A cruise itinerary can make every port feel like an appointment. The ship arrives, people head ashore, and you start wondering whether you should be joining them.
But you have a choice. You can explore, stay onboard, or divide the day between the two. The best choice depends on what you want from that particular stop and how you feel that morning.
I’m Doug, and at 55, I’m interested in enjoying my travels at a pace that suits me. During a recent Norwegian Getaway cruise, I spent a port morning onboard. I enjoyed fewer crowds and quieter corners of the ship, and I didn’t feel I had missed anything by choosing that time for myself.
That experience got me thinking about a question that applies to any cruise itinerary: when does staying onboard make sense?
You don’t have to get off at every port
Ports are a big part of cruising, but so is the ship. You’ve chosen a vacation that offers both.
If there’s somewhere you’re excited to explore, go enjoy it. If a particular stop doesn’t interest you, you don’t need to invent a reason to go ashore simply because everyone else is leaving.
The useful question is: what would make today enjoyable for me?
Four reasons to consider staying onboard
The weather doesn’t suit your plans
A beach day, a walking tour, and a museum visit all depend on the weather in different ways. Rain might change your enthusiasm for one without affecting another.
Look at the conditions and the activity you had in mind. If going ashore would turn the day into something you’d rather endure than enjoy, consider changing your plans. Staying aboard doesn’t guarantee outdoor facilities will be usable in bad weather, either, so think about indoor options.
If you’ve booked an excursion, check its cancellation terms before deciding to skip it. Choosing to stay onboard doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive a refund.
You’ve already visited the port
Returning to a destination can be wonderful. There might be a favourite place you want to revisit or something you missed last time.
But familiarity can also make the decision easier. If you’ve seen what you wanted to see and nothing new appeals to you, this could be a good opportunity to enjoy the ship.
There’s something onboard you want to do
Perhaps an activity on the daily schedule interests you, or you’d like time to use a particular facility. Check that it’s available during the port call before building your day around it.
Norwegian’s app lets guests view planned activities onboard, and its Freestyle Daily lists activities and special events.1 Other cruise lines have their own planners. Use the schedule for your sailing rather than assuming a port day will have the same programme as a sea day.
You want a break during a busy itinerary
Five ports in seven days sounds exciting. It can also mean several mornings in a row of getting ready, heading out, walking around, and watching the clock.
If you enjoy that pace, there’s no need to change it. If you start feeling tired, a quieter day can help you enjoy the remaining stops more. You don’t have to wait until you’re exhausted to make room for rest.
What a quieter ship can offer
The part I appreciated was having more breathing room. There were fewer crowds and quieter corners where I could enjoy being onboard.
That’s a personal observation from my sailing, rather than a promise that every ship empties out in every port. The number of people who stay aboard will vary, and bad weather might persuade more guests to make the same choice.
Think about how you’d like to use the time: a relaxed meal, a book, a quiet seat, or simply a morning without much of a plan. A ship day doesn’t need a packed schedule to feel worthwhile.
Check what’s available before you decide
Staying onboard can be a perfectly enjoyable option, but check the details that matter to you:
- Which restaurants are serving breakfast and lunch, and at what times?
- Are the pool, gym, or other facilities you want to use available?
- Is the activity you’re interested in actually scheduled that day?
- Does anything you’re planning require a reservation or an extra charge?
For example, Disney Cruise Line says pools and some restaurants remain open in port and lists fitness and spa options for adults.2 That describes Disney’s offering; your own ship’s schedule is the place to confirm your plans.
If information isn’t clear, ask the crew before committing to an activity or meal you’re counting on.
When going ashore is the better choice
Consider what you’d be giving up. Is this a destination you’ve wanted to visit for years? Is there a particular experience you’re excited about? Would you be disappointed later if you never stepped off the ship?
Those are good reasons to go ashore, even if the quieter ship sounds appealing.
On the other hand, if your only reason for going is that you feel you should, take a moment to reconsider. You can appreciate the opportunity to visit somewhere without wanting to explore every stop.
It doesn’t have to be an all-day decision
You don’t have to choose between a full day ashore and a full day onboard.
You could enjoy a relaxed morning on the ship and head out later. Or go ashore for a short visit, then return for lunch and a quiet afternoon.
Whether that works depends on the length of the port call, how you get ashore, and how far you want to travel. A nearby walk is a different commitment from an excursion an hour away.
Before leaving, confirm the ship’s announced all-aboard time and the time reference the crew is using. Plan your return around that deadline, leaving room for transport delays and the boarding process. A late start ashore only makes sense if you still have enough time to enjoy it comfortably.
Look at your whole itinerary
Before your cruise, identify the ports you’re most excited about. Then consider which stops could be lighter days.
You don’t have to lock yourself into that plan. Weather, your energy, and what you discover onboard can change your mind. The point is to leave yourself some flexibility instead of treating every day as a full-day outing.
One person might want a major excursion at every stop. Another might prefer two big outings, a few short walks, and time to enjoy the ship. Both can have a good vacation.
How to make your choice
Ask yourself:
- Is there something ashore I genuinely want to see or do?
- Have I already visited, and is there a reason I want to return?
- Do the weather and my energy suit the plans I’m considering?
- Is the onboard experience I want available today?
- Would dividing the day give me the best of both?
For me, that quieter morning onboard was enjoyable. I didn’t feel I was missing out, and I liked having fewer crowds around me.
Your answer might be different at the next port. Give yourself permission to choose each day on its own merits.
Have you ever stayed onboard during a port call—or split the day between the ship and shore? What influenced your decision?
Watch my morning onboard
A few things I bring on a cruise
Whether I’m spending time onboard or heading out for a short visit ashore, these are a few items I use on my cruises.
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Osprey Daylite Sling: The sling bag I use on my travels.
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: The earbuds I bring with me.
- Oakley Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses: The sunglasses I own and use.
- Glasses cleaning kit: I bought this exact kit in Miami the day before my cruise.
Support The Second Half
If you enjoy my videos and articles and would like to support what I’m creating, you can buy me a coffee. Thanks for being part of The Second Half.
Sources
1 Norwegian Cruise Line, Prepare for Your Cruise: https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/cruise-preparation
2 Disney Cruise Line, Remaining Onboard in Port: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/en/faq/ships-cruises/stay-on-ship-in-port/