Smart Cruisers ALWAYS Get Off The Ship in THESE Ports. Here’s Why

(Don’t Stay on the Ship Here!) Smart Cruisers ALWAYS Get Off The Ship in THESE Ports. Here’s Why

In a very popular video, I spoke about the reasons why smart cruisers are staying on board the ship on port days more than ever these days. It sparked lots of arguments and discussion, which got me asking if maybe I was wrong about not getting off the ship on port days.

Welcome aboard I’m Gary Bembridge, and after questioning if this could lead to the biggest cruising regret you and I could ever have, here’s what I discovered.

Been Before

Many cruisers I meet tell me a main reason they don’t get off in a port is they’ve been before or are due to come back on another cruise and they’ll explore it then.

However, what they don’t consider is it could be their last chance to ever explore that port.

As we have seen in recent years, in an increasingly volatile world, amazing ports can quickly become off-limits due to unrest and wars.

For example, wars meant the incredible port of St. Petersburg, and others around Israel and the Middle East, Red Sea and Suez Canal area disappeared off cruise itineraries abruptly. While Haiti in the Caribbean has due to gang warfare.

Natural disasters can make ports suddenly unvisitable too. In a recent Alaska season a landslide in Skagway stopped some ships calling there. Recently, earthquakes stopped ships calling into Santorini.

Also increasingly, with signs it may grow, is more countries, islands, and port cities are placing bans and restrictions on cruise ship visits.

These include the much-publicized Venice changes, total bans by various popular ports in Canada, limits on how many and which types of ships can go to Santorini, Mykonos and other Greek Islands, while Palma, Ibiza, and mayors in cities like Nice and Barcelona are pushing for more bans and restrictions.

So that port you don’t get off in may not be able to be visited again.

Also, even if you’ve been to a port before, things are always changing. There are new museums, attractions, sights, restaurants, and seasonal activities like festivals, markets, or events unique to the day of that call you will miss out on even if you have been there before.

And, of course, there may be a weather issue stopping a call, like happened to friends as I made this where due to Hurricane Erin they missed four Caribbean ports on their Island Princess cruise out of New York.

Life events may even get in the way, like your ability to travel, unplanned family changes and so on.

Before staying on board consider that you may never return to this port again in your lifetime. And ask if you will regret it if that is the case.

Ship Is Quiet

Another reason many like staying on board is the ship is quiet, and they have the venues to themselves.

However great that is, it can be argued that the experiences on board can never match the potential of those in a port.

Things I treasure like standing in front of the Coliseum, walking around the Leaning Tower of Pisa, soaring through a rainforest on an aerial tram in Costa Rica, snorkelling among fish, sharks and stingrays in Bora Bora, and cruising through the blue seas in the Caribbean on a catamaran and snorkelling.

Those are the things I personally remember and talk about after those trips, not that I was able to get a lounger by the pool or got to have a go on the Flowrider without a line on the days I stayed on board.

Also, ports have local shops and markets with authentic crafts, souvenirs, and unique products that the ship shops do not offer.

For example, in the Caribbean I always hunt for local vanilla essence in the markets, which beats anything I can buy anywhere else.

While cruise ships offer much, and some are floating resorts, ports make the unique irreplaceable experiences that we all will remember and talk about. Don’t regret missing out on them.

Save Money

Another argument for staying on board is saving money by not having to pay for excursions and food, drinks or activities in port.

However, consider that many travel memories are actually priceless.

Years later, you’re not going to remember and treasure that you saved $50 on a spa treatment, got a lower priced specialty restaurant meal, or squeezed more value from your Drinks Package by staying on board.

But you will remember, like I do, despite the cost of flying onto a glaciers near Juneau to go dog sledding, riding on the historic White Pass & Yukon Railway in Skagway, eating genuine Italian pizza in the heart of Florence, cycling through pineapple groves and up a massive hill in eBikes in Moorea, or soaring up the cable car in Olden to look down the Fjords.

But I think there are some important side effects of spending in ports to consider.

If we get off in a port and spend, we’re helping local businesses and communities, many where cruise tourism is essential to the livelihood of craftsmen, shop and stall owners, tour guides, drivers, restaurants, bars, and beach vendors.

Getting off the ship and spending in ports may also ensure ships can keep calling there. Why?

I mentioned earlier about how an increasing number of ports want to restrict cruise ships driven by local politicians. But I’ve seen those proposed bans cut back or even scrapped due to pressure by those that rely on our spending in ports.

For example, in Juneau Alaska it was lobbying and pressure by local businesses and people relying on our spend that led to the scrapping of the proposed severe restrictions on size and number of ships calling.

The same pressure that forced the Mayor of Nice to scrap plans to restrict cruise ships.

So, by getting off in port and supporting local business and people we can hopefully ensure that they keeping making the case that cruise ships should keep coming when politicians try to restrict and ban us.

Avoid The Crowds

Another reason some have for staying on board is many ports are so busy these days, and they want to avoid battling the crowds there.

However, the ports, no matter how busy they are, can still create the most incredible experiences and having to deal with crowds is a small price to pay for seeing.

For example, on a recent Japanese cruise, despite the reputation for big crowds, I decided to get off the ship and go on an excursion to Kyoto and see the Golden Pavilion. There were crowds, but I don’t remember that. I just remember the beauty and magnificence of that place.

I also remember the less exotic things too. Like enjoying the glorious beach and the Mexican lunch while in Cabo San Lucas despite it being busy.

The memory of these sights and experiences outweighs anything I have ever done on a quiet ship while in port.

And of course, a well-chosen excursion can sometimes help dodge the crowds too.

Ship Is A Destination

Another reason cruisers tell me they prefer to stay on board rather than get off in a port, especially when on a mega resort-style ship, is they see the ship itself as the destination. There’s so much to do on those ships they argue.

I agree many cruise ships like that are amazing. But all the venues and attractions are still all there in the evenings and on sea days.

While ports are often fleeting experiences. We visit them for a few hours and then leave. Once the ship sails, the opportunity to experience them is gone.

Getting off in a port is probably better for our body and minds too.

Going ashore will have more experiences, introduce us to new cultures, foods, meet locals, and as it often involves walking, swimming, snorkelling or cycling it’s healthier too. Even if just helping work off some of those added indulgence calories!

All that is likely to beat a day on board.

I think it is worth considering if that possibly once in a lifetime experience in port is worth trading for something that you can do on your cruise ship in the evening or sea day.

The ship itself is a wonderful destination, but the ports and experience in them are what makes each cruise unique.

When you get home, you’re not going to think about, or talk about, that great nap or quiet time around the pool, you’re going to talk about those incredible port experiences.