Fog can be a concern for many cruise ship departure ports. When fog is thick and visibility is limited many ports will close and not allow any ships in or out. When ships cannot come in due to fog this impacts both the disembarking passengers and the embarking passengers. I have this blog post divided into two sections - passengers onboard the ship in fog and passengers waiting to board their ship that is delayed because of fog.
For Passengers Who Are Stranded On the Ship In Fog
If you find yourself onboard the cruise ship stranded because of fog you may either be happy because of some extended time onboard the ship or unhappy because you were ready to get home and you missed your flight. If you find yourself in this situation your reaction will be determined by the circumstances that you are in.
Cell Phones and Calling - You are probably ready to use your phone on the day you should have gotten off the ship, especially if your phone has been turned off all week. Before using your phone you might want to make sure that you are close enough to land not to get charged a roaming fee. Each cell phone carrier defines roaming fees and international fees differently and according to your cell phone plan, so you might want to learn more about roaming/international fees from your carrier before you leave. If you really need to call someone and you know that you will be charged a roaming fee try to keep your call short and to the point.
Missing Your Flight or Train? - If you are missing your flight or train ride you are probably going to be unhappy and stressed. The specifics on what to do in this case will depend on your airline/train company and if they are willing to help you. If you purchased travel insurance you might want to find out if this scenario is included in your insurance package. To try to avoid missing your flight or train ride you could always fly out a day or two after your cruise was scheduled to end.
Will I get fed any meals on my fog stranded ship? There is a chance you will get an extra meal, but this will depend on your cruise line and the extent of the delay. Many cruise lines will keep their normal food rotations for the buffet and if you are onboard extra time you will probably have the same food the first day of your cruise.
How Do I Find Out The Most Up To Date Docking and Delay Information? - Most likely your cruise ship will be making announcements over the loud speaker or give out flyers with information. If you are not learning any valuable information you could contact Guest Services to try to learn information from them.
Try to enjoy the last moments of your cruise vacation and try to make the best of the situation.
For Passengers Who Are Stranded On the Ship In Fog
If you find yourself onboard the cruise ship stranded because of fog you may either be happy because of some extended time onboard the ship or unhappy because you were ready to get home and you missed your flight. If you find yourself in this situation your reaction will be determined by the circumstances that you are in.
Cell Phones and Calling - You are probably ready to use your phone on the day you should have gotten off the ship, especially if your phone has been turned off all week. Before using your phone you might want to make sure that you are close enough to land not to get charged a roaming fee. Each cell phone carrier defines roaming fees and international fees differently and according to your cell phone plan, so you might want to learn more about roaming/international fees from your carrier before you leave. If you really need to call someone and you know that you will be charged a roaming fee try to keep your call short and to the point.
Missing Your Flight or Train? - If you are missing your flight or train ride you are probably going to be unhappy and stressed. The specifics on what to do in this case will depend on your airline/train company and if they are willing to help you. If you purchased travel insurance you might want to find out if this scenario is included in your insurance package. To try to avoid missing your flight or train ride you could always fly out a day or two after your cruise was scheduled to end.
Will I get fed any meals on my fog stranded ship? There is a chance you will get an extra meal, but this will depend on your cruise line and the extent of the delay. Many cruise lines will keep their normal food rotations for the buffet and if you are onboard extra time you will probably have the same food the first day of your cruise.
How Do I Find Out The Most Up To Date Docking and Delay Information? - Most likely your cruise ship will be making announcements over the loud speaker or give out flyers with information. If you are not learning any valuable information you could contact Guest Services to try to learn information from them.
Try to enjoy the last moments of your cruise vacation and try to make the best of the situation.
For Passengers Who Are Waiting To Board Their Ship That Is Delayed Because of Fog
If you find yourself waiting for your cruise ship that is delayed because of fog you are probably not happy because you will have to wait longer for your vacation to start. There are many scenarios that could occur that will depend on when the fog clears and when the ship docks.
Alerts From Your Cruise Line - Many cruise lines utilize their website, text messages, and emails to try to deliver information to embarking passengers that are waiting for their cruise ship to arrive in port. The way your cruise line might communicate will vary and is up to the individual cruise line.
Should I proceed to terminal at normal time if the ship is not docked? This is a hard one. You will need to find this out from your cruise line.
Will I get compensation? This will depend on your cruise line's generosity. The more time your boarding is pushed back the greater CHANCE you will have for any compensation. Most likely you would not receive compensation at all, but there is always a chance you could receive a small amount.
Itinerary Changes - There is always a chance that because of the delayed sailing from your homeport that your itinerary could be modified. Itinerary modifications could include, but are not limited to, missing ports of call or having times in ports of call changed. Your cruise line will determine a modified itinerary based off the amount of sailing time lost.
Will I Be Able To Board My Cruise Ship
The most important thing to remember: Keep in touch with your cruise line and have a way to contact your cruise line. Try to make the best of not being onboard and when you do get onboard have a great time!
This article has been updated on December 26, 2016.
If you find yourself waiting for your cruise ship that is delayed because of fog you are probably not happy because you will have to wait longer for your vacation to start. There are many scenarios that could occur that will depend on when the fog clears and when the ship docks.
Alerts From Your Cruise Line - Many cruise lines utilize their website, text messages, and emails to try to deliver information to embarking passengers that are waiting for their cruise ship to arrive in port. The way your cruise line might communicate will vary and is up to the individual cruise line.
Should I proceed to terminal at normal time if the ship is not docked? This is a hard one. You will need to find this out from your cruise line.
Will I get compensation? This will depend on your cruise line's generosity. The more time your boarding is pushed back the greater CHANCE you will have for any compensation. Most likely you would not receive compensation at all, but there is always a chance you could receive a small amount.
Itinerary Changes - There is always a chance that because of the delayed sailing from your homeport that your itinerary could be modified. Itinerary modifications could include, but are not limited to, missing ports of call or having times in ports of call changed. Your cruise line will determine a modified itinerary based off the amount of sailing time lost.
Will I Be Able To Board My Cruise Ship
The most important thing to remember: Keep in touch with your cruise line and have a way to contact your cruise line. Try to make the best of not being onboard and when you do get onboard have a great time!
This article has been updated on December 26, 2016.
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