New to NCL

[don't-use-real-name]

The distance between ports is not a factor - time can be made up if necessary -

that being noted -

HOWEVER NCL has contracted with Port services to have a Pilot and boat escort the

ship out of it waters and the service may be on a ridged fixed schedule with

little or no room to fudge with. You must be underway by this time to sail with

the tide - to allow other ships to use a narrow canal - free up dock space for

another incoming ship to use - and a host of other reasons similar to the airlines

with needing gate space for an inbound flight and the departing flight needing to

do just that depart on time. Access to a port is like the airport with limited room to

maneuver - you can't park on the runway - taxiways briefly - gate tarmac for a

while - if something is not done timely gridlock sets in and system fails.

Cruising may have more flexibility at sea but in port not so much things must

work timely with use of space and contracted services.

 

 

 

As BirdTravels has noted it does happen and often -

 

Cabo San Lucas is one of the worse cruise places - even though it is a tender

port a limited amount of ships can be anchored.

Years ago was on a Carnival ship and we hoisted the anchor and was just

beginning to get underway when we were hailed by a Celebrity ship that had

our passengers get on the wrong tender boat. Fortunately we were able to

wait for them to come alongside and board the right ship lucky lucky the next

port was 2 days later in Los Angeles - a lot of room to wiggle out of that one.

 

One additional note - those water taxis are generally smaller than the tender

boats and if a transfer is made out of the safe harbor things can be very

dangerous in moving passengers from one small boat to the huge ship.

If you are inebriated one bad step and you may need a HOSPITAL ship

not a cruise ship.

 

So now you are left on the dock with limited funds -

maybe you left your passport onboard the ship -

and you have beach clothing -

up a creek no paddle no cruise ship -

and how the hell are you going to catch up and get on your ship fastly speeding

off into the sunset to the next port ---

 

People people don't let bad things happen to you !!!!!

[DominicAUS]

This happens very often for airlines. Delayed passengers from connected flights. Or just being at the bar. Airlines will not wait and offload your luggage as they’re fined for being at the gate etc.

 

Also when we were the Gem Tortola was our last stop with only half day then back to NYC. we left 2 people on the pier at Tortola, they gave the peir agents their passports and we headed back to NYC. Not a way I want to end my holiday.