Cruise ships usually visit several ports during their itinerary. Are they all beautiful and worth visiting?
Well, I would say it depends. Some passengers like to get off at all the ports of call, while others also like to stay on the ships to enjoy all the amenities these floating cities offer.
If you are not an experienced cruiser, it might be difficult to know whether it is worth getting off or not. In this article, we will take a look at the ports that passengers usually don’t like, and where you may decide to stay on board.
Industrial Ports
Some ports are primarily industrial, which means they don’t have much appeal for tourists right near the dock.
These ports often require long shuttle or taxi rides just to reach anything interesting.
If you want to get off the ship, I would advise booking an excursion in advance.
Some examples of these ports are Laem Chabang in Thailand, which is the main port for Bangkok, but it’s around 90 minutes away from the city.
And also Le Havre in France, which is a common port for visiting Paris, but it’s over two hours away from the capital.
Overcrowded Popular Stops
Some cruise ports can become really crowded, especially if the city is small and many cruise ships are docked.
As you can imagine, the experience is much less pleasant when there are many people. There will be long lines for attractions, packed beaches, busy marketplaces, and fully booked experiences and restaurants.
Ports that can become very crowded include Cozumel in Mexico, Nassau in the Bahamas, and Santorini in Greece.
Tender Ports
Speaking about Santorini, many passengers hate tender ports and often stay on board during these stops.
Tender ports are basically ports of call where the ship can’t dock at the pier and has to anchor offshore.
Passengers then use boats to reach land, but it is sometimes a long process and not recommended for people with mobility impairments.
You can find the full list of tender ports here.
Unsafe Areas
Unfortunately, some ports may have safety concerns, for example, a high level of petty crime, aggressive salespeople, or frequent tourist scams.
The first time I would recommend is to check the 7 most common cruise scams, if you know them you will also be able to avoid them.
Other passengers prefer to stay on board because it’s a safer and more relaxing option.
Some of these ports include Sihanoukville in Cambodia, Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, and Kingston in Jamaica. However, consider that all the tourist-heavy areas are usually targeted by pickpockets.
Never bring to much cash with you, read the article on the right amount of cash to bring on a cruise.
You’ve Been There Before
If you’re a seasoned cruiser who has already visited a port multiple times, the lure of exploring may no longer be as strong.
If you’ve already seen the highlights, staying aboard lets you take advantage of quieter ship amenities such as pools, spas, and waterslides.
Common repeat stops on many itineraries include Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, and Cozumel.
Have you been there yet? If you haven’t, check the 10 things you can’t miss in Cozumel.
Weather Woes
Unfortunately, the weather on a cruise is not always good, and you may encounter rainy, windy, or very hot days.
In this case, it may be not recommended to get off the ship, especially if the visit involves walking for a long time.
A dip in the ship’s indoor pool or a quiet afternoon at the spa could be much more enjoyable than braving bad weather.
Some ports you need to pay attention to are Tromsø (in Norway), where unpredictable and extreme weather is quite frequent, and Ketchikan (in Alaska), one of the rainiest cities in the United States.
One thing you can do is to be prepared. Bring everything you need by checking the list of things passengers most often forget to bring on a cruise.
