Missing the Dam Ship at Cozumel

R

RKO153

Guest
We were 15 minutes late getting back to the Zaandam and they sailed without us. It was a major
hassel getting back. Since we left our passports in our safe onboard it compounded our problems.
Next time I will always take my passport with me off the ship in a foreign port, maybe even consider leaving a certified copy on board and the orignal with us. I am writing this as a story and will share later. There were things that happened that didn't make sense that I am seeking answers for.

Has anybody known a cruise ship to leave some of its passenger behind? What is their
protocal when they leave their passengers behind?
 
R

redcrown

Guest
If you were not on a ship's excursion, it is your responsibility to be back on board on time. This time for every port is posted as you leave the ship and is in your daily brochure. If a passenger misses the ship (not on a ship's excursion)it is up to them to get to the ship's next port of call. If one is on a ship's excursion each cruise line has someone in port that is listed in your daily brochure and they will help you get to the next port. This latter scenerio is rare as the ships will ussually wait for all their sponsored excursions to get back.

Unfortunately I have seen it happen too many times where either passengers forget about the time or have to much to drink and just do not get back. It is costly to the cruise line to stay docked and it is inconsiderate to the fellow passengers to be late.

I do not think you will be late again, but I am sorry you learned this lesson the hard way.
 
R

RKO153

Guest
The ship had not left the pier when we got there. Appartently the Mexican pier officials called the
ship and somebody said the captain said it was too late and they would not use a tender because
the bay was too choppy. Well we learned much later from the Captain that he did not know that
we had missed the ship until we were out at sea. Why the misinformation from the Mexican
authorities.

In our previous trip and even this trip I saw tenders used to bring in latecommers. It is not difficult
to do when you visit a place like Cozumel with many sites to see and only stay there til 2;30:pM.
I talked to many people in the Rottendam and many people don't even leave the ship because
of the time contraints.

Lesson learned? Perhaps we should not use cruise lineres for visiting scenic spots.

regards,

Ray

PS. Still I would like to meet others who have been in the same predicament.
 
D

dougfw

Guest
It is a good rule-of-thumb to be back on the ship at least 45 minutes to an hour before sailing time. This might not be "fun" for you but there are, on average, 2000 other people on the ship who took whatever precautions necessary to make sure they were back on board in time and, believe it or not, they could not care less whether or not you are back on the ship after a port call. This is why the captain, cruise director, daily program, cruise ticket, ship staff, ship announcers, literature in your room and other passangers are constantly telling us to be back on the ship well before sailing time and that time is posted and announced very clearly and exactly all day, every day throughout the cruise. You are either illiterate or exceedingly self-centered. Welcome to cruising and, no, 2000+ poeple did not pay good money for a vacation so they could have the honor of waiting for you. That is why, DUH, the ship leaves regardless of who got back on unless you were booked with a cruise line excursion.
 
M

maw

Guest
Glad to see you mentioned the hassle of not having the passport with you. I have never understood what people thought they were going to do if they leave the passport on the ship. I broke ankle in Caymans had to leave cruise and know I was glad I had my passport with me as we had difficulty getting anything back to us in port before the ship sailed.
 
L

LUV2Cruz2

Guest
Sorry you missed the ship, but...oh well....now you've learned.

Years ago I was on the old Ocean Breeze and some people got to partying and missed the ship in Cozumel....a tender brought them to the ship, the captain stopped to pick them up...and he was PISSED! The rest of us suffered for those few drunks by him hauling ass through the water and made most passengers uncomfortable...not to mention that the other passengers treated the missing partying drunks like crap for the rest of the cruise!

Unless you're on a ship excursion there's no excuse not to be onboard at sailing time.
 
F

flapr1

Guest
Ship's company continuosly 'harps' about being back on-time to make departure time; yet, some folks must enjoy the excitement of running back to the ship at the last minute! Yes, not only it is a big 'hassle' to get left behind, but usually a very costly adventure.

When on independent shore excursions, we also allow sufficient time to compensate for delays due to traffic conditions, mechanical breakdowns, etc.
 
E

endkaos

Guest
Thanks for posting about the passports. I had never thought of that before. Also about using excursions. I know with kids and excursions, things can be hectic. It's nice to know that if I booked through the cruiseline, I would expect their "travel agent" to notifiy the ship on our behalf that an excursion is running late. I never had that problem though because all the excursions returned will before the ship was due to leave the dock. Sorry for your inconvience. I think it's either you love cruisings pros and cons or it's cruising is not for your travel style.
 
P

paljoeysmom

Guest
Missing the ship in NOT unusual. During my 21 cruises I have seen it happen many times, with people running as the ship pulled out. Every cruise I have been on has called people's names and cabin #'s over the loud speaker, asking them to call the reception/pursur.

In Oct 2004 when we sailed to Cabo San Lucas I saw a Carnival ship pull past our ship, then a rubber dinghy flying past us to get those LATE passengers on the ship. We watched it all off of our balcony, and luckily those cruisers were able to board the vessel.
 
Top