Has anyone else almost missed the boat?

[Ikaikalani]

Our first Disney cruise was a 7 night Magic New Years cruise. Our first stop was Key West, a place I'd lived years before. We had way too much fun hitting my old haunts. Noon saw us toasting drinks at the Bull n Whistle and on down the line of pubs we went, ending up just in time for Sunday Tea Dance at La Te Da's. After more than enough jello shots, we pulled ourself away from the fun and started to make our way down Duvall street back to the ship. The crew called us on our mobile twice, tracking us down wanting to find out where we were. We tried so hard to hurry it along, but there was always just one more pub to duck into for that "last " drink. We finally reached the ship with just 2 minutes to spare. I heard them pull up the gangway up after us, with some of the crew looking down from the upper decks, laughing, clapping and cheering our good luck. Has anyone else had a close call, or failed to make it back at all??

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

I'm disturbed with the amount of pride/humor you're retelling this story. This behavior is selfish, obnoxious, and not one most expect to find on a Disney cruise.

I realize that you will find me rude with my comment, but really, someone needs to let you know that this behavior is not acceptable.

 

[Cheburashka]

I'm disturbed with the amount of pride/humor you're retelling this story. This behavior is selfish, obnoxious, and not one most expect to find on a Disney cruise.

I realize that you will find me rude with my comment, but really, someone needs to let you know that this behavior is not acceptable.

This is definitely true if they returned to the ship late. The OP doesn't make that clear, saying they just barely got back "with two minutes to spare". Now if it was 2 minutes before the ship was scheduled to depart, then there's nothing wrong with it as the OP was actually back on time. But if the OP was actually late (which I suspect due to the fact that they were called on the phone), and just barely made it back before the ship bailed on them after waiting an extra hour or so, then yes, that is very selfish and nothing to brag about. It inconveniences all of the other passengers.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm disturbed with the amount of pride/humor you're retelling this story. This behavior is selfish, obnoxious, and not one most expect to find on a Disney cruise.

I realize that you will find me rude with my comment, but really, someone needs to let you know that this behavior is not acceptable.

I was thinking the same thing. We've been onboard 2 cruises where there were people who came wandering back late. In fact, one cruise it was the same 2 people twice (2 different ports). The second time they had a police escort returning them to the ship.

 

[Ikaikalani]

I'm disturbed with the amount of pride/humor you're retelling this story. This behavior is selfish, obnoxious, and not one most expect to find on a Disney cruise.

I realize that you will find me rude with my comment, but really, someone needs to let you know that this behavior is not acceptable.

I'm sorry you feel that way. The ship was to depart at 7:30. We stepped aboard at 7:28. We were not late. So what exactly was rude, obnoxious about our actions?

 

[Cheburashka]

I'm sorry you feel that way. The ship was to depart at 7:30. We stepped aboard at 7:28. We were not late. So what exactly was rude, obnoxious about our actions?

As I stated in my post, it wasn't really clear from your original post whether or not you were on time. You did say you had "two minutes to spare", but that could mean either 2 minutes before the scheduled departure time, or two minutes before a ship that had been waiting an extra hour or so (this does happen) finally quit waiting and left. Since DCL was calling you, PP probably assumed it was the latter. I, too, am surprised that DCL calls people before all-aboard time as you state, and wonder if you didn't confuse all-aboard time with the ship's departure time.

No one has a problem with people coming back right on time for all-aboard (although most of us wouldn't want to do that ourselves due to the risk). We have a problem with people who return to the ship late, which often causes the ship to depart late and can delay arrival at the next port.

 

[hrhdhd]

Usually all aboard is 30 minutes before the ship departs. Your stepping aboard two minutes before departure means the crew can't take steps they'd normally take in that 30-minute window to ensure the ship departs on time.

 

[Chrissy-Mickey]

I'm sorry you feel that way. The ship was to depart at 7:30. We stepped aboard at 7:28. We were not late. So what exactly was rude, obnoxious about our actions?

Since DCL called you twice, it appeared as if you were late for the "all aboard". I haven't heard of DCL calling people before the " all aboard " time.

 

[Karin1984]

I'm sorry you feel that way. The ship was to depart at 7:30. We stepped aboard at 7:28. We were not late. So what exactly was rude, obnoxious about our actions?

For me the rudeness is in knowing that people are looking for you. And that you say we 'tried' to hurry, but in reality, you didn't. You wanted to go to another bar and have more alcohol. I wouldn't consider this a fun story.

 

[mmouse37]

There is definitely a difference between the All Aboard time and the departure time.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Being 28 minutes late for the All Aboard Time is nothing to be proud of.

In addition, your observation of " ... the crew looking down from the upper decks, laughing, clapping and cheering our good luck" was probably not the crew but fellow passengers laughing, clapping, and acknowledging your bad behavior. That, I have done many times from our verandah, when the ship is waiting for adults (?) who can't manage their time.

 

[MomOTwins]

I agree, OP must have been confused about all aboard time, or else Disney would not have called. We had an excursion run an hour late and made it back very close to all aboard time. I was super panicked because my kid had a bathroom emergency so we had to stop and find a bathroom and fell behind our excursion group getting back to the ship. We made it onboard about 10 mins before all aboard and we and one other couple were the only ones still boarding, and we did not get a call from DCL to ask where we were. But of course, we were still on time for all aboard and the ship did not actually depart for another 30 mins or so. Never want to cut it that close again though—I still have nightmares about it regularly!

 

[shh]

Usually all aboard is 30 minutes before the ship departs.

exactly. "all aboard" IS the deadline....not ship departure. The deck crew has work to do AFTER all pax are back on board, before they can legally depart.

 

[StageTek]

It's rude to cut it that close to departure - for the reasons others have already mentioned.

Has anyone else had a close call, or failed to make it back at all??

Never. I understand extenuating circumstances but "one more pub to duck into for that "last " drink" is not one of them.

Arriving at the ship for "All Aboard" is respectful to the crew.

 

[Cheburashka]

your observation of " ... the crew looking down from the upper decks, laughing, clapping and cheering our good luck" was probably not the crew but fellow passengers

This. The crew are disciplined workers and do not behave that way.

I think the OP misunderstood a lot about this situation, including the time they were due back onboard.

 

[Ikaikalani]

I agree, OP must have been confused about all aboard time, or else Disney would not have called. We had an excursion run an hour late and made it back very close to all aboard time. I was super panicked because my kid had a bathroom emergency so we had to stop and find a bathroom and fell behind our excursion group getting back to the ship. We made it onboard about 10 mins before all aboard and we and one other couple were the only ones still boarding, and we did not get a call from DCL to ask where we were. But of course, we were still on time for all aboard and the ship did not actually depart for another 30 mins or so. Never want to cut it that close again though—I still have nightmares about it regularly!

Hi everyone, OP here. I'm sorry my story hit a nerve, and perhaps I should have provided more detail. The first call we received was at 6:30 pm. The cast member said they were calling everyone who was still off the ship to remind them they needed everyone back aboard by 7:30. Perhaps these calls were made because Key West had a reputation for folks being late. Our server was one of those cheering us on as we boarded, and the next day mentioned to us that it was rare that to leave Key West port on time as someone was always late. Would I cut it this close again? Not if I can help it, that's for sure. But this was our first cruise, and first port of call, so we were anything but seasoned passengers. It was a great day for us, we spent the day with some old Key West friends that I hadn't seen since moving away 5 years before, and we still made it to the ship without being late. I dont feel that being ontime was rude or selfish. Disney set the directive to be back aboard by 7:30 and we complied with that. I'm sure that some will disagree and still argue that we were rude, selfish, etc, and that's fine as everyone gets an opinion, but to me, being on time is arriving before the deadline.
I posted this thread because I felt that every "dock runner" has a story to tell, and wondered what some others might be. I talked to a person who told me that they were dock runners because they got held up getting back because of a bank robbery taking place between them and the ship and couldn't get through! That certainly beats our story!!

 

[Sun_soakin]

On our first cruise (RCL), my husband and I took a random charter out to see the sting rays in Grand Cayman. The boat had engine trouble on the way back. We definitely ran and caught the last tender to the ship. Ever since we plan to get back to the ship way before all aboard to save ourselves the stress. If any excursion cuts it close timing-wise, we book through the ship.

 

[Marrila]

This. The crew are disciplined workers and do not behave that way.

I think the OP misunderstood a lot about this situation, including the time they were due back onboard.

100% this.

 

[bcwife76]

No, we always make sure to be back well before all aboard time. For us, cutting it close would be an hour before all aboard. You say above would you do it again, not if you can help it. You CAN help it. A bus, a boat, a train breaking down is out of your control and not something you can help. Stopping off for one last cocktail, on the other hand, is definitely something you can help with by not doing in future.

 

[Kwami]

I see a lot of bad assumptions and judging here. But the OP was back before the all aboard time and had a great day. I don't see anything wrong with it. If DCL wanted him back earlier, then they should have said so.