You can run, jump, and shout but as the expression goes, “Sorry, the ship has sailed.”

Standing at the docks as your cruise ship sails off is the stuff of your travel nightmares.

We have really simple tips on how to avoid it.

1. Take note of departure times

Don’t trust your phone with this. Always have a printed daily information sheet with you before your disembark for the day. This is in case your phone gets lost, damaged, stolen, or if it ran out of battery. After making sure of the ship’s departure time, set an alarm on your phone so you don’t have to check the time all the time and be in the moment.

2. Reserve a shore excursion with your cruise line

Aside from they are the safest, tours booked through your cruise operator will guarantee that your ship won’t leave you. Shore excursions is a hassle-free way to explore your destination. with peace of mind.

3. Take a morning tour

If ever you decide to go with a separate operator, take an early morning tour. This frees up your afternoon. You can take more laid back walks and strolls while waiting for your ship’s departure. This ensures that you are not tied to any activity far from the docks when boarding for departure starts.  

4. Be realistic about the time to get back

Account for the travel time going to the port. Consider traffic jams, and bus scheduled if you are taking the public transport. Always give yourself a buffer just in case anything goes wrong.

5. Have a backup plan

Always remember, it’s good to be prepared. In case the ship left and you couldn’t make on the docks on time, you have to make sure that you have enough cash with you, credit cards, ATM cards, and your passport. This way, you have the resources to catch the ship on the next port.

Were you left by your ship before? What did you do?