Don’t be a Pier Runner!!! - AKA Why You Should Book Port Excursions/Adventures with the Cruise Line you are on!

 Don’t be a Pier Runner!!!

AKA Why You Should Book Port Excursions/Adventures with the Cruise Line you are on!

What is a Pier Runner? A Pier Runner is someone who gets off a cruise ship in port and does not return to the ship on time. They go running down the pier to catch the ship at the last moment. Sometimes they miss the ship! Cruise ships pay for the time they are at the Dock. They must leave on time or be charged penalties. Besides the fees they have a schedule to keep. They have a set time to be at the next port that sets them up for the next port and so on. They cannot and will not wait for you. You will be left behind and need to find your own way to the next port or home if you miss the ship. It is YOUR responsibility to be back on board on time. So, make sure your watch, phone or whatever you are keeping track of time with is set to LOCAL Port time! Best yet, be back early!

We all know it is tempting to book the “same” Port Excursion/Adventure with a Non-Cruise Line provider. Hey, it goes to the same place and costs LESS!! Who does not want to save money?! Why is that not a good idea? There are 2 reasons. 1 How trustworthy is the company you find online or the person you find on the dock? Are they real or could then take your money and run or will they take you into danger? Yes, that is a possibility. Still there are good services available that you can trust. 2 Will they get you back in time to make the ship before it leaves? You have no guarantee they will.

Why should you book with Disney or other Cruise Lines when it costs extra? When you book Excursions with the Cruise Line the Port Adventure Company will notify the Cruise Ship of any delay. There is communication there that is not possible with non-cruise line booked excursions. Cruise Lines will delay leaving as long as possible when they know a Port Adventure booked with them is delayed in returning. They will delay even if they don’t get a call as they check on their guests. If you are on a Cruise Line Booked Excursion the Cruise Line is responsible for helping you get to the next port or home.

Just remember, it does not matter if you just hop off to walk around the port/town, book an excursion with the cruise line or on your own with an outside vendor or just grab a taxi at the port. It is YOUR responsibility to be back on board the ship at the time announced by the cruise line! Don’t be a Pier Runner and get left behind!