Staying on the boat during Port visit questions

[moongal]

I am contemplating booking another cruise to take my son on, but I had a couple of questions about choosing to stay on board the boat when docked at a port.

 

If we were to stay on the boat instead of getting off and doing an excursion, will the food places be open? Like Guys Burgers, or any of the other places? I'm assuming the buffet will be open since I've read that some come back to the boat to eat lunch but was curious if ALL the normal food venues stay open during ports.

 

What about activities? Are there any activities scheduled during port of calls? I didn't even think to look at the daily schedule for the days we went off the boat on my last cruise, so I was just wondering. If anything goes on during the day for people who stay on the boat.

 

The port we are thinking of skipping is Progresso. We didn't really see anything that looked too exciting to do there. Does anyone have any recommendations for something fun to do in Progresso? I don't drink and son is underage also so not looking for any bar trips.

 

Thanks for any thoughts!!

[Sooner-Cruisers]

We stayed on for the first time ever, it's pretty quiet and not a ton going on. Personally, I wouldn't purposely do it again. We got too much sun, and weren't up for the beach day we had planned.

 

The crew often do drills during port days and bigger cleaning projects.

 

 

Progresso is a pretty easy port, we took the little bus they offer off the pier and then walked to the beach. It's a relatively new port, so the prices were really reasonable. The beach was plenty nice, we got chaise lounge and umbrella included with ordering a drink. There are vendors, but it wasn't unbearable. There's also cheap massages.

Edited July 18, 2015 by Sooner-Cruisers

[cb at sea]

Shops, casinos, and some eating venues will be closed. The pool is up and running, as are most bars...and the kid's club will be operating. A port day is a great time to make use of the ship without the crowds!

 

You do NOT have to do an excursion to get off the ship! Get a guidebook...there are PLENTY of things you can do on your own! Much easier and cheaper than those pricey excursions! And, you don't have to get off 1st thing in the morning, or stay all day....sometimes, we'll wait until mid-morning...go into town and wander, shop...whatever, then head back to the ship, if there's nothing else we are interested in.

Edited July 18, 2015 by cb at sea

[OCruisers]

On port days there is not much in the way of planned activities and the shops & casino will be closed.

The pool, a couple of bars, and buffet will be open.

[Sweet Dutch Girl]

If you are the kind of person that needs to be entertained or have outside stimuli to enjoy yourself a port day staying on-board may not be for you. If however you enjoy your own or the company of family and friends in a relaxed lazy unhurried atmosphere then staying on the ship is a wonderful way to unwind and truly get away from stress, decisions, and pressures. You can eat breakfast in the dining room then find a seat on the veranda and watch the activities associated with debarking at a port. You can view the port from up-high and catch a glimpse of what "island" life may be. You can stroll down corridors adjacent to cabins while they are being cleaned and catch a glimpse of what other cabins look like (just don't be a nosey neighbor and actual walk in).

 

You can eat a very leisurely lunch at the buffet....actually avoiding the lines at prime food stations that don't occur on port days. You can sit by the windows and visit with your companions or you can read that book you have been promising yourself you will get to for months. You can slip on a bathing suit and hit up a hot tub, doggie paddle in an empty pool, or lounge in the sun on your own hammock or clam.

 

You can spend a couple of hours actually strolling the ship, looking into all the venues, bars, see what is available for future play in the casino, admire the artwork, check out the spa or the exercise facility, see what the "other" dining room looks like or just walk around your dining room and check out where others sit for future reference. And lastly you can find a spot to sit and watch the multitude of tired, bedraggled, sun burned, drunk and hungry passengers file back to the ship.

 

I love being on the ship on port days.

[bills blasters]

Guys Burgers and The Cantina are open when docked. Also, if the ship had mini golf, that is a good time to play that.

[Smiling Cruiser]

I had my nails done and the price was discounted too.

[riclop]

I am contemplating booking another cruise to take my son on, but I had a couple of questions about choosing to stay on board the boat when docked at a port.

 

If we were to stay on the boat instead of getting off and doing an excursion, will the food places be open? Like Guys Burgers, or any of the other places? I'm assuming the buffet will be open since I've read that some come back to the boat to eat lunch but was curious if ALL the normal food venues stay open during ports.

 

What about activities? Are there any activities scheduled during port of calls? I didn't even think to look at the daily schedule for the days we went off the boat on my last cruise, so I was just wondering. If anything goes on during the day for people who stay on the boat.

 

The port we are thinking of skipping is Progresso. We didn't really see anything that looked too exciting to do there. Does anyone have any recommendations for something fun to do in Progresso? I don't drink and son is underage also so not looking for any bar trips.

 

Thanks for any thoughts!!

 

It's the best part of the cruise you have an empty with no lines and it's very relaxing, no activities though.

[satxdiver]

Remaining on board at a port can be fun if you are self entertaining. The ship usually is fairly empty although there will be other pax staying on board. The miniature golf, pools, water slides etc are open as is the buffet, pizzeria and other food venues (MDR is closed). It is a great time to obtain food in the buffet where lines usually form during sea days. We love it and have stayed on the ship in several ports where we have been on many prior stops.

[cruising maniac]

It is the perfect chance to enjoy the pool and take pictures of the ship.

[GUT2407]

Careful calling it a boat.

 

The buffet will be open, maybe guys.

 

Not a lot gong on.

 

Can be a great time to get some pool time if that interests you.

[chengkp75]

Careful calling it a boat.

 

The buffet will be open, maybe guys.

 

Not a lot gong on.

 

Can be a great time to get some pool time if that interests you.

 

I was going to say that it would be pretty hot and boring to sit in the lifeboats during a stay in port. :p

[jpfarmer]

There is usually some on board activity Look at the Fun Times Usually a couple of trivia games and a AA meeting

[trvlgirlmq]

As others have said all the lunch venues will be open. There will be a few trivia games, etc and the pools will be empty!

 

I would suggest though that if you have the funds and any interest in history that you take an excursion to the Mayan ruins. We did it through Carnival and even though it was more than I would ever spend it was the absolute highlight of the trip for us. We went to Uxmal and it was outstanding. It is also one of the few ruins that you can still climb one of the buildings. There was also a wonderful restaurant where we ate a traditional lunch with handmade tortillas. There is not much to do in Progreso but I would book a stop there again and do this excursion as well if we have the chance.

[okgirl]

All of the Lido venues are open. My funtimes from a port day have several concerts on the big screen, 4 or 5 trivia games, bean bag toss, name that tune, ping pong tournament, Caribbean line dance class, mini-golf.

 

The casino is closed and the bar doesn't open until just before everyone is suppose to be back on the ship, but the Lido bars and the Lobby bar is open.

 

I often don't get off the ship and I love sitting and visiting with the crew, watching their safety drills (especially when they are simulating a fire emergency)

[sandij]

My nieces just went on a cruise with mom and dad and they wanted to skip the islands and stay on board to use the water slides.

[SkyMaster]

Having cruised quite a lot, I seldom leave the ship in any port. I find it a WONDERFUL opportunity to chill out on the serenity deck, or get in the empty hot tubs, or chat with the entertainers who are taking it easy as well, or just enjoying a day of TOTAL relaxation. As noted above, sometimes the crew are having drills, etc. One of the most interesting one of those I've witnessed, was a drill for the crew to deploy, right, and board the rubber life rafts. They did that in the aft pool (Conquest Class ship) and it was really, really interesting. Bottom line, staying aboard in port can be very nice. ;)

 

"SKY"

[CatlinSTJ]

I have no advice about staying on the ship as we haven't done it, but we have visited Progresso. It is not a touristy port, but we found the people very genuine and had a lot of fun. My girls will tell you that it has been their favorite port! We booked an excursion to Uxmal and it was a very cool trip and it is one of the few Mayan ruins where you are still allowed to climb one of the large pyramids. We still had time to visit the marketplace, pick up a few souvenirs, and practice our Spanish.

 

 

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

[sandij]

The drills can be interesting to watch, we saw a man over board one where they used a full sized dummy and had to drop the lifeboat to rescue "him".

[CruizCuz]

Because of kids and other obligations, we have a difficult time getting away form more the 3-5 days on cruises. Therefore, since we don't want to drive down to Miami, our cruises are limited on ports. That said, we LOVE to stay onboard when the ship is docked. The crowds are gone, and we enjoy having a peaceful day. The waitstaff is awesome and there are usually discounts in the spa and salons.

[meatloafsfan]

The majority of eateries are open - what's not open is the MDR for lunch (though it's one day that you'll be able to have the regular breakfast menu). There's usually trivia going on, the pools and hot tubs are open (and generally not crowded). Camp Carnival is open (I have no idea how old your son is) but Circle C and Club O2 usually aren't open (they don't have activities until later in the day).

 

On port days where we either don't get off the ship or come back early, the one thing I like to do when the ship is docked is to take a shower and shave my legs. With the ship not moving, it's so much easier.

[nessz79]

On port days where we either don't get off the ship or come back early, the one thing I like to do when the ship is docked is to take a shower and shave my legs. With the ship not moving, it's so much easier.

 

LOL! So true!

[kelkel2]

We have came back from port early one port on our last cruise and everything was open except for the casinos and shops. It was so nice and peaceful on the ship without everyone being on board. The pools were actually relaxing we were able to enjoy them without hoards of people.

This cruise we are staying on the ship for one port day intentionally and we are going to sleep in, go to late breakfast and enjoy the pool!

[Tobypace]

I'll be doing a B2B on the Dream in October and am planning to spend most of the port days on board during the first 11 days. With a spa cabin, I suspect the majority of my time will be right there, at the spa. Ohhhhh.....can't wait!

[keystonemama]

We did it in Nassau, (been there 3x already), we had the Serenity to ourselves, drinks in the hot tub overlooking the water, no lines at the water slide and no lunch lines. A great, relaxing first half of our day.