When visiting a port during your cruise, safety should be your top priority. While exploring new destinations is exciting, it’s important to stay mindful of potential risks. From knowing how to navigate unfamiliar areas to keeping your important documents safe, having a plan can make a big difference.
Here are some practical tips to help you stay safe while in port, including using local maps, avoiding common scams, and maintaining your health and security with a few simple precautions.
For more on overall cruise safety, read our article on: Is Cruising Safe?
Dress suitably for your surroundings
There are certain places where you need to be respectful and cover up. In some countries it is necessary to cover up for cultural and political reasons and if you’re visiting these countries then you should absolutely respect this and follow guidelines.
Countries such as Morocco prefer women to cover up by wearing head scarves and cover knees and shoulders. Other times, religious places such as St Paul’s Cathedral in the Vatican City, require that both women and men cover their knees and shoulders.
In Fiji for instance, if you visit a local village, women will need to wear a long skirt or sarong plus a short sleeve shirt. Definitely don’t walk around town or the streets wearing a bikini, leave this for the ship pool. Men should be in long pants.
Do your research before you go on your cruise so you have the right clothes for the appropriate time and place.
Don’t carry large amounts of money or valuables
This is really just common sense. Leave all of your valuables, and any large amounts of cash safely locked away in the safety deposit box that you’ll find in your stateroom. You don’t want to have your wallet or purse stolen on a day trip in port and to find out you’ve lost everything.
Always be aware of your surroundings and if you feel uncomfortable in any situation, remove yourself from it as quickly as possible.
Make sure you leave plenty of time to return to your ship!
This is one of the most important tips I can give you. Check and double check the time you have to return to your ship in order for it to sail. Then, if you are travelling somewhere using public transport, make sure you check the return times, and definitely don’t leave it until the very last minute.
Cruise ships aren’t required to wait for passengers who are late returning to the ship (unless they are on an organised excursion) and you don’t want to get to the dock only to see your cruise liner pulling away.
🛳️ Cruise Tip:
When we docked in Tasmania in Australia, we decided to hire a car for the day. We had a fantastic time. BUT when we went to drop it off at 5 pm the traffic was really bad in town. We didn’t leave any time for this sort of thing. In the end, we had to dump the car as close as we could to the port, throw the keys at some lovely person dockside and ask very kindly if they could drop it back. Thank goodness it all worked out great. But we had visions of missing the ship, not a very nice place to be.
Know the correct way to behave in the places you are visiting
It’s crucial to understand the right way to conduct yourself in the places you’re visiting, especially where religion and politics can be sensitive topics. Always take the time to learn the appropriate behaviors for the countries you’ll be exploring, and make sure you follow them. This will help you avoid any potential trouble and ensure a smooth return to your cruise ship.
Beyond these basic guidelines, the best advice we can give you is to stay mindful of the people around you. Avoid unnecessary risks and always look out for yourself and those traveling with you. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!
More safety tips
- Use of Local Maps and Apps: Download offline maps or use navigation apps like Google Maps or Maps.me to avoid getting lost. These can also help you find safe routes and avoid dangerous areas in port cities.
- Keep Copies of Important Documents: Always carry photocopies or digital versions of your passport, cruise documents, and visas. This helps if your originals are lost or stolen and makes it easier to seek help from local authorities.
- Emergency Contacts: Write down key local emergency numbers, such as police, medical services, and your country’s embassy. Keep them on your phone and in paper form, so you’re prepared for any situation.
- Avoiding Common Scams: Research typical scams in the port city before arrival, such as fake taxis, inflated prices for tours, or pickpocketing hotspots. Avoid overly friendly locals offering “exclusive” deals, and stick to reputable vendors.
- Health and Hygiene Precautions: Bring hand sanitizer and wet wipes, especially when visiting crowded areas or markets. Know the location of nearby medical facilities and pharmacies in case of minor emergencies, and consider travel insurance for major issues.
Let us wade through the 1000’s of cruises for you!
Jo, our cruise travel agent will personally search for the right cruise for you.
