Staying on board in port

I'm sailing on the Carnival Breeze next month and am thinking about staying on board in Ocho Rias. We were there last year and the idea of staying on board intrigues me. While I love visiting the ports, my favorite part of cruising is often the ship experience. What have others liked about staying on board? Is it quiet, can I finally get a good seat? Are there still activities? I know the shops and casino close, which is fine.

43 days...

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We have stayed onboard several times, it's nice to have the ship almost to yourself. A cocktail by the pool, a empty lunch buffet, wandering the ship while almost no one is in sight is terrific, also the spa treatments are half price. happy cruising

I love staying on board. It is quiet & easy super relaxing

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We sailed all the Caribbean ports so many times for so many years, we often stayed aboard in ports we didn't care about, such as Ocho Rios. Other times we might have gotten off the ship for a walk and returned in time for lunch, or before. You'd be surprised how many people don't leave the ship in one port or another.

The ship is virtually empty on port days...but that doesn't mean you still can't get off for a bit! You don't have to get off at all, or you can go ashore, and come back early....combine the best of both!

It is very much like having the whole ship to yourself. We have stayed onboard a couple of times and really enjoyed it.

There will be few activities.

It is wonderful to stay on board at a port. No lines, no saved chairs at the pool, little noise and still plenty to do. Like a day at sea just for you and a few others. Nice though to walk off long enough to find free wi-fi and catch up with the home folk.

I stay on board when DH goes diving and I don't feel like going to the beach. It's a great time for me to get caught up on my cruising journal, taking photos or do some reading. It's rather eerie when you're all my yourself and the thousands of people that were on the ship are all gone. It feels like one of those times when you want to yell HEEEELLLLLOOOOOO is anyone here?

For me personally, I would never stay on board while at a port. I may only go into port for an hour or so, but I would never not get off. That is why I cruise, to go to different places. I'm not as big of a fan of sea days but typically there is at least one sea day on the cruise so that is when I take my time to enjoy the ship.

After 50+ cruises we have stayed on board in ports we have seen before, in ports with short port call time and tendering, in ports on the last day to pack, in ports when it was raining cats and dogs, and in ports that we don't care for that much, never find it boring... enjoy the peace and quiet of the ship... wander take pictures through out the ship, fall asleep in a lounge chair, check out the library, take a swim in the pool, etc. Looks to do on an almost empty ship.

My last three cruises have involved Ensenada, which to me "been there done that" too many times. The last two times, we stayed on board and I think at least 85 per cent of the passengers also stayed on board. And the time before that, we got off the ship only long enough so hubby can buy a trinket or two at the marketplace at the pier. He bought me earrings that I had to toss (turned green).

Princess tends to have some activities on port days, but not as many as sea days. As someone mentioned, if you're into spa treatments, it's a good time to get specials.

We have stayed onboard ship several times due to repeat visits to some ports which do not hold any attraction for us. We really like such days: sleeping late; no push to attend any onboard events; have the ship largely to ourselves and save a few bucks in the process. We bing our iPads with Kindle apps for reading, and just relaxing. Hope you have a great cruise!

Only time I stayed on board was when we docked in my home town. There were a few activities and deals in the spa as well as no crowds at the gym or pool. Also got a small refund on our bill too. Otherwise I love exploring but then again I've only cruised 3 times

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We've stayed on board (or, at most, went ashore for only a short time) several times - all ports we'd visited before. There aren't many activities and the shops and casino will be closed. However, you will be able to sit right next to the pool and there won't be long lines for the buffet. Last time DH and I spent the morning in the pool and hot tub, enjoyed lunch, and sat out on our balcony and read. Our sons spent the morning on the sports deck. Later in the afternoon you will start to see more scheduled activities as people return to the ship.

A few years ago, we did a 36 day b2b Transatlantics. One of our friends only got off once.

Or, you can walk off, put your feet on the pier, say you went there and go right back on board.:eek:

You will probably have the ship to yourself and enjoy it.

Safe travels.

I have never got the staying on board thing...

Even if a ship docked in Dover (a place I have been to a lot and is a dump) I would still get off and do a bit of shopping and sit on the beach. I am on the ship a lot as it is.

I get stir crazy.

We do try and get off the ships in ports -- just to stretch our legs and see if anything has changed since we were last at that port.

But when it is raining and since I use a Rollator, we stay on the ship.

There are very few activities happening when a ship is in port.

Sometimes we have the ship to ourselves while other times other passengers have the same idea as we do.

I did a southern Caribe on Celebrity Galaxy, the second one on the ship in six months, and on this second one I NEVER got off the ship and had a great time!

I could pick just about any deck lounge I wanted, got a tan and read a book. Now, THAT is cruising to me. Been through the Caribe enough where it all is just the same ol' same ol'.

Also, if you are planning to stay on board in Jamaica, I did the same. I didn't need the hassle on shore.

We've stayed onboard RC and X ships in a few ports that we had already visited, and had no plans ashore. We call those our "private yacht days", since you do have the ship almost to yourself. A great day to get a pool chair, or relax in the uncrowded hot-tubs! Sometimes, the spas feature "port-day" specials for their over-priced treatments. However, you do need to be capable of entertaining yourself, as the crew is counting on that time to conduct crew muster drills, training exercises, etc. Also (at least on RCCL ships, at least), the shops and casino are closed, while in port. No lunch in the MDR on port days -- although other dining venues are open. Have fun!! :cool: