Anyone skip shore excursions and stay on the ship.

[JAMESCC]

I'm curious if anyone here skips going off the ship to the shore excursions and just stays on the ship. Its just a curious question because I thought about in Ocho Rios because I just did not dig that island if I ever went back to the island I would just hang on the ship. Is everything on the ship open just like any other day at sea? Theres probably no lines for anything too right with most people off the ship. I think I may try that on my next cruise.

[RCCL Fan]

Typically on a western carib route, we are on our on in cozumel. Because we like to shop & have some drinks at Carlos & Charlies.

 

We do snorkeling excursions in Grand Caymon, and we ALWAYS do an excursion in Ocho Rios. We don't like the island either. I generally find island you don't like aren't good to explore on your own. But if you do a cool excursion, you are more apt to have fun doing something you enjoy.

 

May I suggest the bareback horseback riding in the water? It was awesome!

 

and then labadee is just a relax day for us.

 

but to answer your question. there's nothing wrong with spending a day on the ship. We've done it. I just suggest you take the other approach to an island you don't like. Do something exciting, like parasailing, horseback riding, something other than walking the streets of Ocho Rios.

 

Wayne

[WrenchHeadCruiser]

I have opted to stay on the ship before, and if I was on a cruise that included Ocho Rios I would do so again. It's just not my cup of tea, I know many who love it there, but I am not a fan. In general the shops, main dinning rooms and casino are closed; most everything else is open. Head to the spa for a massage... On many ships they run a special on port days. A relaxing day on the ship can be just what the doctor ordered.

[GABY1]

hi, i sometimes stay on ship while in a port, you more or less have all the ship to yourself (fantastic) casino & shops will be closed though, pools bars & most eating areas are open and are very quiet with no lines!! & i love having the hot tub & spa all to myself pure heaven enjoy!!!

[DKLI]

We stayed on the ship on our first cruise, first port...Puerto Rico. It was very quiet on the ship...I did the massage, no lines and discounted. Also, the pool is not as crowded and noisy, but I believe the band still played. I would stay on board again if I didn't have any interest in seeing a particular island.

[big al]

James-Many people stay on the ship for several reasons:

1) Many people have been to some ports 3,4,6,even 10 times and they have seen everything,been there,done that.etc.....

2) Because of # 1,yes,many people decide to stay on board,hang out at the pool,read,sleep,do ship board activities,or just hang out and chill on board...

3) The excursion thing can be both expensive,tiring (the heat),usually must get up early and get on the lines to get off and meet your tour guides,etc.My wife & I rarely get off in Nassau,we prefer the ship....I understand the Jamaican thing-locals can get pushy and harass you,BUT you can just go to a beach(very nice beaches) OR go to a resort(like Sandals or Couples) and for a set price,you can stay at their pool & beach,drink,maybe eat all for one all-inclusive price...but you should call them or e-mail them before to make sure you can go there.I've read on CC where people go to say,Sandals Ocho Rios and for $50-60 each,they can swim at their pool/beach,get 2 lounge chairs,all their DRINKS included (!!!!),and so on......go to the Port of Calls section here on CC and look up Jamaica,then search for a post on resorts.If there isn't one,put a post up asking for a resort that would let you stay there during the day and how much $$$ it is.Good Luck,but you will NOT be alone on board!

 

Big Al

[JAMESCC]

but to answer your question. there's nothing wrong with spending a day on the ship. We've done it. I just suggest you take the other approach to an island you don't like. Do something exciting, like parasailing, horseback riding, something other than walking the streets of Ocho Rios.

 

Wayne

Thanks for the answers guys and now I am jealous I should have stayed on the ship at Ocho Rios. I feel like i sort of missed out on something cool now. Next time one stop or island I'm gonna hang and relax without much people to bother me. Hey guys also how bad is Ocho rios? I mean i here people say DO NOT WALK THE STREETS! Its that bad that when you'll get kid napped,killed or robbed? Just how bad is it? We did the exursion to the Dunn river falls because we had people in our party that wanted to walk up it. By the was the boat ride back was scary as hell. The waves were giant and i thought for sure we were going over. Geeze that was scary. Then we go to a piont and the wves just stopped. it was very odd. Is it always like that there?

[happy cruzer]

Hi I tend to go on cruises with lots of sea days, I love them but they are alot different that port days on the ship.

 

Sea days the ship is moving and everyone is on board so lots of activities planned every where.

 

Port days on the ship - the first thing I noticed when we did not get off the ship at Matzatlan, the outside decks were hot and humid no sea breeze at all. Dining room was closed. Sometimes they even close things down for maintenance like a pool or hot tub. Only one or two activities planned for the entire day. It was relaxing but that's about all it had going for it. Yes the spa does has specials that day. So we found a deck chair in the shade for a little while and enjoyed the buffet for lunch. So now we try to at least get off the ship to walk around for an hour or two even it's a port that we aren't that interested in.

[leoandhugh]

staying on board for whatever reason is an absolutely great way to enjoy the ship and all it has to offer. it's like playing king of the hill - make believe you own the ship for a few hours. why anyone would pay $50-60 to go to a place like sandals is beyond me. with the exception of the sandy beach, you have it all on the ship and, with the exception of your drinks, it's already paid for. chill out on the ship. understand your feelings about jamaica - been there,done that, and never again. we are going to the mediterranean next month to some ports we have been to a couple of times before - that's when we stay on the ship and rest up for the next shore trip!:)

[la_croisiere_s'amuse]

Yep -- DH and I actually took a 5-day cruise and NEVER left the ship!! :)

[bplazo]

I love getting off the ship and exploring the islands even if I have been there before. I dislike more than one sea day on a cruise.

 

I loved Ochos Rios. We did the river tubing and had a great time.

[Mike & Sue]

Yep -- DH and I actually took a 5-day cruise and NEVER left the ship!! :)

 

Aahh, yes, I have a cocktail napkin in front of me that reads "The art of doing nothing is really something."

[mlleach]

We are planning to spend most of our time on the ship on the upcoming Sovereign cruise. We did the Sovereign and the Majesty last year and completed our lists for Nassau and Coco Cay. We opted for a Jr Suite for our weekend on board. We also prefer more sea days than port days. Can't wait for the Transatlantic next year.

ML

[ccxnola]

James,

We are on

Grandeur of the Seas - 2446 Pax, 750 Crew Baltimore to New Orleans

and on 30-Nov for our day at Cozumel, Mexico 10:00 AM 7:00 PM Docked we are

Also with Ecstasy – 2617 Pax, 920 Crew

Also with Fantasy – 2628 Pax, 920 Crew

Also with Queen Mary 2 – 2620 Pax, 1253 Crew

Also with Norwegian Dawn – 2224 Pax, 1126 Crew

Also with Grand Princess – 2600 Pax, 1200 Crew

Also with Legend Of The Seas – 2076 Pax, 720 Crew

Also with Navigator Of The Seas – 3835 Pax, 1185 Crew

That's over 21,00 cruise ship passengers PLUS any crew PLUS the folks that get there via air and I think we'll spend the day on the ship!! Can you imagine trying to get a taxi back to the ship??

[JanineM]

If we don't have an excursion booked, we normally either stay on the ship, or go ashore for awhile and then return for lunch.

 

We often have lunch at Johnny Rockets on a port day. There's no lineup, and you can take your time and eat way too many fries and onion rings. The shops are normally closed, but you can stake out a great location by the pool. We also use the fitness centre and love being able to use all of the machines. It's a lot easier to run on treadmills when you're anchored than when you're on rough seas.

 

You definitely will not be alone if you stay aboard on a port day!

[meripour]

hung on the sip, got food from J Rockets and a bucket of beer to sit by the pool until it was just too hot. Did a spa message in the afternoon, long nap, then up for drinks at the CL and dinner later.

Great day on the cruise with 'nothing' we had to do.

[meripour]

hung on the ship, got food from J Rockets and a bucket of beer to sit by the pool until it was just too hot. Did a spa message in the afternoon, long nap, then up for drinks at the CL and dinner later.

Great day on the cruise with 'nothing' we had to do.

[Murphy]

May, 2005 we got a great last minute deal on Celebrity's Horizon. It was an unexpected trip and we hadn't really budgeted for it, so we knew we wouldn't be spending a lot on excursions. DH got off at every port to just snooped around. I am exceedingly proud to say that once I boarded the ship in San Juan, I NEVER GOT OFF THE SHIP for the entire 7 nights of the cruise! Loved it! Had the pool to myself, well almost. Read, sunned, relaxed and got a couple of cheapy spa treatments to boot.

 

Our next sailing is the Freedom in October and with so much to do an see on ship and the rather unimaginative itinerary neither one of us is planning to get off the ship, except maybe in MoBay since neither of us have been there before...

[cb at sea]

I've found that once you've been to pretty much any island, you've been to 'em all! If there's a good beach at a given port, I'll leave the ship and do that--but if it's an "iffy" beach (like Nassau) I'll stay on the ship and do the pool thing almost by myself! It's great! I figure I paid lots and lots of good money for the ship--I intend to get as much use of it as possible! I'm not into snorkeling, horseback riding, looking at dubious spiders, lizards, or churches, so... a beach or pool day is my thing!

[MonaCK]

For our last cruise, i stayed on the ship for all the port of calls except for Key West. Our next cruise has Grand Cayman as a stop. "Been there, Done that, not beach people", so we will definitely be staying on the ship.

 

It's awesome. Everyone leaves, and you have your own private pool. :-D

[PeterPan]

Didn't leave the ship in Nassau this past April. There were 6 ships in port that day :eek: . May not leave the ship is Ocho Rios on our Freedom Cruise. Waaaay to early to really decide.

[PeterPan]

Hope this isn't a dupe post... Silly boards.

 

Yep, duplicate post..................

[JAMESCC]

Does the crew look at you like your a pain inthe butt because they would rather have the time off? Just another curious question.

[envy4u]

I have never not left the ship but there is always a first .

[Murphy]

Does the crew look at you like your a pain inthe butt because they would rather have the time off? Just another curious question.

Most of them enjoy not have to rush around taking care of thousands of passengers and helping only dozens. The only time we heard any thing to the contrary was at Labadee. The pool staff could not believe we were not getting of the ship. They actually seemed insulted that we stayed on board!