What Happens if You Don’t Get Back on a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

When you’re on a cruise, being able to disembark and explore different ports of call is one of the most exciting aspects. However, if you don’t get back on the ship in time, you could find yourself in a very difficult and potentially dangerous situation.

Cruise ships typically have strict departure times that they adhere to in order to ensure they are on schedule and passengers are not left behind. If you do not make it back to the ship before it leaves port, the cruise line will likely attempt to contact you; however, there is no guarantee that they will be able to reach you.

If you fail to return on time and miss the ship, there will be several potential consequences. First and foremost, the cruise line may charge an extra fee for your re-boarding or other associated costs. Additionally, if your absence causes a delay for all other passengers or requires additional resources for search and rescue operations, the cost of these services may be passed along as well.

In some cases, depending on where the port is located and how far out at sea the ship is when it has left without you, there may be serious safety concerns due to inclement weather or lack of communication with shoreside resources. In extreme situations this could even result in injury or death if personnel are dispatched for search and rescue operations but unable to locate you in time due to rough seas or other hazardous conditions.

In order to avoid any potential delays or complications while traveling on a cruise ship, always check with the Cruise Line ahead of time regarding departure times from each port; be sure to set an alarm so that you don’t miss your boat’s scheduled departure; and ensure that someone know’s your whereabouts at all times so that if something does occur help can be sent quickly.

Conclusion: It is important to remember that if you do not get back on board a cruise ship in time before it leaves port then there can be serious consequences including additional fees charged by the cruise line as well as potential safety risks due to inclement weather or lack of communication with shoreside resources.