Do Cruise Ships Wait If You Are Late? How to Be Sure They Do

Cruise ships will not wait for you if you are late on the embarkation day. It will also not wait for you if you are late returning from a shore excursion. But if you have booked the shore excursion through them it will wait until you return.

passengers running on a pier to board a cruise ship

How long will a cruise ship wait for you?

Cruise ships will first try to contact the late passengers and wait as long as possible.

But it is up to the captain to make the decision based on the circumstances.

Cruise ships will first try to contact late passengers and wait as long as possible before departing without them.

The captain will take the decision depending on the port rules and schedules.

What happens if you miss your cruise ship at a port?

If you miss your cruise ship at a port, then you should contact the port agent of the ship.

The port agent will try and help you to board the ship again at the next port.

Or, he or she will help you to return home.

Do you get a refund if a cruise ship leaves without you?

No, you will not get a full refund if a cruise ship leaves without you.

But you may get a partial refund of pre-paid expenses like shore excursions and food.

It depends on the policies of the cruise line.

Will your travel agent help if you miss your cruise?

A travel agent may or may not help you if you miss your cruise.

That also depends on how well-connected the travel agent is with the cruise line.

But most travel agents would try to at least get you back home if you get stranded at a foreign port.

If you have travel insurance it may be of help to you depending on the terms of the contract.

Most travel insurance covers:

  • A documented traffic accident.
  • Documented bad weather conditions.
  • Strikes affecting public transportation.

Tips for making the cruise ship wait if you are late

If you are late at a port during shore excursions the ship may wait for you if you are a few minutes late.

If you have booked the shore excursion through the cruise line, then they may wait for you if you are too late.

And if you have not booked through them, you have to contact the port agent and explain the situation.

But do not be late on the embarkation day.

Arrive at least 2 hours before the departure time as it will not wait for you under any circumstances.

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About Tully Seal

Avatar of Tully SealTully Seal is a travel blogger. She is a BA graduate in Hospitality Management and has over 4 years of work experience in the travel and hospitality industry. She loves to cook in her spare time.

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