Daniel A

I use two different colored pieces of duct tape. (I use my high school colors - blue and yellow) I'd stay away from using common colors such as silver, and fluorescent orange or green. I then cut two strips about one foot long for the base color and one one foot color for the top color. I then cut the top color strip in half lengthwise and run each of those strips down the middle of the base color. I put one across the top and back of the suitcase and then I place the other strip across the front and a side so that I can see the personalized duct tape on the suitcase from any angle. (Whew! 😄) Here's what one of mine looks like: I can always spot my bag from a distance whether on an airport turnstile or a cruise terminal warehouse.

@Sthrngary and @graphicguy - Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness. 😉

Our concierge was able to book a table for four at Cagney's when it said it was full, but the concierge can't work miracles. My advice is that if it is a special occasion and a must have, go ahead and charge it, if it's just to enjoy a particular restaurant, the concierge will be able to find something for you. I don't know if this would work, but you might be able to a) ask the pre-cruise concierge to help, or you can usually book reservations at embarkation in the Haven lounge in the cruise terminal. b) reserve a table with your CC and once onboard try to work with the concierge to cancel the CC booked reservation and have the concierge immediately re-book it using your OBC. The worst they can do is make you walk the plank or get keel hauled. 😬

Wouldn't this thread drift be better located here?

That coast guard vessel sits too low in the water (not enough freeboard) to align with the platform designed for embarking and disembarking passengers from ship's tenders. They still would have needed to climb a rope ladder thus being endangered. YOU'RE WELCOME! 😄

When the local Coast Guard boat took them out to the Dawn, this is how the LATE 8 would have needed to reembark the Dawn. Keep in mind, there was a pregnant passenger and a paraplegic in that group. Does anybody want to question the Captain's concern for his passengers? Rules are rules for a reason, even if the local coast guard doesn't know them. I'm also including a photo of the Sao Tome Coast Guard boat that took them out to the Dawn. Here's the Coast Guard Ship. The LATE 8 would have needed to climb the same ladder the harbor pilots use. Enough said?

If that were the reason for missing the boat, then why are the Campbells being so evasive about that being the 'issue?' If it was the tour company that caused this through their fault, I'd be screaming bloody murder at the tour company, not the cruise line.

The advertisement is misleading. Nowhere does it say they are guaranteeing on time returns, the are only claiming they have a 100% record of returning on time. There's always a first time, just ask the six that were with the Campbells.

I have seen many tours advertising Guaranteed Return to Ship. That doesn't mean the ship will wait, rather it means they will be responsible to get you to the next port of call so you can re-board there if the ship leaves without you.

I meant they could have tactfully given a more specific explanation rather than saying it was an "issue." I think they used that same word in more than one interview. They are being deliberately vague and that is inviting more speculation as to why.

Do you mean saying "due to a bout of sudden illness " rather than a vague statement?

Something that is a positive for cruise lines in general, all of this publicity around a private tour missing the boat will probably increase bookings for cruise line excursions. "This is what could happen to you."

Amen to that, brother! 💁‍♂️

What I find interesting is that we are only hearing one side of the story from the Cambells. Why are we not hearing anything from the other 6 people who missed the ship? Something's not adding up here. Is it possible that the Campbells put expenses on their credit card because they were the cause of the delay returning to the ship? The only explanation (from the Campbells) for the late return was that there was an 'issue' during the excursion which caused the late return. When I hear vague terminology from people trying to make themselves look blameless, it makes me want to know the specifics, not a generalized term which could mean anything. Has any of the crack media reporting the story even attempted to contact the tour provider or the other passengers for their version of the story? I would tend to think that would be interesting.

So, when one needs medications on a daily basis to survive, it's always a good policy to roll the dice with a private tour (of unknown reliability) as to whether or not you'll get back in time to take your next dose??? Darwin had a lot to say about people like this. 😉 Sorry, but maybe the television station in South Carolina will air lift some medication to them and if they don't, it's the TV station's fault if things go sideways...