Have Any Of You Stayed On Board For Port Days?

[Leo Jay]

Are there any differences in the way the ship operates on port days? I know the casino isn't open since they can only operate in international waters, but I don't gamble anyway. Is anything else different? Pools open? Gym?

 

I just did my first cruise last month, and it was so nice relaxing and not having to run around doing touristy stuff every day; I almost didn't want to get off the ship. Of course, since we were travelling to places we'd never seen, it did make sense to see what there was to see. But next time out, I'm seriously tempted to take the same itinerary so we can stay on the ship and not worry that we're missing out on seeing something we should see.

[Chucksta63]

My DW did this in Cozumel for most of the day! She went to the spa and checked out the ship while my DS and I went Scuba diving. She said it was like the ship was hers...LOL We were in port for the whole day did not leave untill midnight so most got off the ship in port. She did get off later in the afternoon after spa treatments and rest..LOL

[laurashelby]

Yep, it's fabulous! You've got the pool practically to yourself and there aren't any crowds in the buffet lines! It's also generally a great day for spa specials.

[tef43]

You betcha, especially in useless ports such as Martinique and/or Jamaica. :mad:

[Bunkie103]

We plan to try this on our upcoming cruise....just a day to bum around and relax. :D

[GoinCruisin]

Yup, just like any other sea day to me :D Love it :D

[MrPete]

Years ago, it felt like the ship just shut down. Now, it's lively, with a lot less people. It really is a pleasure.

[Bunkie103]

Not to date myself too much :o but years ago went to Bermuda with my Godmother. When in port the ship DID shut down. Pools were closed. Only one bar open. Really no reason to stay on board :rolleyes: We heard Furness Lines had an agreement with the Bermuda Government that they would provide minimum services in port, to encourage people to go ashore and spend $$. ;)

[Knights on the Beach]

On our second time to San Juan, we did decide to stay on the ship. It was great! We had extra attention in the dining room, as it was half empty.

[kimcruiser]

We did this too. My dd got a "makeover" in the spa for free and I was in the pool almost by myself, lol. Just had to listen to a little girl chatter on (not my dd) until I decided I had enough.

[MidtheNight]

You betcha, especially in useless ports such as Martinique and/or Jamaica. :mad:

 

Or Freeport! Got off the boat the first time there...stayed on the next. Didn't miss a thing in that port. Unfortunately, a number of people had been there before and thought the same thing. Still it really was a lot less busy on board...no chair hogs, no wait for anything. It was nice and relaxing.

[virginiab]

We do it in ports that are uninteresting, or we have already seen a lot. We not beach folks, so lots of others' favorite islands are not that interesting after you've been there once or twice. If we're a little restless, we get off and walk around for a while, maybe have a drink (maybe not) then come on back to the ship and hang out in the shady spots with a book or a sketchpad.

Come join us stay-on-board types and hang out where you've already paid for your lunch and dinner!

 

Virginia

[tbag124]

Or Freeport! Got off the boat the first time there...stayed on the next. Didn't miss a thing in that port. Unfortunately, a number of people had been there before and thought the same thing. Still it really was a lot less busy on board...no chair hogs, no wait for anything. It was nice and relaxing.

 

I can't wait to do this when we're in Freeport! I already know I have no desire to go back to any part of the Bahamas...I just went to enjoy the ship and have an extra "sea day"...a hopefully "less crowded sea day"!!! :)

[woodman]

We love to stay on board especially in the Bahamas. Nothing there but shopping. It's great you have the entire ship to your self. We just did that last Saturday in Nassau. We stayed on the ship and just relaxed and enjoyed the quiet.

[ab5cc]

A few years ago, we stayed onboard at Progresso. It was really hot and I just didn't want to go into town in the 100 degree heat.

 

This year, we were cancelled on Elation and re-booked on Conquest. While we are excited to be going on Conquest, we swore to never go to Jamaica again after Triumph in 2001. So, we plan to stay onboard for the Jamaica stop. I will say however, that we did go to Progresso last year on Elation and enjoyed it very much. It is a nice quiet town.

 

As other posters have said, you have a nice quiet ship all to yourself. No casino, but you can read a book or lay in the sun and drink. Also there is no problem with deck chairs!

 

Kenneth

[GottaLuvCruising]

I do it all the time! I love having the ship to myself!

[stevec999]

We always pick one port and stay on the ship. Almost like having your own private swiming pool.

[Leo Jay]

ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! I think we've all said just about enough about how great it is staying on board during port days... pretty soon nobody will want to go into port anymore and the damned ships will be just as crowded those days as they are the rest of the cruise. So a little discretion, please, people. Geez...

[tef43]

ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! I think we've all said just about enough about how great it is staying on board during port days... pretty soon nobody will want to go into port anymore and the damned ships will be just as crowded those days as they are the rest of the cruise. So a little discretion, please, people. Geez...

Don't ask the question if you don't want to hear the answer.

[tbag124]

ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!!! ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!! I think we've all said just about enough about how great it is staying on board during port days... pretty soon nobody will want to go into port anymore and the damned ships will be just as crowded those days as they are the rest of the cruise. So a little discretion, please, people. Geez...

 

You STARTED this thread!!! :confused: :rolleyes:

[stevec999]

The ships are so crowded on port days, much better to go ashore :)

[Leo Jay]

The ships are so crowded on port days, much better to go ashore :)

 

Exactly! Who needs to stay on board? Plus they don't serve food, the pools are drained, all the electricity is shut off... what a drag.

[Stircrzy]

...and no air conditioning.

 

By all means...get off of the ship!

Especially next week.

[Mgetta]

And most of all, be sure to get off in Jamaica where the natives are so polite and friendly.

[ab5cc]

Let me say that I try to keep my posts as positive as possible, but.....When we are in Jamaica on Triumph in 2001 the CD advised us that it was not safe to walk around in less than a group of 5. I am no prude, I assure you. Also, I have driven deep into the interior of Mexico in my own car. I have been to Mexico maybe 40 times by car and many more by air or sea. But, Jamaica is the scariest place I have ever set foot in.

 

Sure, we took the catmaran to Dunn's river falls and the people are really nice there. Also, I have worked with a Jamaican guy who was an ex-school teacher and he was a gem of a guy. We tried to walk a ways into town to look around and were accosted more than once in the most agressive manner I have ever experienced. I understand that desperate people do desperate things, but that doesn't mean that I want them happening to me.

 

I would not even risk trying to get a cab in Jamaica. If I leave the ship, it will be on a Carnival sponsored excursion and we will leave by boat from the pier where they have guards and a very tall fence separating you from town.

 

I really like to enjoy a country on my own and not in a group. That way you get a sense of what "normal" life is like for the natives, but it is not safe there.

 

Kenneth