Port days are the highlight of most cruises. A little preparation keeps them that way.
Check the Advisories Before You Book
The U.S. State Department publishes a travel advisory for every country, using four levels from “exercise normal precautions” to “do not travel.” Advisories often apply to specific regions rather than a whole country, and a cruise port may sit in an area with very different conditions from the one mentioned in the headline. Read the full text on the U.S. State Department travel advisories page for each country on your itinerary, both when you book and again shortly before you sail.
Cruise lines also monitor conditions and will change an itinerary if they judge a port unsuitable. That decision rests with the line, which is another reason to buy travel insurance and to read your cruise contract.
Enroll in STEP
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service from the State Department for U.S. citizens and nationals traveling abroad. Enrolling lets you receive safety updates for your destinations and helps the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate contact you in an emergency. It takes a few minutes, and you can add each country on your cruise.
Choosing Excursions
You can explore on your own or book a tour. Excursions sold by the cruise line use operators the line has vetted, and the ship knows where those groups are — if a ship-sponsored tour runs late, the ship generally waits. If you book independently, choose established operators with good reviews, and build in a generous margin to be back before the all-aboard time.
- Wear the life jacket provided on boat, snorkel and water-sport tours.
- Use licensed taxis or the ones the port authority directs you to.
- Take a photocopy or phone photo of your passport, and keep the original secure.
- Carry the ship’s port agent details from your daily program.
- Drink bottled water in hot climates and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Getting Back on Board
The all-aboard time printed in your daily program is usually 30 to 60 minutes before the ship sails, and it is firm. If you miss the ship on an independent outing, you are responsible for reaching the next port at your own cost. Set a phone alarm, remember that your phone may switch to local time, and keep the ship’s time in mind.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You feel unsafe in an area | Return to the port area or a well-known hotel and take a licensed taxi back. |
| You lose your passport ashore | Tell the ship’s guest services right away; they work with the port agent and the nearest embassy. |
| You are running late | Call the ship or port agent number on your daily program. |
| You are unwell ashore | Seek local care if urgent, then let the ship’s medical center know. |
Planning shore days in detail? Our sister site Shore Activities covers excursions in ports around the world.
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