The Worse Possible Happening

[smw0621]

We always made sure we were back more than an hour before we're suppose to be.

[hazelson]

One of our favourite cruise pastimes is watching the "late ones" racing down the pier or having to catch a boat to get on the ship. Great entertainment and they always get lots of "encouragement" from fellow passengers lol. There's always at least one - be it on a ship, bus, plane or train. Those last minite types ....... egads!

[SMB]

So Jennifer, you are one of "those people." I've heard you have been nicknamed the "Vultures" by us perpetually late folks.

[btate]

I have only been the one on once of the balconys who is booing the ones who are late and running back to the ship 10 minutes after it was suppose to leave port.

The cruise line documentation is clear that if you miss the ship, you are responsible to get to the next port on your own or fly home altogether on your own dime.

I only know of one person who missed the boat and hired someone with a faster boat to catch up with the ship and the ship slowed down or stopped to allow them back on. Not sure all the details other than that.

[Mebert]

We've never missed the ship because we always plan to have all of our meals on the ship. We usually return for lunch if we're not on a ship sponsored excursion. Sometimes we'll venture back out in the immediate area, very close to the ship if there are shops near the pier.

We have been late for embarkation because of a delayed flight. We learned a very expensive lesson about travel insurance and the Jones Act.

[SMB]

What is the Jones Act?

[btate]

This is a little bit on the Jones Act of 1920

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_Act_of_1920

[url=http://www.expertlaw.com/library/workers_comp/jones_act.html]http://www.expertlaw.com/library/workers_comp/jones_act.html

Here is the Ful Act.

http://www.marad.dot.gov/publications/comp...20of%201920.htm

It states that US flagged vessels must be built in the United States and owned by US Citizens. Also all officers must be US Citizens.

It entitles Sailors to seek damages if hurt or killed.

This act was suspended temporarily during hurricane Katrina by President Bush.

I didn't read the whole act because I didn't have time, but I am interested in this stuff.

Please tell us the part that will interest us the most. I will post more later.

[mercedes]

It has never happened to us, but when we were cruising in Hawaii, just pulling off the pier in Kona, when we spotted two people running down the pier shouting and waving their arms in the air. Yes, they missed the ship. We were not that far out, so the ship stopped and it was not a life boat but another small boat, I am not sure where it came from, that picked them up. The ship lowered a huge sling-like contraption and they got inside. Of course, you have passengers leaning over the rails to get a good look, myself included They were hauled up and assisted aboard the ship. To say the least they were very embarrassed.

[SMB]

OK, I have a new goal... to be lifted on board with a rope! That would be one cruise picture I'd love to buy.

[Mebert]

The following rule is related to the Jones Act and prevented us from boarding a Celebrity cruise ship in Juno Alaska:

"No foreign vessels shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, either directly or by way of a foreign port, under a penalty of $300 for each passenger so transported and landed."