Pier Runners

We've seen quite a number of late returnees which delayed our departure but I can't recall where anyone was left behind. One time a lady was so late that they had her roommate pack her bags and were handing them over to their representative at the port when the lady showed.

I notice now that for the shore excursions offered by the cruise lines we frequent they add as one reason to select the line's excursions is that they won't leave you behind due a late return. If I recall correctly it wasn't that long ago when they said there was no guarantee you wouldn't get left if late returning even if you booked through the respective cruise line. Anybody else remember that? If so it must be due to the industries' efforts to detract from the cheaper competitive packages offered by independents at a port.

Would have to be a real downer if one shows at the pier to see their ship "hull down on the horizon" and the next port many days away. Like I posted a while back, we left the Canary Islands for Barbados last fall and it took 8.5 days to get across the pond. If we missed the ship at the last port in the Canaries we would have been toast.

Ahh, pier runners.

My favourite entertainment when I need a laugh.

I have seen passengers almost missing the ship's departure and some that did miss it. On one ship, we had just left port when the ship stopped dead in the water. A few minutes later, a boat came alongside the ship and the passengers had to step from the boat to the ship.

I saw a couple left at the pier. They were fortunate - the pilot boat brought them to the ship.

Too funny! I've seen it.

Being left at the port is not returning late from an adventure, it is just the start of a new adventure. :-)~

I've watched people who stood at the dock in disbelief when the ship pulled away without them. They were blown away that a ship carrying thousands of people would not wait for their four sorry butts to return from their adventure.