Can the cruise ship leave without you?

Let me tell you about the phenomenon of train passengers by “pier runners”. These are people who are in port, enjoying the beach, shopping or attending – popular watering holes like Margaritaville and Senor Frogs often participate – and lose track of time. If they were lucky and realized they were late, they would frantically run back to their ship before it reached the next port. If they are unlucky, the runway is ready and the cruise ship will leave without them.

These sad sacks created huge drama on social media. Search for “dock runner” and you’ll get drifting results.

You don’t want to join their group. A cruise ship Maybe leave without you – and if that happens, you will pay a heavy price. Here are ways to avoid getting left behind and what to do if you get left behind.

For news, reviews and cruise tips, subscribe to TPG’s cruise newsletter.

How to make sure your ship doesn’t abandon you

Set your watch to transit time

Lesson One: Read your daily newsletter (sent to your cabin or detailed on the cruise line’s app) and understand every nuance regarding ship time versus shore time. When you leave the ship at a port of call, make sure your watch or smartphone is set to the transit time.

Know when ‘all aboard’ is

Your ship will set an “all aboard” time, when everyone is expected to return to the ship. This differs from departure times which are usually about half an hour later. However, that’s when the crew started pulling up the walkways, preventing strays from boarding the ship.

That doesn’t mean you have to be at your ship exactly when everyone boards. Smart cruise shippers try to get back at least an hour before the scheduled time, just in case they run into traffic delays or other issues getting back to the dock. (If you’re traveling far, add extra time.)

Related: 6 ways you can ruin your trip instantly

Your estimated time to return to the ship will be noted in the daily schedule, along with a phone number to call in case of an emergency. You should take a photo of that information. The cruise director will also make an announcement – and a sign will be posted when you disembark – stating “all aboard” times.

Since you can easily relax on the beach or bargain for a precious souvenir, it’s best to set an alarm on your phone to notify you that it’s time to return to the ship. Remember, there is no glory in being the last one to return to the ship.

Book a ship-sponsored shore excursion

If you are exploring on one ship-sponsored shore excursions and it’s getting late, don’t worry. If you purchase a tour through the cruise line, you are guaranteed that the train will wait if the tour bus does not return before boarding time.

It’s a matter of numbers. The ship did not want to leave dozens of passengers stranded in port through no fault of their own and have to pay to take them to the next port of call.

Related: Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking a shore excursion

Plan independent trips that end early

If you book a tour through an independent travel agency, you don’t have the same guarantee that the train will wait. That said, reputable tour operators are aware of transit times and are often careful to get you back early. Again, if there are many other passengers booked on the same tour, you may be less worried about the ship still being there when you get back to the dock.

Some operators guarantee that you will get to the ship on time or they will pay you to get to the next port. When booking with an independent operator, you should look for such guarantees and read customer reviews online. Take any comments about rushing back to the ship as a red flag.

If you are arranging a customized private tour, make sure you inform your guide that you need to return to the dock before boarding time. That buffer time will serve you well if you encounter unexpected delays.

The same considerations apply if you score a last-minute cruise deal at the dock. When you disembark at a port of call, you may encounter offers from independent guides, taxi drivers, jitney drivers, rickshaw operators, and others offering to show you around town and beyond. Before agreeing to join a tour, make sure you understand how far you’ll be from the dock, and make sure your guide understands “train times” and the time you want to return.

What to do if you miss your train (or think you might)

If you are late, please let the train know

Every time you board or leave the train, you will scan your keycard or RFID device at the aisle. This way the security team knows who is on or off the ship. Instead, on really small ships, there may be a manual latch panel where you move the latch to red to indicate you’re off and green to indicate you’re on board.

When boarding time approaches, the ship’s security staff will monitor those who have not returned to the ship.

If you know you’re running late, call the number you wrote down from the bulletin or the cruise line’s 24/7 number and ask for a message to be sent to the ship. That way, someone will know you’re on your way back.

Related: What happens if you miss your trip?

As your time on board approaches or passes, guest services will attempt to determine your location on the ship by calling your cabin. An announcement with your name will be made on the train’s public address system, asking you to notify customer services if you are on the train. If there is no response, your name will be called again, this time using the ship’s emergency announcement system that the whole ship can hear (meaning your situation is now disturbing any of your fellow shipmates). which ships are napping in their cabins).

If your cell phone number is in the guest profile, a crew member can try to call you directly.

At the same time, security officers can be sent to search for stubborn passengers in areas near the port. They know where to look. (Hello Mr. Frog.)

Find a port agent

Cruise ships will leave passengers on shore if they return to the ship too late, but ship staff have procedures in place to help you.

If you are not on board and departure time is approaching, security staff can enter your cabin and open the safe to find your passport, driver’s license, credit cards or any other important belongings. that you leave there. They will also collect medicine and any other supplies you need because the ship is about to take you to shore and you will have to find your own way home.

Related: What documents do you need for the trip? From passport to printouts, here’s what to bring

If you are the train runner and there is still an open passage when you board the train, everything will be returned, you will be punished and your story will end there. Otherwise, your passport and other important documents will be handed over to port staff, who will wait for you to arrive at the dock.

If you return to the dock and see your ship leaving, find the port agent. If that person has your passport, that’s a good thing. You will need your passport to fly to the ship’s next destination or home (of your choice). If your passport has not been delivered to the port agent, you will have to contact your country’s embassy or consulate for assistance.

Plan to board the train or return home

You missed the train. You have found the port agent. Now the “fun” begins. Hopefully you’re not getting too close to the limit on your credit cards because you’re going to need them. Although your port agent can help you make arrangements, you are solely responsible for paying any associated travel costs.

Considering last-minute airfares and the possible need to stay in a hotel before your flight, you’ll have to pay a hefty sum to get back on the ship or home. If you decide to end your vacation, you will also have to pay the shipping company to transport the rest of your belongings home. Don’t expect any refunds for days missed on the cruise.

Related: Cruise travel insurance: What it covers and why you need it

Why do trains leave passengers behind?

The captain makes the decision to disembark based on port regulations, schedules and other factors. For example, a cruise line already has to pay expensive berthing fees and does not want to pay the high fees incurred when the ship leaves the port late. Higher fuel costs may also be relevant if your vessel has to race to its next port of call due to a late departure. The shipping company will not let your mistake cost the company dearly.

It’s important to remember that you’re just one of hundreds or thousands of guests, and cruise ships have regulations and schedules to follow.

People running on the docks tend to look ridiculous – running, screaming, gesturing with their hands as the train whistle signals departure. You don’t want to be the laughing stock of your cruise ship, but you better run and try to get on the ship before it leaves. Missing the train will ruin your travel vacation and cost you a lot of money. Follow the strategies listed here so you always return to port with plenty of time to spare and avoid getting stranded by your cruise ship.

Planning a trip? Start with these stories: