Royal Caribbean Blog

When your cruise ship comes into port, how much time will it take to get off the ship?

Cruise ships travel the world, with stops in many ports along the way. Whether it's the last day of your cruise or just a scheduled visit somewhere, the disembarkation process can be different depending on a few factors.

There's crowds to contend with, along with the logistics of getting passengers and belongings off the ship, local authorities, and more.

If you're to cruising, you want to know how long does it take to get off the cruise ship. Let's break down everything you need to know about debarking a cruise ship so you know exactly what to expect.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship while visiting in port?

On a day your cruise ship visits a port of call, the disembarkation process depends on a few factors.

Before anyone can get off a cruise ship, the country you are visiting needs to clear the ship. Usually a maritime entity will board the ship and do some kind of an inspection to verify the paperwork is accurate and all regulations are being followed.

This must be done at every port of call, even private islands operated by the cruise lines.

How long it takes local authorities to clear a ship depends and can be a few minutes or closer to an hour.

Once the ship is good to proceed the next question is your ship docking at a pier or shuttling guests off via tenders?

The fastest option is if your ship can dock at a pier.  Once the ship is tied up and local authorities clear the ship, guests can walk off the ship just as fast as they can pass through security to indicate they've checked out for the day.

Tender boats have a limited capacity and it takes time to load them up and then subsequently unload them later. The result is usually a wait onboard the ship for a spot on a tender, followed by a wait for the tender to proceed to shore.

No matter which method you have to disembark the ship, you'll need to scan your SeaPass card to show you're off the ship. This is done to have an accurate guest head count for later in the day to know if all passengers are onboard.

Keep in mind any minors need to have an adult present when disembarking the ship, including teenagers. If you want to meet your teens later on shore, they will need an adult with them to disembark the ship. If not, they'll be denied disembarkation.

So how long does the whole process take? Once the gangway is open for disembarkation, the real wait is simply how many other people are ahead of you.

When the gangway is open early in the morning, there's rarely a backup of guests to get off the ship (unless it's a tender stop).

If your ship is docked at a pier, expect the disembarkation process to only take a few minutes from when you get down to the gangway area.  In most cases, the longest time required  is the time needed to walk down the pier once off the ship.

If your ship is tendering, you're at the mercy of how many tenders are available, distance from shore, and demand from fellow guests. It could be 10-15 minutes or as long as an hour. 

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship when the cruise is over?

The process for getting off your cruise ship and going home when the cruise is over has a few more steps you should be aware of.

Royal Caribbean will publish a time your ship is due back into port, but this is only the time the ship docks.  Not the time guests can actually walk off the ship.

Just like a port call, your cruise ship will first need to get clearance from local authorities. Sometimes this is a mere formality and sometimes the inspection takes a while longer. There's no way to know in advance what to expect.

In order to prevent a mass exodus at the same time, Royal Caribbean divides up its passengers by groups. 

Once the ship is cleared, the first people allowed off the ship will be anyone taking their own luggage off the ship. 

Known as self-debark or "walking off the ship on your own", you are responsible for taking all your belongings off the ship and getting them through the cruise terminal.

The longest wait for this is from other people wanting to be among the first to walk off the ship, and there can sometimes be a line of guests waiting to walk off the ship in the morning. This is especially true for weekend cruises when locals are eager to get off the ship and back to work in time.

The good news is the time to walk off the ship is fairly quick once the line starts moving.  As long as there's no delay in the cruise terminal backing up the line, you should be able to walk off the ship in a matter of minutes since all you'll need to do is scan your SeaPass card to indicate you are off the ship.

I've found the longest waits can be for elevators in the morning of the last day of the cruise, rather than a wait to walk off the ship.

If you chose to have Royal Caribbean take your luggage off the ship for you, then you'll need to wait for your group number to be called.

The group numbers correspond to your luggage tag number. When a number is called, it means all the luggage for that number are ready to be picked up in the cruise terminal.

You could walk off the ship before your luggage tag number is called, but you'll simply end up waiting in the cruise terminal for all the luggage to be brought out. Plus, you'll create a crowd and that causes issues for everyone else.

Once your number is called, then you proceed to the gangway area and scan your SeaPass card as you leave the ship.

The time needed to walk off the ship is usually pretty steady, especially at Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship terminals. This includes:

• Port Canaveral: Terminal 1
• PortMiami: Terminal A
• Port Everglades: Terminal 18
• Galveston: Terminal 3

Don't worry if your cruise comes back to another terminal, things will likely still move quick enough.

The biggest issue with knowing how long it will take to walk off the ship are factors no one can truly know in advance:

• How many other guests will try to get off the ship at the same time as you?
• How long it will take authorities to clear the ship?
• Will there be any logistical issues encountered that slow the process?

It could take a few minutes or an hour to walk off the ship once it's over.

The entire process will take a few hours to get every single passenger off the ship when the cruise is over. Usually the last guests are walking off the ship in the 9:00am hour.

Suite guests

If you're staying in a Royal Caribbean suite, the disembarkation process can be faster than for other guests.

The suite concierge can provide expedited disembarkation, which means they will escort you and other suite guests off the ship at a pre-arranged time and bypass some of the line.

In my experience, this means the concierge will walk you past some or all of the line leading up to the check-point where you scan your SeaPass card.  This can save a lot of time, if the check-out line is backed up.

Similarly, a Royal Genie will provide the same service for their guests, albeit just for Star Class passengers. This includes a dedicated elevator and better luggage support on the final morning.

What's earliest time you can walk off if you take your own luggage?

Self assist early walk off is the first to leave the ship after clearance from local authorities. 

The issue here is what time the ship gets cleared, and there's no definitive way to know in advance.

In a lot of cases, it can begin around 7:00am. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later.

Do not assume the time listed for your ship to dock at the pier is the time you can actually walk off the ship.

Top ways to get off the ship fastest when your cruise is over

If your goal is to be able to get off your cruise ship fastest when it's over, here are some tried-and-true methods that work for a lot of people.

Walk off with your own luggage

If you can take your own luggage off the ship, then you can disembark just as soon as the ship is cleared. This puts you more in control of your own destiny.

You can even start lining up for disembarkation before the ship is cleared to ensure you're among the first off the vessel.

Of course, this means you have to lug all your belongings out of your room, down the hall, and into an elevator.  Then you have to be able to physically carry everything without any assistance off the ship. Solo cruisers and couples may be able to do this, but families usually find it impossible.

Have a passport

If you have a passport, you'll be able to get through the cruise terminal much faster than if you have just a birth certificate.

Most Royal Caribbean terminals now have facial recognition for guests with a passport. It's the fastest way to get on your way.

Stay in a suite

The suite concierge provides so many benefits, and priority disembarkation can be worth its weight in gold if getting off the ship with a minimal wait is important to you.

When long lines develop for walking off, the concierge can shave off a lot of time with their ability to cut the line.

You'll need to stay in a Grand Suite or higher for this benefit, and suites are far from inexpensive.

Purchase The Key

A benefit of being a guest that purchases Royal Caribbean's VIP program, The Key, is you'll get a special luggage tag.

You won't get to cut the line, but you will be assured your luggage is among the first delivered to the cruise terminal.

The Royal Caribbean Blog staff collectively spent over 270 nights on Royal Caribbean ships in 2022. From sunny Aruba to chilly Alaska, we’ve traveled around the world this year to share our best tips and tricks with you.

While the cruising experience is mostly back to normal for 2023, 2022 brought trial, error, and lessons learned to the cruising experience. Shifting from nearly empty ships in 2021 to busy cruises in 2022 was an adjustment for our staff, and it was more important than ever to research and plan our cruises well before boarding.

I was curious to hear which cruising advice was most helpful to our staff members in 2022, so I asked them about which tips they used (and lessons they learned) while cruising this year. Here’s what they said.

Be prepared for full capacity

A year ago, not all Royal Caribbean ships had returned to service yet, and the ones that had returned to service were operating at limited capacity. It wasn’t uncommon to see capacity as low as 25% in the early part of 2022.

Today most sailings are operating at 100% capacity, and writer Haley Mills mentioned how it’s important to prepare yourself for busy ships.

“I think just overall be prepared for full capacity,” Haley mentioned. “The Windjammer is going to have lines at peak times. Pools are going to be crowded on sea days.”

Busy ships can be fun, though, and you’ll find a much more exciting atmosphere onboard than when ships were sailing at low capacities. Everything from game shows to lounges and pool deck parties are, arguably, much more fun with high capacity compared to low capacity.

Book the stateroom you want instead of using RoyalUp

Another tip from writer Marcy Miyar is to book the stateroom you originally wanted instead of hoping to win a RoyalUp bid.

Many cruisers took advantage of RoyalUp when capacities were still low. Because there were fewer guests onboard, there was a higher chance of winning a RoyalUp bid for an upgraded stateroom category.

Related: Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp guide, tips, and tricks

Nowadays, however, this is not the case. Marcy explained how, due to higher capacity onboard, it’s more difficult to win a RoyalUp bid than it was when ships were operating at lower capacity.

“Don’t rely on RoyalUp to get a better cabin category at a discounted price. Just book the room you want.”

Always research ships and ports

One of our major tips at Royal Caribbean Blog is to research your ship and itinerary before booking (or setting sail) on your cruise. Not all Royal Caribbean ships and ports are equal, so it’s important to know the ins and outs of your particular cruise.

Staff member Haley likes to do this by watching YouTube videos about her ship.

“I like to watch YouTube walkthroughs of the ships I’m going on so that I have a pretty good map in my head of where everything is,” she explained. “It keeps me from feeling overwhelmed once I’m onboard.”

Haley also mentioned how doing research on ports can be helpful during your cruise planning process.

“When it comes to ports, especially somewhere I’ve never been, I read reviews of excursions and weigh my options to determine if it’s better to book something through Royal Caribbean or if the port is better explored on foot. Researching the port ahead of time gives me an idea not only on what to do or where to go, but on safety and how to save money.”

Planning a port day? Here are our best tips and tricks:

• Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port
• 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Join the Facebook group for your sailing

Prior to your cruise, check Facebook (or the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards) to see if there’s a group for your upcoming sailing. Facebook groups allow you to connect with others on your same cruise, opening up the opportunity for new friendships and connections.

Haley recommends joining a Facebook group before your cruise, especially if you’re cruising solo.

“By the time you get to embarkation day, you’ve already got some people to talk to onboard, and maybe a couple events planned. We planned a pub crawl for the first sea day on Symphony and ended up making several lifetime travel friends!”

Plan for flight delays

Before you book a flight for your cruise, make sure the flight itinerary allocates plenty of wiggle room for potential delays, missed connections, or cancellations.

“I had too many instances of flight issues last year and I am grateful I never missed a cruise because of it,” Allie Hubers said. “I would allocate even more travel time than you think.”

Related: Flight attendant shares 20 tips to minimize air travel fiascos

One of Allie’s main travel tips is to consider booking the earliest flight of the day before your cruise instead of the last flight. This can lessen the chance of a delay, as delays commonly occur as the day goes on and early flights are delayed, causing a ripple effect for those later in the day.

Writer Chantal McPhee also pointed out the importance of arriving in your cruise embarkation port early.

“Fly in at least a day early, but give yourself even more time for places like Europe. Between jet lag and long flights, an extra day to catch up is nice.”

Use a good travel agent

Another of our top suggestions at Royal Caribbean Blog is to utilize a travel agent when booking your Royal Caribbean cruise, and Chantal mentioned how her travel agent was invaluable while planning a European cruise.

“Ours suggested the most idyllic hotel in Barcelona and gave me some great advice on excursions. At first I did not consider going to Pompeii when visiting Naples, and it ended up being my favorite thing we did all cruise. I made memories I will never forget!”

Travel agents can help not only with booking your cruise, but by providing valuable information throughout the entire process. For more information on choosing a travel agent, check out the top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation.

Bring a Covid test just in case you start feeling sick

Even though pre-cruise testing is no longer required for most sailings, packing an at-home Covid test can still be a good idea.

“Bring a Covid test just in case you start feeling sick,” mentioned Angie Vognild. Having an at-home Covid test on hand can be helpful on the chance you feel ill onboard without requiring the hassle of contacting the onboard medical team.

If you’re set on a specialty restaurant reservation, book it ahead of time in the Cruise Planner

Marcy and her husband typically book the 3-night dining package when they cruise. As with any dining package, you’re unable to reserve restaurants and dining times until after you board the cruise.

“The number one ‘issue’ for me this year has been securing dining reservation times,” Marcy explained. “We have to wait until we’re onboard to book our restaurants and have found the times we want already taken.”

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Unlimited Dining Package

Not being able to reserve specialty restaurants until embarkation day is one of the biggest disadvantages of booking a dining package versus reserving restaurants individually ahead of your cruise.

While you can save money with a dining package compared to booking each meal individually, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to book your preferred restaurants and times if many other passengers have reserved a particular restaurant.

“I would suggest if someone has their heart set on a particular restaurant and time,” Marcy said, “they should secure it in the Cruise Planner ahead of time or be prepared to be flexible with the dining times.”

Wait out for an Alaska cruise deal

Matt Hochberg always advocates booking a cruise far in advance, but he mentioned how “there were a lot of intriguing last-minute Alaska cruise deals last year beginning with August sailings.”

Royal Caribbean Blog video editor Jenna took advantage of one of these deals by booking the cheapest Alaska cruise she could find, and it paid off with a budget-friendly, bucket-list trip.

Related: I tried the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find: here’s how it went

“If you’re very flexible on when you can sail and can find cheap flights to Seattle (maybe credit card points to burn),” Matt said, “waiting out an Alaska deal for the latter half of the season could net you a really great deal."

Book excursions ahead of time

Allie explained the importance of booking excursions ahead of time, which came in handy on her recent Holy Land cruise on Odyssey of the Seas.

“For our Israel cruise, anyone on a Royal Caribbean excursion had priority for immigration, so they booked up quickly before we even boarded.”

Having a Royal Caribbean excursion booked in Israel ended up being a great decision, as Allie and her family were able to get through immigration much quicker than those who had booked independent tours.

She explained how certain ports are more popular for Royal Caribbean excursions than others.

“The added convenience, safety, and guarantee to return to the ship drove up demand for RCL sponsored tours for Israel. This was also the case for Santorini; RCL excursions had priority tendering so they were popular. Booking early ensures you can get your first choice.”

If you’re considering booking Royal Caribbean excursions–especially in a port where excursions tend to sell out–we recommend booking as early as possible.

Welcome to the first week of 2022, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

New internet speeds, ship construction, and island expansions are just some of the changes Royal Caribbean has lined up for 2023.

The new year means a variety of initiatives and projects will become reality this year, and it's important you're aware of these big changes.

Check out our list of 5 changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023.

Royal Caribbean News

• What does tender mean on a cruise ship?
• The 10 best-selling cruise ship products our readers couldn’t stop buying in 2022
• How I kept from gaining weight on my cruise
• Best Miami hotels near the cruise port
• Ultimate Guide to Puerto Plata cruise port

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 481st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, recorded live while onboard Wonder of the Seas.

Matt and Beci sum up the final group cruise of 2022, and talk about the fun they had onboard.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: A look at the secret crew-only areas on cruise ships

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — A look at the secret crew-only areas on cruise ships — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

12 things I'd tell anyone new to cruise ship travel

A cruise vacation is unlike other kinds of vacation, which is a compliment and an advisory of what to expect.

No doubt a first cruise brings with it all sorts of emotions and expectations, so in planning a cruise, Matt has a list of things every new cruiser should know.

Hopefully these 12 tips for a new traveler will help anyone avoid some early mistakes.

2023 Cruise Planning Guide

Ready to jump head-first into planning a Royal Caribbean cruise?

There's so much to tackle when you start looking at any cruise vacation, so we've come up with the perfect jumping-off point of information and advice for anyone planning a cruise.

Consider this a "Royal Caribbean 101" approach to cruise planning.

What a $13,000 suite on Wonder of the Seas looks like

Have you ever wanted to see what one of the biggest suites on Wonder of the Seas looks like?

I recently stayed in a two bedroom AquaTheater suite on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, which came out to cost around $13,000.

Take a tour of spacious my hotel room at sea complete with views of the ocean and two bedrooms.

There's so many great travel products out there, so how do you know which ones are truly the best? 

It seems like every year there's more gadgets, devices, and useful tools you can bring on a cruise, from carry-on bags, to chargers, to appliances. Suffice to say, there's a lot to choose from.

I polled the Royal Caribbean Blog readers in our wonderful message board community to get a sense of which of these products they cannot go on a cruise without.

Please note that I linked to each item on Amazon which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but I make a small commission if you purchase it.

If you’re looking to boost your travel arsenal before heading off on your first cruise of 2023, consider one of these reader favorites.

Anker 6 Port USB Charging Station

$24.99 at Amazon

Did you know that Royal Caribbean will confiscate surge protectors or power strips?

If your family is anything like mine, you'll have plenty of electronics that need to be charged during your cruise and a USB hub is critical.

A USB hub will take up one electrical outlet in your cabin, while providing six new USB outlets you can use to keep everything charging at once.

Royal Caribbean Luggage Tag Holders

$11.99 at Amazon

When you print your Royal Caribbean luggage tags, you'll need to attach them to your luggage.  Since they are made out of paper, it's easy for them to rip or get accidently torn off.

Plastic sleeves will ensure it is far less likely for your luggage tags to get ripped off, and they're re-useable for many cruises to come.

Wyze Luxury Night Lights

$22 at Amazon

If you've ever tried to get out of bed at night in your Royal Caribbean cruise cabin once all the lights are out, you know how dark the room can get (especially if you're an inside cabin).

Battery operated night nights mean you can easily get around the room without keeping a light on that makes it more difficult to fall asleep (or have to turn one on that blinds you).

Plus, these are motion-activated. So the light is off unless you need it.

GREATMAG Magnetic Hooks

$11.99 at Amazon

One of the best tips for your cabin is to buy magnetic hooks to use for adding additional storage in your room.

Your cabin walls are metallic, which means you place magnetic hooks just about anywhere.

Storage space on Royal Caribbean ships is notoriously low, and magnetic hooks provide convenient ways to hang clothes and accessories.

Poo-Pouri Spray

$12.53 at Amazon

We're keeping it real: everyone goes to the bathroom eventually and if you're sharing a cabin with just about anyone, you'll want to cover up the evidence.

Whether family or friends they are cruising with, our readers pack a bottle of Poo-Pouri to ensure their cabin bathroom is inviting for all.

Liquid IV

$24.99 at Amazon

I had never even heard of this item, but a few readers really recommend packing something like Liquid IV to stay hydrated onboard.

The product is a daily electrolyte drink mix that promises to keep you hydrated faster than water alone, and has a better taste than plain water.  

Hyc00 Travel Duffel Bag

$22.99 at Amazon

Our readers really like taking a carry-on bag with them that they can re-use at any point during the cruise.

A "catch all" or "carry on" bag allows them to keep travel documents and essentials with them on embarkation day, and it can double as a carry-on bag for their flight to the cruise.

Ziploc bags

$10.84 at Amazon

Between the magnetic hooks and ziploc bags, these two items would win the most popular travel product our readers loved.

Ziploc bags have so many uses on a cruise. It can keep clothes dry, protect your phone, serve as a travel mechanism for snacks, store wet clothes, and so much more.

Pinzon Premium Packing Cubes

$26.99 at Amazon

I had to include packing cubes on this list, even if I don't personally use them.

Our readers love the idea of packing cubes because it helps make the packing, unpacking, and re-packing during a cruise simpler.

Apple AirTag 4-Pack

$99 at Amazon

Ever since I tried AirTags out on a cruise, I can see why our readers love these things.

Our readers loved adding these small devices to their checked baggage to keep track of where their belongings were during the boarding process. It was even more helpful when flying to their cruise.

More information

• I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they
• The best travel tech gadgets for a cruise ship vacation
• The Ultimate Cruise Packing List
• What not to bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Cruises are a time to splurge on food and drinks that we normally wouldn’t have at home, whether endless soft serve ice cream on the pool deck or three course meals in the Main Dining Room.

While I usually splurge on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I recently had an 8-night back-to-back sailing on Independence of the Seas and I wanted to watch my weight. Plus, one day after we disembarked Independence of the Seas we would board Wonder of the Seas for the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise. I was determined to fit into my dresses for that cruise!

I am prone to putting on weight fast. It's not unusual for me to gain 8-12 pounds on a weeklong cruise. I knew keeping a healthy diet would be a challenge onboard with all the tempting, delicious food and cocktails available, but I had a goal I was committed to reach.

Eating healthy onboard

I decided to eat most of my meals in the Windjammer as I figured there would be more selections there than the Main Dining Room. Having dinner in the Main Dining Room with the bread basket in front of me for two hours would be too hard to resist!

My motto as I entered each meal was to make healthy choices. Breakfasts were very simple, mostly consisting of cereal with banana slices and occasionally a slice of bread. We went to the Main Dining Room one morning for breakfast where I had a veggie omelet with mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, and spinach.

I even ordered my cereal from room service a couple mornings; there's no reason why I can't enjoy breakfast on my balcony! I did, however, pass up the vanilla lattes I usually like to have on cruise mornings. Instead, I opted for Earl Grey tea with no milk and Splenda.

I enjoyed pre-dinner snacks of raw vegetables and chicken skewers in the Diamond Lounge. For dinner, I started with a raspberry vinaigrette salad, roasted broccoli, carrots, and usually a meat from the carving station (turkey or beef).

For dessert, I opted for pieces of cantaloupe and watermelon.

I drank a lot of water

Another healthy choice I made on my cruise was to drink a lot of water. I brought a Royal Caribbean tumbler onboard with me (the one that you get with a soda package). I measured how much liquid it would hold before my trip so I could keep track of how much water I consumed. 

The tumbler was easy to keep filled as there is always water available. My go-to places for water refills were Cafe Promenade and Sorrento’s. 

Before my cruise, I also researched lower calorie cocktails if I wanted to indulge, but I ended up just sticking to water. Our concierge even suggested brewing some flavored tea and putting it over ice for more variety!

Exercising onboard

I start every morning at home with a 5K run around my neighborhood, so on the ship, I visited the jogging track every other day for my 3.1 mile run. I always went running on the track pre-dawn to see an amazing sunrise and to hopefully get most of my run finished before the crowds showed up.

I have a love/hate relationship with the jogging track. Even though the run/walk lanes are clearly marked, there’s always a slow-moving group that takes up the entire track—or worse yet—walks the wrong way around it. I try to remember to pack my patience!

Treadmills make me dizzy, so I'm not a huge fan of going to the gym, although I did do a little bit of the step machine one morning. 

Speaking of steps, I took the stairs EVERYWHERE. I'm proud to say that I didn’t see the inside of an elevator for 8 days! One day we got off the ship twice at Perfect Day at CocoCay to meet up with friends that were on the ship next to us and I took the stairs from Deck 1 to 14 twice in an hour!

Not all exercises have to be regimented, and part of exercising onboard is making it fun. I had a blast jumping in the Sky Pad, and one morning I did the sky climber since the rock climbing wall wasn’t open yet. There was also basketball, soccer, and open time on the ice rink available. You’d be surprised how much of a workout you can get doing those activities!

Something else that worked for me was to keep a journal of what I ate, how much water I drank, and which exercises I did each day. Time gets away from me on a cruise and it’s easy for me to forget what I ate and if I need to make adjustments on the next meal or the next day. 

Did it work?

My goal after 8 nights on Independence of the Seas was to see the same number on the scale when I got home as when I left. I was extremely surprised to find out that I actually lost a pound and a half.

It felt great to be able to wear those dresses I had been determined to fit into on the group cruise. While on the Wonder of the Seas group cruise, I splurged on specialty restaurants and cocktails on the brand new ship. It’s all about balance!

Warm sunny days, savory food at every turn, and family memories. Taking your first cruise has high hopes for a great vacation experience.

When you're new to cruising, there's all sorts of emotions you may be feeling, including excitement, anxiety, impatience, and hope. 

In talking with new cruisers I'm reminded of the highs and lows pre-vacation planning brings from when I first started cruising.

Now, with over twenty years of cruising experience under my belt, I go into almost any cruise with a sort of "auto pilot" sense to the planning process.  My brain is tuned to what to expect and what to do next in a variety of scenarios.

Of course, I made plenty of rookie cruise mistakes along the way as I got to this point. Everyone learns along the way in becoming a veteran cruiser.

I know what it’s like to just be starting out and have a mind filled with questions, anxieties, and concerns.

So, if you’re new to cruise ships and looking for advice to help you prepare, here are 12 tips that I’d tell a new traveler to help them avoid some of my early mistakes:

1. Don't worry

It may feel daunting when you look at all the things to consider when booking a cruise: 

• Which cabin to choose?
• How to pick the right ship?
• What is the best shore excursion?
• When should I book my flights?
• Which hotel should I stay at before my cruise?

It's easy to feel overwhelmed seconds after you decide on taking a cruise, but you're very capable of handling this kind of a trip.

By virtue of the fact you're asking these questions, you're already many steps ahead of most other cruisers that will be on your ship.

Unfortunately, most people on a cruise ship book the ship and then that's about it.  They may buy a drink package or internet plan before their cruise because of a Royal Caribbean marketing email, but a lot of people simply show up for the vacation. This sets them up for more pitfalls than you because you're already asking the right questions.

A cruise ship vacation is designed to be very approachable, so even if you do no research in advance, you'll still probably have a good time onboard. The fact so much is included compared to a land vacation makes it easier to plan around.

You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does (myself included). But that’s just part of the experience.

The good news is by being on this site and learning about cruises, you're already going to side-step a few common pitfalls and at the end of the cruise, you're very likely to come away loving the experience and wanting another trip!

2. Use a good travel agent

Before you book any cruise, find a really good travel agent to work with.

Yes, travel agents are still a thing, and they are invaluable when it comes to cruise ship travel, especially for those new to cruising.

Note that I included the word "good", as not all travel agents are created equal.

A good travel agent has a great deal of experience with the cruise line you are sailing on, and knows the ins and outs of the experience. They've "been there, done that" and have a host of satisfied clients that swear by their travel agent.

You might be thinking "booking a cruise can't be that hard", and you're right. But the booking process is just the starting point for where a good agent comes into play.

As a new cruiser, you're going to have a lot of questions.  Certainly articles on this site can help answer some, but many questions you have will be personal and related to your situation.

• Can you save more money by booking two cabins instead of one?
• How much more will it be to add another person to the reservation in a few months?
• What happens if Royal Caribbean accidentally cancels your tour or even your entire cruise?
• What's the difference between refundable and non-refundable cruise fare?

Basically, you don't know yet all the questions you will have between now and your cruise beginning. A good travel agent is there to help you along the way.

They'll save you so much time, and maybe some money too.

If it matters, I always use a travel agent to book my cruises.

How do you find such an agent? Ask friends and family for a recommendation. Here is one such recommended travel agency that specializes in Royal Caribbean. 

3. Learn as much as you can before you get onboard

"Knowledge is power" isn't just something we tell our kids so they'll study harder in school. It's a fact when it comes to travel.

The more you know about your ship and itinerary, the better prepared you'll be and less likely to waste your time or money along the way.

If there's a regret I hear from new cruisers the most, it's they wish they knew about something before they ever went on their first cruise.

Some easy ways to learn about your cruise are:

• Read an old Cruise Compass
• Pre-purchase some of the extra add-ons before your cruise 
• Learn about dress codes

4. Choose your cruise ship based on what is important to you

There are so many cruise ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, so when choosing the right one, prioritize what you care about.

The TV commercials show all these fun things you can do onboard, but do you need waterslides, surf simulators, or observation pods?

Are you looking for water slides? Skip the Vision class. Need a full Broadway show? Liberty of the Seas has it, but not Freedom of the Seas. Want a nursery for your toddler? Don't book Explorer of the Seas.

Don't feel like you have to book the ship that has the most to do onboard just because it has everything. You may find a great choice in other ships too because it has just what you need.

5. Pack light

I admit that I still struggle with this, but overpacking is so tempting when it comes to a cruise.

The fear of getting onboard a cruise ship only to realize you forgot something really important is an all too real concern.

I think all too often people pack for “just in case” and “what if” instead of the reality of the trip.

While it can be tempting to bring more than you need “just in case,” remember this: you can wear clothing more than once, such as pants or shorts. Plus, you can send clothes out to be dry cleaned and it won't be terribly expensive.

Pack light and you'll have less to carry, saving you the hassle and stress of lugging suitcases around the airport.

Read more: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

6. Get travel insurance

Whether you’re a cruise veteran or a brand new cruiser, don’t leave home without making sure you’re protected in case something goes wrong. 

Between lost luggage, broken bones, medical emergencies, deaths in the family, and a host of other unexpected problems, life gets in the way.

To ensure you’re protected, buy travel insurance.

I never go on a cruise without it because I know just how quickly things can go sideways.

You never know what might happen. Make sure you’re protected. It will also give you peace of mind and help you travel with confidence.

7. Go with the flow

No matter how well you plan your cruise, something will go awry. You can plan out every day, but you’ll rush around and be unhappy if there are any glitches in your well-curated schedule.

And there will be hiccups. And glitches. And all kinds of inconveniences, both major and minor. 

I think it's a good idea to plan ahead and look forward to certain activities, but you should also be prepared to sometimes adopt a "que sera sera" approach if things don't go your way.

Is it raining the day you wanted to go swimming? The performance you booked cancelled? Restaurant you wanted booked up? You'll still have a good time doing something else.

Don't let an inconvenience or cancellation ruin your entire cruise. Shrug your shoulders and look for something else you can do to make up for it.

If you run into a true game-stopping issue, leverage that really good travel agent I implored you to book with and they can get on top of it too.

8. Take a tour of the ship on the first day

We have full walkthrough tours of Royal Caribbean cruise ships on our YouTube channel that you can watch over and over again, but it's so helpful to get your bearings once onboard.

It can be helpful to get a lay of the land shortly after you board so that you can truly understand where your cabin is located relative to the amenities, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues that appeal to you. 

After you board your ship, head to the pool deck and work your way down the ship, deck by deck, walking the main public areas on those decks. 

This is a great way to quickly acclimate yourself to the ship layout and set yourself up for a great start.

9. Do the online check-in as early as you can

Your time is everything on vacation. Once you clock out of work and head to your cruise, the amount of vacation time starts to tick away, so don't waste any of it in the cruise terminal.

Royal Caribbean provides a super easy way to do online check-in before the cruise.

Check-in begins up to 45 days before the cruise sail date, so the first thing you'll want to do is download and install the Royal Caribbean app now.

At the 45 day window, grab a check-in time immediately. You can come back to the rest of the check-in later, if you prefer.

Then at some point before the cruise, finish everything in the online check-in. Yes, including taking a selfie photo.

The more time you spend at home doing the check-in, the less you'll spend in the cruise terminal. That means more time on the ship.

10. Remember everyone is in the same boat ship

Sometime very different about a cruise than a land vacation is how much more talkative and friendly cruise ship passengers are than what you're used to on land.

In an elevator, on a shore excursion, at the blackjack table, you'll run into other guests and it's easy to ignore them, but you never know who you may meet on a cruise. Just like you, they're probably new to cruising too. And if they aren't, you may be able to learn a lot from them.

I'm no social butterfly, but simply saying, "hello" is a great first step. You don't have to make friends with everyone you meet, but people that cruise a lot will tell you the fellow passengers they meet are often a real highlight of the cruise.

This applies to crew members too!

Crew members are working onboard, but are people too! Many love to get to know their guests and have plenty of interesting and amusing stories to share.

Don't be afraid to take a minute and talk to your stateroom attendant, waiter, bartender, NextCruise agent, or trivia host. They come from all over the world, and I've found the more crew members I meet, the more respect I have for what they do.  Plus, you learn all sorts of things about the places they've visited, the countries they call home, and fun insight into the cruise experience.

11. Talk to someone if there's a problem

The RoyalCaribbeanBlog message boards are filled with people that come back from a cruise and complain about an issue that they could have gotten fixed onboard.

If something is not as expected or disappointing, do not just accept it. Instead, speak up while onboard and nicely inform crew members of the issue, and ask how it can be resolved.

If something is disappointing you, or not as expected, you should seek out a crew member to remedy the problem.

Whether it is a broken fixture in your stateroom, another guest causing a problem, or a medical concern, don't just suck it up and let it ruin your cruise.

Crew members are there to make your cruise fantastic, and they will do what they can to address your concerns. Even if you think there probably is no chance they can do something, you never know the lengths crew will go to enhance your trip.

12. Get your travel documentation set

A common rookie mistake is not checking that you have all the right documentation for a cruise.

If you don't have a passport, be sure to get one. If you do have a passport, double check the expiration date that it will not expire before your cruise ends.

Make sure you booked the cruise under your legal name, which matches what your passport has listed.

Not only should you ask this question, but ask it well in advance of your cruise. All too often, people dig out their passports or birth certificates only to realize it is too late to change things.

Read more: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

More cruise advice

• 2023 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Picking a Cruise Line and Ship
• 25 best Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets
• 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)
• 15 really cool things to do that you can only find on Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• Top things to do after booking a Royal Caribbean cruise

Several changes are coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023, from a new Main Dining Room menu to a Perfect Day at CocoCay expansion. Knowing what’s new with Royal Caribbean can help you book, plan, and enjoy your cruise vacation.

2022 saw several major changes for Royal Caribbean, including the return to service of the entire fleet and launch of Wonder of the Seas.

Every year brings the opportunity for more innovation and new projects, however, and here are 5 changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023.

New Main Dining Room menu

One of the biggest changes announced for 2023 is Royal Caribbean’s new Main Dining Room menu, which will be rolled out in January 2023 across the fleet. The menu features dishes from a new cuisine each night while still offering several of the old menu’s most popular dishes.

Royal Caribbean tested a new Main Dining Room menu on Symphony of the Seas in fall 2022, marking the first new dining room menu in over five years for the cruise line. A main reason for the change was the goal of quicker service in the dining room.

Related: Royal Caribbean will introduce new main dining room menu in January

Royal Caribbean is hoping to change the average dinner time in the Main Dining Room from 90-120 minutes down to 75 minutes.

The cruise line also feels the new menu will increase quality and consistency of the dishes offered with hotter, fresher, and more consistently plated food.

Adults-only beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Hideaway Beach, an adults-only area of Perfect Day at CocoCay, is expected to open in late 2023. The project was originally announced in September 2021.

This complimentary area of Royal Caribbean’s private island is located adjacent to Thrill Waterpark, although not much is known about what the area will entail.

Related: Guide to Hideaway Beach adults-only beach at CocoCay

What we do know is that Hideaway Beach will increase the island’s capacity by 3,000 guests and it will be the only adults-only area at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Icon of the Seas to finish construction

While the first revenue sailing of Icon of the Seas is not until January 2024, the ship will finish construction in 2023.

In early December 2022, Icon of the Seas was floated out of Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, marking a new construction phase for the vessel. Construction will continue over the next several months and the ship is expected to have sea trials in May or June of 2023.

Related: Icon of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

Following sea trials, Icon of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in the second half of 2023. Delivery marks the shift in ownership from the shipyard to Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean’s first world cruise sets sail

In October 2021, Royal Caribbean announced its first-ever world cruise, a 274-night journey visiting over 150 destinations in 60 countries. The world cruise on Serenade of the Seas sets sail from Miami on December 10, 2023.

From December 10, 2023 to September 10, 2024, Serenade of the Seas will sail around the world in four segments:

• Round the Horn, visiting the Americas and Antarctica
• Wonders of Asia and the Pacific, which includes a transpacific crossing before visiting Oceania and Asia
• Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med, visiting the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Adriatic
• Capitals of Culture, traveling to Morocco, northern Europe, and the Arctic before a transatlantic crossing

The world cruise will mark an important milestone for Royal Caribbean and its success could lead the way to more world cruises being offered in the future.

New homeports and destinations for select ships

Harmony of the Seas will sail from Miami in 2023 for the first time since the ship launched in 2017. Taking the space of Symphony of the Seas (who will spend summer 2023 in Europe), Harmony of the Seas will offer 7-night Caribbean cruises from Miami.

Western Caribbean cruises will visit Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Eastern Caribbean itineraries differ, but may visit St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Brilliance of the Seas will sail to Alaska during the summer 2023 season, a first for the ship. She will offer 7-night cruises from Vancouver with ports including Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Icy Strait Point.

What else can we expect from Royal Caribbean in 2023?

It’s likely that we’ll learn more about Utopia of the Seas, the newest Oasis Class ship, at some point in 2023. Utopia of the Seas is currently under construction and set to enter service in spring 2024.

In addition, Royal Caribbean may also announce more information about their port projects in 2023, from Perfect Day at Lelepa in Vanuatu to the Royal Beach Club in Nassau. These projects have been delayed due to the global health crisis but are still being planned.

Which Royal Caribbean change are you most excited about for 2023? Tell us in the comments!

Certain cruise ports require tendering from ship to shore, but what does this mean and how does the cruise ship tender process work?

Tendering is the process in which a cruise ship anchors offshore and smaller boats are used to transport passengers from the ship to shore. If there is no pier that can accommodate a cruise ship’s size in a particular port, tendering is required.

The boats used for tendering are typically the ship’s lifeboats. Because these boats are much smaller than the cruise ship, many trips are required to transport all passengers from ship to shore.

Let’s take an in-depth look at what it means to tender on a cruise ship, which ports require tendering, and if you should avoid tender ports on your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

Which Royal Caribbean ports are tender ports?

Most of Royal Caribbean’s most popular cruise ports are not tender ports, meaning you can walk right onto the pier from the ship. These ports include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Juneau, Rome, and Barcelona, among others.

The majority of Caribbean and Alaska cruises do not require tendering. You’ll find tender ports more common in Europe, Oceania, and smaller northeast and west coast ports.

Some of the most popular tender ports visited frequently on Royal Caribbean cruises include:

• Belize City, Belize
• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Catalina Island, California
• Grand Cayman
• Santorini, Greece
• Mykonos, Greece
• Kotor, Montenegro
• South Pacific islands
• Bar Harbor, Maine

How do I know if my itinerary includes a tender port?

There are two main ways to check if your itinerary includes a tender port.

The first way is on Royal Caribbean’s website before you book your cruise. When browsing cruise itineraries, click on the itinerary and select “Explore this itinerary”. This will bring you to a page where you can view a day-by-day schedule of the sailing.

When a ship has a dock, for example, the port will say “From 8 AM - 5 PM” whereas a tender port would note “Tendered from 8 AM - 5 PM”.

The second way is through your Royal Caribbean e-docs. A few weeks before your cruise, you’ll receive an email from Royal Caribbean stating that your sailing’s electronic cruise documents are ready. This document provides information on necessary identification, health and safety, directions to the port, general cruise information, and your ticket contract.

The e-docs also include a Travel Summary page which lists your sailing’s itinerary. On this page is where you’ll find the date and time of each port stop. You’ll also see a column for Dock or Tender, where D stands for a port with a dock, T for a tender port, and a C for a day at sea.

How does the tender process work?

Boarding a tender boat from ship to shore is free, but it isn’t always as quick a process as many would prefer. If you wish to travel to shore soon after your ship anchors, you’ll need a tender ticket.

Tender tickets are available for pickup on the morning of your port day. The tickets have numbers, and when your number is called over the ship’s loudspeaker, you can head to the tender embarkation area and board a tender boat.

The tender ticket pickup location will be posted in the Cruise Compass and/or the Royal Caribbean app. We recommend lining up for tender tickets 15-20 minutes before the tickets are distributed to ensure you receive an early tender time.

Passengers with shore excursions are given priority tendering, so booking an excursion for the morning is something to consider if you hope to disembark as soon as possible.

Once on the boat, tendering is usually quick. However, waiting for your group to be called is what can often take more time than you’d prefer, so make sure to grab tender tickets early.

Should you avoid tender ports?

Tender ports may not be as convenient as docking at a pier, but some of the world’s most unique destinations require tendering. Destinations such as Mystery Island, Vanuatu and Santorini, Greece require tendering, and these ports offer wonderful scenery, culture, and history to discover.

Related: 15 countries you didn't know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

That’s not even mentioning other beautiful destinations like Mykonos, Kotor, Grand Cayman, and Cabo San Lucas, all of which require tendering from ship to shore.

Therefore, we don’t recommend avoiding tender ports when selecting a cruise itinerary. There are certainly pros and cons to tender ports, but there’s no doubt that you can visit some of the world’s most interesting, unique destinations via tender boat.

To celebrate my daughter's birthday, we spent six nights in a two-bedroom AquaTheater suite on the Wonder of the Seas.

The stateroom is one of the Star Class suites, which means it has the top benefits offered by Royal Caribbean and is one of the most palatial staterooms. For my family of 4, the price came out to $13,000 for the 6-night cruise.

We had originally booked Harmony of the Seas but Royal Caribbean changed deployments and swapped out Harmony for the cruise line's newest mega ship, the Wonder of the Seas.

Take a tour of spacious my hotel room at sea complete with views of the ocean and two bedrooms.

Let's take a look around my room complete with views of the ocean, two bedrooms, living room, and plenty of storage.

My suite is located on deck nine, near the Boardwalk neighborhood...

...an outdoor area that has dining and entertainment.

My stateroom is located at the end of the deck, which means it is a far walk to the elevators. But it has a ton of living space.

When I tapped my room key card and opened the door, I walked into the living room.

This suite has two bedrooms, let's start with the master bedroom.

It has a bed, desk, television, and so much closet space.

Next to each side of the bed are built-in outlets, including USB outlets.

The plush bed is surrounded by a wood structure with two large closets on the left of the bed.

The two full-size closets have hangers provided for you

We found the amount of closet space to be more than we needed, even on a seven night cruise

Like all staterooms, there is a safe for personal documents, cash, and any other valuables

The master bathroom has a shower and tub, with adjustable shower head.

All suites have a bathtub in addition to a shower (even Junior Suites)

The shower head can be detached, as well as moved up and down for optimal positioning

There's also a long, yet narrow, countertop with sink.

The other bedroom can sleep up to 4 people, with two pullman beds that can be opened from the walls.

The second bedroom has its own door, which makes for better privacy for anyone sleeping here.

It also has its own television, along with desk and mirror.

Across from the second bedroom is a full bathroom

Each shower has upgraded shower toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash

Hand soap is included as well

The living room curtains and air conditioning are controlled by a touch panel, which you can use to open or close curtains.

Now let's move into the living room

The living room has a large couch, table with chairs, and comfortable chair

The table is the perfect spot for snacks or meals delivered by room service

There is also a large television in the living room

The in-room coffee maker can make a quick cup of coffee anytime you want

The "pièce de résistance" of the AquaTheater suite is the balcony.

There are two balcony doors, one in the living room and one in the master bedroom

All AquaTheater suites are on the back of the ship, with a giant wrap-around balcony that extends to both sides of the cabin

As the name implies, you can get perfect views of the AquaTheater during any of the evening performances

There is also a very large table for gatherings on the balcony

Royal Caribbean also included lots of chairs and loungers to use while on the balcony

Arguably the best benefit of this suite is the Royal Genie services, which provides VIP privileges to everyone staying in the cabin.

While not cheap, I felt overall the suite delivered on a luxurious space for my family with an expansive amount of living space that make it a good option for families looking to splurge.

More information:

• Royal Caribbean Suites Guide & Review
• My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• What is the difference between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?
• A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class
• What is the most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean?
• How to maximize the value of a cruise ship suite

One of the newest cruise ports in the Caribbean is the Taíno Bay port located in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. This new, tropical port offers visitors access to stunning natural wonders, historic streets, fresh cuisine, and a picture-perfect coastline.

Many cruisers arriving in Puerto Plata are visiting for the very first time, and like any cruise port, it’s helpful to have a general idea of what to expect. Whether you’re interested in laying on the beach all day or hanging out at the port’s complimentary pool, here’s everything you should know about the Puerto Plata cruise port.

Where is Puerto Plata?

Puerto Plata is located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Known as the Amber Coast due to the area’s large deposits of amber, this region is famous for its white sand beaches, abundance of waterfalls, and colonial architecture.

The city’s Amber Cove cruise port opened in 2015, which serves primarily Carnival Corporation cruise ships. Due to the success of this port, Puerto Plata constructed a second cruise port, Taíno Bay, which opened in December 2021.

This brand new cruise port is located adjacent to Puerto Plata’s historical city center and provides easy access to beaches and downtown. The port is a destination within itself, as it offers new amenities including restaurants, bars, a pool, and shopping.

Taíno Bay cruise port amenities

While in Puerto Plata, you can choose to leave the immediate port area or spend your entire day inside the Taíno Bay cruise port. Most guests explore both options, spending some time outside the port soaking in local culture and the rest of the day discovering Taino Bay’s amenities.

Here are the highlights at the Taíno Bay cruise port:

Tuk tuks

Taíno Bay cruise port offers complimentary tuk tuk (rickshaw) rides from the pier to the port’s entrance. Tipping the driver is recommended.

Pool

One of the best features at the Taíno Bay cruise port is a large pool with in-pool loungers and a swim up bar. This pool is complimentary to guests, although beverages come at an extra cost.

Complimentary beach beds and chairs are also available at the pool on a first come, first serve basis. With DJ music, tropical drinks, and a way to cool off in the strong Dominican sun, it’s easy to spend a whole port day at the pool.

Food & drinks

Photo credit: Taino Bay Puerto Plata

There are two restaurants located in the Taíno Bay cruise port: Sanmangú and Casa Palapa. Both restaurants come at an extra cost, with most dishes priced between $15 and $20.

Sanmangú is the port’s Dominican cuisine restaurant, serving classic Caribbean fare including mofongo, fried fish, grilled chicken, and Dominican sancocho, a meat and vegetable stew.

The restaurant is named after mangu, a Dominican dish of mashed plantains typically served with fried white cheese and salami. Banana sanmangú is available on the restaurant’s menu.

Photo credit: Taino Bay Puerto Plata

The port’s other restaurant, Casa Palapa, focuses on Mexican cuisine. In addition to these sit-down restaurants, visitors can enjoy coffee and desserts from the Cortaito coffee shop.

If you’d prefer to spend the day sipping mojitos, you’ll have 7 bars to choose from in Taíno Bay. Alternatively, stay hydrated at the coconut stand with fresh coconut water.

Shopping

Like any cruise port, there are plenty of shopping opportunities in Puerto Plata. From budget souvenirs to diamond rings, you can shop the day away in Taíno Bay.

Shopping is located in Taíno Village, the port’s shopping district.

Monkey Island

Located within the Taíno Bay cruise port is Monkey Island. While not technically an island, Monkey Island is an enclosure where visitors can interact with squirrel monkeys.

For $25, you can spend 30 minutes with the monkeys. They will climb, jump, and walk all over your body (and head!), so be prepared to get up close and personal to these adorable animals.

Aviaries

If the idea of monkeys crawling on your head doesn’t seem appealing, you can enjoy several small, complimentary aviaries located throughout the port where parrots and other birds can be seen throughout the day.

Beach lounge chairs

While there is no beach swimming access at Taíno Bay, there are lounge chairs set up on the sand directly across from the cruise ships. Beach chairs are complimentary, but swimming is not permitted.

What to do in Puerto Plata cruise port

While the Taíno Bay cruise port offers more than enough to keep visitors busy, many prefer to explore Puerto Plata’s attractions outside the port area.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Puerto Plata.

Isabel de Torres mountain

As your cruise ship pulls into Puerto Plata, you’ll immediately notice the region’s lush, mountainous landscape, with one mountain dominating the rest.

Towering 2,600ft above Puerto Plata is Mount Isabel de Torres, the tallest peak in the city. Visiting this mountain is one of the most popular activities in Puerto Plata, and for good reason: the views from the top are simply outstanding.

There are three ways to reach the peak: cable car, a windy car road, or a strenuous hike. The cable car is the most popular–and recommended–option. For $10 a person, you can purchase a roundtrip ride on the cable car to the mountaintop.

Once at the top, you’ll find a variety of hiking trails, gorgeous viewing areas, and a Christ the Redeemer statue. One thing to note is that there are only two cable cars running at once, so wait times may be 30 minutes or even one hour to board a cable car on the way up.

The cable car entrance is located 1.3 miles from the cruise port, so taking a taxi is encouraged.

Damajagua waterfalls

Photo credit: Taino Bay Puerto Plata

Why visit one waterfall when you can visit twenty seven? Discovered by tourists in the 1990s, the Damajagua waterfalls are a collection of cascading falls located a half hour from Puerto Plata.

These waterfalls make a perfect excursion opportunity for adrenaline-seekers, and tours can be purchased through your cruise line or from outsider providers.

Tours to the waterfalls include jungle hikes, sliding down waterfalls, swimming through caverns, and jumping into natural pools. Most tours will not visit all twenty seven waterfalls, but you can expect to visit seven waterfalls during your excursion.

Fortaleza San Felipe

History buffs–or those looking for some of the city’s best views–will want to visit Fortaleza San Felipe in Puerto Plata.

This historic Spanish fortress was built in 1577 to protect the city from pirates and other intruders. In fact, it served as a location of one of the few land battles between the United States and France in the Quasi-War in 1800.

It remained in operation for several centuries before being converted into a jail in the 19th century and a museum in 1965.

Today the fort is open to the public for only a few dollars per person. The outside grounds of the fort are complimentary and offer walking paths and wonderful views of the nearby scenery.

Centro Histórico

The historical city center in Puerto Plata may be small, but it’s a charming place to explore for a few hours while in port.

The main attraction in the Centro Histórico is Independence Square, a public plaza surrounded by colonial architecture, including the city’s famous St. Philip the Apostle Cathedral.

The historic center’s narrow streets are lined with museums, shops, and restaurants. Don’t miss a photo opportunity at Umbrella Street–a narrow alley shaded by colorful umbrellas–or the hot pink alley at the Paseo de Doña Blanca.

Have a beach day

If laying on a Caribbean beach (with a cocktail in hand, of course) sounds like the best way to spend your day in Puerto Plata, you’ll find plenty of options.

Some of the best beaches near the Puerto Plata cruise port include Sosua Beach, Playa Grande, and Playa Dorada.

ResortForADay.com has one all-inclusive day pass available at Sunscape Puerto Plata, located 15 minutes away from the cruise port. Amenities include unlimited food and drinks, beach and pool access, and lounge chairs.

You can also purchase an all-inclusive resort package as a cruise line shore excursion, but these do not usually offer as much flexibility or time spent at the resort compared to booking a day pass on your own.

How to get around Puerto Plata cruise port

Taxis

Most cruise tourists visiting Puerto Plata without a shore excursion booked hire a taxi driver for the day. Taíno Bay cruise port has official taxi drivers available who charge between $80-100 total for full day service.

Having a private taxi driver for the day is a convenient way to see Puerto Plata’s most popular sights without hassle. Whether you want to visit the beach, eat at a local restaurant, or tour Puerto Plata’s city center, you can do so with a private taxi guide.

Taxi drivers wait for you at whichever activities you do in Puerto Plata. If you visit Mount Isabel de Torres, for example, your taxi driver will either wait for you at the bottom of the cable car or accompany you up the mountain.

It’s also possible to find taxis for individual rides around the city, but this appeared to be difficult on a recent visit to the port. As taxi drivers wait for tourists to leave Taíno Bay cruise port, most expect a full day’s worth of taxi service instead of a short ride.

Uber

Uber is also available in Puerto Plata, although you will need international phone service to access the Uber app when in the Dominican Republic. Uber is a much more economical option than a taxi, with most one-way rides from the cruise port to city highlights priced between $2-5 each way.

Organized tours

If you’d prefer to travel around Puerto Plata without worrying about transportation logistics yourself, your best bet is to book an organized shore excursion.

For tips & tricks on booking the best shore excursion for you, check out our guides:

• Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port
• Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Puerto Plata cruise port FAQs

What language do they speak in Puerto Plata?

Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. Knowing Spanish is helpful, especially if you plan to leave the cruise port area, but most locals working in the tourism industry can communicate in English.

Is there a free beach at the Puerto Plata cruise port?

The Taíno Bay cruise port does not have beach access for swimming. Those wishing to swim in the ocean must leave the port area and take a taxi or Uber to a nearby beach.

What currency should I use in Puerto Plata?

Because Puerto Plata is accustomed to tourists, paying in USD is widely accepted. Expect change to be given in Dominican pesos.

Which cruise itineraries visit Puerto Plata?

Cruises to Puerto Plata can be found on eastern Caribbean itineraries departing from Florida. The shortest itineraries visiting Puerto Plata are 4-night cruises, but most are 6+ nights.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?