What's a Pier Runner and Why Don't Cruise Ships Wait For You?

Ever wonder why cruise ships don’t wait or “turn back” for pier runners and stranded passengers?

The first reason is the cost and schedule that applies to being docked or tendered in the ports. It is very expensive.

The scheduling is a huge part of everything because of the many people and resources involved in the port operations. Immigration officials, security, port staff, port agents, coast guard etc. These people aren’t all waiting and collecting overtime, nor can they reschedule everyone for the following day in another port.

The cost to speed up the ship is a big one and safety is taken into consideration as well, because the ship needs to make that next port in time.

They have already offloaded the personal belongings for you. This may not mean packing all of your luggage, but in the least they may go into your safe and get your passports if they are there, and give them to the port agent so that you can fly.

Even if the ship is still docked right there, once immigration and customs officials are gone you can’t get back on the ship. So if the port is closed, it doesn’t matter If you can see the ship. The ship has sent their manifest to the next port to say who they are arriving with.

It’s no easy manoeuvre to bring a huge vessel back into position. It’s not like backing up a car.

The ship waits for people who are on ship shore excursions and bares the cost of this, but can only wait so long and you are at least guaranteed that the cruise line will pick up the cost of the hotel and flights to get you back onboard or to the home port. If you’re on a private excursion, the costs are are on your own and the ship won’t wait at all.

Don’t let this be you!