- Individuals considering a cruise may have concerns about what would happen if they are running late to the ship.
- In a Q&A session on board Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, Captain Rob Hempstead shared valuable information on what to do in such a situation.
- If you find yourself running late, it is recommended to call the ship agent, allowing the captain to make a decision on whether they can wait for you.
“Excuse me, is the captain available?” shouted a man in Italian in a captivating TikTok video that showcased two cruisers seemingly left behind by their ship at a port, as reported by Insider.
According to MailOnline, these passengers were tardy for their MSC Mediterranean cruise departure from Bari, Italy on August 15. The video footage depicts the pair desperately waving and calling out to crew members in an attempt to board the ship.
Cruises provide travelers with the opportunity to explore multiple destinations within a single trip, offering port stops where passengers are able to disembark and discover new places.
However, cruise ships operate on tight schedules, often allocating only around seven to eight hours for a one-day stop, sometimes even less. This leaves many wondering about the consequences of running late and not making it back to the ship on time.
Will the captain wait for late passengers?
The answer is maybe.
During a Q&A session on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, Insider had the opportunity to ask Captain Rob Hempstead this very question.
Hempstead, a veteran Royal Caribbean captain with 18 years of experience, initially began his career in Alaska’s fishing industry. After 14 years of fishing, he transitioned into being a captain. Prior to Wonder of the Seas, he had served as captain on seven other Royal Caribbean ships, including Oasis of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas.
According to Hempstead, the most stressful part for the crew is ensuring timely departures from ports, as “the faster we go, the more fuel we have to burn.”
He mentioned that some individuals do arrive late and end up being left behind. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the captain won’t wait for you; you simply need to know the proper course of action.
When will a cruise ship wait for passengers?
There are two scenarios in which the ship will wait. The first is if you’re returning late from an excursion organized by the cruise line. In such cases, the ship will wait for passengers who are involved in a cruise line excursion that has exceeded the allocated port time.
However, if you have spent the day exploring independently, certain steps must be taken to avoid being left stranded.
If you find yourself behind schedule, it is essential to contact the ship agent to inform them of your delay, as advised by Hempstead. On Royal Caribbean cruises, you can find this contact number at the bottom of the Cruise Compass, a daily flyer provided to all passengers in their staterooms, outlining the day’s activities.
According to a copy of the Cruise Compass obtained by Insider, the agent may also be referred to as a port agent.
Ultimately, whether or not the ship can wait for you depends on your estimated late arrival time. As Hempstead explained, “If I know you’re 10 minutes away, I can make an educated decision about whether or not we can wait. We will wait if we can.”
Of course, if you find yourself in this situation, you’ll have to hurry back to the ship with fellow passengers curiously observing the delay, realizing it was caused by you. To avoid such experiences, always plan your day with sufficient time to return to the port or consider booking excursions through the cruise line for added peace of mind.
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