Hints & Tips

Before you sail

• Check passport and visa rules for every country on your itinerary — some ports need a visa even for a day visit.
• Note each port's all-aboard time, usually 30–60 minutes before departure. Ships rarely wait.
• Keep digital and paper copies of your passport, cruise card and travel insurance.

Shore excursions vs exploring independently

Ship-organised excursions cost more but guarantee you're back before departure — if the tour runs late, the ship waits. Independent exploring is cheaper and more flexible, but you carry the risk of getting back on time. For far-flung sights (an airport-distance city, say), a ship tour or a reputable pre-booked transfer is the safer choice.

Money

• Carry a little local currency for small vendors, toilets and tips.
• Cards are widely accepted in big ports; a card with no foreign-transaction fee saves money.
• Avoid changing money at the port gate — rates there are usually poor.

Staying safe ashore

• Watch for pickpockets in crowded tourist streets and markets.
• Only use official or clearly-marked taxis, and agree the fare or insist on the meter first.
• Know the local emergency number (112 across most of Europe) — each PortsPedia guide lists it.
• Note your ship's berth number and terminal name before you leave.

Getting back on time

Set a phone alarm for well before all-aboard, and remember that many ports keep ship time, which can differ from local time. Build in a buffer for traffic, queues and the walk back along the pier.