How Often Do People Get Left by Cruise Ship?

By Robert Palmer

Getting left behind by a cruise ship can be a frightening experience, and it happens more frequently than you might think. Cruise ships are large, complex vessels and their size and speed make it difficult to keep track of every single passenger.

In addition, many cruise ships do not have the same level of communication or tracking capabilities as airplanes, so if a passenger fails to return from shore excursions on time, or worse – fails to get back onboard before the ship leaves port – they can easily be left behind.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 129 reported cases of passengers being left behind by cruise ships from 2006-2018. This number is likely to be much higher due to unreported cases or those resolved without being reported. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these cases involve elderly passengers who are unable to make it back onboard in time due to health issues or lack of physical fitness.

Fortunately though, cruise lines have developed protocols for dealing with these situations competently and professionally. When a passenger is reported missing, the captain will typically order an immediate search of all areas aboard and within the port vicinity in order to locate them as quickly as possible. If they are not found within a certain period of time, then other measures may be taken such as sending out search parties in nearby towns or contacting local authorities.

In addition, most cruise lines also have dedicated staff that are responsible for keeping track of passengers coming ashore and returning onboard at each port stop. These individuals usually carry radios for communication with other staff members or the ship’s bridge so that any instances where passengers fail to return on time can be quickly addressed.

Conclusion:

Overall, getting left behind by a cruise ship is rare but does happen occasionally with elderly passengers who are unable to make it back onboard in time due to health issues or lack of physical fitness. Luckily though, most cruise lines have protocols in place for dealing with such situations competently and professionally.