Have you ever wondered why? What tragedy did they experience? Why did they become a runner? What stories did you hear from someone who was a runner or almost? It was a horrible feeling for someone to be left behind or almost miss embarkation. We were practically a runner once. We did not set our clocks accordingly while shopping at the port. We noticed some people rushing through customs and thought, wow, is that our ship leaving? Lucky, we decided to board early and place our gifts in the room. That's when we realized we were not early. We were just in time. The ship's horn blasted a few minutes after we loaded. Please share your stories.
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Contributor Level:
Second Mate
Why did they become a Runner?
8 Answers
Contributor Level:
Purser
(Vince) Lombardi Time, (motivational videos used for (us) telco sales reps): "If you're early you're on time - if you're on time, you're late - and if you're late, don't bother showing up."
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
My first time (2006) in St Maarten I got caught up in the shopping and caught the last tender back to the ship about 20 minutes before boarding time. I thought we would be fine until the tender had to make a second stop even farther away from the ship. I started running as soon as we touched land. As we approached the ship we could see a gang plank being raised. I knew for sure I was being left behind. Then one of the crew told us to stop running a second gang plank was still open. Lesson learned, I’m always back on the ship now with at least 45 minutes to spare.
I also have seen folks left behind. It depends on how much flexibility is in the schedule as to how long they will wait. I was on a ship excursion in Belize with a large group that was 45 minutes late. They had one large tour bus waiting for 7-8 mini van tours to return to the pickup area. Some of the mini vans ran late, so everyone that was on time had to wait Of course, the ship had no choice but to wait. Don’t risk it. Get back on time. No, get back early.
Contributor Level:
Second Mate
I saw it once in St Thomas many years ago. The ship left the pier on time, got about a mile out in the bay, stopped and did a little maneuvering. Sure enough, a speedboat pulls up alongside and transfers a couple of passengers to the ship.
Contributor Level:
Cruise Director
anybody else??? WOW!!!
Contributor Level:
Admiral
We have seen a family left behind. We waited about 45 minutes. We watched as the white uniforms gathered on the pier. Heard the names called several times. Finally, one officer takes a very stuffed envelop to the representative on shore. The lines are slack and we move from the pier. Just then the family (2 adults and one child) appear at the end of the the pier. Too late, so they go to the observation area at the San Juan port and wave to the ship. They had extended family on board. We missed docking at the next port because of winds. So the family had to meet the ship back in Miami. It happens.
Contributor Level:
Cruise Director
Never got even close to that point...but watching these fools rush to get back is a spectator sport...seen it several times ...usually drunk and sort of wandering...course if you get past the gate security at the head of the pier, the ship isn't going anywhere, nobody wants to see a drunk jumping off the pier to try to make the ship stop.....well..... but they don't know that...and some clearly just don't care...but then, I don't care if the ship leaves on time or not...only one who "cares" is the Captain, who has to burn more fuel to adhere to a schedule. Somebody correct me if i'm wrong, but I doubt you'll ever actually SEE someone get left...love to hear about it if you have...
I have not ever witnessed a runner in person...
Ive...over indulged...before in St Thomas. To the point, where I dont remember getting back on the ship...but there is also absolutely no way I was running either,
Contributor Level:
Cruise Director
I was shopping in port at the Cayman Islands Port Shopping mall. It was me, my sister, my parents, and another family. We're usually good with getting back to the ship on time, but we lost track of time! We RAN all the way back to the ship and made it with 7 min. to spare!