Not getting off boat for excursions

We are on the FOS for the May 15 sailing. My husband is out of a job so we can't really afford to do excursions. We had everything booked/paid last year before the job loss, including parking, hotel, food, gas, etc. Has anyone ever just stayed on the boat and not done anything in the ports of call? Is it dead on the ship? We were thinking just hang out by the pool, work out, drink, eat, relax, etc. What was it like if anyone else has done this?

why not get off without an excursion? I've always felt I have seen more wandering around at my own pace than I do on an excursion. Walking is free :)

We are on the FOS for the May 15 sailing. My husband is out of a job so we can't really afford to do excursions. We had everything booked/paid last year before the job loss, including parking, hotel, food, gas, etc. Has anyone ever just stayed on the boat and not done anything in the ports of call? Is it dead on the ship? We were thinking just hang out by the pool, work out, drink, eat, relax, etc. What was it like if anyone else has done this?

We stayed on the ship in PR last cruise and took advantage of the empty hot tub and drink specials. Also you can get off & just sight see.

Enjoy!

Aileen

We are on the FOS for the May 15 sailing. My husband is out of a job so we can't really afford to do excursions. We had everything booked/paid last year before the job loss, including parking, hotel, food, gas, etc. Has anyone ever just stayed on the boat and not done anything in the ports of call? Is it dead on the ship? We were thinking just hang out by the pool, work out, drink, eat, relax, etc. What was it like if anyone else has done this?

When ships are in port and you stay on it is nice and quiet! Lots of options for where to sit - sun or shade. Lots of space in the pool. Lots of options for tables in Windjammer. Lots of choices of work out machines. Based on your itinerary and ports you can always just get off the ship and walk around in a port. I hope you enjoy whatever options you choose. PS - when you get off the ship in a port you can always find somewhere for free internet.

We've stayed on the ship in port, and it's great!

Sometimes, we just get off the ship in the port shopping area.

I know I have planned to get off in St. Maarten to get some booze but otherwise, nothing else planned. My husband doesn't care to get off the boat either. We might change our minds but was curious how dead the ship was in the ports. Not sure what we are going to do but him not having a job is crappy. I am taking advantage of the Voom sale so he can job hunt at night and apply to stuff.

Thanks y'all!

You absolutely do not need to spend anything, or much, to enjoy any of your ports.

CocoCay is a beautiful beach day. Take the tender over, find a couple of loungers in the sand or some hammocks in the shade, and chlll out.

St.Thomas and St.Martin are highly walkable ports. Lots to just LOOK at. Nice walking areas. Free (except a small fee for chairs) on the city beach in St. Martin. Same available at the beaches in St. Thomas. For a rather small amount of money, you can hire a taxi driver at the pier to take you around the island.

But the ship is pleasant when 'everyone else' is off in port. Shops and the casino are closed; MDR is closed, but Windjammer buffet, Café Promenade and Sorrentos are all open. Pools are open. Lounges are available for....lounging.

:)

On med cruises I would stay on the ship on ports I have been to a few times. For example for the Rome stop I stayed on the ship and enjoyed it.

Just keep in mind that somethings are close while in port or may have restricted hours.

Your ports:

Coco Cay / Bahamas

Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) / US Virgin Islands

Philipsburg (Sint Maarten) / Lesser Antilles

Coco is a Royal Caribbean owned port stop, so you should get off the ship and enjoy the beach day. The other ports you should just walk around. You could find someone to split a taxi fare to a local free beach.

I won a cruise on the Jewel a few years ago. It included air and hotel the night before. Good thing because hubby was out of work at the time and we were broke. We got off in Cozumel and walked along the beach and in to some shops. Didn't spend a penny but saw a lizard up close and had a great day. I would suggest getting off for a couple of hours and then enjoying the quiet of the ship for the rest of the day.

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Everything on the ship EXCEPT the casino and shops will be up and running. But...go to your library and get a guidebook on your ports! Rarely do you NEED an excursion to have fun ashore! There are plenty of cheap options for spending time ashore...the guidebook will tell you all about them!

If you want to stay on the ship, the pool is virtually empty.

Everything on the ship EXCEPT the casino and shops will be up and running. But...go to your library and get a guidebook on your ports! Rarely do you NEED an excursion to have fun ashore! There are plenty of cheap options for spending time ashore...the guidebook will tell you all about them!

If you want to stay on the ship, the pool is virtually empty.

Oh no! Not the "library and guide book" post!

As predictable as the sun rising in the east!

:eek:

Due to mobility issues we seldom get off the ship. Just love the peace and quiet and space to roam at our leisure. We don't have any hassles at lunch time and pool areas are peaceful and rather quiet. We have been to most if not all of the Caribbean ports multiple times. I agree you should enjoy free CocoCay brunch and beach, even if you sit under a palm tree in shade.

Have been thru DH out of work so I can feel for you. Good Luck on job search.

Enjoy your cruise.

In some ports you don't have to have an actual excursion to enjoy just walking around. :)

My kids are young, so we don't see the need to spend hundreds on an excursion when they would much rather enjoy an empty pool.

Staying on the ship on a port day is the norm for us!!

I'll just state that "empty" is more of a relative term. Some ports have more people stay aboard than others. Nassau in particular comes to mind as one that may have more than a few choose to remain on board. I've seen more than one person (different cruise line) complaining that they "thought the ship would be empty but there were other people who stayed aboard", and for some ships on Nassau it could easily be at least half the passengers who remain on the ship.

Not saying there is anything wrong with that at all. I've got ports that I'd rather stay on the ship than visit. Just don't expect that you'll be the only ones staying aboard, especially if it's a port such as Nassau where many people will have been multiple times.

oh no! Not the "library and guide book" post!

 

As predictable as the sun rising in the east!

 

:eek:

:D:):p

:D:):p

I think I missed something. But nope, I don't have a library card anyway.

I'll just state that "empty" is more of a relative term. Some ports have more people stay aboard than others. Nassau in particular comes to mind as one that may have more than a few choose to remain on board. I've seen more than one person (different cruise line) complaining that they "thought the ship would be empty but there were other people who stayed aboard", and for some ships on Nassau it could easily be at least half the passengers who remain on the ship.

 

Not saying there is anything wrong with that at all. I've got ports that I'd rather stay on the ship than visit. Just don't expect that you'll be the only ones staying aboard, especially if it's a port such as Nassau where many people will have been multiple times.

This is true. "empty" should not be taken literally. You will NOT be the only people who stay on the ship in any port.

I think I missed something. But nope, I don't have a library card anyway.

Jealousy ;)

I think I missed something. But nope, I don't have a library card anyway.

Oh my! LOL

Get a card, and many libraries belong to services that allow you to download books/music/movies for free. My library has Hoopla and Overdrive, and people download their guidebooks.

Library cards are free! Take advantage!

(Spoken like a librarian, I know)

Staying onboard while in port means you get to enjoy the ship without the crush of people, the bars, pools, buffet, whatever are all available without lines. It is also one of the best times you can actually take a nap.

OP, glad that you're opting to still take your cruise. One of the great things about cruising is that the most important things are already taken care of: cabin, basic food, basic beverages, entertainment. As others have said previously, if you need a change of scenery simply get off in the port and stroll around...won't cost you a dime! Enjoy your vacation, and best wishes to the hubby on the job search.

BTW, I'll be aboard Freedom the week following you. :)

I know I have planned to get off in St. Maarten to get some booze but otherwise, nothing else planned. My husband doesn't care to get off the boat either. We might change our minds but was curious how dead the ship was in the ports. Not sure what we are going to do but him not having a job is crappy. I am taking advantage of the Voom sale so he can job hunt at night and apply to stuff.

 

Thanks y'all!

Check out Milan Jewelers in St. Thomas for booze too. They also deliver back to the ship for you so you don't have to carry it around. It's right in the shopping area by the dock.

I am not going to tell you how to spend money that isn't mine, but you can have a real ace of a day in St. Maarten for $20 for two if you use the public busses (look just like the taxis). Walk off the ship to Back Street. Couple bucks to Marigot; share a treat from Serafina's bakery. Beers on the street for $2 to wash it down. Couple of bucks to take a ride out to Maho Beach and see the planes come in over the beach. Couple bucks back to Philipsburg and a 5 minute walk back to the ship. You do not need an expensive excursion to explore and have fun.

Ok, ok, depending on the treat from Serafina's you might be at $21 or $22 total with all the bus rides as well ;)

Oh my! LOL

 

Get a card, and many libraries belong to services that allow you to download books/music/movies for free. My library has Hoopla and Overdrive, and people download their guidebooks.

 

Library cards are free! Take advantage!

 

(Spoken like a librarian, I know)

I have Hoopla and Freegal and other services from my library too. I load up on free music, audiobooks, shows and movies. All free. I have stayed on board and listened to music with a mostly empty ship. Was really nice!