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Cruise leaves you in an island?

Travel Info
I'm taking a first cruise soon, and I've heard some people say they were left behind and they saw their cruise leaving. I'm so nervous, since the countries I'm going have different time, and I wanna be prepared. So, What could u do if a cruise leaves you in an island or country? where do you go and what do you do? Remember you only have a picture ID and your sail and sign card!

Travel Tips

Here are some tips I have given to first time cruisers.

Always set your watch by ship time as that's the time everything goes by. That way you KNOW the time to get back and not try the "need to take an hour off the actual time, etc.

The second is as a first time cruiser, if you go on a shore excursion, book the excursion through the cruise line. They make sure you get to where you are going and back to the ship in time. If for some reason you are delayed, the shore excursion notifies the ship that it is delayed and they hold the ship and also know who is on the excursion.

If you go on a shore excursion that gets back way before the ship is leaving the port, take the time between the shore excursion and the time the ship leaves to shop close to the port (about every port is right within shopping areas). That way you won't be delayed long with traffic if having to take a cab, etc. Also, you can check with cruise line employees that are at the ports about the time (ask them when you go to shop how much time you have and if you can get to a certain shopping area and back within that time (they all have shopped there numerous times and know what it will take)).

Also, they will hold the ship for awhile for passengers. I've been on cruises that we've all looked over the rail on the top deck jeering the people coming back into the dock after the departing time...hahaha

Now, if the worse case happened and you got really delayed and the ship did in fact leave. Go to the airport and get the next flight to the next island (that you can make it to on time, that is) that the ship will be porting at. When you get to the island, go to the port and check back in the ship. Your ship Sail and Sign card is your proof that you are registered as a passenger on that cruise and your ID is still valid. Some have actually skipped islands doing this (of course they tell the cruise they are doing this ahead of time so they don't wait!) and spent an extra day at another island. It's rare, but is done. Source(s): Been on many cruises

Other Travel Tips
They will get you back to your ship at a price to you and just remember don't be late at the dock they don't wait.
No, that is not something to worry about. You are given the exact time when the ship leaves so you will have plenty of time to get back. I have been on 5 cruises and I never once heard of anyone being left behind.
If for some weird reason it does happen, contact the American Embassy. You will have your passport with you.
First, if you are a US citizen, you should get a passport, not just a photo ID. By next year you won't be able to get back in to the country at all without it (I think cruise ships & land travel are the only things exempt from the current rule). Make sure you take a watch or phone with an alarm setting, before you leave the ship makes sure the time matches the ships, and then set the alarm with plenty of time to get back to make sure you're on that ship at the right time. If somehow you don't make it back, hunt down the US embassy or consulate.
Make sure you know what time it is when you leave the ship and adjust your watch accordingly.
If you miss your ship, you catch up on the next stop.

That's not going to happen because you are aware that you will be traveling in different time zones.

Relax and start packing.
Have a wonderful cruise
Set your watch to cruise ship time.

If you book shore excursions through the cruise line and your tour is running late, they will notify the ship.

However, most of the cruise operators will shorten up your tour in order to get you back to the ship in time.

If you are on your own, just manage your time and return to the ship no later than 90 minutes before sail time.

We were on the Carnival Conquest last week. We were running late from our tour and got back to the dock 15 minutes before the last tender. There were over 750 guests waiting in line to tender back to the ship. The ship delayed sailing about an hour until all of the guests were tendered back to the ship.