Many first-time cruisers wonder if they need to leave the ship at every port of call.
The answer: no, you don’t have to, and sometimes staying onboard might be the best choice for you.
This article explains what happens if you stay onboard, why people choose to get off (or not) and what to expect.
Do You Have to Get Off The Ship on a Cruise?
Guests taking a cruise do not have to get off the cruise ship if they don’t want to.
With very few exceptions, if a passenger wants to stay on the cruise ship for the entire cruise, there is no reason why they can’t.
There are a number of reasons why a passenger may wish to stay on the cruise ship, even when the cruise ship is docked in port, and there are a number of benefits to doing so.
The ship is your floating hotel, and you can stay onboard all week if you want to.
The crew will count all the passengers on and off the ship, so they know who has returned and who is still on land.
Why Would A Guest Stay Onboard The Ship When in Port?
They’ve Visited The Port Before
If you have visited a port before, you may wish to stay on board and instead enjoy the facilities of the cruise ship.
I have done this in the past and would strongly recommend that everybody try a “stay-onboard day” at least once.
On my recent cruise on Marella Voyager, we chose to stay onboard when we docked at Barcelona.
Barcelona is an amazing city with so much to do and see, so you might wonder why I made that choice.
There were lots of reasons:
- I have been to Barcelona countless times before.
- Many voyages start and end in Barcelona, so I often embark there and often stay in the city for a few nights before my cruise.
- It was very hot as we docked there in August.
- It was well over 30°/86°F – and I wilt in those sort of temperatures.
- The cruise terminal is a fair walk from the town.
- You can walk, but it is a long way over a bridge and along roads and pavements. There is a lot of concrete, and no shade available.
- By the time I had walked for an hour to La Rambla, I would have been too tired to explore and then walk for another hour back to the ship.
- There is a chargeable shuttle bus, but that would involve waiting around at bus stops in the heat – and the last time I got on that port shuttle bus, it was involved in a small road traffic accident!
If you haven’t been to Barcelona, I highly recommend it. It is well worth staying for a couple of nights before or after your cruise, if that is a viable option.
Find out more here:
Everything You Need to Know About Cruising From Barcelona (Location, Transport and More)
No Interest in Visiting The Port
Not everybody picks a particular cruise because they want to visit every port.
They may have picked a particular cruise because they like the ship or the cruise line.
They may just not be interested in visiting a particular place on the itinerary.
You might be docked miles out of the city, and can not easily get to the advertised destination. When I sailed to Bruges on P&O Aurora, I didn’t get off the ship at all.
Bruges is over twenty miles from Zeebrugge, where the ship docked. Zeebrugge is a big container port, and you can’t walk through it. You have to get a port bus to get out of the port area itself.
I have visited Bruges a few times before, and it was raining on the day we arrived. I decided to stay on board and explore the ship instead.
There are many more ports like that. Find out more here:
Don’t Be Fooled: These 16 Cruise Ports Are FAR From The City
A Chance to Really Relax
If you take a cruise which is port-intensive, it can be very tiring and feel very busy.
Staying on the cruise ship during a port day can give you the perfect opportunity to relax, slow down, and enjoy things at your own pace.
The ship will be quiet. It is much easier to get a swim in the pools, and the spas on board often have cheaper deals and offers on port days.
Bars, restaurants, and entertainment remain open, although sometimes with reduced hours.
I like to stay onboard at least once on every cruise. It gives me the chance to film while the ship is quiet, and I know I am not going to get in anyone’s way or disturb anyone’s holiday.
It Is A Tender Port
I quite like a tender boat ride to shore, but not everyone feels the same.
Often, you need to get a tender boat ticket and wait around on the ship until you are called. When there is a space in the tender boat for you, you go ashore.
There may also be queues on land, waiting for a tender boat to transport you back to the cruise ship when you have finished exploring the port.
If you have limited mobility, you could find getting on and off a small moving boat a challenge. You might also find that all the standing around, waiting to return to the ship is difficult for you.
You might decide that a trip to port is more effort than it is worth, and this should be the day you stay on the ship.
Reasons You Might Want to Get Off
It is a shame to miss exploring new cities, beaches, or cultural sights.
Some ports have activities or attractions that are unique and not to be missed.
Excursions can be highlights of the cruise for some.
You could also have the best of both worlds. If there isn’t much you want to see in port, you could stay onboard in the morning and venture out for a walk ashore in the afternoon.
I often do this. It is quieter onboard in the morning, people are generally keen to get off and explore.
As the day goes by, people start to return to the ship, particularly if there isn’t much to do in port.
Make sure you know what time you have to be back onboard though! The last thing you want is to be left behind!
What Actually Happens When You Miss The Cruise Ship?
Are There Any Exceptions?
The only exception I have ever come across is in Asia.
Every time I have docked in Japan, everyone has to get off the ship to go through immigration and security. Once that is completed, people can return to the ship if they want to.
I got myself into a rather sticky situation when I visited Japan on Spectrum of the Seas. I managed to spill nail glue all over my fingers, and at that moment, we were called to leave the ship to go through immigration.
You can imagine my horror as I saw all my fellow passengers having to have their fingers scanned..and mine were basically all covered in nailglue!
Find out more about that here:
Before You Go
Find some hints and tips for getting off the ship in port here:
Find out about some great ports where you can just get off the ship and walk straight into the town below:
32 Cruise Ports Where You Can Walk Straight Off Into Town
Book a Cruise (I’ve Launched My Own Travel Agency)
I’ve spent the last 10 years creating cruise content online and over that time I’ve learnt that having a great travel agent makes a HUGE difference.
That’s why in 2026, I launched my own agency and built a team of real cruise experts who love cruising as much as I do.
We combine great prices with personal service. Just click the button below and we’ll find you the perfect cruise. No request is too big or too small, we’re here to help.