Top 10 Mistakes Cruise Ship Passengers Make on Port Days

You may spend a lot of time and effort choosing the right cruise itinerary, route, and vessel, and once you book your cruise, you can complete your vacation plans. However, if you don’t think about what to do on your harbor day on a cruise, you’re making a huge mistake. A little research on the destinations your ship is visiting can go a long way in turning an ordinary trip into an unforgettable adventure.

Don’t miss out on the fun on land because you don’t have time to make plans. Here are the 10 biggest mistakes cruise ship passengers make during port days so you can know better, do better, and make lasting memories at the destinations you visit on your cruise.

Missed the Ship

Let’s solve this problem early. The biggest mistake the cruiser made during Port Day was not returning to the ship on time and being left behind. There’s nothing more ruining your cruise vacation than not being at the dock before your ship sails into sunset and paying out of pocket to fly to the next port or go home.

There are three key things you can do to avoid making this mistake.

• Remember when all staff are boarded. This is different from the departure time, which is usually half an hour in advance. Full boarding time refers to the time you need to return to the boat, and when you disembark, it will be posted on the gangway and also in your daily plan.
• Set the watch to ship time. Sometimes cruise ships don’t change their clocks to accommodate different time zones at ports. The full boarding time is always set to the onboard clock, not the port time. Make sure your smartwatch, fitness tracker, or phone stays in shipping to avoid confusion.
• Plan to return to the ship early. It’s always wise to leave buffer time in your port day plan. Don’t schedule your day to return at full board; Plan to arrive an hour or two early. This way, you can be protected if you get lost, get stuck in traffic, or are distracted by shops along the way. If all goes well and you return early, you can usually shop or eat at the port before boarding your flight.

Improvise

It’s easy to think you’ll disembark at the port and make plans on the spot. If you want to go to the nearest beach or walk into town for shopping, that’s no problem. But in many ports, you can make better use of the day if you do your research well in advance.

Tickets for shore excursions are sold out, so if you’re bent on a particular tour or activity, you might be out of luck if you wait until you’re on board to book. If you’re a foodie, you might want to research must-visit local restaurants in advance and make reservations. If you enjoy the outdoors, you may want to look for hiking routes or bike rental companies before you travel. I skipped the long lines while docking at the port of Naples because I had previously purchased museum tickets online. In France, I booked a private tour of Carcassonne that is not offered by cruise lines by researching options before traveling. If I had disembarked without any plan, my time in port would not have been worth so much.

Venture out Unprepared

Be sure to bring all the necessary gear or clothing you may need for the boat tour or activity. Another common mistake made by cruisers was not preparing everyday items for disembarkation. Embrace your inner mom or scout and get ready for the day off the boat.

You’ll need to check the weather forecast and bring the necessary rain gear, warmth, or sunscreen. On beach days, you may want to pack sand toys, extra sunscreen and a change of clothes for the kids. Bring a dry bag or zip-lock bag to protect your electronic devices on the water tour and carry cash to the local market. On any day of disembarkation, you’ll need a bottle of water and some packaged snacks just in case.

Not Protecting Your Belongings

Tourists all over the world are targeted by pickpockets and thieves, and if you don’t protect your belongings while exploring the harbor, you’re making a mistake.

Keep your wallet and phone in a zippered purse or backpack, preferably with internal compartments to hide valuables. Do not put them in the back pocket or in a bag that others can easily reach open their hands. Do not leave your luggage unattended and use lockers whenever possible. You can even buy pouches to carry cash, credit cards, or cell phones around your neck while swimming at the beach. When you board the cruise on the same day, you don’t need to bring all your cash, credit cards, or even passports. Bring only what you need so you don’t get too much trouble if you lose your wallet or bag.

Sleeping in

It’s tempting to get a good night’s sleep after a night of partying on board, but if you plan to sleep in during your days at sea, you’ll make better use of your cruise trip. If you disembark earlier rather than later, you can maximize your disembarkation time. After a full day in the port, drive to destinations or attractions outside of the port city. You will have time to visit several attractions in town or reach the beach before it gets too hot or crowded. You can buy ferry or train tickets before they sell out.

Also, if your boat departs early, you’ll have a full half day instead of hours to explore. Of course, if your boat plans to arrive late, go ahead and enjoy the extra long sleep.

Overdoing it

Cramming too much activity on a port day can be exhausting. It’s easy to overdo it when planning your day in a city or country you’ve never visited before. If you want to visit all the major attractions, you may be crammed with too much activity in one day, rushing from one place to another with little time to appreciate what you see, which will exhaust you and your tour group.

Accept the fact that you can’t see everything you want in one port call and instead focus your time on a few major attractions or activities. If you have children, schedule time for snacks or play. This way, you can fully enjoy what you do without feeling overwhelmed. If you like this place, hopefully you can book a land trip to visit it again.

The same applies to sporting activities in the port. If you haven’t ridden a bike in 10 years, don’t book a bike tour. If you have limited mobility, think twice to avoid a lot of walking on cobblestone streets. Know your limits and plan your day and your activities around them.

Skip the Local Delicacies

Of course, there is plenty of incidental food waiting for you on the cruise, but you wouldn’t be wrong not to try some local delicacies while you’re in port. You don’t have to book expensive meals at Michelin-starred restaurants. Even trying a local ice cream, visiting a bakery, or tasting a local beer will give you a taste of local cuisine and an insight into local life. It’s always fun to try something new, like a conch salad in the Bahamas or a tortilla sandwich in Barcelona.

Another favorite is to look for a market or grocery store near the cruise ship port. In Stockholm, I had a great day at the 7-Eleven convenience store, buying salty licorice and other foreign sweets for my family back home. In Belize, I tried all the Fanta flavors I had never seen before. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or even eat a hearty meal to taste something fresh in the port.

Stop Around the Port

First-time cruise ship people often make the mistake of not leaving the port area because they are nervous about traveling in a foreign country. There are usually many tourist attractions such as restaurants and shops just a short walk from the boat. But if you go out on an adventure, you’ll have a deeper, more authentic feel for this port city.

In some places, this means that you need to take a shuttle or taxi to the city center. At other ports, such as Civitavecchia or Livorno in Italy, you may need to book a tour outside the port city to places like Rome or Florence. Maybe you need to head to the other side of the island or the countryside for the perfect day out in port. Whether you need to book a tour or rent a car, take the opportunity to venture further afield – as long as you have enough time to stop at the port to return before boarding time.

Only Join the Tour

While it may be convenient to book a tour exclusively through your boat, it also takes time to explore independently. Another common mistake on a port day for the first time on a cruise is to book a ship tour specifically. Maybe you’re stressed about booking a trip every day, or maybe you’re nervous about exploring independently. Shore excursions are an excellent way to see the highlights of your destination, but they’re not the only way and aren’t always necessary.

At some ports, you can spend the perfect day wandering around town, getting lost in the cute alleys, shopping for souvenirs, and tasting local delicacies. Elsewhere, you can simply hail a taxi and experience a beautiful beach day. In Flåm, Norway, I skipped the boat tour and hiked to the beautiful waterfalls – no guide required. In Hilo, Hawaii, my family rented a car to explore Volcanoes National Park at their own pace instead of exploring with 40 other rangers. In these cases, my experience is enhanced by acting alone.

Never Join a Tour

On the other hand, some travelers pride themselves on never joining a tour group and always exploring independently. It’s great to take control of your port day, but it’s a mistake to never think about traveling. Sometimes, as at the ruins of Pompeii, a guide can enhance your experience of a place by providing background and colors. In other places, if you venture to a drive from the port for more than an hour, you’ll want to know that the ship will wait if you delay your return. Guides familiar with the area can handle the complex logistics of getting from one attraction to the next, or can have your group skip the ticket or entrance queues. Never say never, and be open about the best way to spend your day at the port.

You book a cruise for as much purpose as you book a cruise to visit locations. Make the most of your shore time by planning and preparing your day properly. Don’t let silly mistakes get in the way of enjoying a great day on board.