Originally Posted by SamuelS

I almost missed getting back on the ship after independant arrangements during a port of call stop in St Maarten. The traffic at 5pm was CRAZY all the way from the airport, right through Phillipsburg, to the port. We arrived back at the port just as the ship's horn was blowing - and a buggy came to pick us up to whisk us to the doorway. No sooner did we 'clock back in' through security, they were already closing the door and releasing the ropes behind us. It was way too close! Whilst we laugh about it now - all of our group is VERY careful when we make independant arrangements in port.

And we always make sure we take the ships daily news, passport and at least one credit card off the ship with us. That way, if the worst does happen, we have the phone number for the Cruise Line's Agent in that port of call whom we can telephone for assistance, and a passport and credit card to get us to the next port of call.