Brian James is a musician who’s spent years living on cruise ships. While he lives rent-free entertaining passengers, he gives his 830,000 TikTok followers frequent looks into boat life. He also shares insightful tips and tricks. This one validates a fear most passengers island hopping wish never happens to them…and he agrees it’s a real possibility.

Cruise ship passengers’ biggest fear

It’s not the ship sinking or hitting an iceberg, James explains. “The biggest feat is actually not getting back on the ship before it sails away.”

If that happens, he confirms, you’re now stuck on some random island in the middle of the ocean. “And this fear is kinda legitimate.”

The cruise ship is not going to wait for you

If you had one too many island cocktails on land and missed the “All Aboard” deadline, don’t expect the cruise ship to wait.

“If all 5,999 guests are back on board and they’re waiting for just you, just hoping you wake up from your beach chair…”

James knows this from personal experience. He recounts two separate occasions where he was the one late to reboard. It happened in the Caribbean and in Europe. “And let me tell you, it is not worth it.”

Understand “Ship Time” versus “Island time”

So, how can you avoid getting stranded in a foreign land?

“All Aboard might be 5:00 p.m. ship time,” he explains, “But that’s actually 4:00 p.m. Island time.”

The only way you can be late for a ship and they’ll actually wait for you

If you take an excursion put on by the cruise ship directly, you’re safe. However, if you miss the shuttle bus back to the boat…”That’s still totally on you.”