Meandering through charming streets and stopping by bars and cafes along the way to try out the local cuisine, it’s easy to get lost in the character and fun your cruise port.
But, some passengers get so carried away they end up have to run back to their ship, almost left behind – something which 55 per cent of people say is their biggest concern with cruises.
In fact, Google searches for ‘pier runners’ – as they’re dubbed – have increased by 56 per cent in the last three months alone.
Fortunately, there are plenty of hacks to help cruisers avoid running late and some to prepare just in case the missed ship nightmare comes true.
Chrissy Valdez, senior director of operations at Squaremouth, says her top tip is to purchase ship-sponsored excursions – as the liner will always wait for these trips if they run late.
With independent tours, despite them being cheaper, you risk running late.
Making sure your watch matches the time zone of your ship is also vital to keeping on track.
Many vessels have clocks set to a specific time zone as they pass through different regions, meaning it won’t adjust based on the location you are in.
There are plenty of hacks to help cruisers avoid running late and some to prepare just in case the missed ship nightmare comes true
Alarms can also come in handy to give you enough time to head back to your ship when exploring the port, says Chrissy.
If you do end up running behind, it could be worthwhile calling the ship as in some circumstances, the captain might decide to wait.
Make sure to have the ship’s phone number and port agent number saved before heading out on your adventures.
As for flights, it’s better to purchase them through the cruise company because if anything goes wrong and you can’t make the departure time most liners can make flight adjustments to try to get you to the ship in time.
If that doesn’t work out, the cruise line might offer for you to join the ship at the next port instead.
Or, another option is arriving at your departure city a couple of days before you are due to leave, and making sure your accommodation is nearby your port.
Just in case you do get caught out and miss your ship whilst exploring an area, it’s important to carry ‘safety cash’, as well as a working credit card and ID.
Chrissy advises cruise passengers invest in proper insurance too.
Just in case you do get caught out and miss your ship whilst exploring an area, it’s important to carry ‘safety cash’, as well as a working credit card and ID
She says, ‘Cruises are tricky because they typically operate in multiple jurisdictions, countries, and waters, which makes each passenger scenario uniquely challenging.
‘Many travellers assume that if they miss their cruise, they can simply catch up at the next port, but that’s not always the case due to local cabotage laws, which may not allow the vessel to pick you up at the next stop.
‘Cruise insurance is a great added protection that can take over if you find yourself stranded after missing the ship, as long as it’s due to a reason covered by the policy.
‘We always recommend looking for policy coverage that includes missed connection coverage specific to cruises and tours, travel delay protection, and opting for policies with robust trip interruption coverage.’
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How to avoid becoming a ‘pier runner’ and missing your cruise ship’s departure
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