Missing your cruise ship can be a traveller’s worst nightmare, but one Royal Caribbean guest turned his misfortune into a photo opportunity after being left behind by Odyssey of the Seas in Cartagena, Spain, on 7th May 2025.
Instead of panicking or pleading for the ship to return, the man calmly pulled out a selfie stick and took a photo of himself standing on the pier as the massive ship sailed away.
The unusual reaction was captured by other passengers onboard the ship, who posted the incident on social media.
“Pier runners missing the Odyssey departure in Cartagena just yet. (40 mins past all aboard time). But….let’s first take a selfie,” one passenger shared.
According to the passengers, the ship’s captain, Marek, later announced that four guests – identified as “Ricardo and his 3 guests” – were left behind because they failed to return on time.
The ship had a strict all-aboard time of 4:30 pm, and by 5 pm, Odyssey of the Seas had departed without them.
What Happens Next for the Left-Behind Guests?
The four stranded guests will now need to arrange their own transport to catch up with Odyssey of the Seas at one of the final two ports of call on the 14-night itinerary: Barcelona, Spain, and La Spezia, Italy.
If they cannot rejoin the cruise, they will have to make their own way home.
Royal Caribbean, like most cruise lines, does not wait for guests who do not return on time, except in the case of guests on cruise line-organized excursions that are delayed.
Several others on social media were impressed by the man’s calm reaction, compared to the typical viral videos of those who miss their ship who are often emotional.
“May as well see the funny side and take a selfie of the ship disappearing,” one commenter joked.
“No need to freak out, that won’t change the situation. It is what it is. Take a pic of yourself and laugh at yourself later with a reminder to never do it again,” another agreed.
While it may seem harsh, cruise lines maintain strict departure schedules for several reasons:
- Fairness to On-Time Guests: Thousands of passengers who returned on time should not be delayed.
- Port Fees: Extending the port time can result in additional fees for the cruise line.
- Safety and Navigation: Ships must adhere to a strict schedule, including timed arrivals at other ports.
Cruise guests are always reminded of the ship’s all-aboard time multiple times before they go ashore, and it is each passenger’s responsibility to return on time.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Royal Caribbean offers…
Related Posts
- Pier Runner’s Big Mistake Has Guests Howling With Laughter
- Cruise Passengers Stranded In Africa – Left Behind By Their Ship
- Cruise Passenger Gives Warning After Only Just Making It Back To Her Ship
Former Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Sues Company Over Alleged $18 Million Retirement Deal
Former Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings chief executive Frank Del Rio has filed a lawsuit against the cruise company he once led, claiming he was denied millions of dollars in compensation…
Royal Caribbean Sued After Passenger Trips Over Mobility Scooter In Ship Casino
A former Royal Caribbean passenger is seeking damages from the cruise line after allegedly suffering serious injuries when she tripped over a mobility scooter left in a walkway aboard Jewel…
Norwegian Star Overhauls 2027 Cruise With New Embarkation Port And Completely Revised Itinerary
Guests booked on a 9-night Norwegian Star cruise in November 2027 are facing a major itinerary shake-up after Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the sailing will now depart from a different…
Holland America Cruise Hit By Propulsion Failure As Alaska Itinerary And Glacier Bay Visit Are Scrapped
When you book an Alaskan cruise, you’re dreaming of glacier-carved fjords, charming frontier ports, and perhaps spotting a breaching whale or two from your balcony. What you’re certainly not expecting…
