Mooring News 10/12/26
MOORING NEWS • OCTOBER 12, 2026
OPENING
• Now hear this.
• Sheryl • Cruise Sea-kers Travel
• Brief Princess update
• Main topic: missing the ship during a port visit
PRINCESS • MELBOURNE
• Melbourne • MEL-burn
• Travel Weekly report: October 12
• Announcement made October 11
• Crown Princess planned to homeport in Melbourne
• 2028–2029 season
• Full deployment details expected October 28
• Sailing numbers and individual itineraries not yet released
WILL THE SHIP WAIT?
• Exploring independently:
Returning before ALL-ABOARD is your responsibility
• Do not assume the ship will wait
• Traffic, transportation problems and independent-tour delays do not guarantee an exception
• Cruise-line excursions can provide additional protection
• Royal Caribbean FAQ:
Ship will wait for delayed Royal-booked excursion
• Check your line’s full terms
• Include arrangements if a significant delay prevents waiting
• A tour marketed to cruisers is not necessarily a cruise-line excursion
• Leaving an organized excursion?
Responsibility can shift back to you
• Carnival specifically warns about this
“THE SHIP IS RIGHT THERE. WHY CAN’T IT COME BACK?”
• Crew may see you
• But lines released + gangway removed = boarding ended
• Returning requires ANOTHER DOCKING OPERATION
• Ship must:
Maneuver safely alongside
Be secured
Put gangway back into service
• Bridge team and shoreside personnel must coordinate
• Depending on port and conditions:
Harbor pilot
Port traffic control
Tugboats
• Captain considers:
Wind and currents
Other vessels
Berth availability
Required personnel
• Additional service costs may apply
• Additional docking charges depend on port rules and cruise-line agreement
• Returning is sometimes possible
• But a short distance still requires a safe, coordinated operation
• Never count on the ship returning for late passengers
BEFORE GOING ASHORE
• Confirm SHIP TIME
• Confirm ALL-ABOARD DEADLINE
• Confirm RETURN LOCATION
• Phone may switch automatically to local time
• Local time may differ from ship time
• Check with crew
• Set reminders
• All-aboard is EARLIER than departure
• Tender port:
LAST TENDER TIME
PICKUP LOCATION
• My recommendation:
Return at least ONE HOUR before all-aboard
Allow more time for long drives, ferries or unreliable transportation
• Planning recommendation, not a universal cruise-line rule
IF YOU’RE RUNNING LATE
• Call ship emergency number or port agent immediately
• Provide: Name
Ship
Cabin number
Current location
Realistic arrival estimate
• Cruise-line excursion:
Stay with guide
Follow instructions
• Calling does NOT guarantee a delayed departure
IF THE SHIP HAS LEFT
• Terminal staff → cruise line’s PORT AGENT
• Contact cruise-line emergency assistance
• Contact your travel advisor
• BEFORE buying a flight:
Confirm whether you may rejoin
Confirm where
Confirm required documents
• Rejoining is NOT automatic
• Norwegian guidance:
Joining outside scheduled embarkation port is not permitted
• Get instructions directly from your cruise line
• Then make arrangements
POSSIBLE EXPENSES
• Hotels
• Meals
• Ground transportation
• Airfare
• Independent travelers may be responsible
• Insurance depends on circumstances and policy
• Missing ship does not automatically mean coverage
• Contact insurer’s assistance service
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
• Documents accepted for original cruise may not work for an international flight
• Passport photo or photocopy does NOT replace actual passport
• Passport still aboard?
Ask port agent whether it was left ashore
Do not assume that happened
• Embassy or consulate may need to help
PORT-DAY CHECKLIST
• Ship card
• Required identification
• Charged phone
• Payment card and cash
• Essential medication for possible delays
• Save for OFFLINE access:
Ship emergency number
Port-agent contact information
• Screenshot:
ALL-ABOARD TIME
RETURN LOCATION
• Follow ship instructions about carrying passport
CLOSING
• Confirm the time
• Know where to return
• Allow room for delays
• Sheryl • Cruise Sea-kers Travel
• Haze gray and underway.
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