While I’m all for skipping a day in port on occasion to enjoy a day of having the ship almost all to myself instead, some cruisers can’t stand to miss a single stop on their cruise itinerary.
For them, cruising isn’t about the ship, it’s about all the interesting places that ship will take you. Whatever your stance, though, there are a few things you need to think about before heading into port, for the safest and most enjoyable experience possible.
I’ve visited dozens of cruise destinations, so here are the 11 pitfalls you really ought to avoid in most cruise ports.
In This Article:
- 1. Avoid Following Port Time
- 2. Avoid Drinking Too Much Alcohol
- 3. Avoid Getting Lost
- 4. Avoid Wearing Flashy Jewelry
- 5. Avoid Being Disrespectful to Locals
- 6. Avoid Going Too Far Away from the Port Area
- 7. Avoid Long Tender Lines Back to the Ship
- 8. Avoid Renting a Scooter or Moped
- 9. Avoid Separating From Your Group
- 10. Avoid Taking Certain Things Off the Cruise Ship
- 11. Avoid Overdoing It
1. Avoid Following Port Time
This one can be a little tricky for first-time cruisers, so what exactly do I mean by “not following port time”?
Many cruises will take you through multiple time zones over the course of your trip. When you get into port, if you have, say, an international cell phone plan, your cell phone will automatically update to port time.
Unfortunately, the ship may be running on a different time zone, so, if you’re thinking you’ll start heading back to the ship around 4 p.m., with plenty of time to make the 6 p.m. embarkation, you could just find you’ve missed your ship.
Yes, that’s right — the ship and the port city may not be following the same time. This is because certain cruise lines keep their ships running on their homeport’s time. This is the case on both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Because of this, consider wearing a manually set watch while in port. Before you leave the ship, set the watch to ship time. Then, you’ll know exactly how much time you have until your ship leaves.
Don’t believe that the cruise ship will really leave you behind if you’re late? Think again. CruiseHive has reported on more cases of passengers being left behind than I can count.
From Norwegian Cruise Line passengers stranded in Africa to Princess Cruises and Holland America passengers stranded in Alaska, passengers are stranded in port all the time.
2. Avoid Drinking Too Much Alcohol
I have seen cruise passengers basically stumbling their way back to the cruise ship after a day spent over-indulging in port. Sure, it’s easy to do. You’re in a tropical locale where there are a lot of local libations on offer.
However, be careful that you don’t drink too much while in port. Not only can it make it difficult for you to get back to the ship on time, but, when traveling, over-indulging will always leave you susceptible to danger, such as petty crimes. Save the multiple rounds of margaritas for the ship.
3. Avoid Getting Lost
Hopping from port to port over the course of a week or 10 days will put you on a new island or in a new city just about every day. As such, you don’t have the luxury of getting your lay of the land like you might if you were traveling to one city and staying for the entirety of your trip.
To prevent yourself from getting lost (and missing the ship), make a point to grab a port map (your cruise line may have some on offer) before you head out to explore and do some research ahead of time.
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Better yet, have a plan for what you want to do in port rather than just winging it, and map out where you’re going in port, and when. While I know that, sometimes, just wandering around can lead you to some of the best travel memories, you really don’t want to risk it when you’re on a tight cruise ship schedule.
Whatever you do, make sure to bring a paper map along with you, into port. You never know when your phone’s battery may die, you lose cell phone service, etc.
4. Avoid Wearing Flashy Jewelry
This is a standard piece of advice for traveling just about anywhere, but I’ve seen so many cruisers ignore this very basic rule.
Yes, cruising is extremely safe. However, once you’re in port, the cruise line isn’t responsible for you and those same safety measures that are in place on the cruise ship no longer exist. As such, you have to take some precautions to protect yourself from petty crimes like theft.
Petty criminals know that popular, crowded cruise ports are filled with unsuspecting people doing things like wearing flashy jewelry. Not only can a skilled pickpocket take that Rolex off your wrist without you even realizing it, but wearing flashy accessories makes you a target for potentially more violent crimes, like muggings.
So, leave the jewelry in your cruise ship safe. (And along these lines, don’t wave around a bunch of cash when you’re paying for purchases. Discrete in all things is the way to go.)
5. Avoid Being Disrespectful to Locals
The above said, don’t make the mistake of thinking that cruise ports are just filled with petty criminals and the like. Some of the nicest, friendliest people I’ve met during my travels have been in popular cruise ports.
While you’re in port, be just as kind and courteous as you would hope that travelers might be if they were visiting your home. Respect the service workers you encounter. Don’t be demanding or rude, even if you’re a little frazzled trying to fit in all your sightseeing before you have to go back to the cruise ship.
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While locals in most ports are very accustomed to conversing with foreign travelers and many know some English, consider learning a few words of the local language, too. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, many will appreciate the effort.
Additionally, research local customs and laws before you head into port. For example, if you’re cruising around certain parts of the world, you may want to visit some historic or otherwise notable religious sites while in port, and that may mean you need to dress a certain way.
Likewise, some ports may prohibit certain things that you wouldn’t even think about, like wearing camouflage prints, which is illegal in Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
6. Avoid Going Too Far Away from the Port Area
On some cruises, the port city isn’t the real destination and it’s common for cruisers to take a multi-hour bus ride or other transportation to visit nearby cities.
This is especially the case if you’re on a European cruise, where cruise ships may say they’re taking you to Paris, Rome or Florence, but you’re usually going to need to take that bus to get there.
Though, if your cruise ship isn’t overnighting at the port, which some cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises, often do in Europe, taking the bus is still going to be risky. Any delay could mean missing embarkation.
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So, unless this is your unique situation, where the destination is far away from the port, I’d advise staying near the port area. Particularly if you’re on a Caribbean cruise, you’ll get off the cruise ship and usually be able to walk to everything you want to see and do.
If you do want to do or see something a little further away, look for an excursion option that takes you there, preferably one offered by the cruise line. Opting for a cruise line’s excursion versus a third party-offered excursion ensures you’ll get back to the cruise ship on time.
Along these lines, don’t think that, just because you’re traveling to a “small” island, you can see the entire island during your day in port. That island may look small on a map, but you’d be surprised at just how long it takes to travel from one side of it to the next.
7. Avoid Long Tender Lines Back to the Ship
You know you need to get back to the ship ahead of embarkation, but if you’re stopping at a tendered port — which means the port is too small to accommodate the cruise ship’s size, so you’ll be taking small tender boats between the ship and port — get back to the ship even earlier than you would otherwise.
I’d advise getting back to the ship at the absolute very latest an hour before embarkation. However, note that you’ll probably run into some long tender lines at that point. To avoid those and get back to the ship as easily and conveniently as possible, arrive even earlier, two or three hours in advance of embarkation.
8. Avoid Renting a Scooter or Moped
While I get that renting a scooter or moped when in certain destinations seems like a good idea — just imagine how much faster you’ll get around! — I promise you that it is typically not.
The only time I would rent a scooter or moped in a cruise port would be if I personally had past experience driving a scooter or moped and if I specifically had past experience driving a scooter or moped in that particular destination.
What exactly are the dangers?
First, there’s just the danger that comes with driving in an unfamiliar city, with unfamiliar driving laws. Then, there’s the fact you’re on a scooter or moped, which provides significantly less protection than a car.
Then, you have the problem of some scooter and moped rental providers in port cities not being quite the most reputable, leaving their vehicles in less-than-safe condition.
Still not sure if you believe me?
Take even just one example of what can happen when you rent a scooter in a cruise port.
In one grisly story, two women sailing with Carnival Cruise Lines rented scooters from a third-party provider in Cozumel, and, after a hit-and-run, were left unconscious, without their personal belongings, including travel documents. The cruise line left the two behind, with severe injuries.
After ending up at a Mexican hospital, one was discharged for not having insurance, while the other was held until she could pay her medical bills, totaling in the thousands of dollars.
9. Avoid Separating From Your Group
If you’re traveling with family members or friends, make sure that everyone is staying together as much as possible while in port, particularly if you’re traveling with more vulnerable individuals.
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This means that if you’re traveling with teens, don’t let them go off on their own in port. (Remember, as discussed above, the cruise ship is very safe; the port is not as safe, so while you probably give your teens free range on the cruise ship, don’t do the same in port.)
Likewise, keep any elderly or ill travelers in your group with you, so that you avoid the worst — which, in one case, did happen last year, when an elderly man with dementia went missing after disembarking from a Royal Caribbean cruise in Cozumel.
10. Avoid Taking Certain Things Off the Cruise Ship
There are many things that you might think it wise to throw in your backpack before you head into port. I always make sure that I have a little extra cash, my cruise card, a bottle of water and some sunscreen, for example.
However, there’s one thing that you might think you should bring into port, for convenience’s sake, that could actually get you into trouble: produce.
Read Also: What Can You Not Bring on a Cruise?
Sure, you visited the buffet that morning and thought you’d maybe grab a banana or apple to toss into your bag for an easy snack later, but many countries have strict laws against what is technically illegally importing an agricultural product. (Meat and cheese are also a big no-go.)
If you really want a snack, go with something pre-packaged and sealed.
11. Avoid Overdoing It
Last but certainly not least, don’t try to cram so much into your port day that you end up rushing around and having no fun at all. Stick to one excursion only, or a well-planned day of exploring on your own, on foot around the port’s vicinity.
