visiting a port - what happens?

We are going on our first cruise ever and selected Cunard for the amazing experience. I have read a lot on this forum about embarkation etc.

But, what happens when you call into a port for a day visit. How does the process of getting off the ship work? Are they timings for when you can get off, like embarkation?

Your comments would be very welcome.

There will be a delay between the time that the ship ties up and when you are cleared to leave the ship - they will make an announcement. If there are tenders, you will need to get a number (they will let you know where). Usually ship excursions get first priority at tender stops.

Be sure to note the time when you are due back on board!

Hope you have a great first (and likely not last:D) cruise!

Thanks. We will plan for a bit of a sleep in and a proper breakfast.

If you are not in a hurry to get off, wait until most folk have disembarked, it's a bun fight first thing in the mornings at breakfast on port days.

Here's a Tip;

When going off for the day take with you a copy of your daily program ( delivered to your stateroom each day) the information is very useful as it contains the address/telephone number and details of the local Port Agent should you run into any problems when out and about, and It's advisable to take at least one credit card with you to cover any unforeseen expenses shore side.

You also must take your ship's credit.ID card, and in many countries government issued ID such as copy of passport or driver's licence with photo.

There might or might not be shuttle buses. If they are port provided, then they are free to all. If they are Cunard provided, then those who booked a Saver fare must pay to use them.

At most ports, the local tourist office will provide maps and these can prove quite valuable as the Cunard provided ones are very basic.

Leave all valuables in the safe, including jewellery and watches.

If lunching out, it's always a good idea to check with the ships crew as they always know the best places.

The Commodore even arranged a restaurant for a few of us a couple of years ago.

Most of all. enjoy yourselves!

Stewart

And (Good for ANY holiday ) scan / photo your passport, travel insurance card/document, drivers licence, photo IS and email to yourself or have it on a file on your phone.

That way you have a record in case you need a document.

I use an app called Card Storage to scan all cards etc into the phone.

No more bulky wallet to carry

Thanks. We will plan for a bit of a sleep in and a proper breakfast.

Time in most ports is limited so we try to get off the ship sap. Time for a lie in and a leisurely breakfast is on a sea day.

DAVID.

Some differences between ports where the ship ties up and those where tenders are used.

As said earlier, ship excursions have priority. Sometimes the Grills may.

For tie up ports, it is a pretty simple matter of walking off when ready.

In tender ports, in the earlier part of the day you need to get a ticket for a tender seat. They use this system to make sure that the numbers in the tenders are safe to manage. After the rush, there is an announcement when tickets are no longer required.

No tickets for return tenders, but there is a last tender time posted.

And (Good for ANY holiday ) scan / photo your passport, travel insurance card/document, drivers licence, photo IS and email to yourself or have it on a file on your phone.

That way you have a record in case you need a document.

I use an app called Card Storage to scan all cards etc into the phone.

No more bulky wallet to carry

Don't rely on that in New Zealand ports. You must carry an original document photo ID, ie drivers licence or passport. Copies of passports may not be accepted. We saw one couple taken off the shuttle bus in Napier, at the entrance to the port, for extra identification processing as they only had a photocopy of their passports.

The daily programme will say if a passport or photo ID is needed, but it's a good idea to have a photocopy as well just in case your passport gets lost or stolen. When the Captain or Officer of the Watch announces that you can go ashore, he / she will tell you which deck the gangway is on, which stairway to use and if you need to take your passport.

If you are on a tour, you will usually meet in the theatre or queens room for morning tours and on the dockside for afternoon tours.

We are going on our first cruise ever and selected Cunard for the amazing experience. I have read a lot on this forum about embarkation etc.

 

But, what happens when you call into a port for a day visit. How does the process of getting off the ship work? Are they timings for when you can get off, like embarkation?

 

Your comments would be very welcome.

Hi aussiebossyboots. As previous responses indicated, it depends on the port of call. And then, even when the port of call is known, things can change depending on the weather, the political situation, or the need for the ship to make up time due to previous port stop schedule changes.

Just my opinion, but I believe you can trust Cunard if the schedule changes: it must be for a darn good reason.

Anyway, if you've booked a specific cruise, feel free to ask for past experiences.

And welcome to Cunard.

Salacia

In many ports there will be taxis and local tour operators hoping to get your business. Some can be great but you always run the risk of not getting back in time when on your own (traffic problems, etc.). If you are on a Cunard excursion and a problem delays the return of the group the ship will wait.

Many use some of the time in port to access free wifi. Some terminals have it but often you have to go out to a local restaurant, coffee shop, library, etc. The crew always know where to find it.

Have a great time!

Thanks everyone for your comments. We are doing the Celebration Cruise to the Canary Islands and our first port of call is Lanzarote. I have read that sometimes, due to bad weather this port may be missed.

The main purpose of this cruise is the 'cruise', this is the focus of the holiday, the ports are rather a bonus. However, I am really looking forward to Cadiz (not Seville, been before) and Lisbon.

So will go with the flow and see how things pan out on port days but of course take all the precautions such as photocopy passport, daily program etc.

Went shopping on the weekend and bought some special clothes just for the cruise. Happy Days!!

Thank you all once again:D

Please report back after your cruise. We would love to hear about it!

Will report back with pleasure, but I may have a few more questions in the meantime.

I have done a similar itinerary on QM2 so if you have any questions about the ports let me know.

The daily programme will say if a passport or photo ID is needed, but it's a good idea to have a photocopy as well just in case your passport gets lost or stolen.

 

After having two guests ending up at the local A&E and one missing the ship(!!) on various cruises, we now always take our passports and insurance documents ashore with us.

Hi Host Hattie, thanks for the great offer, I am sure I will have lots of questions, especially about the ports, just need a bit of time to do some research first. Cheers.

In the European ports, including the Canaries we have never needed our passports, we only carry photocopies no leave the passports safe on board. The only ID we have ever been asked to show is our room key by security at some ports.

In many ports there will be taxis and local tour operators hoping to get your business. Some can be great but you always run the risk of not getting back in time when on your own (traffic problems, etc.). If you are on a Cunard excursion and a problem delays the return of the group the ship will wait.

 

Many use some of the time in port to access free wifi. Some terminals have it but often you have to go out to a local restaurant, coffee shop, library, etc. The crew always know where to find it.

 

Have a great time!

We have always done our own thing as it is more flexible and less expensive. We have never had a problem getting back on time. We've done a mixture of renting a car, taking a local bus tour (pre arranged And picking up one when we arrived) and just strolling around the town. We like the flexibility that these offer. We will be renting a car when we have a day in Halifax in August.