Press & Media

Press Release

For Immediate Release

New App ShoreTimer Helps Cruise Passengers Never Miss Their Ship

December 2025 | Bergerac, France

RendezU today announced the launch of ShoreTimer, a mobile app designed to help cruise passengers track their time during shore excursions and ensure they return to their ship before departure.

Every cruise traveller has witnessed the phenomenon of "pier-runners" — passengers sprinting down the dock, desperately trying to reach their ship before it sails. ShoreTimer was created to eliminate this anxiety by providing smart countdown timers, GPS distance tracking, and intelligent alerts that account for travel time back to the vessel.

"Every cruiser has seen those frantic pier-runners racing to catch their ship, and I've had a few close calls myself," said Paul Hulatt, Creator of ShoreTimer. "I built ShoreTimer because that anxiety is completely avoidable. Now you can explore with confidence, knowing the app is watching the clock for you."

"Cruising should be about relaxation and discovery, not clock-watching. ShoreTimer gives passengers the freedom to immerse themselves in each destination while the app handles the logistics of getting back on time."

Paul Hulatt, Creator of ShoreTimer

Key features include:

Smart countdown timer with customisable return times
Real-time GPS distance tracking from ship location
Travel time estimates for walking and driving
Intelligent alerts that notify users when to head back
Info Vault for storing emergency contacts, notes, and ship details
Voyage Log to record and revisit past excursions
Privacy-first design with all data stored locally by default

ShoreTimer is free to download on iOS and Android, with the first session completely free including all features — no credit card required. Unlimited sessions are available through ShoreTimer PRO subscription.

Download:
App Store (iOS) | Google Play (Android)

For more information, visit shoretimer.rendezu.app

The Story Behind ShoreTimer

RendezU ShoreTimer started with a simple question from my dad, a serial cruiser with 50+ voyages under his belt: "Why isn't there an app that just tells me when I need to head back to the ship?"

After watching one too many stressed passengers sprint down the pier (and hearing stories of those who didn't make it), I built what he wished existed.

Currently Being Battle-Tested

The app is currently being tested on a P&O Arcadia world cruise — over 35 port days of real-world feedback from the person who inspired it.

About the Founder

Paul Hulatt

Creator, RendezU

Paul Hulatt is a professional software developer with over 25 years of experience across finance, motorsport, and travel industries. Based in Bergerac, France, Paul is a keen traveller and frequent cruiser, having sailed with Celebrity, Carnival, NCL, Virgin Voyages, and MSC cruise lines.

ShoreTimer was born when Paul's father — a serial cruiser — asked why no app existed to simply tell you when to head back to the ship. The app is currently being battle-tested on a P&O Arcadia world cruise, providing real-world feedback from over 35 port days.

Previous Work

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul created Supermarket Checkin, an app that allowed UK residents to check and share queue times and product availability at their local supermarkets. The app achieved over 500,000 downloads and was featured across mainstream media outlets.