I’ve taken more than 55 cruises and visited over 100 cruise ports all over the world.
Along the way, I’ve learned that some destinations are definitely worth exploring, while others can be unexpectedly disappointing.
As a destination-focused traveler, I rarely choose to stay on board when my ship is docked in port. Usually, I’m eager to disembark the ship, experience the local culture, and explore the area.
But after revisiting many of the same ports, I’ve also realized that certain destinations aren’t always worth the hassle. While some offer beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and bucket-list excursions, others can feel crowded, touristy, or difficult to navigate.
Although these ports can still be enjoyable with the right planning and expectations, I’m often happier staying on board to take advantage of the ship’s amenities.
Here are five cruise ports where I’d rather stay on the ship than venture ashore.
Costa Maya, Mexico
Costa Maya is one of the few ports I’ll almost always skip because it feels overly commercialized.
The entire terminal was built specifically for tourists and cruise passengers and is packed with souvenir shops, restaurants, swimming pools, wildlife encounters, a swim-up bar, and live entertainment.
Although many travelers enjoy this convenience, the port feels highly manufactured to me and resembles an outdoor shopping mall more than an authentic Mexican experience.
Additionally, I’ve found the isolated port doesn’t have much to do nearby unless you’ve arranged transportation or booked an excursion.
However, Costa Maya can still be worthwhile with some planning. A short taxi ride away is Mahahual, which is a popular beach town with restaurants and beach clubs.
If you want to venture farther from the port, consider booking an excursion to the Mayan ruins for a cultural experience or snorkeling along the biodiverse Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau is another port where I’m very likely to stay on the ship.
In fact, I sailed to Nassau last year aboard Utopia of the Seas and skipped the port entirely. Instead, my husband and I stayed on board and enjoyed the ship’s pools, restaurants, and activities without the usual crowds.
Although you can reach popular beaches and resorts from the port, the area outside the cruise terminal can feel overwhelming. Although the terminal’s recent renovations have improved the port experience, persistent vendors still remain immediately outside the gated area.
And on especially busy days, six or so cruise ships can dock at once, which makes the port feel even more crowded.
However, Nassau can be a positive experience if you’ve got the right plans in place. For instance, I’ve used ResortPass to spend the day at nearby hotels and had a much better experience than just walking around the port.
You can also book excursions to nearby beaches, Blue Lagoon Island, or other resort properties for a more relaxing day.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is undeniably beautiful, which makes it a bucket-list destination for many. Unfortunately, the island’s popularity is also part of the problem.
With thousands of passengers regularly arriving from multiple cruise ships, visiting the small Greek island can be stressful.
Cruise ships anchor offshore in Santorini, so passengers will typically tender into the port below Fira. From there, visitors can take a cable car, climb hundreds of steps, or arrange another way to reach the top of the island.
With several ships often visiting the island at the same time, lines for the cable car can become quite long. Getting around Santorini can also be difficult because of its narrow roads, heavy traffic, and crowds filling the streets of popular villages such as Oia and Fira.
The island is absolutely worth visiting, but you should prepare for some logistical challenges and set realistic expectations. If you want to maximize your time in Santorini, I recommend booking an excursion in advance instead of exploring independently.
An organized tour can help you avoid long cable-car lines, simplify transportation, and ensure you return to the ship on time.
Richards Bay, South Africa
During a cruise around South Africa, our ship docked in Richards Bay, which is one of the most unusual cruise ports I’ve ever visited.
Although Richards Bay is an important industrial port and major coal-exporting hub, it isn’t necessarily designed with cruise passengers in mind.
During my visit, we disembarked at a gravel parking lot with no passenger facilities. By the end of the day, our cruise ship was also covered in soot and dust, which was unlike anything I had experienced before!
Without a planned excursion, there isn’t much to do near the port, and the industrial setting can feel disappointing. But for travelers interested in wildlife, Richards Bay can be a worthwhile gateway to nearby South African reserves.
Because I researched the area ahead of time, I booked a game-drive excursion to Hluhluwe—iMfolozi Park, which is about 90 minutes from the port.
Seeing elephants in the wild was an unforgettable experience, and one that I would have missed if I had just stayed near the ship.
Freeport, Grand Bahama Island
Finally, Freeport is another port I’m often tempted to skip.
The area around the cruise terminal is very industrial and unfortunately doesn’t offer much within walking distance. Because of this, cruisers often need to arrange transportation or book an excursion to visit the island’s main attractions.
I was disappointed by how rundown the port area felt, with very limited shopping and amenities. Not to mention, I found securing transportation from the terminal area to be confusing and expensive.
Although taxis are available, in my experience, many of them operate as shared vans with high prices. And arranging rides back to the ship from a remote beach can also be stressful.
If you want to make the most of your day in Freeport, it’s best to prearrange transportation or book an excursion. Popular tours include beach getaways, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and animal encounters.
However, if I haven’t booked a tour in Freeport, you’ll find me on the ship instead.
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