Topic starter
After what seemed like a dream trip, several American travelers were left stranded at a port in West Africa mid-cruise while traveling from Cape Town, South Africa, to Barcelona, Spain.
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:24 am
Savaly reacted
Normally I’d say the responsibility lies with the passengers to be on time.
However, seeing that they were ferried to the ship by the coast guard, there must have been different circumstances, because the coast guard is not a taxi service, and the captain still refused the call…my advice is stay away from cruises altogether 
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:31 am
Savaly reacted
Just a few reasons why a cruise ship has to leave on time 1. Tide restrictions, maybe leaving the port, or making the next port. 2. They have to leave on time so the next cruise ship can be in Port. 3. 1,500 other people have excursions booked at the next port. 4. Maybe one of those passengers are getting off at the next port, and have to make it to a plane on time. 5. At the next port, maybe they have provisions coming on the boat that are on a time schedule. (food, fuel, water)
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:33 am
Savaly reacted
The fault of the passengers and whoever they booked excursion with. This is important example of why you should book thru cruise line. We have been on an island where we took taxi to beach or shopping. I was always worried about being back early. What if taxi broke down etc.? The ship is not waiting.
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:36 am
Savaly reacted
My one and only cruise, we were getting super anxious because we were running late back from our excursion. Less than 30mins. But it was a cruise line sponsored trip, so the ship waited. We did have to rush from the bus to the ferry and from the ferry dock to the cruise dock. As soon as the last person from our excursion was on board they started getting ready to sail.
For that reason I'd never do a private excursion.
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:39 am
Savaly reacted
I blame the tour guide. They mentioned that they were short on time and they didn't take them back. What were they supposed to do?? Try any find their way back?! That's crazy.. that's why I always book with the cruise line
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:41 am
Savaly reacted
They were LATE. Airplanes don’t wait. I don’t get why this is news?
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:44 am
Savaly reacted
If you don't follow the rules. You get left! Simple as that.
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:47 am
One of the couples was on TV this morning and the wife said she understands there are rules but thinks they followed them to rigidly… people are so ridiculous
Posted : April 4, 2024 7:53 am
Savaly reacted
How many times does this have to happen, before travelers get a clue!
Allowing them to re-board at a later destination, is a win for those passengers. It's up to the Passengers, not the Cruiseline, to get themselves to the next Port of Call.
The passengers are told throughout the cruise, if they are embarking for an excursion, especially one not purchased through a reliable, partner w the cruiselines, they run the risk of missing their return time, and being left behind.
Posted : April 4, 2024 8:26 am
Savaly reacted
First rule of cruising...if you're not back on time, they leave and it's up to you to get to the next port at your expense. We were always an hour earlier back to the ship than we needed to be just in case. And we booked all excursions through the ship. If the excursion was late getting back, then they would have to wait. If it was booked independently, they had no obligations to remain.
Posted : April 4, 2024 8:47 am
Savaly reacted
The cruise ship makes it very clear they must leave the port to allow the next ship to dock, and when you must be back on ship before it sails. If you are on a ship sponsored excursion running late, the ship leaves port and waits for a tender to bring the late returning excursions. If on excursions not related to the cruise line you are on your own, and had better have your passport with you.
Posted : April 4, 2024 8:49 am
Savaly reacted
They weren’t stranded; they didn’t follow the rules and suffered the consequences
Posted : April 4, 2024 8:53 am
Savaly reacted
Idk why they thought they were exempted. We’ve seen parents left behind with kids on the ship (luckily an uncle was on there). I’ve seen countless videos of pier runners. Some make it some don’t. On Tiktok a cruise employee unrelated to the incident said they have a strict dock time for each destination as to not throw off other ships coming after them. It throws off everyone else so it’s a no exceptions rule. That’s understandable. You know when to be back so be back
Posted : April 4, 2024 11:04 am
Savaly reacted
That's why you don't book w private agencies. If you book an excursion w the cruise line, they wait if the tour runs late. It's very well publicized. It's not worth saving money to risk missing the boat. This is the passenger's fault. Sorry about their luck. FAFO.
Posted : April 4, 2024 11:07 am
Savaly reacted
When you trust locals who already took your money, they don’t care about you missing your ride. If you get stuck there, it’s more tourism money for their economy
Posted : April 4, 2024 11:13 am
Savaly reacted
People show up 2 hours early for their flight but think a boat with 2,500 people on a boat will wait on you.
Posted : April 4, 2024 11:17 am
Savaly reacted
The only way the ship will wait is if you book an approved excursion through them. All other site seeing trips booked on land don't count
Posted : April 4, 2024 11:21 am
Savaly reacted
