Late To the Ship? Does Carnival Wait on You?

[mitsugirly]

No, the ship does not "have" to wait for a ship sponsored excursion. If the ship sponsored excursion misses the ship, the company is liable for the transportation cost to next port, so they will try to stay long enough to let everyone get back, but it is not a guarantee.

 

Many things will affect the Captain's decision to wait or leave, most importantly being the arrival time at next port, then fuel cost for increased speed due to delay, then weather conditions, and sometimes things like a port being "day light only" meaning large ships are not allowed to leave or arrive in the dark (lack of lighted navigation aids, for instance).

 

If you miss the ship on a ship tour, the company pays. If you miss the ship on a private tour, you pay. Just like missing the ship at embarkation (and they won't always wait for people on cruise line booked air, either), if the cruise line arranged travel, they pay, if you arranged, you pay.

 

Thank you so so much for this explanation. I remember reading about all the factors involved in making the decision whether the Captain will stay or pull out, but couldn't remember what they were. They definitely make sense.

 

I didn't realize that, when on a ship sponsored excursion, that they would be responsible for getting you to the next port though. That's comforting, but not that I would want to miss the ship at all.

 

Thanks again for clearning this matter up. :)

[chengkp75]

Thank you so so much for this explanation. I remember reading about all the factors involved in making the decision whether the Captain will stay or pull out, but couldn't remember what they were. They definitely make sense.

 

I didn't realize that, when on a ship sponsored excursion, that they would be responsible for getting you to the next port though. That's comforting, but not that I would want to miss the ship at all.

 

Thanks again for clearning this matter up. :)

 

That's why its almost always true that the ship will wait for one of their excursions, it costs a whole bunch more to room and board and fly these folks than it does a bit of OBC to everyone else for a late arrival.

[jsglow]

Just to provide some comfort for folks on non-Carnival excursions. The VAST majority of pier runners are folks that simply wandered into town and enjoyed too many adult beverages at the local watering hole. Major tour companies or even local taxi tour drivers understand that their livelihood is 100% dependent on providing good service which includes getting folks back in plenty of time. We have never had a problem and have always been returned in advance of the published return time, usually something like 30 minutes before formal sailing time. So you can be comfortable that well known 3rd party excursion providers know what they are doing.

[mzloolue]

The only time I've ever seen the ship wait was on our first cruise. We were in Nassau and a mom was standing near the exit, screaming and having a massive meltdown. She'd let her 16 yr old daughter and her daughter's friends go to the beach alone and they hadn't made it back yet when it was time for departure. They showed up maybe 20 minutes later and Mom gave them all the smackdown.

 

This is interesting.

 

A few years back on Glory they left my daughter, who was 20 at the time.

She and her friend also went to the beach.

They did not wait even one minute.

Her father and I were on deck watching for pier runners and heard them page her and her friend.

We ran back to the cabin and the ship was moving before we got there.

If we could have we would have got off the ship.

It was a terrifying for her father and I.

 

Nassau was the first morning of the cruise.

We were stuck on the ship for two days after that.

We were able to talk to her on the dock.

She was 10 or 15 minutes late due to taxi problems.

Taxi drivers in the Bahamas play games.

Wait until the van fills or pay a higher fare. (Daughter did not have enough money on her, so had to wait until they filled the van)

(I did not understand at the time, but cab drivers tried to do it to my sister and I in Freeport, but we were mean old women and not 20 year old kids.)

But it was interesting.

 

I did not blame Carnival for not waiting, but it would be nice to let a parent off the ship when they are leaving their kid behind.

 

There was further confusion later about when she would meet back up with the ship and it was terrifying for us.

Imagine that your kid is lost somewhere, you are on a ship and you don't even know what country your kid is in.

Not good.

 

She and her friend had an adventure.

DD thought that they had told us where she was going as the agent on the dock helped them make reservations on his computer.

But when the purser called the agent he said that he did not know anything.

Fortunately the purser had a list of airlines that fly out of Nassau and a nice lady was able to tell DH where she went.

 

I had stressed to the kids not to use their cell phones and she had left hers in the safe.

If she had had her phone with her it would have been less stressful for her dad and I.

 

It was really terrifying and I did have a big melt down. More than one actually.

 

A couple years later we were on a cruise with our son and were not sure he had made it back in Progreso. He had gone back down to dock to make a purchase. My husband went to the room and got passports and credit cards while I went down to the purser's desk to ask if he was onboard.

He was onboard all the time and we had missed him.

But it did scare us.

Edited March 31, 2015 by mzloolue

[Out to sea!]

Are you guys sure about this? It has been reported several times on these boards that they don't "actually" have to wait, but most do because of it being a ship sponsored tour. It's completely at the discretion of the Captain because if they are waiting, they are incurring more port charges that come out of the companies pocket. My TA also told me that they are not required to wait. There's just multiple cases of this being stated although I can say that I normally see them wait for ship sponsored tours and that has been my experience when cruising and a van of people are pulling up late. But I guess in reality, they don't "have" to wait. :(

 

If on a ship excursion, no, they do not have to wait but if they don't, they are responsible for getting those people to the next destination, hence the reason why they will wait a bit for a ship sponsored excursion. I guess it depends on which decision will be the least expensive.......waiting or paying to get the people to the next port.

 

 

Oops.....sorry Cheng......should have read one more post before responding. :o

Edited March 31, 2015 by Out to sea!

[mitsugirly]

Just to provide some comfort for folks on non-Carnival excursions. The VAST majority of pier runners are folks that simply wandered into town and enjoyed too many adult beverages at the local watering hole. Major tour companies or even local taxi tour drivers understand that their livelihood is 100% dependent on providing good service which includes getting folks back in plenty of time. We have never had a problem and have always been returned in advance of the published return time, usually something like 30 minutes before formal sailing time. So you can be comfortable that well known 3rd party excursion providers know what they are doing.

 

I completely agree. For most places, do your research, ask questions on here and make sure they are a reputable vendor that others have used and not had any problems with. They rely on word of mouth and would not risk the chances of having you miss your ship if they can. Their reputation depends on it. Most have back up plans in case of emergencies...like a flat tire or something. I never do anything without research first. However, of course this doesn't go for all of the regular taxi drivers in some places (although I think Cozumel has an EXCELLENT taxi service, all with walkie talkies and will drive like a Nascar driver to get you there in time), which makes it a little scary, so I leave extra early if I just take a taxi someplace.

 

This is interesting.

 

A few years back on Glory they left my daughter, who was 20 at the time.

She and her friend also went to the beach.

They did not wait even one minute.

Her father and I were on deck watching for pier runners and heard them page her and her friend.

We ran back to the cabin and the ship was moving before we got there.

If we could have we would have got off the ship.

It was a terrifying for her father and I.

 

Nassau was the first morning of the cruise.

We were stuck on the ship for two days after that.

We were able to talk to her on the dock.

She was 10 or 15 minutes late due to taxi problems.

Taxi drivers in the Bahamas play games.

Wait until the van fills or pay a higher fare. (Daughter did not have enough money on her, so had to wait until they filled the van)

(I did not understand at the time, but cab drivers tried to do it to my sister and I in Freeport, but we were mean old women and not 20 year old kids.)

But it was interesting.

 

I did not blame Carnival for not waiting, but it would be nice to let a parent off the ship when they are leaving their kid behind.

 

There was further confusion later about when she would meet back up with the ship and it was terrifying for us.

Imagine that your kid is lost somewhere, you are on a ship and you don't even know what country your kid is in.

Not good.

 

She and her friend had an adventure.

DD thought that they had told us where she was going as the agent on the dock helped them make reservations on his computer.

But when the purser called the agent he said that he did not know anything.

Fortunately the purser had a list of airlines that fly out of Nassau and a nice lady was able to tell DH where she went.

 

I had stressed to the kids not to use their cell phones and she had left hers in the safe.

If she had had her phone with her it would have been less stressful for her dad and I.

 

It was really terrifying and I did have a big melt down. More than one actually.

 

A couple years later we were on a cruise with our son and were not sure he had made it back in Progreso. He had gone back down to dock to make a purchase. My husband went to the room and got passports and credit cards while I went down to the purser's desk to ask if he was onboard.

He was onboard all the time and we had missed him.

But it did scare us.

 

 

Oh my. I am so so sorry to hear of this experience you had. How frightening. If my daughter got left behind, she wouldn't know the first thing to do. I would have had a melt down as well. :(

[mitsugirly]

If on a ship excursion, no, they do not have to wait but if they don't, they are responsible for getting those people to the next destination, hence the reason why they will wait a bit for a ship sponsored excursion. I guess it depends on which decision will be the least expensive.......waiting or paying to get the people to the next port.

 

 

Oops.....sorry Cheng......should have read one more post before responding. :o

 

 

No problems at all for repeating. I'm glad you agreed and you reinforced what was said already (not that there were any doubts in my mind). :)

[mzloolue]

I did see a family who was left on the dock at Cozumel by a Carnival ship and they were brought onboard the ship we were on to sail back to the US.

The woman was obviously not happy.

 

I don't know why they were special.

[mitsugirly]

I did see a family who was left on the dock at Cozumel by a Carnival ship and they were brought onboard the ship we were on to sail back to the US.

The woman was obviously not happy.

 

I don't know why they were special.

 

 

Are you saying the ship you were on was not the same Carnival ship she was originally sailing on? :confused:

[2Shoes2Go]

Are you saying the ship you were on was not the same Carnival ship she was originally sailing on? :confused:

 

But, wouldn't want to plan on another ship taking us back. This has happened three times, that we have been told of, in Cozumel. Seem to leave more in Cozumel than any other port. Officers have told us that it is better PR to place the passengers on another ship, rather than leave them.

Btw-- They won't leave you if the ship's doctor is with you. :)

[chengkp75]

But, wouldn't want to plan on another ship taking us back. This has happened three times, that we have been told of, in Cozumel. Seem to leave more in Cozumel than any other port. Officers have told us that it is better PR to place the passengers on another ship, rather than leave them.

Btw-- They won't leave you if the ship's doctor is with you. :)

 

Mainly its cheaper to put them in an empty cabin (not generating any revenue) on a ship that has fixed overhead (the ship will sail back to the US with or without those folks) than to pay airfare and hotel/meals.

[micheecruise]

Interesting thread....

 

I couldn't imagine being on the ship and one of my children getting left behind! I think they would have to sedate me and strap me down! :eek:

 

A few years back in Freeport, we were on a excursion (booked thru the ship) and we were running late. Our driver was in touch with the authorities at the port every few minutes giving them updates of where we were. When we arrived, they HURRIED us on to the ship, and as soon as the 10 of us were on the ship they pulled up the plank and the ship pulled away!

[mitsugirly]

But, wouldn't want to plan on another ship taking us back. This has happened three times, that we have been told of, in Cozumel. Seem to leave more in Cozumel than any other port. Officers have told us that it is better PR to place the passengers on another ship, rather than leave them.

Btw-- They won't leave you if the ship's doctor is with you. :)

 

Yea I can see that it would be the best thing to do to get the passengers back. It would be weird to be on a different ship (if they had an extra room I guess) with no clothes or anything with you.

 

Won't leave you if the ship's doctor is with you? Why exactly would the ships doctor be with you in port? :confused:

 

Interesting thread....

 

I couldn't imagine being on the ship and one of my children getting left behind! I think they would have to sedate me and strap me down! :eek:

 

A few years back in Freeport, we were on a excursion (booked thru the ship) and we were running late. Our driver was in touch with the authorities at the port every few minutes giving them updates of where we were. When we arrived, they HURRIED us on to the ship, and as soon as the 10 of us were on the ship they pulled up the plank and the ship pulled away!

 

We have watched this too in Montego Bay. We had a balcony and perfect view of the Captain on the radio looking out and talking to the guys in port on a radio who was talking to several tour buses. Those people ran like crazy back to the ship...except 1 who was in a wheelchair and they had a heck of a time getting the wheelchair back onto the ramp. The minute everyone was stepping off the ramp, it was coming up and we were moving. :eek:

[chengkp75]

Could be the doc appreciates a drink at Senor Frog's as much as anyone.

[thomarvin]

We always plan on being back on the ship 30 min to 1 hour before they tell us to.

 

I also use an old fashioned Timex watch. I don't rely on a smart phone for the time. They tend to go to "local time" rather than "ships time". SOOOOO important to stay on ships time.

[K&P Luv2Cruise]

Are you guys sure about this? It has been reported several times on these boards that they don't "actually" have to wait, but most do because of it being a ship sponsored tour. It's completely at the discretion of the Captain because if they are waiting, they are incurring more port charges that come out of the companies pocket. My TA also told me that they are not required to wait. There's just multiple cases of this being stated although I can say that I normally see them wait for ship sponsored tours and that has been my experience when cruising and a van of people are pulling up late. But I guess in reality, they don't "have" to wait. :(

 

We were in Cabo San Lucas in March 2013 aboard the Miracle repo cruise, and there was a family of 4 who were on a ship sponsored excursion, and they were left behind.

 

We found out later that their bus had broken down, and because this was a tender port, that by the time they were able to get back to the docks the tenders wouldn't be running. Therefore the ship couldn't/didn't wait for them.

 

The family was put up at a local hotel, and arrived at Long Beach Airport the morning the ship did, escorted by a Carnival ship employee who had been taken back into Cabo to stay with the family before we sailed away. A Customs official was seen escorting the family and staff member onto the ship before we disembarked. This was all done at Carnival's expense too, as it was not the passengers fault.

 

So, things can happen, and know that the ship is not always able to wait for you.

[2Shoes2Go]

Could be the doc appreciates a drink at Senor Frog's as much as anyone.

 

He might.....:) :);)

[Out to sea!]

Mainly its cheaper to put them in an empty cabin (not generating any revenue) on a ship that has fixed overhead (the ship will sail back to the US with or without those folks) than to pay airfare and hotel/meals.

 

Could you imagine missing the Ecstasy and sailing back to the US on the Allure? What an upgrade that would be! :eek::D

[spleenstomper]

On our Fantasy trip, the captain waited a long time for a non-Carnival excurison because mom and her 16 year old daughter got separated (either progreso or Cozumel) and the captain couldn't see leaving a 16 year old girl there (he made an announcement).

[lucky13elec]

I've seen Carnival wait 45 minutes for a group of about 7. They took a cab back to the ship in Cozumel so I don't think they were on a sponsored tour. I would never want to chance Carnival waiting though.

[cutiepiefred]

On our first ever cruise we actually had plane trouble before we even flew out in the am.(5am flight 9pm ship depart would give plenty of time) They switched us from a direct flight from DC to san juan to a 1 stop in st thomas. we landed and the plane stopped working. this was at 1pm. long story short we had to wait for another plane to come in and hope couls get on it to get to sanjuan. we were lucky, others not so much, we made it to the port and checked in 835pm I have no idea how we were still able to do that when they normally deny boarding within an hr of sail time. i wish i was watching that run from the bus to the boat from on board wjich is usually us.

[guxu]

The only time we had the ship waiting for us was in Cozumel (what's wrong with that port?:eek:). It was a ship sponsored excursion to Tulum. We actually had one crew member with us. The cruise line sent her. She was not in her break, and she was not the tour guide either.

 

I did not recall any problem (bus broke down etc.) but we were still late when we came back by about an hour. The girl kept contacting with the ship and made several announcements on the bus and on the ferry: The ship would wait for us...The dress code would not be enforced (it was a formal night)...The MDR would remain open for us ... :cool:

[guidobiker]

My wife and I were on a the Triumph several years ago in San Juan on a tour booked thru the ship and we were about a 1/2 - 3/4 of an hour late getting back to the ship. When we finally got to the ship they had a gang plank thru a cargo area that we all entered on. The ship literally began moving as the gang plank was pulled in. The tour operator kept assuring us all the way back on the bus that the ship will be there for us to get on. We were supposed to sail at 11 pm. There were quite a few people on the tour. Would not have been happy if the ship left without us regardless if they would take care of expenses. Was hungry and looking forward to some late night pizza. :D

[sandinmyshoes]

We always make sure everyone in our party has the proper cruise line's "Late Line" phone number on them. This saved our bacon on a Carnival cruise two years ago.

[Liverpoollovely]

Have you ever missed the cruise ship or seen someone else that did? Will Carnival wait on you before they leave you, or does the ship leave right on time no matter who is back onboard.

 

I was watching some pier runner videos on YouTube and in some cases the people don't make it make onboard because the ship started to depart. If you have ever been a pier runner how did it feel and if you missed the ship how did you feel?

 

Typically ... No .. Although I have been on cruises whereby the ship has waited and it was because the group had small children .. I have also witnessed people boarding from a boat onto the ship and this was due to their excursion semi sub breaking down and delaying their arrival back to the island and thus missing the ships time to get back on board

 

I have found whether you do your own excursion or through the ship the excursion guide wants to get you back before the ship leaves as it would be bad for business for them if you missed your ship due to taking an excursion done not through the cruise company