I have a question about changing time zones and itinerary debarcation and embarcation times. For instance, we leave Galveston at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time (Texas time)Sunday evening. We are set to arrive at (I believe) 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon in Key West and leave at midnight. Is that 3 p.m. to Midnight on Central Standard Time, or do we change to Eastern Standard Time (Florida time)? In other words, does the ship stay on the time zone of the port of origin or does it shift at the various ports of call, at least as far as arrival and departure times? I know this seems like a dumb question and they'll surely make it clear on the ship. I'm just incurably curious. I can't help it.
Raoul,
With all due respect, I must disagree with your statement. Although it is often the case (particularly in Europe) that the ship changes its time to coincide with the port, that is not always the case.
On a recent cruise (it was actually a Caribbean cruise that visited Grand Cayman) I learned that changing the ship's time is totally at the discretion of the captain. While in GC, there were 5 ships in port - 3 had changed their times to reflect island time, 2 had not. There is not even a standard rule by cruise line. A tour operator on the island informed me of this rule. Later, while onboard I had a chance to speak with the ship's captain and he verified this fact.
apologies, I didn't know that. I've taken dozens of cruises, and on every single cruise I have been on the onboard time was adjusted to fit the respective time zones of the ports of call visited.
It appears that not switching time zones might be a Caribbean phenomenon - and there it shows that I don't take that many Caribbean cruises.
Thanks Nancy and Raoul. I guess I'll have to check when I get onboard. Either way, it's important information to have, especially if you don't relish the idea of getting your late butt left behind!
I have only been on two cruises and we have always stayed on Miami time. I would think it would be less confusing for the passengers if they didn't have to reset their watch a few times.
When I was in Mexico I was asking someone on shore about my tour that was to leave at 10:00 AM and they told me not to worry that was in a hour. Being on vacation and not wanting to think about much I had forgotten that I was on ship time (!0:00) and he was on Mexican time (9:00).
Larry,
As it happened, during my last 2 cruises in the Caribbean we changed our clocks to reflect local time on both sailings. Didn't know it was the Captain that made that decision, but an interesting fact.
Suzi
We have always changed time during the cruises (7 day ones) and I frankly prefer it that way. Mexican Riveria and Carribean. It made it much easier to adjust to local's shore excursions times etc.
on many ships there are big clocks on some of the open decks. And when going ashore, you can of course always check with the security staff at the gangway to see what the ship's time is.
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