10 Things NEVER to Do in Port on a Cruise

What’s a cruise without stops in port? Your trip will likely feature multiple stops in ports where you are free to go out and enjoy yourself.
Most of the time, these ports of call are a playground for passengers to go explore and make memories. But there are some things that you absolutely never want to do whether for safety reasons, to avoid breaking the law, or to simply have a better trip.
I’ll tell you what to avoid right now…
Thinking Your Still on the Ship
When off the ship, many people seem to think they are still onboard. But the places you visit are real and not as “sanitized” as the perfect atmosphere created on the ship.
Let’s start with what I think is the most basic thing never to do and that is to think you’re still on the ship.
If you’re visiting a port of call that’s not a private destination (such as the cruise line’s island), then the cruise line has nothing to do with everything off the ship.
These ports you’re visiting are real places. Don’t think that you’re still on the ship where everything is largely sanitized for tourists. You’re under the laws of that country, the people there have no affiliation with the cruise line, and there’s no Guest Services you can complain to if things go wrong.
This doesn’t mean you’re in danger or you have to worry while you’re ashore. But it’s important that you understand things will be different in port than the perfect atmosphere that’s the aim of being on the ship.
Never Forget Your ID
When you head to port, the cruise line will remind you several times that you need a couple of things — your room keycard and your ID. If headed to the Caribbean, this ID can be your driver’s license. It doesn’t have to be your passport.
But while you can’t leave your ship without your keycard since it’s scanned as you leave, it’s much easier to walk off the ship without your ID as it’s not checked when you exit.
When you return to the ship, your ID is often checked at the pier against your keycard to make sure you’re supposed to be getting onboard. I’m not sure what happens if you forget your ID, but I also don’t want to find out.
Never Forget Your Shore Excursion Tickets
When you book your excursion, tickets will be printed for you. If booking ahead of time, they will be in your cabin when you arrive. Note the meeting time and be sure to get there on time!
Are you booked on a shore excursion? If so, one thing you never want to do is forget to bring the ticket with you into port. Think of it as the third item to bring along with your keycard and your photo ID.
When you book your excursion on the ship, you’ll be printed tickets to take with you. If you booked it online ahead of the cruise, then tickets are delivered to your stateroom well in advance of that day in port.
You’ll then need to bring these with you into port on the day of your tour. If you forget, it’s a long walk back to the ship to grab them.
Bring Food From the Ship
I’ve talked a bit about what to never forget to bring into port, but what about something that you should never bring with you?
Lots of people have an idea of grabbing a little something from the buffet to take with them. I’m talking about an apple or a banana to have something in the middle of the morning when you’re out and about.
But just like when you get off the ship at home, it’s against the law to bring certain food items ashore — namely fresh items like fruits or vegetables. In fact, at least in Cozumel they even have agriculture sniffer dogs that will smell passengers to hunt out those bringing food ashore. You won’t be arrested or anything, but just leave the food on the ship.
Stay Only in the Port Area
Many ports (like Costa Maya), are created to cater solely to tourists and be hard to exit. But it’s important to get out and explore!
It seems these days any port you visit in the Caribbean is designed to keep you from going out. The ports build big welcome areas that are literally fenced in with typically only a single entrance and exit into the port town itself.
These port areas are made for cruise passengers and you’ll find restaurants, bars, lots of souvenirs, and vendors hawking tours. What you won’t find is much authenticity. Now I know some people just want to visit a warm place where they can have a cold drink. But ports are real places, and I think you’re doing a disservice if you don’t get out and explore a little bit.
Yes, even outside of the port they are still largely built for tourists, but they are definitely more interesting than the artificial world created at the port just outside the ship.
Never Wear Offensive Clothing
Over the years that people seem more comfortable wearing what I’d call offensive clothing. Now, I’m not talking about swimsuits getting smaller. I’m talking about clothing that features the F-word on it, super aggressive language, or even the one guy I saw with a shirt that said “Dad in the street, Daddy in the sheets.”
My suggestion is to leave this stuff on the ship, or even at home.
Of course, nothing is going to happen if you do wear things like this into port. You won’t be arrested or made to return to the ship. But remember, you’re a visitor to the port and there are lots of other people around. You should go and enjoy yourself but there’s no reason to potentially offend other passengers or locals with stuff that’s considered impolite in public.
Never Get Dinged With Cell Phone Roaming
When you cruise, it’s well-known that once the ship leaves home you want to put your phone into airplane mode. That way you don’t have it accidentally connect to foreign towers and charge you sky-high roaming fees. It’s the same when you actually reach a foreign port.
First the good news — these days more and more cell phone plans are including international service. There are many out there for example that allow you to use your phone in Canada or Mexico just as you would in the United States.
But other countries — especially smaller ones may not be included. Just about every carrier, however, will have some sort of cruise ship or international plan you can purchase to use your phone in a foreign country. Or you can simply use the ship’s wi-fi, keep your phone in airplane mode and just go without service for the few hours you are in port and off the ship.
Never Come Back Late
All aboard time isn’t a suggestion. You want to be sure that you’re back to the ship with plenty of time.
If you asked 100 cruise passengers about one thing you should never do when you visit a port, I’d guess that about 99 of them would tell you the most important thing: never come back to the ship late.
That is unless you like the feeling of seeing the ship sail off without you as you stand on the pier.
Cruise ships let passengers know clearly the all aboard time before people leave the ship. This isn’t a suggestion. With schedules to keep, ships need to depart on time to reach the next port overnight. And ruining the schedule for the thousands on the ship because a few people didn’t make it back in time just isn’t the case.
Now, if the all-aboard time is 5:00 p.m. and you make it to the ship at 5:01, then no you won’t see the ship pulling away from the pier. But don’t even risk it. People do get left and it’s a major pain and hassle to have to figure out the logistics of getting home on your own from a foreign port.
Forget About the Ship
Of course when you’re in a port of call, the excitement is all about that port. It’s fun to get out and explore, and honestly, by the time you’ve reached port you are usually ready to get off the ship and stretch your legs a little bit.
But I’d suggest that if you’re at a port of call — maybe one that you’ve visited before — you don’t want to forget about the ship. That’s because the atmosphere is completely different on the ship when in port.
During a day at sea, there are people everywhere, lots going on, it’s busy, it’s crowded, and buzzing. A day in port is the complete opposite. Venues are still open so you can eat in restaurants or lounge by the pool, but the pace is much slower and there are far, far fewer people.
If you’re wanting to relax, it’s hard to beat the ship when in port. I wouldn’t skip the port altogether, but if you’ve been there before, don’t forget about the option of just hanging out on the ship.
Forget to Use Common Sense
This one ties in with a point I made earlier about not thinking you’re still on the ship when you’re in port, but it’s something that needs to be made clear.
I’ll never forget the first time I visited Nassau. My wife and I are sitting on a gorgeous beach when a lone woman goes for a jet ski ride with one of the random guys driving up and down the shore offering rentals. About 20 minutes later she comes back with another woman now also on the jet ski. They two women jump off and storm off the beach, with one turning around and loudly yelling at the driver that his friend tried to sexually assault the second woman on a ride.
That’s why you never want to lose your common sense. Ports are fairly safe, but you don’t want to do things that defy logic. Don’t flash tons of cash or jewelry. If you wander into a neighborhood that doesn’t feel right, turn around. And if a situation doesn’t pass the smell test, use common sense.
Again, I’m talking about a small, small portion of passengers who visit a port but nobody wants to have a bad day in port when a little common sense will go a long way.
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