Some cruises offer sailings with more sea days, while others are more port-intensive, meaning that you get to spend more time exploring different ports of call.
Depending on what type of traveler you are, you might prefer one type of itinerary over the other. Maybe you are looking for a vacation that allows you to relax and sit by the pool with a cocktail.
On the other hand, you may find sea days to be boring, especially if you have two or three in a row, and would rather spend the majority of your trip in a new place each day.
Why not advantage of that on a port-intensive itinerary when you can unpack once and visit multiple different places all at once?
Here are 6 reasons to avoid booking a cruise with a lot of sea days.
You can save money on your stateroom
After you've decided on the ship and itinerary for your next cruise vacation, you have to choose what cruise ship cabin is best.
All cruise ship staterooms, whether you book a balcony or interior room, come with the same basic amenities, including a bed, ensuite bathroom, safe, television, vanity area, and closet.
Since you will be spending a lot of time off the ship, it might not be worth it to splurge on a suite or balcony stateroom when you book a port-intensive cruise. Perhaps you'd rather spend that money on once-in-a-lifetime shore excursions or simply pocket the savings.
Of course, you'll never be far from taking in the sights. If you decide to save some money and book the cheapest cruise cabin, you'll always be able to head up to the top deck to watch the ship pull into port.
You'll benefit from the convenience of a cruise while visiting more destinations
Are you someone who likes to explore all the nooks and crannies of the world? If so, you will want an itinerary with fewer sea days.
Cruises are more convenient than land-based vacations, as you will only have to unpack once. Rather than worrying about repacking and dragging your suitcase through multiple train stations and airports, you will be able to unpack and feel right at home on a port-intensive cruise!
For instance, have you always wanted to go to Italy and Greece?
Consider a 10-night cruise onboard Norwegian Epic that departs from Rome and takes you to Santorini, Greece; Athens, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Corfu, Greece; Valletta, Malta; Sicily, Italy; Naples, Italy; and Florence/Pisa, Italy. This cruise takes you to nine different destinations with only a single day spent at sea!
Port-intensive itineraries exist elsewhere, too, such as in the Caribbean. Those who want to visit Southern Caribbean destinations might prefer a cruise that sails from San Juan, as they will take you to places like Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Croix.
While you'll get to visit more places on a single trip, one of the major drawbacks is that you cannot fully immerse yourself in a new culture in a single day. For that reason, you must think of port-intensive cruises as a way to get a sample of what each destination has to offer. If you end up liking a certain port, you can plan an extended trip back in the future!
In June 2023, I took my very first European cruise onboard MSC Seashore. While I wish that I had more time in cities like Rome and Aix-en-Provence, I learned which places I would be willing to return to and which places I'd skip!
Smaller ships offer a more intimate cruising experience
Most of the time, you won't be looking to sail on the latest and greatest ships at sea if you are hoping to maximize your time ashore.
If you book a cruise onboard a ship like Carnival Celebration, Norwegian Viva, or Icon of the Seas you are more likely interested in everything available onboard.
There's no point in spending the extra money to sail onboard these newer ships if you aren't going to take the time to ride the roller coaster, race around one of the largest go-kart tracks at sea, or ride record-breaking water slides at sea.
When I took my first European cruise, I was exhausted by the third day. Staying up late to watch the evening entertainment began to feel like a chore. Truthfully, I wanted to eat a nice dinner and retire early to rest up for the next day!
If you sail on an older ship, you will have a more intimate cruising experience, as you won't be onboard with 5,000 other passengers at the same time.
There will be fewer opportunities to feel seasick
No cruise is guaranteed to avoid rough swells, regardless of whether it's a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas or a 10-night sailing through Europe.
That being said, if you are worried about feeling ill during your cruise, a port-intensive itinerary means that you'll be spending less time at sea; you will have fewer opportunities to sail through unfavorable conditions!
Of course, you should always come prepared in case you do feel seasick. You'll want to bring the right medication (i.e., Dramamine or Bonine), select a cabin that's located in the middle of the ship on a lower deck, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
You can revisit places that you love
If you've cruised to the Eastern Caribbean, you've likely visited St. Maarten; however, it is unlikely that you got to see the entire island in a single day. Port-intensive cruises that visit ports you have already been to allow you to experience more of what they have to offer!
For instance, let's say that last time you went to St. Maarten you got to visit Maho Beach. This time, you can visit Pelican Peak to ride the zip line or venture over to the French side of the island.
Alternatively, you can stay onboard and take advantage of fewer crowds
The lido deck is the center of action on a nice sea day, especially on cruises to tropical places like the Caribbean and Western Mediterranean. This means that you might have to battle with chair hogs for a prime seat or wait in line to ride the water slides.
The ideal time to enjoy the ship's amenities with fewer crowds is when it's docked in port, as most passengers are off the ship.
Plus, when lunch rolls around, there won't be as many people in the buffet, making it feel more leisurely. On sea days, it is unlikely that you'll be able to walk into the buffet at 12:30 p.m. without having to wait in line or take a couple of laps around to find a seat.
I recommend getting off the ship for a little while, even if it is somewhere you have been before. Consider grabbing a coffee at a local shop or getting lunch ashore. If you have never been to that port before, you might want to book an early morning tour that gets you back to the ship hours before sailing away, allowing you to take advantage of exploring a new city and fewer people onboard the ship.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
