WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SHIP LEAVES EARLY WHEN YOU'RE ASHORE

[@griff9288]

I'm in airplane mode when on a cruise, I would have no idea it happened

[@bbfan1977]

I think it is the cruise line’s responsibility to take care of their passengers and get them to the next port.

[@travishaselden]

As a scuba diver, it would be a bit difficult to get a phone call or hear the ship's horn if they need to leave early.

[@jerseycatmews828]

Long timer cruiser and this is 1st time I’ve heard this. Ship should announce POSSIBILITY of early departure when people are leaving boat in morning to start excursions and exploring

[@lindahaas385]

First time for me too! I’ll probably never get off the ship again. 😂 😂

[@andoru]

I was at a port visit in Geraldton, Western Australia back in 2015. All morning it was a beautiful sunny day, but there was a cyclone (hurricane) further north along the coast, and not thought to be a concern. After lunch time it got increasingly darker with menacing storm clouds - it was the cyclone getting near! This is just a small town, so nobody would have gone away from the ship very far unless they were on an excursion. At about 2pm the police were going around town and telling all the shops to close, and directly approaching everyone walking around town with a cruise lanyard around their neck to get back to the ship - so yes, you're right Don, this was another example of word-of-mouth being an important factor.

[@anncampbell5952]

As many cruises I have been on- I never knew this! Thank you very much!

[@ChristineShelley]

I never thought of this scenario, I’m glad they notify so many people, especially other tour providers.

[@emiliawalker4346]

Thanks for this important info, I am one of those people who has my phone on airplane mode.

[@DLS_lovetocruise]

Yes, me too. 😮

[@rosemarie9956]

Yes always on airplane mode

[@sabrinamerrick1271]

Do they really expect ppl to have their phone on and not be on airplane mode? This is unreasonable. 😢

[@hollypotter6989]

How can you be sure it's YOUR ship's horn? Often there is more than one ship in port. Great question you asked. Please let us know what John's answer is. IMO, the cruise line would absolutely be responsible for any costs involved. Especially if it wasn't a life or death situation that caused the early departure.

[@JohanMsWorld]

Thats actually a good question, specially in bissy ports. First I think ships uses different horn signals if there is several ships in the port just for that reason. So learning how youre ships horn sounds is a good idea. Second I would imagine that if a horn starts to go off during youre shore leave I would be alarmed by it even if I knew there where severel ships in port and for minimum try to contact my ship to see if its therye horn. A more valid question is if everyone knows that horn are used in this way? I know horns are used in many ways like alerting other ships form movements etc but not in this way so I might wonder if this is wildly spread informaiton? J.

[@steveturner1644]

Cruise line should pick up the cost

[@kathleenkrueger6989]

My hubby and I rented a jeep in Jamaica and went to Bob Marleys house and visited the tiny village when we heard the ship horn. Somehow we knew to get down the mountain and through Ferngully rai forest and back to the ship. It was an anxious ride downhill not knowing when the ship would leave. We made it back among the last few boarding. A run down the pier. 2 young women joined the ship after it left dock.A police e boat brought them.

[@smoothsketch]

Hi Don, lately I find that you have the most interesting news and content, very helpful advice

[@karenross4706]

Hey 👋 Don. I believe it should be the cruise line…but it might be a good practice to maybe announce in the evenings or early mornings, if a storm may have the potential to be close, that the may have to leave a port early. Have the announcements before people disembark to a port.. please keep your phones close..check your emails…listen for the ships 🛳️ horn to sound. Maybe even run it on the tv in the cabins and sports bars. Just my thoughts. God bless ya Don.

[@trishrogers2946]

This happened to us in Cobh, Ireland. We were on an excursion 2hrs away in Killarney. We had a great bus driver and he got us back in time. We were the last bus to arrive. Our cruise director was out there greeting everyone, even in the pouring rain.💜

[@paulmoscatt6529]

This happened to us in Hiva Oa in French Polynesia. The weather turned and the ships horn sounded. People from the town said... "they are calling you back!" and we got back to the ship before it left early. This was the Tahitian Princess probably around 2005.

[@marlenejohnston9046]

I feel that Carnival or whichever cruise line is involved should pick up the cost.

[@toniauciello8333]

Hearing the cruise horn is tricky if more than one cruise ship is at port, I would come back if it is heard just in case, it's your ship

[@janicewestcott9844]

It’s good to know that so many people are contacted.

[@judymay2536]

This was a very informative video. Thank you for sharing. It is always good to have safety information.

[@TWSmith42]

My wife and I were just chatting about this last evening. Before watching, I assumed they call you on the mobile devices you have on record with the ship and call all tour guides they know of. I try to be back to the ship at least 45 minutes before departure, but that would not have saved me in this instance. Cruise lines should cover the cost if the ship leaves early and someone is left behind.

[@thestooges333]

Maybe the ships should announce on the ship before people get off the ship that there’s a possibility of the ship leaving early. It’s not like they don’t know there’s a hurricane in the area. This isn’t rocket science. Then they can put their phones on or listen for the horn.

[@jfk609]

Thanks Don good to know.

[@richardracette-w6w]

Thanks Don for the news. I will be aware of those ships that can leave early. Carnival should be responsible.

[@shelleyrosen6128]

Thanks for this great info Don!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Whether you are insured or not, the CRUISE LINE should be 110% responsible for ALL costs if you are left behind as a result of a decision made after you leave the ship. NO DISCUSSION.

[@sarahphillips295]

Agreed 💯%

[@jameswade7550]

Thank you, Don, because This is something I never thought of and I'm one that don't carried my phone but when I'm on a excursion its from the ship. But does make you stop and think.

[@Girasole5849]

Thanks for the helpful information. On my previous cruises I’ve only booked excursions through the ship, which has allowed our groups to always be back on time, or the ship waited for us.

[@kimsparks5811]

Great info!

[@PR-fr6ko]

You covered some very good points. Thank you.

[@aretheybiting2251]

The ship definitely has to pick up the costs ....Also they should give All people who were on a shore excursion money back to some degree for cutting their adventure SHORT ...period.

[@ruswhite1]

I believe the ship would know, even before disembarking passengers, that they might have to leave early, and they should tell passengers that the ship would be leaving at an earlier time. That type of weather doesn't just appear and the cruise line does employ Meteorologists to monitor major weather systems.

[@barbaraauty9966]

Absolutely.

[@sabrinamerrick1271]

Exactly

[@sallieabaker3620]

As a Texas Gulf Coast resident I have seen major storms pop up during the day. TS Allison did exactly that. Stopped the Houston metro area for 3 days with 20+ inches of rain.

[@joeseatac331]

Thanks for addressing this scenario. I’d be surprised if this is not covered in the cruise contract. Another reason to take cruise-sponsored excursions and making a habit of coming back to ship early. I’ll start bringing my phone with me.

[@slammedgv]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@darleencherry4374]

Don, the ship in open water is much more safe than one docked That is why the military in hurricanes move their ships out to sea

[@susanbrezina3669]

Good question! We wondered this exact same thing when heard about it! Curious to see what John says.

[@ryanm7171]

I would expect the cruise line to pick up the cost, especially if it is just for 2 people. However, you then mentioned what about 400 people. I think at point, corporate would tell tell the Captain to wait until until the numbers were low enough to be economical. They would only leave a large bulk of passengers behind if waiting would jeopardise the ship, not just the passengers' comfort.

[@Wyndham-t4r]

We were on a cruise line excursion to San Marino, with about 44 people. The driver tried to do a short-cut back to the ship, the bridge was too narrow. In this case they held the ship, most likely for two reasons, - 1. Montenegro was the next port, which wasn't too far from the Italian port. 2. It would have cost a fair amount of money to cover 44 people.

[@ruthkringle1353]

Do people know the horn blast means get back? I didn’t.

[@paulahansen3772]

I know what it means NOW, thanks to Don!

[@tod2992]

Yes, of course.

[@Reed-2big]

I was already onboard when they were still calling mainly for crew. A couple with kids on the beach were told by a local, in Turkey, that they thought the ship was calling them to get back now.

[@MamaBe1963]

I did

[@NeedtoSpeak]

BTW…..this advice horn blasting pertains to island hopping only….not major ports.

[@ivanmorley3735]

I would hope that the cruise line would cover the costs to get you to the next port or to repatriate you, since they are the ones who made the change.

[@barbaraauty9966]

Yes, they would have to get people to the next port at their cost, if the ship leaves early.

[@cindyk3281]

Thanks for the great info, makes me less anxious about getting left behind because of weather.

[@DavidPearl23]

If the cruise line leaves before scheduled time I believe the cruise line should be responsible for getting me to the next port because they’re leaving port of call short, so therefore is the cruise ship responsibility to get me to the next port

[@candasbrown9891]

Good information, thank you

[@philipwhite4075]

always factual up to date information which is hard to better but with plenty of padding

[@susanrnbc]

Oh my! I would hate to be in that situation! I will be curious to hear what John Heald has to say.

[@beautifulflorida]

Thank you very much for sharing!

[@PhotographyByDerek]

Yes, if the ship leaves before the previously agreed upon departure time, the cruise line should pay for all guests transportation back to the ship.

[@tombirdsall956]

Great advice

[@teresamiller5412]

Good info to remember, thanks

[@Retiredtraveler1961]

I believe that ultimately, the cruise line is culpable. If you change your mind the day of, thats piss poor planning. As a captain, you can foresee low pressure systems, likelihood for adverse weather, and bad weather coming about and make that announcement prior to anyone disembarking that morning. I believe at the very least carnival needs to reimburse anyone left behind. Turks and Caicos are very small, nonetheless somebody might be hiking. Somebody may be at a remote beach. If I show up and the ships, not there, the first thing I'm gonna do is insist they pay for all my costs associated with either 1) getting back to the ship or 2) getting back to the port of departure.

[@twaunniebusse7262]

Thank you for the information

[@randijaffe-7665]

We try to get back in plenty of time, but I wondered too- great video.

[@plmcknn]

I am anxious to hear the response. It really is one of those situations where the company indeed has a good reason to leave early, but at the end of the day they cannot expect the passengers to pick up the bill .

[@roberthamilton1301]

Thanks for the video

[@cynthiareifsnider5794]

I am glad everyone got back to the ship. I am not sure, but I think the cruiseline should cover the costs associated with getting the passengers back to the ship unless the passengers were aware of the change before getting off.

[@Valerieesquilin]

Thanks for asking that question!

[@steve1la]

If it changes after You have left the ship it should be the cruise line

[@chilipepper9902]

I didn’t know this about the ship’s horn. Maybe they should say this in the Muster meeting? Then everyone would know.

[@rickybobby7986]

Great video Don! I'm not really sure who holds the liability so I'm not going to offer an answer, but I'm very interested in hearing what most viewers think as well as Carnival. Fortunately, my wife's job allows her to have an international plan on her phone, so she never has to go into 'Airplane' mode. That said, hopefully we'd be well informed. We're headed out to the ABC's on Beyond next week with a late-night call back to the ship in Aruba. We have dinner reservations at a beachfront restaurant (which we've done in the past) but given this, we're very interested in knowing how this plays out. (We'd hate to step away from a fabulous dinner on the sand at "Barefoot Restaurant!")

[@SandyBanks-vk5dl]

People have to pay attention to things around them, including getting info from the Cruise Ship about that day’s weather and DO NOT leave your passport on board…

[@sherrydiener8688]

Hi Don, They have to keep everyone safe.

[@katherinedraus9211]

I guess the next time I take a cruise, I’ll bring my cell phone along! I usually leave it in the safe.

[@shawnstark7622]

While this is probably a very unique scenario that rarely happens it seems to me that with our current technology the Cruise ships should offer wristbands that passengers can wear while in port that can receive emergency return instructions/updates via text. Basically a slimmed down smartwatch, which also offers the ability to confirm that you've read and understand said message. Also has a GPS locator. As for who's on the hook for a stranded passenger in this instance, I feel it's still on the Cruise line if it wasn't "known" before leaving said ship. Certainly a case by case situation though, as some people might just be in that typical stubborn "they'll wait" crowd.

[@soulbasedliving]

Don makes getting off the ship sound like a series of hassles at best and disasterous at worst

[@dalewithrow3099]

What about the passengers who are Deaf and not on a particular excursion but still close to the ship? Interpreters do not always go with Deaf people off the ship.

[@Reed-2big]

If they are close by that vibration would seem to communicate but most likely the locals would tell you if you seemed to not be responding. Remember text messages might still be available if they’ve carried a phone to help do other communications.

[@dalewithrow3099]

@@Reed-2big appreciate your reply but the vibration would not solve the problem. Locals wouldn’t know thats whats going on. The text option is doable BUT assuming there is connection. So like Don suggested…the cruise lines ought to think through that…not just rely on the “probably…should…etc”….Needs to be concrete solution. Like some have said here…never knew that those horns would have meant that…and I’ve cruised 9 times….that’s a first ive heard of it…anyways food for thought…

[@Reed-2big]

@@dalewithrow3099 where I was in high school our group visited a school for the deaf where the teen performed a dance, to music. They were cued but explained that some were working off vibrations too. As for locals they very much did know in Turkey. Admittedly I wouldn’t think much about it until I heard it several times and then I wonder what the problem was and move back toward the pier. I was aboard ship when it happened and yes we did wonder why the fog horns but it wasn’t long before we were told they were waiting for a couple of crew members. He went on to say that he was not willing to be slammed up against the pier, preferring to be at sea and he further hoped with good timing we’d not feel the storm at all! Would I recognize it in San Juan? Probably. Probably not in Cozumel except that if there were multiple ships in port it would be pretty clear that something was going on with every ship sounding their horn! Remember too, if you are on a ships tour they’d be notified and thus you wouldn’t have to recognize the signal. That would be most likely for us as many of the tours we take are not within earshot of a ship’s horn. The one time on this side of the pond we had to leave early was Bermuda and we were told up front that we’d probably leave early the last day depending upon the direction the stormed turned. We arrived the night before debarkation and just stayed docked until the port was ready for us.

[@kevinp1904]

Keep up the good work!

[@cindyonyoutube]

I didn't realize they will use so many different ways to contact you - good to know.

[@joancrainflynn8061]

I don't believe that the ship can call or text hundreds of passengers.

[@donnaschuepbach3830]

But aren't there often multiple ships in port? How would you know it was your ship's horn, assuming you're not miles away?

[@patriciamiller2399]

Hi Don, I would hope the cruise line would leave a staff member at the port to help the missing passengers make it back to the ship. It is a different situation when the passengers miss the all aboard time. In that case it is on the passengers to get to the next port

[@bluetheta]

Those in the US, check with your phone carrier as I've started to see "travel packages" for international roaming. Read it very carefully to ensure you understand what is covered and not (roaming in open seas is typically not included, but in port should be). Carriers might offer Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asian - each has a list of covered countries. Do your homework and then you can keep the phone on.

[@trbstang]

This is certainly unique. I'd hope that since it is a cruise line decision to leave early, and not just a normal late passenger, that they would assist any passengers left behind get to the next port.

[@darryld_009]

I would be worried as I don't take my phone. At least the ship tries multiple ways to notify passengers

[@tombonini7393]

Great content and a great job by Carnival to get the work out to everyone and get them all back on the ship prior to their early departure. I would think that Carnival would be responsible for everyone that left the ship prior to the notification on the departure time change that were not on a ship based tour or on a tour that could not make it back on time. If you leave the ship after the notification or were on a ship tour that came back early and the people were notified of the change, then it is up to them to get back on the ship at the new time.

[@danscheid6031]

look forward to John's reply by thought is this is the cruise line responsibility to make the people whole . glad it all worked out .. this time

[@Louis-x9q]

The word of mouth sounds like a good way to inform people of an early departure during unforeseen circumstances

[@mjneeds1585]

Not reliable!

[@nicolemiller4688]

The ship should cover charges if it's forced to leave earlier than posted. It's nice to hear of all their attempts to reach people

[@joelroach416]

Glad to know this now. Never even thought about something like this. Just always made sure to be back an hour or more early unless on ship excursion.

[@pickypants9696]

You still wouldn't have been back on time if you got back an hour early.

[@joethecomputerguy1]

Great question!

[@laurenhw1988]

Thing is though even if they sound the horn and you headed back immediately, you might not get back in time

[@QueenKayKay47]

I was always told that the cruise line is responsible.

[@bonniescutt3648]

Never knew that, and I've been on many cruises!!

[@carolbays9185]

Cruise line sure be responsible. If I heard a ship horn I would think a ship was leaving not Waring people to get back to there cruise ship.

[@dawncrossland3028]

This is what I Thought as well!!

[@marilynwallace1553]

I think that the cruise line is responsible for reimbursement of expenses for each cruiser that misses the ship, if the ship leaves earlier than posted. I also think that cruisers should be informed of any scenario that might cause the ship to have to leave port earlier than posted.

[@joannke7727]

Good question

[@robinbrook5624]

I say the cost would fall on the cruise line. I also think if a bunch of people didn't show up, the Capt. would have to decide if leaving early is for safety or convenience.

[@douglasbray3563]

Good Afternoon Don

[@MarilynMcphail]

I’d hate if I lived in that port with the horn going off all the time!

[@cherdav22]

Definitely the Cruise Line. I would imagine that Insurance Companies would find an obscure clause somewhere not to pay.

[@JoeKierczak]

Depends on the cruise contract

[@danielbobberson9849]

this is good content...could happen to anyone. important to stay in touch while in port...interesting question for Heald...not sure about insurance coverage. I think cruise line should bear the cost.

[@stevelefort6357]

In that situation, I would believe the cruise line should be responsible for those costs.

[@VernonK-zx3ke]

Cruise line should pay the expense of getting you back where you belong if you were told what time to be back on board when you got off the ship and they changed the time after that.

[@sclarke8927]

If bad weather is coming - my phone is on. Duh

[@cydneystephen2814]

Don. Omg. My phone is on airplane mode except in Mexico and Canada. I would never receive a text or email. I wouldn’t get the email unless on the ship and I only get WiFi if on a group cruise; not if just me and my husband. Good to know they contact the private tours. Stores etc. That was my next question. What is the radius of the horn. This is one reason if on a private tour I don’t want to go too far. Great topic Don. The cruise line is suddenly leaving early. They should be responsible as their decision was made after passengers already left the ship.

[@boniw698]

I was hoping you’d say the horn. What a sound that is. 👏😁🫶

[@LisaEstrin-k8j]

It should be paid for by the cruise line, but it is unlikely that is going to happen.

[@johnstoutley7421]

Every cruise I've been on, the time for return to the ship is clearly marked. I find it very exceptional for a cruise ship to change it's re-boarding time during the day. However, if that did every occur, then for sure, it's on the cruiseline to make sure all passengers are assured of resuming their cruise, whether it's wait for them, or see to it that they are compensated for any costs occurred in getting back to the ship at a later time. I don't take my iphone with me while going ashore anyway so I don't see how they could contact me, other than blowing a horn, but as someone mentioned below quite often that might be other ships in port blowing their horn. I believe if the ship states a time to be back on board, that they should always stick to that announcement!!!

[@oscassey]

My guess is that the cruise line would know who is missing and might leave instruction with their port representative about what to do.

[@denisemiller9296]

I don't take all of my credit cards etc when I get off the ship and my phone is on airplane mode this is disturbing

[@kristenkroes9649]

I would hope the cruise line would help those people left behind in any way they could.

[@sarahphillips295]

I’m glad the cruise line has the ability to notify so many people and everyone made it back. Not everyone has a working cellphone in a foreign country so this would probably not always be the case. I do think if the ship leaves early it’s the cruise line’s responsibility to take care of anyone who doesn’t make it back. Yet another reason to not leave your home country without a passport and proper travel insurance.

[@patriciabatiste5470]

I would think the cruise line would be responsible for any cost of getting the passenger to the next port.