What happens if you miss the ship's sailing?

[lovedecruise]

Just out of interest, I wondered if anyone has had any experience with missing the ship due to arriving back late from a private tour etc. Our last port of call on our January sailing will be Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, then the ship sets sail back to Sydney. If someone missed the time deadline, would they pack their bags and leave them with the passport at the wharf or would they just leave the passports? I guess some ports you could play catch up and meet the ship at the next port, but in this case, where the ship is heading off to another country, how do they manage the logistics of reuniting the passengers with their belongings?

[AnOnymously]

Just out of interest, I wondered if anyone has had any experience with missing the ship due to arriving back late from a private tour etc. Our last port of call on our January sailing will be Isle of Pines, New Caledonia, then the ship sets sail back to Sydney. If someone missed the time deadline, would they pack their bags and leave them with the passport at the wharf or would they just leave the passports? I guess some ports you could play catch up and meet the ship at the next port, but in this case, where the ship is heading off to another country, how do they manage the logistics of reuniting the passengers with their belongings?

 

I think they would just leave. If the cruise line packed bags, broke into safe for passport etc the people would probably be back in the port by that time.

 

 

We saw the gangplank taken on our last cruise and the ship start moving, people turned up and the cruise line had to put everything back, saw no sign of luggage going off ship.

[autumn lass]

On the occasion we witnessed this happening on a smaller but related line to Celebrity, the Captain waited an hour then the individuals luggage etc was taken off the ship and left with the port agent. They had a choice to rejoin the ship at the next port I am presuming at their own expense but unfortunately due to extremely bad weather the cruise was rerouted several times so I don’t remember them ever rejoining.

 

 

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[AnOnymously]

What we saw was on Celebrity this summer and it was 15 minutes after advertised departure time.

 

The odd thing was that at the next port, we watched to see if anyone was late, the ship waited a while beyond departure time, about 10 minutes and then pulled up and left. We saw no late arrivers. But just after pulling out two names were called over the tanoy system to report to reception and one was my partners! Whilst going through security, the sea pass had seemingly not worked, the guy looked at it at the time, but waived her on. She was heavily grilled at reception and had to produce a passport. No luggage taken from our room. Must say I had forgotten that incident and it was only a couple of months ago, getting old! Sorry wrong tense, got old.

Edited November 25, 2017 by AnOnymously

[cruisestitch]

I have seen them hand passports over to the port agents but not luggage.

[1025cruise]

I think the general rule of thumb is that they will get passports, from the safe, and any medications they see and hand them to the port agent.

[leaveitallbehind]

I think they would just leave. If the cruise line packed bags, broke into safe for passport etc the people would probably be back in the port by that time.

 

 

We saw the gangplank taken on our last cruise and the ship start moving, people turned up and the cruise line had to put everything back, saw no sign of luggage going off ship.

 

Just to be clear, they would not "break into" the safe. There is a pass key that would be used by security to open it to remove necessary contents for the passenger. That only takes a matter of minutes. And several stateroom attendants putting belongings into suitcases does not require much time either. That being said, I have not seen suitcases brought off the ship but have seen envelopes exchanged with port security with passengers left behind. Assumed passports and other documents and valuables were contained within.

 

Have seen suitcases in hand and security staff escorting a couple who was removed from the ship in port one time. But that is a story for a different thread........;)

[AnOnymously]

I think the general rule of thumb is that they will get passports, from the safe, and any medications they see and hand them to the port agent.

We had sailed, my partner was not recorded as being on board and nothing had been taken from our room.

[leaveitallbehind]

We had sailed, my partner was not recorded as being on board and nothing had been taken from our room.

 

Did your partner have a passport with them on that sailing? If so, and it was left in the stateroom at that port of call and not with them on shore, I think it would have been retrieved and presented to the port agent prior to the ship's departure so that when they do come to the pier, it can be given to them they can leave the port and return to their home country, or travel to the next port of call to catch up to the ship. I doesn't seem likely that the ship would sail with a missing passenger's Passport still on board.

[TargetsMom]

Have seen suitcases in hand and security staff escorting a couple who was removed from the ship in port one time. But that is a story for a different thread........;)

 

Would love to hear this one! ;p

 

kathy

[AnOnymously]

Did your partner have a passport with them on that sailing? If so, and it was left in the stateroom at that port of call and not with them on shore, I think it would have been retrieved and presented to the port agent prior to the ship's departure so that when they do come to the pier, it can be given to them they can leave the port and return to their home country, or travel to the next port of call to catch up to the ship. I doesn't seem likely that the ship would sail with a missing passenger's Passport still on board.

Passport on ship, they would have had to search the cabin to find it for quite a long time, she had it in her handbag. Still sailed.

[leaveitallbehind]

Passport on ship, they would have had to search the cabin to find it for quite a long time, she had it in her handbag. Still sailed.

 

Can't argue your experience but that seems highly unusual that they would be left at port without a Passport.

[Hlitner]

There is a protocol followed, if it appears that somebody will miss the ship. If the ship does not have possession of the Passports the will send a Security Officer to the cabin to search for the Passports. They are capable of opening the cabin safe and that is where they look. If they do find your Passports they will be handed over to the Port Agent who will usually have somebody stick around at the port hoping to find the missing passengers (when they finally return). Most agents will go out of their way to help stranded passengers..including assisting them with catching up the ship (at the passengers own expensive).

 

If, for some strange reason, they cannot locate your Passports (and you don't have them) it can become a lousy situation. In most cases you would have to stay in the port country until you can arrange to get an emergency replacement Passport from the nearest US Consulate or Embassy. This process can be pretty fast (about one day) or it can take many days..depending on where you are located and the day of the week (not good to be stranded on a weekend or holiday). Once you do get replacement Passports you would then have to try to catch-up to the cruise ship or simply fly home (or elsewhere) at your own expense.

 

Hank

[leaveitallbehind]

Would love to hear this one! ;p

 

kathy

 

I realize I dangled a carrot, but so as not to hijack this thread, I will provide the Readers Digest version:

 

Domestic argument - mostly husband - resulted in husband being detained in an empty inside stateroom (just down the hall from us) at 4:00 in the morning. He refused to desist and was guarded in the locked room quite loudly the rest of the night as a result. Next morning in the next port he - in handcuffs - was escorted with his wife and luggage off the ship to the waiting local law enforcement with whom they drove away.

Edited November 25, 2017 by leaveitallbehind

[Hlitner]

I realize I dangled a carrot, but so as not to hijack this thread, I will provide the Readers Digest version:

 

Domestic argument - mostly husband - resulted in husband being detained in an empty inside stateroom (just down the hall from us) at 4:00 in the morning. He refused to desist and was guarded in the locked room quite loudly the rest of the night as a result. Next morning in the next port he - in handcuffs - was escorted with his wife and luggage off the ship to the waiting local law enforcement with whom they drove away.

 

Ouch! We have seen others "escorted off cruises" but never anything like what you describe. On one RCI Caribbean cruise there was a very good looking (and he knew it) young (20s) man who was always drinking too much and getting himself into trouble. We witnessed security deal with him a couple of times...while on deck. Than one afternoon he decided to climb from his balcony to the next door balcony (friends were in that cabin) and managed to do it without falling into the sea. But he was seen (and also picked-up on a camera. The following day he was taken off the ship in Grand Cayman (but no police) and apparently left to his own devices. On another cruise a male passenger was very generous buying drinks for everyone in sight (include dozens on deck)...and did this day after day. The story was that the cruise line then discovered some "issues" with his credit card....and after a meeting with the Hotel Manager" he was asked to leave the ship at the next port.

 

Hank

[leaveitallbehind]

Ouch! We have seen others "escorted off cruises" but never anything like what you describe. On one RCI Caribbean cruise there was a very good looking (and he knew it) young (20s) man who was always drinking too much and getting himself into trouble. We witnessed security deal with him a couple of times...while on deck. Than one afternoon he decided to climb from his balcony to the next door balcony (friends were in that cabin) and managed to do it without falling into the sea. But he was seen (and also picked-up on a camera. The following day he was taken off the ship in Grand Cayman (but no police) and apparently left to his own devices. On another cruise a male passenger was very generous buying drinks for everyone in sight (include dozens on deck)...and did this day after day. The story was that the cruise line then discovered some "issues" with his credit card....and after a meeting with the Hotel Manager" he was asked to leave the ship at the next port.

 

Hank

 

Stuff such as we've experienced is bound to happen given the number of passengers on board even the average size cruise ship. Condensed as it is, life still goes on at sea. And even though it is a vacation, the best of judgement can be tested and tempers can flare.

[upwarduk]

Many countries insist on you carrying your Passport ashore with you, which I don’t like doing, in case it is stolen. I once asked at Guest Relations why it was advised via the ‘daily.’ I was told it was in case you got left behind.

[Hlitner]

Many countries insist on you carrying your Passport ashore with you, which I don’t like doing, in case it is stolen. I once asked at Guest Relations why it was advised via the ‘daily.’ I was told it was in case you got left behind.

 

Don't you know? That advice is only for Yorkshiremen :). The rest of us usually leave our Passports locked in the cabin safe (unless in Russia). ).

 

Hank

P.S. I have spent many years trying to train my ear to understand the language spoken by folks from Yorkshire. Only teasing of course......or am I? ROFL

[AnOnymously]

Don't you know? That advice is only for Yorkshiremen :). The rest of us usually leave our Passports locked in the cabin safe (unless in Russia). ).

 

Hank

P.S. I have spent many years trying to train my ear to understand the language spoken by folks from Yorkshire. Only teasing of course......or am I? ROFL

First of all you need to learn English, not American, which is more appalling than Yershire. At least we don't advise people to go to dinner in their undercrackers, we advise them to wear trousers and surely a tux is a sort of mosquito.

 

No wonder you have trouble with real English people:loudcry:

[Hlitner]

First of all you need to learn English, not American, which is more appalling than Yershire. At least we don't advise people to go to dinner in their undercrackers, we advise them to wear trousers and surely a tux is a sort of mosquito.

 

No wonder you have trouble with real English people:loudcry:

 

Trying to picture some at dinner in their "undercrackers" and for some, that would be an improvement in their personal dress code :). But just to correct the official record, I have no trouble with English People. It just that I cannot understand many blokes from Yorkshire or Newcastle. But after a few pints it does not matter...so all is good :).

 

Hank

[alcpa1]

To get back to the OP's query......

Two times we have seen a ship leave with passengers running down the pier. Once was in the Caribbean and there was no interaction between the ship, the port agent and the passengers. The two couples were left on the pier. Because this was a closed loop cruise, and from the conversations between passengers on our ship and the 4 left adrift everyone was aware that they would have to find their way from St Maarten to St. Thomas. They were lucky they were so close. Port agents deal with this often and I'm sure assisted these couples.

The other first hand experience was in Italy. We were late returning to the ship and were able to board while the gang plank was pushed back to the pier. It had not been fully withdrawn. BUT there was a couple in a rental car behind us that did not make it back. There was no officer, of any grade with our documents or those of the missing couple. The ship departed less than five minutes late. Our guide was in constant contact with the ship and the Purser's office was aware that we would probably miss the sailing due to a wreck on the roadway. Fortunately for us we were booked with the same company the following day and they would have housed us overnight, returned us to the ship and after a short time for shower and change of clothes lead us on another wonderful adventure.

The moral of the story may not always be tote your passport but do carry the port agent's contact information.

[upwarduk]

It just that I cannot understand many blokes from Yorkshire or Newcastle. But after a few pints it does not matter...so all is good.

 

 

Me too when I first came to live here after I got married, but. I learnt fast as I needed to understand the children I was teaching.

 

 

Back to the topic, I have read multiple times in the ‘daily’ that passports are required on shore, but except in St Petersburg they have never been used.

[Muffinz]

I have seen many clips on youtube of passengers who are late and miss their departing ship... there is one clip someone filmed on a wharf / pier of a lady running frantically waving her arms around yelling STOP STOP!! and the ship is already about 50 meters out to sea.....

 

There are many other clips of passengers who 'miss the boat'

 

while it's sad that some people don't get back to their ship in time, everyone gets told what time they need to be back at the ship and at the end of the day it's their responsibility to get back before the ship departs

[tbmrt]

Following

[Swissmiss6253]

I've only been on 4 cruises, all of them in the South Pacific and Asia. On each of them we needed our passports to get back on board at each foreign port.