What to do if you miss the ship – DON’T PANIC
If there has been a legitimate emergency, it may be possible to ask for some leniency to your situation, by contacting the cruise line as soon as possible. In some cases, any kind of emergency will potentially mean better outcomes, though I would not put much store on it. You will find when you are stranded in some exotic location, that last minute international fares can be extremely expensive. So I keep repeating, cruise ships wait as long as they can before leaving as there are often strict time schedules that incur additional port fees, the ship will leave without you.
Find a port agent
Once you see the ship leaving the pier, it is already too late, it is time start to kick into a relaxed planning phase. Most cruise lines have port agents or representative stationed in the port area. These officials will assist you if your ship has left without you. They can help contact the ship to make arrangements for your travel. Crew will most likely have collected your important documents, medication and phone from your stateroom and given them to the port agent. Plans may already be in progress without you. It is your responsibility for any cost incurred with re-joining the ship or getting home.
Making contact
This is where all that information I have told you to keep on your smartphone comes in handy. The port agent or the cruise lines customer service department or your insurance company can guide you with how and where to meet up with the ship at one of the next ports on the itinerary. Read up on your travel insurance product disclosure statement as they may or may not cover flights if you missing the ship was due to your own negligence. They may assist you with book interim accommodations and travel, which you pay for. If you find yourself without proper identification in a foreign country, find a way to contact your closest embassy. Once again if you have all that information on your smartphone, you have one less layer of anxiety. See if the embassy can help you to figure out next steps and potentially put you in contact with someone who can help you to reach your ship or return home.
Try to relax
The majority of cruisers who miss the ship miss is because they lost track of time and are late getting back on their own. Even if you find yourself stranded, remember, you are still on holidays. You can look at it as disappointing or stressful, it will depend on how you react. You can fill your time considering concerns about the cost you are about to rack up. If you have time to kill after you’ve formulated a game plan, make the most of the time to explore the destination you inadvertently find yourself in or locating some local food. If you find yourself stuck in port overnight? You can take the extra time to experience the local nightlife, as you lament that you missed the ship when it sailed away.
Retrieving the rest of your belongings from the ship
If you decide not to return to the ship but travel home instead, the cruise line can ship your belongings to you at your expense.
What an adventure it would be, missing the ship. The more I cruise, the more I think, one day that will be me running up that pier looking like a fool. With everything, I think is just a matter of time. I have been late back to the pier once in Costa Rica, as part of a ship organised shore excursion. So with 55 fellow passengers, NCL Star had to wait for us.
So it is time to pack your bags, book a cruise and happy cruising.
