Two passengers were recently left behind from an NCL cruise. Here’s why it happens more often than you think, and what to do if you miss your cruise.
It’s got all the atmospheric tension of a horror movie; you’re in an unfamiliar port, far from home, you probably only have a day bag and in that day bag you almost certainly do not have your passport. As you hit the pier after a long port day you joke to your partner that it almost looks like the ship is leaving without you.
Your blood turns to ice when you realise, it is.
The cruise ship that has your belongings, possibly your children and definitely the rest of your holiday aboard has set sail without you. Those viral TikTok videos of pier runners you tut-tutted over? That’s what you’ve become.
Recently supercruiser Allie Hubers, who has done over 45 cruises by age 29 and though she’d seen it all, was on a seven-night Norwegian Cruise Line voyage through Canadian destinations like Halifax, Charlottetown, and Corner Brook.
On Day 5 in Charlottetown, the all-aboard time was a tight 2:30 PM—much earlier than the usual 4:00 PM. Most passengers returned with plenty of time to spare but as Allie said, “there’s always that one group that pushes it to the limit.”
By 2:30 PM, a captain’s announcement revealed that 12 passengers were still landside and then 45 minutes later, the ship pulled away, leaving two passengers behind, their shocked faces visible as they strolled through the terminal.
High drama captured in real time
From her vantage point on the promenade deck she was perfectly positioned to watch the drama unfold. “First came the leisurely latecomers, walking back to the ship as if time was a suggestion. Two ladies even stopped to take a selfie with the ship! Much to the amusement (and jeers) of those already onboard,” she wrote on Cruise.Blog.
“To my absolute shock, we pulled away from the port and left behind the two passengers. Watching it all play out was equal parts entertaining and anxiety-inducing,” said Allie.
2:34 PM | Shore excursion returned late
Allie said that she was surprised to see some guests walking slowly back to the ship after the all-aboard time but noticed some of the guests had shore excursion stickers on.
Because cruise lines are obligated to wait for delayed, official excursions it’s very rare that you’ll be left behind. If an excursion is severely delayed, the line is responsible for any costs associated with getting you back onboard.
Six minutes after all-aboard time, the Norwegian Jade staff started to pack up the gangway, as the ship prepared to depart for the next port of call, Corner Brook. “We watched as a staff member started hauling two hand sanitiser stations and cones from the end of the gangway up to the ship,” said Allie.
As the port workers continued to pack up the gangway, they began paging missing passengers from Norwegian Jade. “Again, to my surprise, they announced around 12 missing passengers on the intercom. I was shocked that so many passengers were missing!” said Allie.
During the announcement, two late passengers walked briskly to the ship. The port worker told them, “We almost left without you!”
2:57 PM | Seven passengers still missing
Nearly 30 minutes after the all-aboard time, it was clear seven passengers were still missing as the gangway was still down from the ship to the shore.
Right after paging for the passengers, Allie’s party saw five of the missing pier runners come through the cruise terminal and walk towards the ship. Based on the announcement, these five people were from the same family and had chosen to do a self guided shore tour.
“The passengers weren’t running, however, which continued to surprise me,” said Allie. “Two of the late-goers put their hands in the air as people cheered for their late arrival.”
At this point, we are only waiting for two missing passengers. The captain also made an announcement that the ship would be sailing soon to the next port of call, Corner Brook. He confirmed, “It looks like we will be leaving behind two passengers at this point.”
The port workers started to linger near the gangway, appearing to wait for the signal to pack up the gangway in preparation for the ship sailing away.
3:01 PM | Port agent obtains passports and gangway is packed up
After waiting 31 minutes after the all-aboard time, a port worker walked back down the gangway. He could be seen holding two passports, which Allie assumed to be those of the missing passengers. “As he made his way down the gangway, the port agent showed another port worker the passports and looked at the time on his phone.”
The port workers were then instructed to pack up the gangway at this point.
“I’ve heard rumours that the cruise line will attempt to leave your passport with the port agent if you do not make it back onboard,” said Allie. “However, I’ve also heard this isn’t always the case. I would assume the cruise line will check the passenger’s cabin for their passports, which could be in the stateroom safe.”
As the ship was travelling from the United States to Canada, most passengers on board were United States citizens.Therefore, a passport would be required to travel from Canada to the United States or even within Canada, as an international passenger.
3:13 PM | Ship begins to leave port without two passengers
Approximately 43 minutes after all-aboard time, Norwegian Jade began to slowly sail away from port. Within a minute, two women came walking through the cruise terminal.
“The timing was almost too ironic considering the gangway was just taken away from the ship and we started to pull away from port. How heartbreaking to watch your ship sail away while on vacation,” said Allie.
The two women were then approached by the port agents, who were in possession of their passports. It’s unknown whether the women flew to the next port of call, Corner Brook, or returned back to Boston, Massachusetts where Norwegian Jade would conclude its sailing in three days.
“Regardless, the consequences of missing the ship were likely very expensive for these two women,” said Allie.
What happens when you miss your cruise?
With tight schedules, delays aren’t just inconveniences—they disrupt the entire itinerary. Ships sail according to a strict timeline, and unless you’re on a cruise-line-sponsored excursion, the captain has zero obligation to wait for you.
Guests who are left behind have few options to continue their vacation. If you miss your cruise, you’re responsible for making your own way. Depending on the route, that could mean shelling out hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars for last-minute flights, hotels, and transportation to meet up with the ship during the remainder of the voyage – if it’s allowed – or travel to the ship’s disembarkation port.
The caveat here is when you’re late because of a shore excursion that’s been organised by the line, in this case the ship will wait. If an excursion is severely delayed, the cruise line is responsible for any costs associated with getting you back onboard.
How to avoid the pier runner life
If you want to avoid being publicly shamed, always return to the ship at least an hour before the all-aboard time. This isn’t just about beating the clock—it’s about accounting for life’s unpredictable curveballs. Missed buses, long café lines, or even a misjudged walk around a quaint seaside town can turn into a sprinting disaster if you aren’t careful.
An exceptionally experienced cruiser, Allie advises, “While enjoying your port of call, you should note where your cruise is docked. Some ports have multiple places to dock, such as Cozumel, Mexico. I like to drop a pin with my iPhone so I can be sure to return exactly where I need to at the designated time.”
“Also, you should buffer extra time for returning to the port. Do not plan to come back right at the all-aboard time. I like to plan my arrival anywhere from 60 minutes to 45 minutes before the all-aboard time.”
So, what do you think?
We’d love to hear from you in the comments what you think about ships leaving paying passengers behind? Do you believe a cruise line has the responsibility to wait for all passengers or is it up to travellers to be on time? Let us know below.
