Cruise passengers watch as ship leaves without them as partying passengers wave goodbye

This is the moment hundreds of partying jeered at two for returning to port more than 30 minutes late - where they were forced to watch the ship leave without them.

Footage taken at the dock in Saint Kitts and Nevis shows the pair speeding towards the Royal Caribbean's in a cart, several minutes too late to reboard. As the pulled away, passengers on deck mocked, whistled and shouted "goodbye" while the visibly disappointed duo watched on in horror from the pier. had reportedly delayed departure to wait for the latecomers, but eventually pulled in the boarding ramp and set sail, sounding the ship's horn as they left the port.

The incident took place on April 3 during day five of Royal Caribbean’s seven-day southern Caribbean cruise, which departed from Puerto Rico on March 30 and had already stopped at the US Virgin Islands and St Maarten. It remains unclear whether the pair managed to rejoin the cruise at its next stop in Bridgetown, Barbados. The video, which has since gone viral with more than 12 million views on , has sparked debate over cruise punctuality and passenger responsibility. The has contacted Royal Caribbean for comment.

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The Rhapsody of the Seas, launched in 1997 and last refurbished in 2016, carries over 3,000 passengers and crew - and operates exclusively in the Caribbean. Fares for the seven-night itinerary started at around £1,000, with upgraded cabins costing significantly more.

Last year, an elderly couple were left stranded in Spain without their medication after a Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship left without them. Richard, 84, and his wife Claudene, 81, were looking forward to their Grenada excursion to celebrate Richard's 85th birthday, but due to a rainstorm, the pair ran late for the 5.30pm all-aboard time ahead of a scheduled 6pm departure.

At 5.45pm on April 29, 2024, the Gordons, from Salt Lake City, notified a relative on board that they were running late but were nearby. The family member was told that the Viva had to leave on time and would not wait. By the time the octogenarians arrived at 6:10pm, the boat had left the harbour.

Mr Gordon told CNN. He said: "I am a very experienced traveller and have probably been on as many as 30 cruises during my lifetime. Never before have we ever missed catching a ship on time at a port. So we are not someone who abuses the system." He added: "Our cruise began in Lisbon and we departed from Lisbon about one and a half hours after the scheduled departure at 4 pm. Then the next night or two, at least a half-hour late from the dock, so it is clear that they do not always leave on the exact moment scheduled."