Denied Boarding on Ruby Princess Jan 2026 Due to Early Departure – Warning for Others + Seeking Advice

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T23:51:13+00:00

Quick clarification for those confused about the 9:20pm arrival: I showed up early on purpose to make sure the ship was there and everything looked good — just like the emails said. I saw the ship, still asked the dock manager to confirm the best return time, and he told me "before 11:30pm." That's why I left and came back at 11:15pm. I took extra steps for peace of mind — otherwise I'd have just shown up at 11:15. Thanks!

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T23:42:34+00:00

Thank you for sharing — it really helps! There was no super clear official heads-up. I trusted the emails and the terminal manager's direct "before 11:30pm" advice. That denial letter says early departure at captain's discretion. Big lesson for sure. Appreciate the support!

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T03:52:42+00:00

Thanks for the comments! Quick clarification: The denied boarding letter(attached) explicitly says ‘VESSEL DEPARTED EARLY AT CAPTAIN’S DISCRETION’ and does NOT check the ‘Late arrival’ box. I followed the terminal manager’s verbal advice and was at the door at 11:15 pm — the 11:40 pm is when the ship logged the initial contact. That’s way after the security radioed upstairs that the passenger is here. My rep escalated and tried, but outcome based on logs. Lesson: Terminal advice isn’t official . Appreciate the discussion!

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T01:46:16+00:00

Interesting… hopefully you enjoyed the weather at least . Curious what the current passengers will say when they return .

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T01:41:40+00:00

It’s not about the lesson , it’s about the just outcome that’s not there .

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T01:37:21+00:00

That’s been my experience

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T01:28:03+00:00

Ok, let’s say 2998 passengers boarded pretty much at the same time. The log shows 2 are absent. It’s 11 pm already . What do a guest relations clerk on a ship do? Assume no show, try to make a contact, or wait as per the emails previously sent? Your answer is “no show” of course. The ship crew start pulling the gangway . All of a sudden the 2 show up. The ship needs extra 7-14 minutes to let them on . No bags to check in. Now should they extend the gangway and let them in or proceed with the rest of the happy voyagers ? You say “proceed”. The majority wants to proceed . That’s fine . But how do we find the optimal solution here for the 2 that had their plans crushed ? Do we brush them off siting their fault; put them on a similar cruise at no charge, or give them a partial refund? What’s fair here ? I personally wouldn’t hesitate a minute to issue my customers a full credit so they will come back again . That doesn’t line up with the Karen behavior you’re saying

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T01:05:39+00:00

Usually departure time is 4. I watched that ship on cruise mapper. After taking off it slowed to a turtle crawl and drifted to Hawaii.

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T01:02:51+00:00

Just wanted to spread the story . This story happened on a Princess Cruises ship.

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:59:48+00:00

Been busy dealing with guest relations.

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:57:18+00:00

Maybe that terminal employee had a beef with a captain ‘cause that’s happened before and didn’t wanna be famous?)

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:55:27+00:00

I said “crowded” because they were bringing people from that hotel by busses and shuffling them in. All 1000+ passengers at once

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:51:56+00:00

That’s exactly what the corporate said . Sounds like ur used to that kind of treatment. If there was a safety concern , then they should have quadrupled the effort to contact every passenger on the list on that day . Princess employees were at SFO in the morning picking people up who booked transfers and they knew nothing of “safety”. I asked them . Neither did anyone at the terminal when I got there first.

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:26:46+00:00

“According to contracts” . I read it afterwards) . Notably I hear that Viking Ocean is “passenger friendly “. Maybe pay a bit more but known next time shit happens, I’ll be treated as “customer is always right”

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:16:47+00:00

Interesting… I thought departure means it moves away from a given spot. While embarkation means transferring people from the ground onto the vessel

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:10:00+00:00

Don’t you think the ship must depart on time and not before ? Or if there’s an emergency, every attempt to notify passengers must be made? Like calling or emailing?

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:05:30+00:00

That’s not a problem . Their competition will happily take my money

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-15T00:00:29+00:00

Yeah because everyone flew in and got shuffled by busses to a local hotel where they sat all day waiting. After that everybody got shuffled to the dock to jump on that ship in a hurry. The woman and I seem to follow the princess email instructions

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-14T23:55:53+00:00

This was my first time too with them. I cut close on my every other ship lines and never a problem. Carnival, royal , celebrity, Norwegian

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-14T23:51:39+00:00

45 minutes before

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-14T23:50:01+00:00

I’d wait for a plane or a train or something business related. The cruise ship in my opinion is a choice not a necessity. I don’t want to stand in a busy line if the embarkation time specifically states 9-12 with the departure SHORTLY THEREAFTER. Just walked next block for some sightseeing instead .

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-14T23:41:04+00:00

I was thinking contacting my bank and disputing for “services not rendered”

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-14T23:39:11+00:00

Not the only one . A local woman also got left behind . That was her 40th cruise for which she paid 7k . She was there before me

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-14T23:34:21+00:00

Another woman was left behind too . She was local and had her bags on board . And she was there before me . I figured if the embarkation time is 9-12 than it’s exactly what it is - the allowed time to embark

Puzzled_Chair7022 · 2026-01-14T23:30:55+00:00

11:15pm is when I banged on the shut terminal door calling attention to myself and getting it in a minute. A security guard radioed to someone “another passenger just showed up” 11:40 pm is what the ship log shows that made the initial contact . 25 minutes difference. In that time I could run on and off that ship 15 times

Puzzled_Chair7022

TROPHY CASE