not.

 

Those passengers are at risk but that risk tends to be minimized by posters in internet boards (not just cc). Economic situation in Europe isn't great. Cutbacks in mass transit is possible if not probable. I posted that caution and regular posters said commuters rely on the same trains and buses. People shouldn't let that deter them from DIY tours.

 

Posters in this thread are asking if the ship should wait a few minutes so a passenger who can't move fast will be able to board. I suspect a few posters not only don't think the ship should wait but also wish they could be on board watching the passengers on the dock as the ship pulls out.

[Loonbeam]

When it comes to ship versus DIY I also look at the location. For Alaska and some parts of Europe I would consider DIY because I speak the language. But for Italy and France I would never do it (using private tours) because in the event of difficulties I can't communicate well enough to deal with problems.

 

Agreed. The regulars on this board almost always suggest against ships excursions. Saving money and DIY tours with public transportation is suggested more often then not.

 

Those passengers are at risk but that risk tends to be minimized by posters in internet boards (not just cc). Economic situation in Europe isn't great. Cutbacks in mass transit is possible if not probable. I posted that caution and regular posters said commuters rely on the same trains and buses. People shouldn't let that deter them from DIY tours.

 

Posters in this thread are asking if the ship should wait a few minutes so a passenger who can't move fast will be able to board. I suspect a few posters not only don't think the ship should wait but also wish they could be on board watching the passengers on the dock as the ship pulls out.

[suzski]

As others have pointed out, most of the people who are late getting back to the ship are not late because they were on a non-ship sponsored tour but because they were shopping or drinking and weren't keeping an eye on the time. So, I really wouldn't use this thread as a reason to avoid private excursions. We have used them in ports from Alaska to Croatia to St. Lucia and have always found the tour operators to be extremely concerned with getting us back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. To me, the unique experience we've had being part of a small group just beats out being part of a group of 30-45 (or more).

[danaruns]

There's really no reason to ever be late on a DIY tour. Just don't push the envelope, and plan to be back on board well before the 1/2 hour deadline. So if the ship leaves at 8:00, just plan to be back by 6:00 and even if things go wrong you'll still make it in time. :shrug:

[Sincity]

If someone goes on their own and something happens such as a strike, car breakdown, etc., that's the risk you take. It's unfortunate if that causes you to miss the ship but it's still your responsibility to be there on time, no matter what. You also assume all responsibility for your own safety. When you book a ship's tour, it's more expensive but the cruiseline takes responsibility for getting you back to the ship, even if it's the next day in another port. That's what you're paying for. The Captain has no obligation to wait for anyone leaving the ship independently.

 

I wish I can click "LIKE."

[Smokeyham]

I wish I can click "LIKE."

 

Me too! We need to take responsibility for ourselves!

[Sincity]

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. ;)

 

If the Costa ship was sold out, I wonder where they slept? Great story.

[Pam in CA]

Me too! We need to take responsibility for ourselves!

Sometimes, you can get into a situation over which you have no control. I sometimes take ship tours, sometimes independent tours. On my recent Star cruise, I took all independent tours because they were well-organized with full (large) busloads of people from our roll call. In one port, the organizer wasn't as vigilant or insistent about timing as they should have been and we spent far too much time having lunch, shopping, etc. I made a PITA of myself saying we were running late but others repeatedly said, "Don't worry. The Princess bus is behind us plus they won't leave 40 people behind." I wasn't that worried but I was very, very uncomfortable with the attitude taken by some and they got mad at me for saying something. Naturally, the Princess bus passed ours about half-way back to the port and was long gone by the time we arrived late, after we were supposed to be back. We weren't the last ones but what bothered me was the attitude. So, it can happen even with the best planning and intentions. :(

[G8RH8R]

The only time you're guaranteed not to be left behind is if you are on the cruise lines private island!:D

[Loonbeam]

See prior post. That has happened, people have been left at Princess Cays (I know its happened at Labadee too)

 

The only time you're guaranteed not to be left behind is if you are on the cruise lines private island!:D

[ski and cruise]

I was on a ship sponsored tour on one of the Greek islands and I was ON THE BUS,waiting to return to the ship, when it was noticed that 2 ladies were still missing.I told the tour conductor that I knew which shop they were in and he told me to go get them.When we got back to the square

where the bus had been, it had left!We waited awhile,thinking the bus would come back for us.They never did,so we took a taxi back to the ship,knowing we were now late.

 

The ship almost left without us. The staff had made arrangements with their port agent for ME to get to the next port,this despite my husband

telling them that 3 people were missing.Note:this was about 40 years ago,before swiping your cruise card to get on/off ship,you took tags off

a board.Well,these 2 ladies had not taken their tags to get off the ship,

so it looked like only I was missing.The tour conductor would not admit

the truth that he was at fault for leaving me behind.

 

It turns out that the bus had to depart from the square because their

time was up and a policeman made them leave. They waited for me

somewhere "down the road," not bothering to leave someone behind to

tell me. I was furious with the tour conductor,my husband, and the 2

ladies!

 

I was very embarrassed for the rest of the cruise,having everyone thinking

that I held up the departiure. And I really stood out, being the only

Oriental person on the whole ship.

 

Needless to say,but I will, some 30 sailings later, I have NEVER been late

again returning to a ship and I will NEVER get off the bus to look for

ANYONE.

 

 

Sorry for the rant,but after all these years, it still burns me to think of it.

[snowman]

This the way we avoid being late. We wait until all the people have left the ship, then we get off and find a bar with cool drinks and a good lunch. After that we get back on the ship where there are no people and sit by the pool with more frotsy drinks. Works every time. LOL

[Off2China]

I was on a ship sponsored tour on one of the Greek islands and I was ON THE BUS,waiting to return to the ship, when it was noticed that 2 ladies were still missing.I told the tour conductor that I knew which shop they were in and he told me to go get them.When we got back to the square

where the bus had been, it had left!We waited awhile,thinking the bus would come back for us.They never did,so we took a taxi back to the ship,knowing we were now late.

 

The ship almost left without us. The staff had made arrangements with their port agent for ME to get to the next port,this despite my husband

telling them that 3 people were missing.Note:this was about 40 years ago,before swiping your cruise card to get on/off ship,you took tags off

a board.Well,these 2 ladies had not taken their tags to get off the ship,

so it looked like only I was missing.The tour conductor would not admit

the truth that he was at fault for leaving me behind.

 

It turns out that the bus had to depart from the square because their

time was up and a policeman made them leave. They waited for me

somewhere "down the road," not bothering to leave someone behind to

tell me. I was furious with the tour conductor,my husband, and the 2

ladies!

 

I was very embarrassed for the rest of the cruise,having everyone thinking

that I held up the departiure. And I really stood out, being the only

Oriental person on the whole ship.

 

Needless to say,but I will, some 30 sailings later, I have NEVER been late

again returning to a ship and I will NEVER get off the bus to look for

ANYONE.

 

 

Sorry for the rant,but after all these years, it still burns me to think of it.

 

Oh gosh, what a horrible thing to happen to you :( I don't blame you at all for never going to look for anyone. Glad you vented here :)