5 reason to stay onboard when your cruise is in port
Do you really need to rush for the gangway as soon as your ship pulls into the dock? Because there are quite a few good reasons for staying onboard.
1. No crowds
When (almost) everyone else gets off the ship that means there’s plenty of extra space for those who stay onboard. It can be a great opportunity to get a sun lounge right by the pool, try out some of the activities that usually have huge lines, or even just enjoy perusing the buffet without being surrounded by too many other hungry passengers. You’ll get quick service in the bar, never have to wait for an elevator and be at the front of the queue for guest services.
2. Special deals
Because they know most passengers will be on shore, the spa, bars and some specialty restaurants will offer great deals to entice more customers. You could save hundreds of dollars on a spa package and often there will be special treatments on offer that aren’t available on other days. Look out for two for one drink deals in the bars or special discounts on cocktails. It can also be a good time to try one of the specialty restaurants that’s always fully booked – and you might even get a discount or a free bottle of wine.
3. Explore the ship
Most passengers tend to find an area they like on the ship and stick to it. They have a favourite bar, sunny spot on deck or coffee lounge. And when the ship is full it can be daunting to explore any further – you might not find another empty seat. So when everyone else is on shore, head off around the ship. Go up to the very top decks, watch the wake from the stern or see what happens down on the lower decks. There are plenty of hidden spaces to be discovered – and you just might find a new favourite.
4. Take photographs
It can be almost impossible to get a good photo of you or your family onboard without hundreds of other happy cruisers in the background. On port days, you’ll be able to set up in front of the most picturesque parts of the ship and snap away. You also won’t be pursued by the (often annoying) ship photographers trying to take official photos for you to purchase later.
5. Relax!
On port-intensive cruises, where you’re stopping at a new destination almost every day, you can quickly become worn out. Exploring new cities is fantastic, but sometimes it’s nice to have a day where you can sit back and do nothing at all. Instead of getting up early to make it to the first tenders, sleep in. Watch a movie, order room service and have a swim. Remember – you’re on holidays.
Do you think you should stay onboard when your cruise is in port, or should you venture ashore? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Related links:
5 reasons not to stay onboard when in port
8 reasons to bring duct tape on your next cruise
Why more and more people are retiring on a cruise