13 Safety Tips at Cruise Ports You Need to Know About

Are you going on a cruise for the first time? It’s important to familiarize yourself with essential safety tips for when you’re out exploring at the cruise port. You want to avoid becoming a target for theft or pickpockets, and you certainly don’t want to do anything foolish that will cause you to run late and miss the cruise ship, leaving you stranded at the port!

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Port Agent’s Contact Information

It’s important to have the contact information of your port agent handy. Every cruise line has a port agent at each port, and this person is your go-to if you need assistance or accidentally miss the ship. You’ll typically find the port agent’s contact details printed on the port map provided by the shore excursion staff or included in your cruise daily planner.

Be sure to take that information with you and keep it accessible, just in case. If you can’t find the Port Agent’s contact info, ask the cruise staff before disembarking.

Bring Your Passport with You

Always take your passport with you when you head to the port; never leave it in your cabin. While your cruise card allows you to get on and off the ship, some cruise ports may also require your passport. You will also need your passport in case you miss the ship and need to take a plane ride to catch the cruise ship at another port.

If you’re going on a domestic cruise that only visits U.S. ports, don’t forget to bring your driver’s license. Leaving it in your cabin isn’t a good idea since you’ll need it if you miss your cruise ship and need to take a plane ride.

Taxis and Ride Share at Cruise Port

Before your cruise, it’s a good idea to research transportation options at the cruise ports. Don’t take it for granted that you’ll easily catch a taxi or an Uber.

In smaller ports, you might find a limited number of taxis, and some may not even have ride-share services. To avoid getting stranded and missing your ship’s departure, it’s best to check with the shore excursion staff or attend the Port Talk on your cruise.

If you’re heading to a port where taxis and Ubers are hard to come by, it’s safest to sign up for a shore excursion to ensure you get back to the ship on time rather than exploring the cruise port on your own.

Plan Your Return Ride

If you decide to explore on your own at a cruise port with limited taxis and ride-share options, you need to plan your return ride in advance so you have a way back to the cruise ship and don’t get left behind.

During my British Isles cruise, we docked in Cobh, a small town near Cork and Blarney Castle. To save some money, we took a cab to Blarney Castle. However, when it was time to head back to the ship, we found it challenging to get a ride. No taxis were waiting at the castle, and our attempts to book an Uber kept getting canceled due to the small town’s lack of available drivers. Luckily, we eventually got an Uber and returned to the ship on time.

In hindsight, we should have asked the cab driver who took us to Blarney Castle to wait for us, so we have a guaranteed ride back. If you decide to explore a cruise port on your own, make sure you plan for the return ride. To play it safe, it’s best to book a shore excursion through the cruise line or an independent tour operator like viator.

Bring Cash

When exploring a cruise port on your own, it’s important to have some cash in the local currency. You’ll need it for taxi rides since most drivers only take cash and often only accept the local currency, not US dollars.

For example, we didn’t have any Swedish Krona during our visit to Stockholm. This became a problem when we tried to hail a taxi back to our cruise ship; the drivers were unwilling to take us because we couldn’t pay in cash, and they didn’t accept credit cards. Fortunately, we discovered that Uber was available and that we could pay with our credit card using the Uber app. That’s how we finally made it back to our ship!

Check the Travel Advisory

Don’t assume that every cruise port is safe. Always research to check the latest travel advisories from the US Department of State for the places you’re visiting. For example, the travel advisory for the Bahamas has been raised to Level 2 because of crime and water safety concerns.

If you see that a travel advisory is at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or higher, you might not want to explore the cruise port on your own. It’s safest to book a cruise shore excursion at that cruise port.

You should also take extra precautions against pickpockets and thieves by using anti-theft cross body bags. I like this anti-theft cross body bag because the strap and bag are slash-resistant and it also blocks RFID, keeping your credit card information safe from identity thieves. Here is another option- an anti-theft unisex sling bag.

Don’t Leave Valuables Unattended at the Beach

When you’re at the beach, always keep an eye on your valuables. Don’t leave your devices lying around exposed on your beach chair. If they’re left unattended on your towel or chair, it’s easy for someone to steal your cellphone, Kindle, or iPad.

If you plan to go for a swim, it’s a good idea to take your phone with you. Make sure to use a waterproof phone case or a waterproof fanny pack that is bigger to fit your phone and wallet.

If you decide to get in the water, store your valuables in a beach bag with a zipper. This way, your things are not visible. I like this beach bag because it is waterproof and has a zipper closure.

Don’t Wear Your Cruise Lanyard

Put away your cruise lanyard while you’re at the port. Wearing your cruise lanyard will make you stand out as a tourist, making you an easy target for thieves and pickpockets. It’s best to keep a low profile when you’re on shore. Instead, tuck your keycard away in your purse as a precaution.

All Aboard Time

When you disembark from the ship, it’s important to note the time you need to be back on board. Typically, the “all aboard” time is listed in the daily planner and posted at the gangway. If you are forgetful, take a picture of the “all aboard time” and set an alarm on your phone.

If you need to take a tender boat to the port, make sure you allow plenty of time for the tender boat ride. Look for the sign near the tender gangway to find out when the last tender boat departs.

Keep in mind that cruise ships won’t wait for you. If you miss the “all aboard” time, you’ll have to find your own way back to the ship and catch up with it at the next port!

Don’t Book a Late Independent Tour

If you’re thinking about joining a tour that’s not run by the cruise line, it’s a good idea to give yourself plenty of time, just in case things run a bit late. When you pick an independent tour operator, try to find an early morning tour that finishes a few hours before the all-aboard time.

This way, even if your tour runs late, you’ll still have enough time to make it back to the ship. If you can’t find an independent tour that ends early enough, you shouldn’t book an independent tour. Instead, book a shore excursion through the cruise line since the cruise line guarantees that you won’t be left behind.

Plan Your Transportation if You’re a Big Group

When traveling with a large group, it’s important to organize your transportation at the cruise port ahead of time. Finding a ride can be difficult for bigger groups since you’ll need a van or multiple taxis.

You definitely don’t want to end up stranded at the port because of this, nor do you want to waste time aimlessly searching for a ride to nearby attractions.

Pre-booking shore excursions is safest, either through the cruise or with independent tour operators. For large groups, look into private tours—you’ll get a more personalized experience and can tour at your own pace. You’ll find that private tours can be the same price or even more affordable than the excursions offered by the cruise. A great platform to book tours is Viator.

Don’t Drink too Much

Be mindful of your alcohol intake when you’re at the cruise port. It’s easy to get carried away spending the afternoon drinking, especially if you’re on a party boat with unlimited drinks or at a Caribbean port filled with bars.

Also, know that drinking alcohol under the sun can be a risky mix. Remember, the last thing you want is to get so drunk that you miss the ship!

Don’t Wear Expensive Jewelry & Designer Bags

Don’t make yourself an easy target for thieves! Leave your expensive jewelry and designer bags at home. Keep a low profile and wear inexpensive accessories instead!

Find Out if there is a Time Change

You need to double-check with the cruise staff to see if there is a time change. Time changes are usually announced in the cruise daily planner. Not being aware of time changes can lead to missing the ship and being stranded at the cruise port. Even a one-hour time difference can cause you to miss the ship!

If you’re cruising to places like Bermuda or Mexico, keep in mind that time changes are likely to happen! Be sure to set your watch to the right time, and don’t forget to double-check with the crew before you get off the ship. Check out Should You Remove Automatic Gratuities on Your Next Cruise?

Cruise Essentials

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Cruise Lanyard

Bring cruise lanyards; to make your life easier so you are not constantly looking for your cruise card!

Towel Bands

Towel bands are great in keeping your beach towels in place! So, they are slipping off the pool lounge chairs!

Power Strip

Definitely bring a cruise-approved power strip so you have more outlets for charging your devices. Cruise cabins never have enough outlets! Please double-check with your cruise line, as some do not allow power strips and will only allow USB charger cubes.

Packing Cubes

Use packing cubes to make cruise packing easier. These cubes will help keep your clothes organized. Unpacking is easy because you just need to take the cubes out of your luggage and put them in the drawers and shelves—so easy! Assign a color for each person in your cabin so you don’t get your cubes mixed up.

Anti-Theft Cross Body Bag

This anti-theft crossbody bag is perfect for travel. It features a slash-resistant design and RFID-blocking technology for added security. It even comes with a side pocket to hold your water bottle.

Luggage Tags

For safety, make sure every luggage and bags are labeled with a luggage tag. I like these custom luggage tags that you can order and personalize with your information.

Magnetic Hooks

Bring magnetic hooks to organize your cabin and keep it clutter-free. These hooks are for hanging baseball caps, cruise lanyards, goggles, bathing suits and towels.

Detergent Travel Packets

These detergent travel packets are great for handwashing bathing suits in the sink.

Anti-Seasickness

This anti-seasickness medicine is a go-to to combat seasickness on a cruise. If you have kids, make sure you bring the chewable version. If you are looking for a natural solution, try these acupressure bands.

Hanging Toiletry Bag

Cruise cabin sinks are notoriously small. Get a hanging toiletry bag to make it easier!

Cruise Travel Planner Printable

Get our comprehensive cruise travel planners to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!