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This the moment two holidaymakers were mercilessly mocked by fellow cruise passengers after they returned to port more than 30 minutes late and missed the boat.
Video of the duo's devastating return to the Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas at the dock in Saint Kitts and Nevis has gone viral online.
Staff allegedly waited for the pair, whose identities are unknown, for more than half an hour after the ship's scheduled departure time before they pulled the boarding ramp up and started to leave the docks.
As the ship started to depart the port, a black golf caddy carrying a man and woman is seen speeding down the pier and towards the ship.
The pair were met with merciless cheers and whistling as they watched the cruiseliner sail away.
Passengers on board the vessel can be heard shouting 'goodbye' as the visibly sad couple get back into the cart and head away from the docks as the ship sounds its horn and leaves the port.
The video, which was allegedly filmed on April 3, has been viewed on Instagram more than 12 million times.
Royal Caribbean Rhapsody of the Seas passengers mockingly waved goodbye to two holidaymakers who returned to the port in Saint Kitts over 30 minutes late and missed the boat
Staff allegedly waited for the pair, whose identities are unknown, for more than half an hour after the ship's scheduled departure
As the ship started to depart the port, a black golf caddy carrying a man and woman is seen speeding down the pier and towards the ship. The pair were met with merciless cheers and whistling as they watched the cruiseliner prepare to sail away
The incident unfolded on day five of Royal Caribbean's seven-day Southern Caribbean Cruise, which departed from Puerto Rico on March 30.
The journey had taken passengers to two ports in the US Virgin Islands and St Maarten, part of the Netherlands Antilles, before docking in St Kitts on April 3.
It is unclear if the latecomers reconnected with the ship at the next port of call, which would have been in Bridgetown, Barbados, cruise tracking data revealed.
The Rhapsody of the Seas was due to return to Puerto Rico on April 6.
The seven-day cruise cost travellers at least £1,011 ($1,342), with some state rooms costing even more, CruiseMapper reports.
The vessel debuted in 1997, but was last refurbished in 2016. It features 12 decks, 1,013 cabins and can accommodate up to 2,431 passengers and 770 crew.
The Rhapsody of the Seas sails exclusively in the Caribbean and is currently on an eight-day voyage through the southern islands.
Royal Caribbean has not responded to MailOnline's request for comment.
Crew reportedly waited for the pair for 30 minutes on April 3 before they pulled the boarding ramp up and started to leave the docks
The incident unfolded on day five of Royal Caribbean's seven day Southern Caribbean Cruise. The Rhapsody of the Seas is seen leaving the dock in St Kitts without the latecomers
Passengers on board the vessel are heard shouting 'goodbye' as the visibly sad couple get back into the cart and head away from the docks as the ship sounds its horn and leaves the port
Although it is every cruiser's worst nightmare to be left stranded and watch in despair as the ship sails away, experts say it is a common reality that many are faced to bear.
Hundreds of holidaymakers miss their ship's departure time due to bad timekeeping and many videos of so-called 'pier runners' being cheered on by thousands of other passengers have gone viral on social media.
Despite begging for the cruise ship captain to wait for them, it is ultimately up to the late passengers themselves to try and meet the ship at its next port or abandon their luxury holiday altogether.
US cruise vlogger Michael Kay last month revealed on his YouTube channel Journey Together steps passengers should take to prevent this from happening.
He says that cruisers - before ever leaving the ship - should be extremely mindful of the on-board announcements informing you of when to return to the vessel.
They should also be back at the ship, at the very least, half an hour before its planned departure time.
Despite being occasionally more costly, the travel vlogger recommends making the extra expense and booking any excursions - such as boat trips, sightseeing tours and activities - directly through the cruise company, rather than using external tours.
Royal Caribbean's seven day Southern Caribbean Cruise departed from Puerto Rico and took passengers to two ports in the US Virgin Islands, the Netherlands Antilles, and Barbados
Although it is every cruiser's worst nightmare to be left stranded and watch in despair as the ship sails away, experts say hundreds of holidaymakers miss their cruise ship's departure time each year. Pictured are the couple who missed their boat in St Kitts
Booking through the cruiseliner assures that if anything were to go amiss, the ship 'knows where you are and they are taking responsibility in the event that you can't get back', he explained.
He also advises passengers to take pictures of essential documents - such as your passport, driving licence and bank cards - before stepping off the ship so it can be provided to officials in the unlikely event that you are left stranded.
Knowing who the relevant people to contact are is also vital in order to help you reunite with your belongings and get back onboard the ship as quick as possible.
He says some of the most helpful contact details to make note of are the cruise line's emergency customer service number, your insurance provider's details, alongside the Embassy of the location you find yourself stuck in.
