Have you ever wondered why some cruisers stay onboard while others rush to explore the ports? It’s not just about avoiding the crowds in popular cruise destinations. Savvy cruisers enjoy a world of perks while the ship is docked in port.
Imagine snagging prime spots at the pool, booking spa treatments when you want, or not standing in line to enjoy the best onboard attractions. You may also want to avoid crowded cruise destinations, especially if several cruise ships are docked simultaneously. Whatever the reasons, you’ll enjoy a world of adventure few cruisers know about.
Do you want to unlock the cruise secrets only seasoned travelers know? This article will help you find out how to enjoy a VIP-like experience. Read on to discover why staying onboard could be the best decision on your cruise.
Do You Have to Disembark a Cruise Ship in Port?
You don’t have to disembark the cruise ship when it docks. Many cruisers stay onboard to enjoy the ship’s facilities in peace and quiet, away from large crowds. In fact, it’s a pro cruiser secret that you can enjoy an all-inclusive vacation without setting foot on dry land.
Reasons to Stay on a Cruise Ship in a Port of Call
Some of my best cruise memories are when staying on board while others head ashore. The ship transforms into a peaceful retreat with spa deals, uncrowded restaurants, and easy access to onboard amenities that are usually packed at sea. It’s like having the ship all to myself, making every moment special.
Let me share the main reasons I sometimes decide to stay on the ship during a cruise vacation.
Less crowded facilities
Enjoying ship facilities without the usual crowds is a top perk of staying onboard during port days. If you love lazy days on the Lido deck, staying on the ship is ideal. With most passengers off the ship, you have the pool, gym, and spa almost to yourself.
Imagine taking a leisurely swim without bumping into other swimmers. Or hitting the gym without waiting for equipment. And what about enjoying popular activities like zip lines, water slides, or rock climbing multiple times without waiting? These scenarios are possible when staying onboard.
Many cruisers say they love the peaceful environment in dining venues. Some of the advantages they mention are faster service at the buffet, dining at sea-view tables, and enjoying meals in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Depending on your cruise ship, you can enjoy many other facilities without the hustle and bustle of cruise crowds.
Peace and quiet
I love the tranquility that staying on board offers during port days. The ship transforms into a serene retreat with most passengers on shore excursions. It’s easy to enjoy quiet walks on near-empty decks or unwind in lounges that are usually packed with passengers and filled with chatter.
Typically, the quiet, peaceful atmosphere extends to all areas of the ship. If you’ve been on a cruise, you’ll know that the adult-only pool area or popular lounges can become lively hubs of activity on sea days. However, during port days, these spaces transform into peaceful retreats. You can use this tranquil time to recharge in privacy, enjoying the serenity without the usual distractions of other passengers.
Here are some ways cruisers enjoy the tranquil environment while staying onboard during port days:
- Practice yoga in a quiet corner of the ship.
- Enjoy a quiet cup of coffee or tea at an empty cafe.
- Lounge in the sun on the deck without disturbances.
- Read a book in peace from your private balcony.
- Catch up on sleep.
Escape the weather
Some cruisers stay onboard to escape uncomfortable weather conditions. The ship’s air-conditioned spaces are a cool refuge in hot and humid Southeast Asian, Mediterranean, or Caribbean cruise destinations. Instead of sweating it out onshore, you can relax in the cool comfort of the ship.
The cruise ship becomes a welcome refuge when the weather turns cold, wet, or windy. I’ve been on Caribbean cruises where late summer storms made it impractical to disembark. During these days, spending time in a cozy lounge, or relaxing with a drink at one of the ship’s cafes is ideal.
Of course, more passengers tend to be on board during lousy weather. However, I’ve found that many cruisers with pre-booked excursions leave the ship in any case. Therefore, the ship is still quieter during wet or windy weather.
Catch up on work or personal projects
Staying onboard during port days is an excellent opportunity to catch up on projects or work. With most passengers ashore, the ship is a peaceful environment where it’s easy to focus. I’ve used the quiet time to catch up on emails and finish projects I didn’t have time for. The serene ocean views make a welcome break from working in the office.
Of course, not everyone wants to work on their vacation. But for some cruisers, a quiet window seat in the ship’s lounge makes for a perfect temporary office.
Some cruise lines, like Norwegian Cruise Line and Viking Cruises, offer free WiFi throughout the ship. If I know I’ll do some work on other cruise lines, I’ll check out WiFi packages beforehand for the best deals. Cruise lines like Carnival, Disney, Celebrity, Holland America, and MSC have packages that usually cost under $20 per day.
Enjoy the ship like an all-inclusive resort
I discovered that some cruisers never plan to leave the ship, viewing it as a floating luxury all-inclusive resort. Passengers talk about enjoying the perfect vacation with access to endless dining options, spa treatments, day and night entertainment, and fun in the pool. For example, pools at onshore resorts are usually packed during the day—not so on cruise ships.
One passenger said food onboard cruise ships is usually better than resorts, especially in the Caribbean. Other reasons I discovered why some say that a cruise ship beats a resort include the following:
- Constantly changing port and ocean views.
- The quieter time during the day.
- Typically, more amenities and entertainment ventures are close.
- Better and more diverse dining options onboard.
- Cruise ships rival the most luxurious resorts, often for a cheaper price.
- Staying on board can feel safer, especially in unfamiliar ports.
- Traditional resorts cannot match the ambiance of a cruise ship.
The consensus among these passengers is summed up in one comment: “Port days are the best days on the ship.”
Safety concerns about dangerous ports
Some cruisers choose to stay on board due to worries about safety in certain ports. Some cruise destinations in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia experience more crime than others. And there may be concerns about political instability or health risks. Therefore, you may feel safer staying on the ship.
For example, the U.S. government issued warnings about increased crime in the Bahamas and advised its citizens to reconsider traveling to Jamaica. However, in “unsafe” countries, booking cruise line shore excursions is usually the best option if you want to venture off the ship.
I’ve never experienced issues when exploring popular cruise destinations. However, I always follow common-sense advice like sticking to known tourist spots, keeping valuables out of sight, and not engaging with local vendors.
The port is overly industrial
Specific cruise itineraries include industrial ports that lack scenic beauty. I’ve found that some ships dock at container ports that can be miles or over an hour’s drive from the nearest tourist attractions. Other ports may offer nothing in the way of local attractions or authentic experiences. These are often advertised as “gateway” ports.
After reading many reviews on Cruise Critic, I’ve discovered the top ports where it’s best to stay on board rather than disembark. These include:
- Prince Rupert, Canada: Reports show nothing to do except visit a local museum.
- Samaná, Dominican Republic: The destination gets flagged for safety reasons and lacks local attractions.
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: The city can feel unsafe if you don’t stick to tourist areas, and many say it’s a dirty city.
- Manzanillo, Mexico: Nothing of interest in the local area.
- Salvador De Bahia, Brazil: The city is dirty, and I’ve read many reports of petty crime and beggars on the street.
No interest in shore excursions
Many cruise ship guests decide to stay onboard during port days because the shore excursions are unexciting. After many cruises, shore excursions can feel repetitive, overly touristy, or simply not appealing. It could also be that the best attractions are an hour or more bus ride from the cruise terminal.
Staying onboard lets you maximize your vacation enjoyment without traveling most of the day. I’ve found that most cruise ships offer plenty of options for everyone onboard to enjoy personalized experiences.
You’ve been to the port before
A common reason for staying onboard during port days is that cruisers have visited the port multiple times. There may be little incentive to explore the port’s shops, attractions, and markets a second or third time. You can spend your time better by enjoying the ship’s amenities in peace, without thronging crowds.
Exclusive spa and dining deals
Access to exclusive offers is one of the best-kept secrets of staying onboard during port days. Most cruise ships publish spa and dining deals on their daily schedule or ship App. With most passengers off exploring, demand for wellness and salon services decreases. So, cruise lines offer special packages to entice guests.
Think about enjoying a massage or facial at a discount, all while experiencing the tranquility of a nearly empty spa.
Similarly, dining becomes an elevated experience on port days. Look out for specialty restaurants offering special lunch menus or discounts. You may be able to enjoy gourmet meals in a more intimate setting that would otherwise be too expensive.
I’ve found that deals enhance my cruise experience, turning a day in port into a luxurious, indulgent retreat. It’s the perfect time to pamper yourself and make the most of the ship’s top-tier services.
Cost savings
Staying onboard during port days is a smart way to save money. By choosing to remain on the ship, you avoid additional costs like entrance fees, transportation, and shopping, allowing you to allocate more of your budget to onboard experiences.
This approach is particularly appealing if you’re cruising on a budget. The all-inclusive nature of cruising means that meals, soft drinks, and entertainment are covered. Therefore, you don’t need to pay for lunch or drinks, especially if you have a drink package.
So, why not enhance your overall cruise experience by staying onboard and making financially savvy decisions?
Avoid tourist traps
Some cruise destinations are only overpriced tourist traps. You may find that several ports on the itinerary have the same types of shops selling the same souvenirs and restaurants offering generic menus. Although I always encourage enjoying authentic experiences and supporting local economies, some ports are not worth disembarking.
It’s also the case that some destinations are more overly commercialized than others. Along with the hustle and bustle of tourist-filled streets, you must deal with pesky vendors or pay over the odds for souvenirs.
Health and Mobility Issues
If you have health or mobility issues, you might find it easier to stay onboard when the ship is in port, especially if the destination poses accessibility challenges. Many historic port towns can be tricky to navigate, with cobblestone sidewalks, narrow streets, restricted access doorways, and steep inclines. These features can be difficult to navigate with a wheelchair, scooter, or if you need extra help.
Modern cruise ships, on the other hand, are designed with accessibility in mind, offering a range of amenities to ensure everyone can enjoy their time onboard. That said, it’s always a good idea to check out what’s available on your specific ship.
Before deciding to disembark, take a moment to research the port’s accessibility. It could make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Unique Ship Activities
The major cruise lines offer a wide range of unique activities that are unavailable at other times. These activities can provide a more personalized, immersive cruise experience than leaving the ship. Whether you’re interested in cooking, learning a new skill, or trying out a new hobby, you can enjoy an extra layer of enjoyment in port.
Here are some of the unique ship activities you may find onboard during port days:
- Cooking classes with ship chefs
- Wine or cocktail tastings
- Art and craft workshops
- Educational lectures
Observing Ship Operations
Some of the most fascinating days spent in port were enjoying tours of the ship’s inner workings. Although these are usually available anytime, they are most enjoyable when fewer people are around.
Here are some of the ship operation-related activities I’ve enjoyed:
- Galley tours to see the chefs in the kitchens prepare meals for thousands of passengers.
- Bridge tours to experience how the captain and crew navigate the vessel.
- Engine room tours to get a unique behind-the-scenes look at the ship’s engine room.
- Crew demonstrations to watch demonstrations of the ship’s safety procedures, docking, equipment, or other operational tasks.
These unique experiences can add another dimension to your cruise, making staying onboard an enriching choice.
Conclusion: Reasons to Stay Onboard in Port
Staying on a cruise ship during port days can give you some of the most peaceful and enjoyable vacation experiences. From enjoying the tranquility of a deserted pool deck to money off spa treatments and less crowded facilities, these moments can make cruise ships feel like personal retreats, offering relaxation and exclusive experiences.
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