Ever go on a cruise and not get off at any port?

[payankee]

My first cruise was on Allure. There was CERTAINLY plenty to do on the ship on port days.

 

I usually travel with my large(ish) family. Some of them enjoy getting off the ship at certain ports. I usually enjoy staying on the ship. I'm not a beach person - so sun/sand worship is not for me. I usually cruise to be away from my day job and have all of my meals, entertainment and drinks at the ready. There is something VERY relaxing about that for me. Excursions always seem to be a rush to a destination.

 

Oh, and I like it when the casino stays open - like Labadee. :)

 

Regardless, on or off the ship - you'll have a great time!

The casino stays open in port? I thought all ship casinos closed in every port. We'll be on Grandeur in Feb. I would stay onboard if the casino was open.

[Yorkvillain]

Samana/Falmouth/Nassau are all wonderful ports to stay on the ship.

[George C]

We have never did that for entire cruise, but we do that on some islands, I dislike San Juan and will stay on the boat, we do like Jamaica, getting the drink package also makes me want to spend more time on the ship and after almost 50 Caribbean cruise we have seen most things.

[John&LaLa]

The casino stays open in port? I thought all ship casinos closed in every port. We'll be on Grandeur in Feb. I would stay onboard if the casino was open.

 

Depends on the port and sometimes the hours are limited

[kalliekae]

On our Allure cruise this past November, I stayed on the ship due to mobility issues. Dh got off in every port, but I found plenty to do on the ship. It's quiet, but there are still quite a few people who stay aboard and activities to keep busy.

[Clarea]

The casino stays open in port? I thought all ship casinos closed in every port. We'll be on Grandeur in Feb. I would stay onboard if the casino was open.

I seem to recall that Monarch's and Enchantment's casino would open later in the evening, while still docked in Nassau.

[FLACRUISER99]

I seem to recall that Monarch's and Enchantment's casino would open later in the evening, while still docked in Nassau.

Yes and Majesty too.

[Newbcruiser1]

I've done it on the Allure! Had been to all of the ports before and it was too hot to handle being out long (serves me right going in June [emoji12]!

 

I love sea-days on a somewhat empty ship so I had a blast! I could sleep in a little, have breakfast in an almost-empty Windjammer, and then get a front row seat with an umbrella and table at the beach pool! As others have said, Park Cafe is still open, and at the time I went, the Doghouse, Promenade Cafe, Starbucks, etc were as well! And there were still activities going on should you wish to "do" anything (Wii sports, movies, etc) - just scaled back and not as well-attended!

[sandancer]

We haven't but met an elderly gentleman (very fit and sprightly) on a 4 week cruise from Sydney to LA. He never left the ship once and we called at some really amazing ports. He said he cruised because he wanted to be at sea and not trudging round "foreign" ports. We loved talking to him, he was a real character.

[xxoocruiser]

Have traveled extensively and been on numerous cruises that the ports are no longer the decision driver. The main decision driver now is the ship as sometimes I don't get off at any ports.

[KuffMUp]

On our last cruise we stayed on at Labadee. Looked like a really LONG walk. The ship was pretty empty and quiet. Good day to take pictures of the ships without people.

 

We also didn't get off at Roatan. We had the Ben & Jerry's Sweet so we didn't know what the weather was like. Went up to get towels and it was sprinkling. I told DH and we decided we didn't want to be stuck on our excursion in the rain. I grabbed a mimosa at the pool bar. At that point it began POURING rain. There was literally 4 inches of rain on the deck because it couldn't drain fast enough. But it was a warm rain. We laid in loungers under the track deck. There were times that you couldn't see the island because of the rain. The excursion was booked through the ship so DH went to GS and asked about a refund. I couldn't believe they gave our money back. Next morning at breakfast, table mate was griping because they would only refund half. He had taken the bus across the island, took the boat to the other little island and back, then back to the ship. I figured that offering half was pretty good for him since they incurred expenses getting him there and back.

 

I told DH I would love a 7 day cruise to no where. Ooo. Just thought of it! Repositioning!

[claudepaulette]

Talked to a passenger on a Med cruise who never left the ship. Her reasons:

no English, different currency, unsafe, stray dogs etc... What a shame.

[lovelife]

Yes, we've stayed on board many times in ports we have visited numerous times. It is wonderful on the ship without the crowds. Will definitely not be getting off Allure in St. Maarten in February with seven ships in port!!!!!!!! :eek:

[riclop]

If so how was it and any all could you do Oasis/Allure to be more specific

 

We do it often and it's great to enjoy an almost empty ship.

[casinostreer]

The casino stays open in port? I thought all ship casinos closed in every port. We'll be on Grandeur in Feb. I would stay onboard if the casino was open.

 

As they've already answered - it depends on the ship and the port. Not sure about Grandeur. You can probably find the latest Cruise Compass for your itinerary somewhere online. It will show the casino opening and closing times.

 

Happy cruising!

[harry0]

I guess Nassau pays Royal big time because I cannot understand why they dock there and why the weird hours. Isnt their private ports close by?
I would stay on the ship in Nassau and Jamaica too for the simple fact if you dont buy an excurssion you have to shop.

[Clarea]

[quote name='harry0']I guess Nassau pays Royal big time because I cannot understand why they dock there and why the weird hours. Isnt their private ports close by?....[/quote]
Yes, Ccco Cay is very near Nassau. When Enchantment and Majesty cruise to Nassau, they go to Coco Cay too.

[John&LaLa]

[quote name='harry0']I guess Nassau pays Royal big time because I cannot understand why they dock there and why the weird hours. Isnt their private ports close by?
I would stay on the ship in Nassau and Jamaica too for the simple fact if you dont buy an excurssion you have to shop.[/QUOTE]

There are only a few places to go on a 3 day trip.

[harry0]

[quote name='John&LaLa']There are only a few places to go on a 3 day trip.[/QUOTE]

I understand that however a few weeks ago the Allure stopped at Nassau-St Thomas and St Martin-Why not Labadee instead of Nassau.
I would not be surprised if Nassau pays very large kickbacks.

[Clarea]

[quote name='harry0']I understand that however a few weeks ago the Allure stopped at Nassau-St Thomas and St Martin-Why not Labadee instead of Nassau.
I would not be surprised if Nassau pays very large kickbacks.[/quote]
It's a matter of cost to the cruise line. Labadee is farther to travel on that itinerary. It could also be port costs like you say. Maybe Royal gets a break on Nassau port costs since their ships are registered there.

[harry0]

Good point about the registration. And I quess Coco Cay is a tender port and Oasis class ships would have a hard time?

[Clarea]

[quote name='harry0']Good point about the registration. And I quess Coco Cay is a tender port and Oasis class ships would have a hard time?[/quote]
Oasis class does not tender.

[Ourusualbeach]

[quote name='harry0']I guess Nassau pays Royal big time because I cannot understand why they dock there and why the weird hours. Isnt their private ports close by?
I would stay on the ship in Nassau and Jamaica too for the simple fact if you dont buy an excurssion you have to shop.[/QUOTE]

Also, don't forget that on any given cruise out of the Caribbean between 50% and 75% of the passengers have never been on a cruise before so they are excited to see Nassau or any other island.

[bigboffs]

For most of the Caribbean ports of call, the dominant options are shopping and/or beach. If neither are appealing, a viable and most pleasant option is to stay on the ship. In our opinion (others may well differ), Nassau and Falmouth are among those we avoid. Grand Cayman is a tender port and very expensive. Often there are 6 or more (we have seen 9) other ships there at the same making large crowds onshore. If the passenger is new to cruising or a very infrequent one, all ports of call are worth a visit. Many "frequent floaters" consider these ports of call as a sea day.

[Susie51]

Some ports I have been to many times, so I stay on the ship. There are a lot less people aboard and I enjoy being able to find a table in the Windjammer easily.

The pools are less crowded which is a big plus on port days.