Missing the ship and what happens. Well it does happen; there has been a few ports I have sailed away from, looking down on passengers standing on the dock.
It’s not just passengers that miss the ship it happens to crew as well, not quite as often though.
Depending on the port and where the ship is going next the process can be slightly different, but there is a process. It will always include the port agent and local government/immigration, if a change of county is needed.
What happens when you miss the ship?
Well there is a process and it will start kicking into gear about 30 minutes before departure.
All cruise lines have a system to keep count of who is on or off the ship at any time. This is not a roundabout figure it is an exact figure. Every ship must report all “souls” on board before they arrive and before they are ready to leave. This figure will include passengers and crew, every person is a soul, every person is accounted for.
Days before all passengers and crew passport details would have been sent to the port authorities/immigration, advising of exactly who is onboard. Who is leaving the ship in that port and who is joining the ship. All those figures must match when the ship sails. If they don’t the ship will be delayed, having to explain the difference.
When the ship is getting ready to leave they will have all the details of whoever is missing. Announcements will start to be made on the PA across the ship for the missing passengers to report in. Any phone numbers in the booking will be called. If they are traveling as a party, the ship will announce for the others in the party to contact the ship. Local Hospitals and police stations will most likely be contacted by the port agent. They will do all they can to find you get hold of the missing.
If there is no response or they are not going to make it in time. Accommodation with security and hotel department will go to the cabin of the missing and open the safe to find their passports and other documents, bags will be quickly packed with as many essentials as possible, few cloths medication etc .
All this will be handed to the port agent ashore, who will wait at the dock for their arrival, while making calls to try and find them.
When You get back to Dock
When the missing passengers make it back to the dock, the port agent will work with them as to the best solution. Sometimes the next port could be a few hours’ drive away. The port agent will then arrange a ride or rental car. They will book a hotel room if needed.
At Some ports though, the next stop for the ship is many days away in a foreign county. In this scenario the port agent will work with you to find flight and accommodation to the next port and get you back on the ship.
Maybe it’s close to the end of the cruise and you wish to go home, don’t worry the agent will help you with that as well. Your belongings onboard will then be sent to your home address when the ship finishes its cruise.
The port agent will be your main point of contact for anything you need. They will also be talking with the ship and updating heading head office. Their job will be to get you back to ship or home and keep you safe.
Who will pay for all this?
The port agent’s time is free but, flights, accommodation, car rental etc. This all cost money and it will be up to you to pay, you missed the ship.
If you have no money on yo,u it will be paid for by the company or port agent, but expect it on your bill at the end of your cruise.
How long does the ship wait?
How long they wait can vary from port to port, captain to captain, some captain’s wait 30 odd minutes and some do not wait at all.
In a lot of ports the leaving time is planned around the tide so they cannot wait. The high tide mark gives them a small window of opportunity to leave. There could be sand bars to cross, currents to negotiate. If they miss their time, then they have to wait another 12 hours which is not possible.
It could be a port with many ships, so each ship gets an allocated time slot to leave. If they miss that slot they then go to the back of the queue, which can mean many hours late and now they will be late to the next port.
Sometimes the ship must leave the dock because another ship is coming in to use that same spot straight after them. This happens a lot when the dock is shared between many cruise lines.
Many passengers make it to the dock when the ship is still there but the gangway has been removed and lines are starting to be dropped. At this point it’s far too late. The ship has a system and order for departing and once the lines are being lowered it’s too late to get anyone on board. This would delay departure. Getting one line back on will take 30 minutes plus the other lines, plus the gang way out, it’s simply not possible. The departure sequence is in place and there is no stopping it.
How to avoid it?
Ship leaving and departure times are always well posted, advertise and announced. There will all ways be a sign at the gangway sating what time to return, can be different times for crew and passengers. Normally the time is half an hour before the ship drops its ropes. Times will be posted in the flyers you get in your room each night and announcements will be made across the ships PA system of the time due back. Trust me it is advertised everywhere and anywhere, so listen and be alert.
Conclusion
Missing the ship, best thing is not to do it. But it could happen just be prepared for an extra bill or two, plus the port agent will be your best friend.
The ship will do what it can to help. They will wait as long as they possible can. But sometimes this time frame is not very long due to factors out if its control and they must go.
So always be alert to all announcements, they hold important information. Read (VERY IMPORTANT) the all onboard signs as you leave the ship and take note of the time to be back. Read the information left in your cabin. Have your phone with you and turn on just in case; you may have time to make it back.
If on a none ships tour, see my blog, cruise tours made safe and easy, make sure you allow enough time to get back in case something goes wrong. Unlike a ships tour the ship will not wait
Remember if it’s a crew member, they will mostly likely be going home at the next port, paid for by them, without a job. So at lest you can treat it as an extra adventure.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY