Will the cruise ship wait on passengers?  This question has been asked by many people and the exact answer depends on many different circumstances.  Cruise ships are on tight schedules that even the smallest amount of time delay can mean losing time at a later port of call or getting back to the ship's homeport for disembarkation.  
       People that take ship sponsored shore excursions have less to worry about because cruise ships will usually wait on passengers that took a ship sponsored excursion.  Cruise ships will usually wait for these passengers because otherwise the cruise line would have to pay for transportation and compensate the guests for leaving them.
        People that are getting off the ship for non-ship sponsored excursions and for personal plans will get left by the cruise ship much sooner than a ship sponsored excursion guest.  If you are traveling on personal excursions or doing your personal plans the ship will not know where you are or when you are getting back.  
           The cruise ship will probably wait as long as possible before deciding to leave a person, but the decision of how to long to wait, if any, is up to the captain and his officer's in the bridge. If they decide to leave the gangway out for a short or long amount of time, that is their decision.  Typically, once the ship leaves the ship would not turn around for any passengers, unless the navigational bridge staff have a specific reason for turning around. 
            Always have an emergency contact number for your ship with you when you get off in a port of call.  Many cruise lines provide a number to contact if you find yourself running late.  
             The easiest way to ensure that you sail away on the ship is to make sure you are on before the designated time. You are not guaranteed that the ship will wait on you and you should not purposefully be delayed to see if the ship will wait on you.  Make sure you stay on a ship's time, know what time to be back onboard, and keep track of time during your day in your port of call.  You are responsible for your timeliness. Enjoy your cruise and day in port!

Some Photos Of My Cruise Ship Waiting On The Masses of People That Were Late...
       Here are some pictures from Carnival Triumph 2013 cruise of people still waiting to get on the cruise ship at approximately 4:30PM. This was 30 minutes after scheduled sail time and a full hour after the required be back onboard time. There were many people that were waiting in line for a long time, but there were other people that entered the Puerta Maya pier area around 4:30PM to get back onboard. 

      Are you trying to decide whether or not you should do a shore excursion in your port of call on your Alaska cruise?  A shore excursion is a typically guided tour or activity in a port of call that you pay extra for.  You can book shore excursions through your cruise line or through private independent tour operators.  If you are deciding whether or not to go on a shore excursion during your Alaska cruise you should ask yourself a few questions and keep a few important factors in mind.  Your decision, whether you choose yes or no, will have an impact on your port of call day and how you spend your day. 

#1  What excursions are offered in this port of call?
You should research all of the excursions offered in your port of call.  If you are going to be booking your shore excursion through your cruise line find our what shore excursions that you can choose from.  If you are going to book through an independent company make sure the operator is reliable and trustworthy. Many cruise lines recommend you book through their shore excursions department because of conveince and help if your excursion is delayed or cancelled. When you are looking through the list of excursions in a port of call keep track of what you are interested in. If you are not interested in any of the excursions a shore excursion in this particular port of call than a shore excursion may not be for you in this particular port.  Use tourism websites to learn about other attractions in ports of call that are places and things you can do without being on a shore excursion.  Keep track of those attraction's prices and proximity to the ship.  If you see an activity or attraction that interests you and it is not a shore excursion you could do that activity/attraction instead.  If you don't see anything that you would like to do or see in a port of call you could either get off the ship and walk around the shops or stay onboard the ship of the entire day.

#2  What is the price of the excursions? 
       Keep in mind that shore excursions will cost you additional money.  Make sure the shore excursions you want to do will fit into your cruise budget.  If shore excursions do not fit into your budget or you do not want to pay extra for a shore excursion then you should consider not doing one.  If you really want to do a shore excursion but it does not fit into your budget you could consider not doing a shore excursion in another port of call to make up for  adding amount to your budget.  Also keep in mind that you may only get to experience Alaska once and this could be your only chance to do this particular activity. 

#3  How much time will the excursion take up?
       Shore excursions typically take up a chunk of your time in a port of call. Research how long the shore excursion will take and how much time you will have left after the excursion to shop or look around.  If you find yourself with little time left in the port or your excursion's end time is too close to the "get back onboard time" you should consider not doing the shore excursion because you do not want to jeopardize your chance of getting back on the ship.  Each shore excursion will last a different amount of time which means you can probably find one that will fit into your plans for the day. Cruise line offered shore excursions typically are set up to where you will have plenty of time to get back to the ship after your shore excursion ends.

#4  What does the excursion involve?
       Research what you will get to experience and see on the shore excursion. If you see that a shore excursion will take you to many attractions that you would like to see you may enjoy the shore excursion. If a shore excursion does not go to attractions that you would enjoy the particular shore excursion may not be for you. Since everybody has different interest shore excursions offered will often visit different places and do different things.  Some excursions also require more walking and physical movement than others. If you are a person who has difficulty moving around you might want to make sure that a particular shore excursion does not involve intense physical activity.

      Whether or not you choose to do a shore excursion on your Alaska cruise vacation keep in mind that you can always walk around and browse shops in the port of call. Always keep track of the time in your port of call, make sure you stay on the ship's time, and get back to the ship at the proper time!

Check out our Alaska cruise section of the website.  Click Here To View

   If you have never cruised or been to Alaska before you may be wondering what you have the potential to see.  What you have the potential to see on your Alaska cruise or land tour is dependent on your itinerary and the time of the season that you are cruising. The places you go to in Alaska will have an impact on what you may get to see.  There is a common misconception that all you will see in Alaska is snow, ice, and glaciers.  This is not true because there are trees & grass and a variety of different landforms in Alaska.
   This article will take a look at some of the natural landforms and features that you will have a chance to see in Alaska. Please keep in mind you may see some of these or none of these because what you see depends on where you go and when you go.

Glaciers, Ice, & Snow
   As I mentioned earlier many people think that all Alaska contains is glaciers, ice, and snow. This is a common misconception that is not true.  I believed this until I went to Alaska for the first time.  On your Alaskan cruise or land tour you will have a great potential to see a glacier, some ice, and snow.  You are most likely to see a glacier if you cruise through Tracy Arm Fjord, Glacier Bay, or visit the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska.  There are many other glaciers that I am not mentioning that you have the potential to see depending on your itinerary. Depending on the time of year you are cruising will determine the amount of snow and ice you get to see.  When I went in June 2013 there was snow  & ice on the mountain peaks of Juneau and Skagway, but not on the ground.  In Ketchikan, Alaska, there was a minimal amount of snow on the mountain peaks, but this was the southernmost port of my cruise itinerary. If you cruise at the very start or end of the season you would have a greater chance of seeing some snow or ice. 

Wildlife
   While you are in Alaska you have a chance of seeing a variety of different wildlife. Alaska is home to many different types of animals so make sure you are on the watch for wildlife. You may see animals such as birds, bears, and/or fish. Bring a pair of binoculars if you are interested in spotting wildlife while on a tour or from your ship.  Use caution if any wildlife (such as a bear) approaches you while on land and do not scare any wildlife. Use common sense when spotting wildlife or if you are close to wildlife.

Mountains
   While you are in Alaska you will most likely have a chance of getting to see a mountain or a bunch of mountains.  The mountains you that you might see will vary in size and could have some snow on the peaks. If you are flying to an Alaska cruise departure port you may get to see some mountain peaks from your airplane so make sure you have a camera!

Sunrise/Sunsets
   If you get a chance to see a sunrise or sunset in Alaska you should take advantage of your chance! If the weather is clear and nice you will hopefully get to see an orange or red sunrise/sunset.  The sunrise/sunset you see will be dependent on the weather so be on the lookout for the sunrise/sunset. Have a camera with you if you want to take a picture! 

Waterfalls
    If you are lucky you will get to see a waterfall in Alaska! When snow is melting on mountains or hills sometimes the melting snow/ice will turn into water and form a path.  This causes a waterfall to be formed.  You could see a waterfall anywhere in Alaska so keep your eyes open for them! 

    Are you cruising to Ketchikan, Alaska? Ketchikan is one of my favorite cruise ports and a cruise port that many cruise lines and ships dock at.   This blog post is going to share information about ways to plan your day in Ketchikan, Alaska, give some information about attractions that you can visit or things you can do, and some general tips for this port of call. 

Pre-Cruise:  Things to Do Before Your Cruise To Plan Your Day in Ketchikan, Alaska
    1.  Pack For Alaska  -   In many of my previous posts about Alaska I emphasized that the weather can be warm in Alaska and also cold.  Check the weather forecast every few days before you leave for your cruise to
see what the temperature is expected to be for the day.  Use different weather websites because some websites are probably more accurate than others.  If the temperature is going to be cold you will probably want clothes that will keep you warm.  However, you will also want to have some clothes you would wear in warm weather in case the temperature changes in the opposite direction.  Having the wrong type of clothes could result in
discomfort or you may have to buy a t-shirt or a jacket from one of the local shops.
    2.  Order A Visitor's Guide From the Ketchikan Visitor's Bureau -    Before my Carnival Miracle 2013 cruise I ordered brochures from each Alaskan port of call that offers to mail brochures for free.   I ordered the Ketchikan Visitor's Guide and it was very informational.   This is the Ketchikan, Alaska, Visitor's Bureau's website: 
Click Here To Visit The Website -  opens in a new window 
    3.  Be Mindful of the Weather -   Check the weather multiple times before you cruise and have a plan for rain.  Make sure you know if your excursions are rain or shine, and refundable if it rains.   Hopefully the weather remains nice and remember that the weather forecasts are subject to change. 
    

Totem Poles in Ketchikan
    You will see many totem poles in different places in Ketchikan.  Many of the totem poles are on street corners and they make a thing to take a picture with!  There is also a Totem Heritage Museum, which charges an admission to enter.   Ketchikan has many totem poles for you to enjoy!

    Enjoy two more pictures of some totem poles below:

    Are you cruising to Skagway, Alaska?  Many cruise lines have ships that include Skagway as a part of their itinerary.  Are you wondering what to do while your ship is docked in Skagway? This blog post will cover some things for you to consider doing during your day in Skagway,  provide links for further research, and provide some general tips to remember while you are enjoying your day in Skagway, Alaska.  
    

Overview:  
    The Mt. Roberts Tramway will take passengers up and then back down Mt. Roberts.  Tram tickets are usually valid for the entire day and are for unlimited rides.  The ground entrance to the tramway is located near the cruise ship docks and it is easy to find.  The ride up and down takes about 5 minutes each way.  At the top there is a nature center, gift shop, refreshment shop, walking trails, and a rescued bald eagle.  The views going up and down the tram are amazing!  This is a great time to get pictures of your cruise ship as well as Juneau, Alaska.  Also at the top there is wooden decking to allow for observation of the mountainside, ships, and town below.  This was my favorite Juneau attraction and I would enjoy to go back to Juneau and ride this tram to the top again.  
    For information about the 2014 season and what is included with admission please visit the Mt. Robert's Tramway website: http://mountrobertstramway.com/ You can also find more information that listed here on my website. 
Don't Forget To Bring These Things:

• Camera -  The views going up and down on the tram are amazing and the view from the top is also amazing!  When going up or down this is the perfect chance to get a picture of your cruise ship from above.
• Binoculars -  You may want to zoom in and look at something below.  Don't forget these!
• Light Coat -   The temperatures at the top can be slightly cooler than on the ground.  You may already be dressed for cold weather, but if you are dressed for warm weather you might want to bring a light coat in case you get cold at the top.
• Good Walking Shoes -  You may decide to do the walking trails.  The walking trails are very private and have many uneven surfaces to walk on.

Caution:
   Be very careful on the walking trails.  The surfaces are uneven and in some places there are no railings.  If you get hurt you may not be heard or get immediate help.  Travel in a group.  Remember that you will probably encounter wildlife, maybe even a bear. You should probably bring water, take a map,  and use caution!  Check out this page on the tramway's website about hiking information and safety tips.  Click Here to Visit. 

    If you are worried about mobility or accessibility on the tramway or mountaintop experience call or email the Mt. Robert's Tramway company and ask questions.  Don't buy your ticket and then realize that you won't be able to see anything.  I think for the most part that the mobility for wheelchairs is fine, but you probably want to make sure for yourself. 

    If the weather is not favorable you might not want to do this attraction due to the chance of not seeing anything below.  The tram ride may be expensive to some so you want to make sure you are getting the best value for your money!

Want to get a taste of the tramway now? 
    I enjoyed the ride so much that I filmed the entire ride going down and posted it on You-Tube.
Click Here To View the Video

Overview:
     Taking a whale watching tour is great for people who enjoy seeing whales or natural wildlife.  Although there are times when you can see whales from the cruise ship, if you really want to get close to the whales, it may be worth the money for you to go on a whale watching boat that takes you to the whales.  There are two ways for you to purchase a whale watching tour.  The first option is to purchase the tour on your cruise ship.  Booking an excursion or tour from the cruise ship is usually more expensive because the cruise line makes a profit from all sales.  The second option is to book through a tour operator in the city.  This option is usually cheaper than the first, but keep in mind that the ship will probably not wait if you get delayed because of the tour.  
    Many cruise line sponsored excursions and some independent excursions offer a full refund guarantee if not a single whale is spotted.  The chances of this are highly unlikely.  
    There are a variety of excursions and tours that relate to whale watching.  Some tours are longer and some tours are shorter than others.  Research the tour you plan on taking.  Prices for whale watching tours will vary and can be expensive depending on the tour you take.
Don't  Forget To Bring These Things to Your Whale Watching Tour

• Camera  -  You will probably want to take lots of whale pictures to remember your experience.  Also consider bringing an extra pair of batteries incase your batteries die in your camera. 
• Binoculars -  You may want to get a close up view of a whale or a bunch of whales! 

Dressing For Your Whale Watching Tour 
    Some whale watching tour boats have inside/outside viewing areas, only inside areas, and only outside areas.  You need to make sure you are dressed for any type of weather condition.  For rainy days you might want to wear a poncho. For cold temperatures you might want to wear a heavy coat and dress using warm clothes.  For warm temperatures you might want to wear a t-shirt and some light clothing.  Research the weather before your day in Juneau to help yourself prepare for temperatures and weather conditions.

Links For Further Information Research (External Non-Website Links):
Mt. Robert's Tramway Website:  http://mountrobertstramway.com/
Mendenhall Glacier:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=stelprdb5401451 
Alaska State Capitol Tour:  http://w3.legis.state.ak.us/misc/capitol.php 
Juneau Tourism Website Link:   http://www.traveljuneau.com/ 
Whale Watching Tours:   Since there many operators please look up your tour operator's website for any information about whale watching attractions.

        What does a typical port of call day look like?  You've probably seen my pages on what to expect during embarkation and what to expect on the first day, but I have not addressed this day of the cruise.  The way your day in a port of call will look  is dependent on whether or not your ship is on schedule, what you want to do, the weather, and how much time you have in the port of call.   The information that I give below is what a typical port day on all of my cruises look like:

            On the port of call days many passengers wake up early and are at breakfast when the lines open. Many ships serve breakfast earlier on port of call days to accommodate guests with early shore excursions or the guests who want to get off the ship quickly.  I have always felt that breakfast on a port of call day is rushed and many crew are stationed in the buffet to make breakfast a quick process.   
              As your ship gets closer to port, you will probably start to see land in the distance or up close.  After breakfast or before breakfast (for some) many passengers who are not getting off first will be on the outside decks watching the scenery go by as the ship docks.  I am always one of the passengers that eats breakfast and then I go and find a spot on the outside decks to get pictures of the port as the ship pulls in. 
               If you are taking a shore excursion or shore tour that is early you will want to make sure you are ready to get off by the time the ship is docked.  Many passengers who are in this situation are usually waiting on one of the bottom decks in line to get off.  Make sure if you are taking a shore excursion or tour that you give yourself plenty of time to insure you arrive to your excursion on-time.  You don't want to miss your excursion!
               During your day in the port of call make sure you are aware of the time and when you are required to get back on the ship.   During your day in port, depending on what you do, you may have time to shop, take pictures, go to the beach, or take a shore excursion.  
                When the time to get back onboard approaches the line on the pier to get back onboard the ship will probably grow.  Passengers may have to wait anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.  The line is so long because cruise lines scan guest cards and usually have a security checkpoint set up that all guests have to go through.   
                 Your cruise ship may or may not wait on late guests.  Typically once the ship has pulled away from the pier it is not going back to get any passengers who are late.  If a guest is lucky the ship will go back for them or wait on them.  Right before the ship leaves port you may see "pier runners" who are running to make the ship before it leaves.   
                   Typically after a full day in a port of call the ship has many "dead" areas because most guests are tired from a long day in port.  Usually the main dining room is a little less full and onboard hubs have a little less people. 
                      Make sure you know your ship's schedule for the day in port, make sure you stay on ship's time, and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back onboard. Be back onboard by your designated time and watch the pier to see if you get to see anybody try to run and catch the ship!