Don’t Be Late

Last month another couple was seen running down the docks in the Bahamas desperately trying to get the ship that they were sailing on to wait for them.  Unfortunately for them, they were late and there was nothing they could do but watch as their cruise ship sailed off towards the sunset. Stuck and stranded at the port, there was nothing that the dock workers could do either, so the couple would have no choice but to make their own way, at their own expense back to Miami, where the ship was heading.

This is what happens when you are late. The ship will not wait.

On any cruise ship, you are given a timetable of port times and the latest time to be back on board. These times are reiterated in the daily newspaper that you receive in your cabin each evening before arriving in port. They are also displayed both inside and outside the ship on the gangways, so there is never an excuse to not know what time to be back onboard.

The ship will also tell you to stick to ships time on your watch, as this is the times that will be displayed and will not in all cases be local time of where you are docked.

If you are doing an organised excursion via the cruise line and something goes wrong, the ship will normally wait or they are responsible for getting you to the next port of call. If you are doing a trip on your own, then it is up to you to make sure you keep to the time given and be back on board in time. If not, it could be costly to you and you will not be able to claim this money back. Not fun if you have left all your valuables in the cabin safe and have limited cash or no cards on you or even your passport!

It is always a good idea to take a copy of the daily newspaper with you when you go ashore, for many reasons and not just the time to be back. The information provided on these sheets will give you details about the port and places to see but most importantly a contact number for the ship. So if something is out of your control you can call the ship to get help and advice.

It costs the cruise lines more money if delayed in port and that is why they have a strict schedule. So please, please don’t be that next couple on a youtube video being stranded on the dock watching your ship and all your belongings sailing away without you.

Dawn

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