Ports

[ashley@cruisecritic]

Hi guys,

 

I'm just curious what you all look for when researching ports pre-cruise. What sort of information do you like to see? What's most helpful to you? If you'd care to take my poll, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

Thanks!

[Kartgv]

If it's a port that I've never been to before, I'll check it on the satellite view on Google maps. I then also click on the 'street view' (little man icon) and check out the area right around the pier or any specific location I want to see (though this feature is not available in all locations). When it is available, it gives me an excellent feel for what the place is going to be like. You can also do a 'search nearby' for restaurants, car rental, etc. to see what's in the area. Unless we have an organized tour planned, I print out a map of the area immediately around the pier, as the ship's maps are usually pretty useless.

[Karysa]

Updated travel alerts and warnings for the destination is another thing that I am interested in.

[EdmPair]

I have checked general travel info sites for the what count as the best sights to see and perhaps those of special interest to me. For instance, I like parrots and a good collection of them would not make the common lists. Your thing may be vinyl records.

 

I then check if the excursions offered thru the ship get to what I want. If something of special interest to me draws me away, I will find a way to it. Usually, there is more to see in one day than what I can get to so have to make some hard choice. That is the worst part.

[Bookish Angel]

such as at TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet, Moon Handbooks, etc.

[ducklite]

It depends. If it's in Europe, I usually look to Rick Steve's and the CC ports of call forums for some general info. I look for both the major tourist attractions as well as hidden gems and go from there.

 

Our next cruise is to Tahiti and I've asked a lot of questions in the forum for our cruise line and gotten some very helpful (and some not quite so) advice from people who have been there before. Two other posters in particular seem to have a lot of the same tastes and interests as my husband and I, and they have been a wealth of info that I feel I can count on.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[ashley@cruisecritic]

Thanks so much for your feedback, all. I appreciate it!

[OCruisers]

Lots depends on how long we'll be staying at the pre-cruise port.

Always, hotels and maps are important.

 

LuLu

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[jocap]

My OH researched the Norwegian ports with the "little man" icon so much that I told him there was no point in going- he'd seen everything already! :D

[EdmPair]

My OH researched the Norwegian ports with the "little man" icon so much that I told him there was no point in going- he'd seen everything already! :D

 

 

I google a port for months. I gotta. I am stuck in the cold of winter. I read and find photos by others. It is not the same as going but does mean I can walk the sights for details. There are always 'wow' moments to be had. Granted, it is my style and need not be for all.

[Alaskanb]

Walking tours

[askimdog]

Every Port is treated the same:

 

What they are known for is researched.

 

What's a unique item, place or food.

 

What is Local food and where to get it.

 

Museum

 

Culture and people.

 

We avoid ziplines, beaches, atvs, bars and shops.

[JanineM]

I try to find out how easy it is to get around. We aren't big fans of excursions - so I like to know where the port is, how much is a taxi to the main sites, is it walkable, etc.

[gillianrose]

I always check to see where my ship is docked and how many other ships are in port. If there are too many passengers for a port (not counting ports connected to huge cities), I reschedule my cruise to a date when the port won't be swamped.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If it is a new embarkation port for us, I check to see what hotels are near the port, then restaurants, things to do since we always arrive at the embarkation port 2 or 3 days early, het maps for the area and what the weather will be like while we are there.

[heresjohnnytonight]

Hi guys,

 

I'm just curious what you all look for when researching ports pre-cruise. What sort of information do you like to see? What's most helpful to you? If you'd care to take my poll, I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

closest beaches with chair rentals,food restrooms and taxi to get back to the ship,to just relax

[MiamiSpartan]

If it's Europe, I'll go online to chk things that we must do....I really don't care where the ship goes in the Caribbean, since we've been there so many times....usually don't get off the ship unless there's a favorite restaurant, etc...

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Jiminy1955]

Updated travel alerts and warnings for the destination is another thing that I am interested in.

 

 

Where do you find this information?

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Dayenu]

Public transportation, of docked/tendered far. Also local tours.

[ducklite]

Where do you find this information?

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

 

US Department of State web site is a good start.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

[cruisemom42]

History, archeology, books about the area that I can read before I travel there, public transportation options.

 

(Most of my cruises are European.)

Edited March 31, 2014 by cruisemom42