Don’t Make These BIG Port Day MISTAKES on Your Next Cruise

I’m absolutely sold on one thing: taking a cruise is among the best ways to see this world, or at least the coastal areas of it! Cruising allows you to see multiple countries in a relatively short period of time, but there are so many things that you can get wrong that will affect your entire experience. Some of them could put you off cruises altogether, so let’s make sure that doesn’t happen…!

I often share my tips with you for what you should (and shouldn’t!) do onboard cruise ships, but I spend less time talking about the mistakes that you can make on port days. Making some of these can really negatively impact the whole cruise experience!

In this article, I’m going to share with you some of the big mistakes that you can make on port days, in the hope that you won’t make them on your future cruises! Getting these things right - or not getting them wrong, at least - will hopefully help you to get so much more out of your trip!

If you do find this post useful (I really hope that you will!), then please support my content by coming across to my YouTube channel and watching some of my videos. You can find me by searching ‘Fraser at Sea’, or you can click here to go there now.

So, let’s talk about the mistakes that you can make while your cruise ship is docked in a port.

There are so many mistakes to be made on a port day. After reading this article, you won’t make any of them!

Mistake 1 - Not finding out if it’s a ‘Docking Port’ or a ‘Tender Port’ in advance!

When you cruise, there are two types of port. First, you’ve got a ‘docking port’, where the ship is met with a physical dock. This allows the crew of the ship to simply attach a gangway to the shore, and then passengers are able to easily walk ashore with ease. The other is a ‘tender port’, which is an entirely different situation.

Tender ports exist where cruise ships call but the ship isn’t able to get close to the land, or where there aren’t physical docks at a location. There can be a number of reasons for this.

In the example of Santorini (Greece), cruise ships aren’t able to dock there due to the fact that they don’t have any cruise docks. Instead, the ship will run a tender operation to get passengers ashore. Another example would be Grand Cayman - due to the delicate reef systems that are around the island, the cruise ships aren’t able to dock, and instead need to operate tenders ashore.

There are also some ports out there that can be both - some ports will offer one or two cruise docks, with further ships being accommodated through a tender process. You’ll often find that the hugely popular ports of call take this approach, as it allows them to get more cruise ships in each day, and doesn’t restrict them to just their docking capacity.

Planning to cruise to Santorini? There aren’t any physical cruise docks here, so it’s what’s known as a ‘tender port’ for cruisers.

Grand Cayman is another example of a ‘tender port’, but for very different reasons!

So, what does this mean from a passenger point of view, and why do you need to know about this in advance?

If a cruise ship is visiting a port that requires a tender operation, it will use small boats to essentially ferry passengers from the ship to the shore. This will sometimes mean that lifeboats will be deployed for this purpose, while other times it will be a local company that will be contracted to fulfil this task on behalf of the cruise line.

This makes the process of going ashore more complex from a passenger point of view, so it’s important that you understand what it entails before the day itself, in order to avoid getting caught out with anything.

The main reason that you need to find out about this in advance is that each cruise line manages a tender process differently. Some will offer guests the ability to ‘book a slot’ for a tender boat, while others will operate with more of a ‘first come, first served’ approach. I’ve been on cruise ships in the past that have incredibly slick tender operations where every guest books a ticket a few days before the ship arrives at the port, and then joins the line at the correct time. I’ve also been on other ships where the process just doesn’t work and passengers don’t know what to do, resulting in long lines and lots of frustration onboard from both passengers and crew!

Find out as soon as possible if tender bookings will be possible on your cruise, and then book your preferred time slot as soon as you can - it’ll surprise you how quickly the slots fill up! There’s nothing more frustrating than forgetting to do this, and then being unable to go ashore for a few hours as there’s no tender availability!

Cruise ships can sometimes use local companies to essentially ferry their passengers ashore.

Mistake 2 - Not waking up early to watch the ship arriving into port!

This one’s so easy to get wrong. You’ve stayed up late on the ship, and you’re tired. That calls for a long-lie, right? Wrong!

For some cruise ports, the sail in won’t be overly spectacular, largely due to the fact that the cruise port will be right on the coast, potentially quite far out of town. However, for others, you’re going to find the ship transiting through some absolutely incredible scenery before you reach the port, so be sure to do your research to understand if the views will be worth waking up for.

It’s not just scenery that you’re getting up early for. Some ports are really interesting and useful to see from the ship as you sail in because you’ll be able to plan your day from the comfort of the ship. For example, there are lots of European ports where you’ll sail past the town or city before docking, allowing you to see some of the main attractions, and also allowing you to decide if you want to walk the distance to the cruise port or not. If you’re not watching the arrival of the ship, you might be a little ‘clueless’ when it comes to leaving the ship!

This is where booking a balcony cabin can be a huge ‘win’. While you’re getting ready in the morning, you’re able to keep an eye outside at what you’re passing by. That said, you’re very dependent on the port being on your side of the ship, otherwise you might plan things very wrong when the ship turns around before docking…!

An example I’d give you of a port with absolutely unforgettable views is Kotor, Montenegro. If you find yourself on a cruise that’s calling at Kotor, please take this as your instruction to wake up early and head out on deck - you won’t regret it at all. Arriving into Kotor offers scenery similar to the likes of Norway or Alaska, but much warmer.

It’s honestly unbelievable - here’s a few shots from our arrival on Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady to whet your appetite…

Here’s the morning views from onboard Resilient Lady as we sailed into Kotor, Montenegro. Incredible, right?!

More Kotor views - is this putting you in the mood to set your alarm clock?!

Mistake 3 - Not eating breakfast early on a port day.

When you cruise, it’s often important to spend some time planning your day, in order to avoid using the busiest parts of the ship during their peak windows. The best example I can offer you here when it comes to a port day is the onboard buffet, or the Main Dining Room.

Both of these options will be incredibly busy on a day when the ship’s docked in port, as everyone’s keen to get off the ship and explore. Some of these people will be heading off on cruise line excursions, which means that they need to meet at a specific time, while others will have a plan in their mind of what independent exploration they’d like to do today.

The period of breakfast on a cruise ship during a port day can be a hectic one, as everyone has somewhere to be: ashore. After all, most people don’t take a cruise to stay on the ship the entire time!

My best advice to avoid getting caught with the crowds is to get to breakfast early. Yes, you’ll sacrifice a little sleep time, but you’ll cash in on having a much more relaxed and enjoyable breakfast experience - who really wants to stand in a line 8 people deep to get their eggs from the buffet station? Certainly not me…

Lots of people assume that this sort of thing is only important on the much larger cruise ships, but it applies to every single cruise ship out there. Think about it - the larger ships will have more people onboard, but they’ll have much larger buffet restaurants to accommodate the crowds. On smaller ships, the density will usually be about the same - less people, but in a smaller space.

I usually opt to enjoy my breakfast at the buffet on a port day, as it allows me to grab what I want, and then keep moving. I’m not sitting at a table waiting for breakfast to be served. That said, since I spoke about this topic in a recent YouTube video, I’ve received lots of comments from people explaining that they prefer to do the opposite, in order to have a more relaxing start to the day. In short, I guess this aspect is entirely up to you, and your own personal preference!

You can dine at either the buffet restaurant or one of the Main Dining Rooms during a port day.

I usually opt to eat at the buffet, which allows me to grab what I want and then keep moving!

Mistake 4 - Not planning for the weather!

I meet so many people on ships who just don’t plan for the weather. They can often forget really simple things: sun protection, a bottle for their drinking water or even a hat to protect them from the direct sun.

I’ve also been on warm weather cruises where people seem to have packed for the cold, and cold weather cruises where people are left freezing because they didn’t realise it was going to be so cold when they were on their trip.

Both of these things are so easy to avoid getting wrong - there is so much technology out there today that will predict upcoming weather conditions for you, and it’s usually pretty accurate. I just use the weather app on my phone to give me a rough idea, and then I go prepared for what it’s telling me.

The huge callout I would make here is RAIN. Remember - you can be experiencing a hot day in the Caribbean and then suddenly (out of nowhere) a tropical rainstorm can start. Okay, they’re usually over pretty quickly across most of the year, but trust me when I say that you’ll be soaked to the bone if you get caught out! All you need to do to protect against this is pack a light jacket, or even a poncho - it’ll be cheaper to bring one with you than it will be to buy one from a local shop when it starts raining.

So yes, check the weather before your cruise, and pack accordingly!

Mistake 5 - Not taking CASH off the ship on a port day!

Throughout your time onboard your cruise ship, you’ll be charging everything to your onboard account, usually by simply swiping your cabin key at the bars, shops and other venues. Occasionally, you’ll just tell the crew member your cabin number, and they’ll be able to charge whatever you’re buying to your account.

This changes when your cruise ship docks and you go ashore. On the ship, you can continue to bill everything to your onboard account (cruise ships are generally cash-less environments), but obviously this can’t be done when you’re ‘on land’.

I’ve been baffled in the past watching my fellow cruise passengers trying to bill purchases in local shops to their ship cards, and then complaining heavily when they’re told that they’re not able to do that.

In short - on the ship, you won’t need cash, but you probably will when you go ashore! If not cash, then a payment card, at least. On this point, it’s worth highlighting that not everywhere will be in a position to accept card payments. I’ve cruised to places in the past that don’t generally accept card payments, and I’ve had to go to an ATM to lift cash to purchase what I was planning to buy.

My final point here is to avoid carrying large sums of cash off of the ship with you. This is a really basic safety point - in today’s world, there’s not really a need for most people to be carrying large sums of physical cash around with them. Always remember - you’re better safe than sorry!

Planning to do some shopping while you’re in port? You’ll probably want to carry some cash!

In some parts of the world, cash is preferred, and card payments might be difficult to make to local traders!

Mistake 6 - Wearing expensive jewellery off of the ship while you’re in port!

We’re staying on the topic of safety here - do you really need to be wearing those diamonds, those pearls or that family heirloom ashore while the ship’s docked in port? Doing so can sometimes make you a target for thieves and opportunists, so I always say that this stuff is much safer left onboard in your cabin.

Most cruise ship cabins will come equipped with a safe that you’re able to use throughout your cruise, so this is a no-brainer for me. I generally don’t travel with expensive jewellery, but if I did then I know where I’d be putting it!

There’s no issue with taking this sort of stuff on a cruise - you’ll probably want to wear it to feel good on the formal evenings of your cruise, but there’s no need for you to be wearing it ashore!

Mistake 7 - Not properly planning your day ashore!

Cruise ports can be interesting places. Sometimes, your ship will dock in a small town where a walking tour will ‘tick off’ the main sights, allowing you to have a relaxing day while staying local to the ship. Other times, you’ll dock close to a huge city, which you’ll never be able to see all of during the short time that your cruise ship is docked there.

It’s for this reason that it’s absolutely imperative that you do your research before you get onto your cruise, to allow you to get the most out of your port days. Doing simple things like researching what you’d like to see in port, or even just how to get from where your ship’s going to be into the city centre, can save you a tonne of time on the day itself.

The best part? It’s SO EASY to do this research! If you’re a fan of YouTube, it really is worth it’s weight in gold when it comes to cruise port research. There are YouTube content creators all around the world who are constantly uploading content that shows you what to do and see in a city in a short time period. Some of these are even looking at it through the very specific lens of a cruise.

Personally, I’ve now uploaded countless city experiences to my channel, which will hopefully be of use to some of you. Below, you’ll find a video linked that shows you how varied a day you can have while you visit Barcelona in Spain. On my channel, you’ll find so many more examples of videos just like this one!

Cruise ports will often be local to HUGE cities. Do your research before you arrive - it’ll save you lots of time!

Mistake 8 - Not buying an eSIM for your phone!

For me, one of the most annoying aspects of international travel is not having a phone contract that allows me to continue browsing and uploading while I’m on the move abroad.

I find this frustrating for many reasons, but to be honest the main reason is that I can’t use Google to find recommendations of where to go/what to do, and I also can’t use the live maps functionality on my device to find my way around. This means that I’m constantly having to jump between coffee shops and cafes to connect to WiFi networks, rather than grabbing a coffee and continuing on to my next sight or attraction!

I discovered eSIMs a few years ago, and now they’re among my ‘must haves’ whenever I travel. I’ve actually written an article on this website specifically on eSIMs - if you’d like to check that out, and get more information on my provider, just click here!

Mistake 9 - Not trying the local food and drink!

If you’re travelling by cruise ship, there’s going to be an abundance of food included in your cruise fare. If you’ve purchased a drinks package, then you might even have an unlimited ‘open bar’ onboard the ship. In both of these scenarios, you might be reluctant to purchase food and/or drinks while you’re ashore, as you’ve already paid to have it onboard.

Instead, you leave the ship earlier in the morning in order to see as much as you can before lunchtime. You’ll then come back to the ship to eat onboard, which means you won’t need to pay for a meal on land.

My challenge to you here is to shift that mindset a little. Yes, the food on the ship is included in the price you’ve already paid, but look at the difference in the experience when you choose to try a local cafe or restaurant for a meal during your cruise. Don’t worry - I’m not recommending that you ‘eat out’ every single day of the cruise, but purchasing a coffee with a local snack, or going for a light lunch at some point during your cruise, is sometimes all you need to get a flavour for the local cuisine.

Wherever you’re cruising in the world, you’re going to find local delicacies, and some of them are tastier than others in my experience… If you’re cruising in Europe or the Caribbean, you can look forward to some real treats - I absolutely adore the food in both of these regions!

I’d always recommend finding the main tourist thoroughfare, and then generally avoiding it if you’re looking to try something truly authentic. You’ll often find that lots of the options on these famous and busy streets will be largely considered ‘tourist traps’, and you’ll find much better options a few blocks away!

Going back to an earlier point, if you are keen to try some local food and drinks while you’re ashore, it’s often a good idea to carry some cash. The smaller family-run options often prefer cash, or simply don’t accept card, so always take some with you. If you choose to not carry cash, just check with the waiting staff before you place your order if you’re able to pay with a card in order to prevent any uncomfortable situations arising when you’re presented with your bill at the end!

The best food places will rarely be on the main thoroughfare - you’ll want to explore the city a little deeper…

A mission for you: why not try to find the best ice cream, or gelato, on your next cruise?!

If you ever visit Spain, my biggest recommendation is to find the best ‘Patatas Bravas’ - it’s my favourite!

Wondering how to find what foods are famous for the areas that you’re cruising to? It’s super easy to find this out - just head to Google, and do some searching!

Mistake 10 - Not getting back to your cruise ship on time!

If you’re new to the world of cruising, then this one might be news to you. Cruise ships run on very tight time schedules, which often doesn’t allow them the luxury of waiting for late-comers to return after their day ashore.

If a cruise ship stays in port for longer than it’s intended to, it’s often then required to have to travel faster to reach the next port of call on time, potentially affecting the onboard experience and also burning more fuel. Cruise lines can also often be charged high rates to keep their ships in port for longer than planned, especially unexpectedly. Cruise lines will therefore do everything within their powers to reduce the chances of this, for obvious reasons.

I’ve been on countless cruises where we’ve cast off from the dock, and then the late passenger(s) have arrived, only to be met by thousands of their fellow passengers waving at them as the ship leaves without them. It’s then their responsibility to get to the next port of call to meet the ship - ouch!

If you book onto an official cruise line excursion that subsequently runs late for whatever reason, the cruise ship will wait for you. If you opt to explore independently, then it’s a risk that you agree to take as soon as you leave the ship.

Here’s a few quick tips that might just help you to not miss your ship on your next cruise…

1) Take an analogue watch with you. That way, if your device changes timezone automatically, or if your battery dies, you can still tell the time on your watch.

2) Make a note of the ‘all aboard’ time before you leave the ship. This is the time that you MUST be back onboard the ship by - no later!

3) Set an alarm on your mobile phone or device. Setting an alarm for an hour or so prior to the ‘all aboard’ time will sometimes be a good way to remind you that you need to get back to the ship. If you’re in a busy city, it can often be really easy to forget about the time!

In short, get back to the ship on time, because it’s probably not going to wait for you, and that’ll be an expensive mistake to make!

If you do head ashore while the ship is docked, then be sure to get back on time!

Mistake 11 - Not sharing your travel plans when you’re cruising solo!

To be honest, this one applies to both solo cruising and solo travel in general. It’s always a good idea to share your rough plan for the day with someone when you’re on your own, whether that be someone at home or someone else on the ship.

I used to call my parents and fill them in on what I was planning to do that day, but then I started to cruise to parts of the world with more awkward time differences, so I came up with an alternative approach which works really well for me!

Before I leave my cabin, I make a note of my rough movements that day - where am I going, what am I hoping to see, and what time am I planning to return to the ship? That way, if something were to go wrong at some point, my cabin attendant would see my note with my plan! I also share my location with some of my family back home, so they would be able to find me in a ‘worst case scenario’ if I still had my phone with me!

I often use a magnetic hook to stick my plan to the wall of my cabin - that way, it won’t get mixed up with all of the other bits of paper that I’ve accumulated throughout the cruise. I’m sure that various cabin attendants have probably seen these notes and questioned my sanity at times, but it’s a great back up, just incase something were to happen.

Thankfully, I’ve never needed to rely on this tact, but as I said earlier… You’re better safe than sorry!

Mistake 12 - Not checking what form of ID you need to take ashore with you!

When you cruise, you’re probably going to be travelling across multiple different countries. This can result in different regulations and laws regarding forms of ID.

Some cruise ports don’t require you to take ID ashore with you, and they consider your cruise card enough, as your photo will then be checked by the onboard security teams when you scan that at the gangway. This isn’t the case everywhere, however!

Some ports will require you to take a photo ID off of the ship with you, and some will even require you to carry your passport at all times. I recently took a cruise to Morocco, and passports were required at multiple of our ports of call. On this cruise, they were checked both when leaving and returning to the ship, but I’ve seen it in the past where they’ve only been checked when returning. In that scenario, it’s easy for cruise passengers to go ashore, and then realise they need their passport to get back onboard - d’oh!

This then creates a troublesome task for the security teams, as they’ll usually need to have your passport retrieved from your cabin - this is the last thing you need when you’re just trying to get back onboard your ship to relax after a busy day in port!

So, how do you know what you need to take ashore with you? Well, your cruise line will tell you! I’ve seen it advertised in daily schedules (the document that tells you what’s on around the ship each day), and I’ve also seen it advertised on digital screens around the ship (see the photo below). You’ll also usually find that your Cruise Director will send a ship-wide announcement out once the ship docks in the morning, and they’ll cover things like taking ID ashore.

Look at the bottom of the screen - this is how I knew that I’d need to carry my passport with me when going ashore!

Mistake 13 - Not watching the cruise ship sail out of port at the end of the day!

For me, one of the best parts of a port day is relaxing out on deck and watching the ship leave the port. You’ll get a totally different perspective on the place that you’ve been exploring all day, and sometimes even a stunning sunset, too!

I always really enjoy standing out on deck trying to spot the places that I spent time during the day - try to look for the landmarks that you visited - isn’t it amazing to see them from a totally new perspective?!

Watching your cruise ship leave the port at the end of the day will offer you a really unique perspective.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll maybe even be treated to an unforgettable sunset!

So that’s some of the big mistakes that you could make during a port day on a cruise. I really hope you’ve enjoyed this article. If you have, remember to come and find me on YouTube - just search ‘Fraser at Sea’! If you’d like to join me for lots more of my cruise tips, then click here for more of my posts on this website!

Happy cruising!