Four reasons why you should book a port-heavy cruise

A cruise vacation Not only is there deep value, but it also allows you to visit multiple destinations in one trip. As you explore your itinerary options, a port intensive cruise can give you the opportunity to see several different ports, dive into those ports, and cut down on travel time by getting to different destinations.

More often than not, your ship will arrive in the morning and depart in the late afternoon, giving you plenty of time to explore the port, plan a full-day excursion, and allow you to cross those destinations off your bucket list. So, if you’re planning a Caribbean cruise and want to experience intense port sailing, choose a cruise with more days in port than at sea. If you’re traveling around the Mediterranean in Europe, choose an itinerary that gives you an authentic European port experience. Here are four reasons to consider booking a port-intensive cruise.

You’ll end up spending less on airfare

If you fly to South Florida or another US cruise port to begin your cruise, if you have a port-heavy itinerary, you’ll visit multiple islands in just one flight. And with the rising cost of flights, this point works even more in your favor. You can visit places like St. Thomas, the Bahamas, St. Thomas Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Aruba and Belize on port-intensive sailings. So think about what it would be like to pay for just one flight, unpack once, and visit all those places. You’re sure to win on a land cruise.

You can enjoy gastronomic adventures And on the ship

Most cruise lines include local cuisine on board menus. For example, on a tropical cruise, the highlights might be jerky, Mexican and island cuisine. So you are not only an island hopper, but also a foodie. On European voyages, the changing selection of food in your dining room will highlight where your ship is visiting. Think Italian specialties, French desserts or Spanish tapas. So, the more places your ship visits, the more you can enjoy.

You get more bang for your buck.

The holidays are a gift you give yourself and we all try to make the most of it. So, a port-intensive cruise is smart trip planning. You reduce the hassle of travel, spend less on travel, visit more places, and optimize your travel experience. All of these reasons come down to saving money before you leave, so you can use all that money you save on excursions, dining at local restaurants, and shopping while in port.

You can skip the port and enjoy a less crowded ship.

If you’re an experienced cruiser and have been to familiar Caribbean ports, you might want to skip the repeat port. When you stay on the ship on a port day, you can easily grab the best spot by the pool and can also head to the spa for complete relaxation. And most cruise lines offer dedicated spa services in port, so it’s truly a win-win. Keep in mind that on port-heavy cruises, your days at sea are shorter, so skipping a day in port will allow you to truly enjoy your ship’s amenities without the crowds.