I almost missed my cruise ship—here’s how to avoid becoming a pier runner

It was 12:58 p.m., and the last boarding time was 1 p.m. A tall chain link fence stood between my travel buddy and me and the gangway of our cruise ship, which was about to close in just minutes.

My heart raced, and I was sweating as if I had just completed an Olympic sprint—though the real race was still ahead. How could I navigate from the tourist shops at the port of Freeport, Bahamas, around that fence to my ship? Climbing a fence was not an option, especially after a morning in the sun and one potent rum punch.

Fortunately, Carnival cruisers love to indulge in drinks, relaxing on their balconies around boarding time, cheering for the latecomers racing down the pier to catch their ship before being left stranded on a foreign shore. They may have laughed at my predicament, but they also became my unexpected heroes.

"To the right!" shouted a fellow passenger from above. I followed his direction and spotted the gap in the fence.

We dashed as if the fate of our entire vacation hinged on it (because it did), skirting around the fence opening without missing a beat and racing up the gangway. I didn't stop to see if our fellow passengers cheered or if the crew was rolling their eyes.

I reached the security desk, flashed my cruise keycard, and then checked my watch.

It was precisely 1 p.m. We may have been the last ones aboard, but technically, we were right on schedule.

Nevertheless, it was a hair-raising experience for this punctual, rule-abiding, detail-focused editor. As a seasoned cruiser, I was embarrassed to find myself in the role of a pier runner.

How did I end up in this predicament? And what lessons can you take from my blunders to prevent becoming a pier runner and missing your ship?

My unfortunate saga of time management failures

Please don’t judge me, but I’m about to place the blame on my travel companion.

The day began splendidly. Carnival Pride docked early in Freeport for a half-day stop before heading back to Baltimore. My friend (let's call her M) and I were enjoying a fantastic getaway without our husbands and kids, relishing Carnival's live music, delicious Indian cuisine, plentiful brunch options, and plenty of beach time.

For our last port visit, we had bought day passes to a local beach club where we could sunbathe, snorkel, and enjoy snacks and drinks. This was not a Carnival excursion; I had discovered it online and booked it independently. (Keep that in mind—it’s crucial to the story.)

We chose this beach club based on reviews, pricing, and the included transportation, so we wouldn’t have to pay extra for a taxi.

We disembarked the ship at the scheduled time and watched as other passengers were picked up for their tours while we waited for our van. Given that it was 2021 and travel was still subdued due to COVID-19, we were the only guests heading to the beach club from our ship.

When I inquired about the van's departure time to return us to the ship, the driver replied that he would take us back whenever we wished. The journey was about a half-hour long.

"Alright," I said to M, "let’s aim to leave by noon so we don’t risk being late for the 1 p.m. all-aboard time."

We then set about enjoying our time as the sole guests at the beach club (a few others arrived later that morning). We opted to pay extra for a guide to take us snorkeling instead of going it alone. It was $20 well spent, as he pointed out sea turtles and stingrays we might have missed and named the various fish we encountered.

Once back on land, we redeemed our included tickets for a rum punch each. This is where our meticulously planned day began to unravel. Those drinks were potent, and we hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast on the ship.

I’m light when it comes to drinking, but being 6 feet tall has its advantages. M, on the other hand, is the picture of petite. By the time she was halfway through her plastic cup of punch, she was feeling quite good.

As noon approached, I reminded M that if we wanted to buy locally crafted souvenirs from the beach club's small shop, we needed to do it soon to stay on schedule. M was thrilled to start browsing. While I quickly grabbed some Bahamian hot sauce for my husband, she took her time examining each piece of art, even asking the shop owner if she had any extra prints in the back.

Noon passed, and M was still deliberating over which artwork to buy. "Come on, we need to hurry," I urged. "We have to get moving."

"I'm almost there," she would respond, only to change her mind again about which print to select.

When she finally settled on a piece, all the items needed to be wrapped while the clock continued to tick, raising my anxiety. We eventually got into the van just before 12:30 p.m.

Our driver, embodying true Bahamian spirit, seemed unfazed. He assured us it would take less than half an hour to return to the port.

Perhaps, but I felt the tension as we crawled through every long red light and traffic-laden street. We arrived at the port's drop-off area with only minutes to spare... and, well, you know how it goes from there.

How to ensure you don’t miss your ship

Our downfall on this adventure was definitely the alcohol. I can assure you, we were neither the first nor the last cruisers to nearly or actually miss the ship due to being tipsy and distracted. My initial plan was solid, but it unraveled after those pesky rum punches.

If we had booked a tour through Carnival, it’s likely that someone would have rounded us up when it was time to depart. If tours organized by the ship run late due to traffic or lingering tourists, the ship is contractually obligated to wait for all the buses to return before leaving port.

When you’re traveling solo, it’s your duty to ensure you return to the ship on time. Here’s how you can avoid missing your ship—or having to sprint down the pier just before the crew pulls up the gangway.

Stay sober—or appoint someone in your group to keep track of things

I can assure you that your travel party will make better choices if everyone stays sober and alert while exploring independently at port. However, I know that many cruisers enjoy drinking in port and that several tours offer beverages. Have a great time, but be mindful of your limits and set a cut-off time to ensure you can return to your ship. You might also consider taking turns being the designated sober one (or sticking to just one drink) to help gather everyone when it’s time to head back.

Set a return time with ample buffer

Before disembarking, check the all-aboard time and plan to return to the ship at least half an hour to an hour before that. This gives you some leeway for any unexpected delays.

Important: All-aboard and sailaway times differ. The all-aboard time is usually set a half-hour before sailaway. Once the gangway is up and the door is closed, the captain won’t reopen it just because you’re waving frantically from the pier.

Be aware of how long it takes to get back to the ship from your day’s activities. Set a timer on your phone for your departure. If you’re far from the port, whether on an independently arranged tour or in a cab, make sure to account for traffic on the return journey.

With a solid return plan in place, you’ll be less likely to arrive at the port after the ship has already departed.

Adjust your watch to the ship’s time

In some ports, the ship may not sync its clock to the local time. (Though it's uncommon, it can happen.) Ensure your phone or watch remains set to the ship's time.

Have fun, but keep your focus

Many of us fall victim to vacation brain. We lounge in the sun on a beach, carefree, and forget to consider when we need to start heading back. We become so absorbed in all the beautiful items we can purchase in a foreign city that we neglect to check the time.

It's incredibly easy to get sidetracked and overly focused on the enjoyment and new experiences, causing time to slip away faster than we realize.

You definitely don’t want to glance at your phone and realize you have only 15 minutes to board your cruise ship.

The takeaway

While you might enjoy sitting on your balcony, observing all the frantic passengers rushing back to the ship at the last moment, my experience shows that anyone can become a pier runner in the right (or wrong) conditions. Good intentions can easily be derailed by rum punch, vacation brain, and the chaos of group travel.

To set yourself up for a successful return, follow the tips in this article when exploring on your own in port. If you doubt your ability to manage time — or your friends and family — consider booking a ship-sponsored tour and let a professional handle the details.