“You cannot go beyond the railing of the ship.” This was one of the reasons my wife delayed falling in love with traveling on a cruise ship. Many people consider sea days less desirable than port days. They cannot wait to get off when the ship docks in port. What now?
- Use common sense. Ever hear the expression “film noir?” This usually refers to films from the 1940’s or TV series from the 50’s that are often black and white crime dramas with many scenes taking place at night. Why is this important? Many scenes take place “at the docks” that are usually in a seedy part of town. Unless the port has a cruise terminal, you might be docked at a cargo pier in the industrial part of town! This is not where you want to be wandering around, especially at night.
- Does the ship have a shuttle? If the pier area is a distance from the city center, many cruise lines run a shuttle service for passengers choosing the self-guided option. They used to be free; some might require a booking today. If you are self-guided, get on the schedule.
- More common sense. Know the time of the last shuttle. You do not want to be left behind. This is obvious. Memorize the drop off/pickup location. Ideally tour with fellow passengers. Bring the giveaway tourist map the ship provides. Mark down the shuttle location. Bring a card or sheet from the ship listing the pier and ship name. This is useful in case you missed the shuttle and take a taxi. Do not assume everyone speaks English. The scouting motto is “Be prepared.”
- Bring cash, one credit card and proper ID along with your ship ID card. Thankfully, US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, especially where tourists are found. There are places where you need photo ID in addition to your ship ID card in order to access the secure area where the ship is docked. This was true in St. Kitts. It’s unlikely you will get robbed, but that’s why you carry only one credit card. Bring enough, not too much.
- Don’t make yourself a target. When we were in Buenos Aires, as we left the hotel and entered the first store we saw, the shopkeeper said “Take off that Rolex watch if you are going to be walking around tonight.” This might seem extreme, but why take the chance? Your phone or Apple watch tells time too. In Barcelona we saw bleary eyed tourists with ship IDs on lanyards, wandering along Las Ramblas in baggy cargo pants. Of course, we were in Starbucks drinking coffee, so we looked like tourists too. Don’t make it so easy for pickpockets.
- Know where you are having lunch? Have you been to Venice? The last time we visited, the main streets were lined with obviously touristy restaurants. They know most tourists will never pass this way again, so the food and service don’t need to be great. There are plenty of ways you can research restaurants in advance and make a reservation at a really good one.
- What makes this place famous? The ship docks here for a reason. They might produce great wines in the area. The fish might be fresh. Maybe the pottery is unique. Check out what makes the place famous. Suppose you were telling a friend about visiting New York City. You might tell them about Tiffany, going to a Broadway show, getting a hot dog from a street vendor and riding the subway. Use the same logic for each port you visit.
- Take the easy option. Book a shore excursion. We took a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean in 2024. If we did that again, I would do it differently. We opted for a self-guided tour in Barbados because a friend with local connections told us about a great restaurant on the other side of the island. We took a taxi there and back. I went ashore on my own in Saint Kitts and Saint Lucia. I know there are beautiful parts of each island, but they were not where the ship docked. Booking a shore excursion would have made so much sense! I took a tram tour in Dominica that was fabulous! When I got back to the ship I recommended it to friends and they took the next one. Let someone else handle all the logistics.
Port visits can be the highlight of your trip. The amount of preparation you put in beforehand (or the cash you spend on a tour) determines how much of a good time you will have!
Editor’s Notes:
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Cover photo: Queen Victoria at Bermuda, credit Bryce Sanders
