The boat will leave without you!

[scribega]

Last week (Sept 1 sailing), we were on the 4 night cruise aboard the Dream. We went into Nassau for about 90 minutes and then went back to our stateroom.

The Royal Caribbean was docked across from us. While sitting on the verandah we saw the RC gangway get pulled up and about 2 mins later a couple running to the ship. They got to the ship and pleaded to get on to the crew at the gangway doors, but the gangway was up and rope was off. They pleaded and pleaded but the crew shut one door and then shut the other. The guy yelled no really loud as they shut that second door.

They stood there in disbelief as their ship slowly left without them. We felt really bad for them, but all aboard time IS all aboard time.

They stood talking to another gentleman for about 20 mins before leaving on his golf cart towards the city.

Our 6-year-old saw the whole thing and was really nervous about getting off the boat in Castaway Cay the next day. We kept reassuring him that we would be back on the boat in time so we wouldn't be left behind.

 

[n8nally]

I was on your cruise, but I missed that! Scary! We left plenty of buffer to get back to the ship at both ports, lol! Whew!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Once the lines are let go, it's not easy to keep a large cruise ship, stopped, and tight alongside the dock. It really a safety issue at that point.


If the wind, tide and/or current is wrong the vessel could move just as the folks were walking up even a short gangway and end up falling or even going into the water.

AKK

 

[Boos14]

Lesson to be learned. I'm sure that is everyone's fear!

 

[Spwhoney]

Yep they will leave you. Don't let anyone tell you they wont. Witnessed a couple miss the ship on Alaska cruise. Witnessed the whole thing and could see the captain upset trying to find them. They did wait, blew horn maybe 3 times, looking through binoculars up and down pier. Could see captain and another guy because we a had a balcony right below the big window from the bridge that sticks out. Seems like they waited 30 mins than decides to close her up. We had barley pulled away from the dock and here they come. Some guy on the dock that had been there the whole time talked to them and walked into town with them. So YES they will leave you. Asked our steward what they do when they miss a boat and she said it is up to the person and their TA to figure something out on how to get to next port.

 

[TDC Nala]

There was a couple who came about thaaaat close to getting left in Malta this June.

About 4 names were announced on the speaker, apparently the folks who had not made their way back onto the ship yet. This couple almost didn't make it aboard, loaded down with shopping bags. They were fortunate that the ropes had not yet been cast off.

And yes, if you get left, it is your responsibility to get to the next port. Port agents can be of some assistance (hint: you might think about carrying with you the Navigator page that lists the name and address of the port agent) but the travel will be at your expense.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Yep they will leave you. Don't let anyone tell you they wont. Witnessed a couple miss the ship on Alaska cruise. Witnessed the whole thing and could see the captain upset trying to find them. They did wait, blew horn maybe 3 times, looking through binoculars up and down pier. Could see captain and another guy because we a had a balcony right below the big window from the bridge that sticks out. Seems like they waited 30 mins than decides to close her up. We had barley pulled away from the dock and here they come. Some guy on the dock that had been there the whole time talked to them and walked into town with them. So YES they will leave you. Asked our steward what they do when they miss a boat and she said it is up to the person and their TA to figure something out on how to get to next port.

The local DCL agent, which handles any ship business when in port will assist anyone left behind and arrange transportation, rooms etc., but you have to pay the costs/transportation!

I believe it is Disney policy to go into your cabin and open the safe to see if there is a passport or other important papers and give them to the ships agent to pass on to you.

AKK

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

OMG! We saw the whole thing happen as well and we were on the 9/1 Dream too!

We had a starboard verandah and I happened to be out there and noticed them, then heard the local workers screaming. From what I could see, they were trying to get the attention of the Allure of the Seas employees standing there on the ship looking out. It didn't matter as no matter what they did, they didn't make any effort to allow them on. I do remember hearing their horn sound like 15-20 mins prior but I'm not sure of their scheduled departure. I remember it was around 2'ish or right after when they left and we (my other two friends sailing with me) commented they were leaving early. I know Allure was already there when we arrived.

I felt bad for them since they waited out there at least 30 minutes, had to watch the ship slowly pull away and sail away. I really felt bad for the local guy who was in the golf cart as he and perhaps only one other person was out there with them and they were screaming and naturally very upset. As you mentioned, about 30 mins later he ended up leaving with him on the golf cart and not sure what happened. We had a nice talk with our head server at dinner about this. Scary but it does happen.

Heather

 

[wiigirl]

Yikes!

 

[sayhello]

Google it, and you will see tons of videos that people have posted of ships leaving without people. It happens all the time. The cruiseline has to pay steep fines if they don't leave the port at their assigned time. Also, as others have said, there's a safety issue of them letting anyone on the gangway once the ropes are down. I'm sure the captain gave those people every chance to make it onboard before they had to leave. It's not like nobody warns you (over & over again!) to be back on the ship before sailaway time. Some people think it means everyone but them...

Sayhello

 

[LCoulter]

Over the years, there have been a number of ports where I would sit on the balcony and watch people board the ship and am always amazed at how many of them dawdle like they have all the time in the world as if the ship won’t leave them. Sometimes it’s minutes before the scheduled departure or even a little later.

One time I remember watching a mother with a stroller with a couple of toddlers and she was taking her sweet time getting to the ship and it was AFTER the departure time but the ship didn’t pull out yet because they were waiting on other passengers. This was one of the times where a small group was left behind. I remember seeing someone off in the distance walking toward the pier but figured it must be someone for the ship in front of us. He was dawdling, checking out the sights as he walked but then ended up going past the ship in front of us and stood, mouth open when he realized that his ship was pulling away. It was a teenager who we later found out was sent ahead by his family to stop the ship from leaving without them. Maybe if he had moved his butt more, he could have caught the ship before they set sail. His family was no where in sight at that point.

 

[g3pak]

We leave in a few weeks for our first cruise, so I basically know nothing. If the itinerary says "1:00-5:30." does that mean that you have to be on the boat no later than 5:30 p.m., or does it mean the boat leaves at 5:30 p.m. so you better be on the boat no later than 5:00? Or....(and I do not want to push it) it means you could probably stroll up at 5:50 p.m. and be fine since they really aren't planning to leave until 6:30 p.m., but you do so at your own risk.

 

[kimpossible]

We leave in a few weeks for our first cruise, so I basically know nothing. If the itinerary says "1:00-5:30." does that mean that you have to be on the boat no later than 5:30 p.m., or does it mean the boat leaves at 5:30 p.m. so you better be on the boat no later than 5:00? Or....(and I do not want to push it) it means you could probably stroll up at 5:50 p.m. and be fine since they really aren't planning to leave until 6:30 p.m., but you do so at your own risk.

The mandatory safety drill is usually at 4:00 I believe. I would not board later then 3:00. However, that is late. The earlier the better.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Timmbco]

Sept 2, Alaska cruise- 2 girls missed the ship in Juneau. I saw them standing at the dock in Ketchikan waiting for the Wonder to dock. They had to fight their way up the gangplank as everyone was disembarking.

 

[LyndaC]

I was on the June 26 12 night Med cruise. We overnighted in Venice. Apparently one couple figured out a way to make sure the ship wouldn't leave without them. Starting a few minutes before we were to sail, there were frequent requests overhead for this couple to contact the crew. Sail away time, still asking for them to contact the crew. We finally left more than an hour late.

Seems they left their children in one of the kids clubs while they had a last visit to Venice that day....

 

[over50visits]

We leave in a few weeks for our first cruise, so I basically know nothing. If the itinerary says "1:00-5:30." does that mean that you have to be on the boat no later than 5:30 p.m., or does it mean the boat leaves at 5:30 p.m. so you better be on the boat no later than 5:00? Or....(and I do not want to push it) it means you could probably stroll up at 5:50 p.m. and be fine since they really aren't planning to leave until 6:30 p.m., but you do so at your own risk.

Your Personal Navigator will have an "All Aboard Time" for each port. That is the latest you can walk up the gangway onto the ship. I have seen ships wait longer than that, but I'm sure there is no guarantee. Read and heed.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I was on the June 26 12 night Med cruise. We overnighted in Venice. Apparently one couple figured out a way to make sure the ship wouldn't leave without them. Starting a few minutes before we were to sail, there were frequent requests overhead for this couple to contact the crew. Sail away time, still asking for them to contact the crew. We finally left more than an hour late.

Seems they left their children in one of the kids clubs while they had a last visit to Venice that day....

I maybe wrong, but I am pretty sure it your late enough and the vessel needs to sail to make the next port, they will sail with the kids onboard...........

There was a post along ago about that the vessel assigned a CM to watch and care for a child.

AKK

 

[rab1974]

My two-cents:

Depending on the itnerary you have, make sure you know and understand "ship's time." And the fact that the "local" time at the port and the "ship's" time can be different. Therefore the time of departure from the port of call is "ship's" time.

 

[LWQuestie]

We leave in a few weeks for our first cruise, so I basically know nothing. If the itinerary says "1:00-5:30." does that mean that you have to be on the boat no later than 5:30 p.m., or does it mean the boat leaves at 5:30 p.m. so you better be on the boat no later than 5:00? Or....(and I do not want to push it) it means you could probably stroll up at 5:50 p.m. and be fine since they really aren't planning to leave until 6:30 p.m., but you do so at your own risk.

Are you referring to Costa Maya day? Ashore - 1pm; Onboard - 5:30pm. That means you should be able to get off the ship at 1pm and be back on board by 5:30pm. Not approaching the far end of the dock at 5:30pm, but feet on the ship.

However, as noted on the cruise website - Guest ashore times and onboard times are subject to change without notice. So be sure to refer to the Personal Navigator that will be delivered to your room the evening before, as it will have the accurate information.

My two-cents:

Depending on the itnerary you have, make sure you know and understand "ship's time." And the fact that the "local" time at the port and the "ship's" time can be different. Therefore the time of departure from the port of call is "ship's" time.

And this is a VERY good point.

 

[lpizzuro123]

That is why we like to take the cruise excursions - if you are late and on an excursion through the cruiseline - they wait for you.

We were on a RCCL cruise a few years ago in Mexico and went on a rather long excursion and our bus got back later then we were supposed to. As we were on an excursion through the cruiseline - they had to wait for us.

Linda