Missing the ship, how often?

[mommy2allgirls]

we got off the Wonder yesterday and a family was left at Cozumel. It got me wondering how often this happens. So does anyone know how common this is?

 

[SillyInventor]

It happens. Don't know how often on DCL, but do a search on Youtube and you will find all varieties of missing a cruise ship.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Seen it in LA Spezia had to come out on a SAR boat and jump on, and saw it in Dt Thomas and we waited, they looked around and left late but on,y showed as we left. Normally you hear an PA announcement could XYZ Family report to guest services, maybe a card not read on embarkation, maybe late.

However plan, set watches to local time book private tours with companies with a good reputation.

2014 Magic 12 night cruise, seven ports, seven private tours no issues, and 2013 Wonder Alaska three ports of call, six private trips, no issues, just plan.

 

[Ofinn]

I saw a lot of runners in Jamaica. Several families boarding 5 minutes before all aboard time. One lady was running and pushing a baby in a stroller. I don't think I could ever cut it that close. I don't think we left anybody behind though. It was the first time I'd ever watched the dock at all aboard time. I was surprised how many people board at the last minute.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I wonder what would happen if someone were left behind on Castaway Cay. In ports like Nassau, there is an airport to get tickets to fly home easily.

 

[bucks9009]

5 years ago on our first disney cruise we were the last ones boarding from CC. We walked to the boat with the Kids Club workers. Got about ten great photos with us and Pluto right in front of the boat. I didn't feel any bit of stress that the boat was leaving, then again it was CC and we were with some of the cast members.

 

[mommy2allgirls]

From what I heard it was a medical issue that held the family back and cast members got the families luggage and the Magic was going to take on the family when it got to Cozumel.

In other cases I couldn't imagine cutting it close but I'm also one who shows up way early because I stress and get anxiety if late, lol!

I will have to check out YouTube videos. I don't know why this all had my so curious but it did.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I wonder what would happen if someone were left behind on Castaway Cay. In ports like Nassau, there is an airport to get tickets to fly home easily.

It would be real difficult to leave someone behind at Castaway Cay. There aren't the time constraints associated with porting in a port with other traffic. And it's real easy to know who belongs on the island and who doesn't. AFAIK, DCL CMs make a sweep of the public spaces to help "encourage" any lingering people toward the ship when departure time is soon.

 

[cashe]

It would be real difficult to leave someone behind at Castaway Cay. There aren't the time constraints associated with porting in a port with other traffic. And it's real easy to know who belongs on the island and who doesn't. AFAIK, DCL CMs make a sweep of the public spaces to help "encourage" any lingering people toward the ship when departure time is soon.

Soooo what I'm hearing is, I can't hide in my cabana all night? LOL jk.

 

[Uncleromulus]

You might hide out in one of the large cities on CC---

 

[turtle27]

It is one of my favorite things to do, watch the "runners" on any cruise ship. Priceless. Of course, I was almost one of those runners in St. Thomas, we left downtown in plenty of time, but got stuck in traffic. We made it with 15 minutes to spare, closest I have ever been. In Cozumel one time, we were also cutting it pretty close, but we too, were with some CM's. I seem to remember ppl on the Med cruise having to catch up by tender and on another cruise in the Caribbean that happened as well. I am so curious, I wonder how much they are charged for that service, or if it is included? Lol. I always take the navigator with me because it has the contact number in case something goes wrong.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

It would be real difficult to leave someone behind at Castaway Cay. There aren't the time constraints associated with porting in a port with other traffic. And it's real easy to know who belongs on the island and who doesn't. AFAIK, DCL CMs make a sweep of the public spaces to help "encourage" any lingering people toward the ship when departure time is soon.

Soooo what I'm hearing is, I can't hide in my cabana all night? LOL jk.

The ship will be late leaving and late to PC.

 

[lmhall2000]

Saw three ladies with shopping bags have to get a tender boat to the ship and climb up a ladder...that was crazy. Saw another family running down the concrete pier waving their arms as the ship was pulling away, we were told later they had to hire a taxi to drive them to the next port about 5 hours away...
The worst was not on Disney but another ship that was in the same port a week before us...the ship had pulled into port I think La Spezia or Civitaveccia (sp?) and while folks were out enjoying their excursions, a bad storm came up and the ship had to pull out of port and could not come back in. Over a thousand people were stranded...they had no food/water...cruise ship was scrambling to get buses to transport them all to the next port. We met a pair on a train outside La Spezia that told us the whole affair, she said it was awful...they were coming back two hours early and realized there was no boat...I had never heard of the ship leaving passengers stranded!

 

[C6PT7]

The ship will be late leaving and late to PC.

Really?
The ship is hardly going full steam ahead back to PC.
CC to PC is approx. 225 miles. With a departure time of around 5pm and an arrival time of around 5:30am, so for the sake of argument 12 hours to travel the 225 miles.
So 18.75 miles per hour/16.29 knots.
Given that the ship's usual cruising speed is around 21 knots/24 max, she would have to leave CC 3.5 hrs late to be at risk of being late into PC?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Really?
The ship is hardly going full steam ahead back to PC.
CC to PC is approx. 225 miles. With a departure time of around 5pm and an arrival time of around 5:30am, so for the sake of argument 12 hours to travel the 225 miles.
So 18.75 miles per hour/16.29 knots.
Given that the ship's usual cruising speed is around 21 knots/24 max, she would have to leave CC 3.5 hrs late to be at risk of being late into PC?

Yes really they actually have to go fast, it's not as the crow flys its around islands first then into cruise channels, it gets in at 5 am, ( I know I watch it most weeks) it has to slow down and pick up a harbour pilot, it can't come in fast, it has to dock, it goes over the gulf stream, anyone who has walked the decks that last night will see how fast it's going.

Time is money, and if there late and have to speed up the fuel costs $$$$$$$ And it's a bumpy ride.

 

[castaway3]

We witness a guy running down the dock in Cozumel as we pulled away He was left standing on the dock...I always wondered what happened to him

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

If you miss the ship, the Ships agent will help you with a hotel and set up flights to the next port ETC. The vessels will wait until it reach's the point they will be late for the next port, then they leave no matter what! (there is also a matter of port docking cots). It is my understanding CM's will enter your cabin and look for your passport. If they find it, they turn it over to the agent. If you don't have a passport you have to go to the US embassy and get a new one, which takes a day or 2.

If you missed the vessel due to a DCL excursion being late, DCL pays to get you back to the vessel at the next port. If you were on a public/ non DCL excursion your on your own. The agent will help, but your paying the bill.

I have been told the two big reasons for guests missing the ship............drinking and shopping. Drinking is by far the biggest.

AKK

 

[C6PT7]

Yes really they actually have to go fast, it's not as the crow flys its around islands first then into cruise channels, it gets in at 5 am, ( I know I watch it most weeks) it has to slow down and pick up a harbour pilot, it can't come in fast, it has to dock, it goes over the gulf stream, anyone who has walked the decks that last night will see how fast it's going.

Time is money, and if there late and have to speed up the fuel costs $$$$$$$ And it's a bumpy ride.

Who mentioned that it wouldn't cost more? Not part of the question asked.
Its not as the crow fly's? No way? I thought the ship could just sail through Grand Bahama? Stupid Me!

It has to slow down to dock? Can't the Captain just use the emergency brake and slide the ship into the dock?

And I have walked the decks at night and admire your ability to judge the ships speed at night based upon your view of the waves.

 

[bumbershoot]

From what I heard it was a medical issue that held the family back and cast members got the families luggage and the Magic was going to take on the family when it got to Cozumel.

That's interesting.

AFAIK, DCL CMs make a sweep of the public spaces to help "encourage" any lingering people toward the ship when departure time is soon.

As they cannot do in a normal city.

Time is money, and if there late and have to speed up the fuel costs $$$$$$$ And it's a bumpy ride.

Great point IMO, and is one of the reasons I have doubts that the Castaway Cay Challenge will continue to be offered. We were zooming towards the Cay and docked around midnight to give us every chance of being there for the Challenge. It was bumpy and much less pleasant than usual.

If you missed the vessel due to a DCL excursion being late, DCL pays to get you back to the vessel at the next port.

Of course, if you need a passport to get to the next port by a way other than sea, I think you'll still need that passport. Right?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Of course, if you need a passport to get to the next port by a way other than sea, I think you'll still need that passport. Right?

Right.