Pier runners

[gottagoacruzn]

Hi guys, don't think this topic has ever been talked about before, so here goes. Not that I've ever been a pier runner, not with 30 + cruises behind me, but when somebody is late back to the ship, what do the crew members tell them? Inquiring minds would like to know. Have watched them before runnin back so... Thanks, Virginia

 

[PEB]

I have never been a pier runner however I have seen them and I was a crew member that had to wait for them. All the crew can really do is try to rush them along and remind them to watch the time next time. There are more comments made by other passengers than will be made by the crew. The crew will not be happy but there is not a lot they can say. The crew doesn't mind leaving people behind if it is the passengers fault.

 

[BSeabob]

I know it has happened on one cruise I was on for sure. But I suspect that a lot of the time its just the locals having a bit of fun when the running is met with the ship actually leaving without them. Those that actually cut it close are no fun at all.

 

[red stripe]

once upon a time, the ship left at the time they had published. The theory was that grown ups could tell the time, and also they could read.
so if it said in the ships paper that they should be back on the ship at a certain time, and that the ship sailed shortly after. They actually understood.

So I did see the rare person(s) stood watching as we sailed away. It was a very rare occasion.

then.. for whatever reason.. the cruise lines stopped doing what they said.
if is said to be back onboard by 4pm, then they were waiting for the latecomers.

People soon saw that no matter what the ships crew said..they were going to wait for you. So that wait time got longer and longer, and happened a lot more frequently.

These days it is a rarity to leave on time.

sad.

 

[The Cruiser]

Watched atot of pier runners in the past. Especially in Cozumel.

 

[red stripe]

Yes, there is the occasional time where a trip across the island could be held up by traffic etc.
but again, these are adults.

look at how long it takes under ideal conditions to drive to and from your destination.
take that away from the length of the ships stay.
that gives you the idea of how long you have, then figure on things not going as planned, a car breaking down, bad traffic later in the day.. ajust the time spent.

easy really. For adults.


TC, they should have been stood there waving as your ship sailed away.

 

[GingerLane]

On my first cruise ever my daughter wanted a head of braids done in the Bahamas. Went with a local (driving) to their “shop”. It took forever and we almost missed the ship when we got back. This was 20 yrs ago. Would never let the ship out of my sight again on a cruise unless it’s a cruise sponsored excursion. And I fully support the ship leaving on its stated departure time.

 

[red stripe]

Of all the “ pier runners” that I have seen, this one takes the cake.
and although it sounds improbable..it really happened.

it was decades ago. It was on HAL.

we had left the shores..we were sailing away when suddenly we all saw a small speed boat racing after us.
at first we all thought that it was a fool that really wanted to get close. But that was not the case.
The boat came right up to the side of our ship. !!!
The captain cut power. As we all know, this takes time.

by now everyone is leaning over the side to see what is going on. We were on a lower deck and a little to the front of the action, so we had a ringside seat. Evidently they opened up the area where the pilot comes and goes…

we can now see that the boat holds the driver, a mother and father, one boy about 8 or 10, and a grandmother. A grandmother like we all used to picture them… long flowing dark dress and jacket, an old and heavy lady. She does not look very mobile.

we see a rope netting being lowered from the opening, and over the ships side.

And this family proceed to grab onto the netting and climb up!

I am not joking or exaggerating!!!

evidently they paid the speed boar driver to bring them out to catch the boat.

but why on earth we slowed down to pick them up is beyond my comprehension.
if any of them had lost thier footing, they would have gone under the ship and into the propellers.

it was the stupidest and most dangerous thing that I have even witnessed.