Because Sometimes The Best Shore is Right Under Your Own Deck
Every port day on a cruise offers a choice: step off and explore a new destination — or stay aboard and let the ship itself become your destination. For groups of friends, sisters, or travel-club companions, knowing when to stay on the ship can turn a good cruise into a smart, restful, memorable one.
Five Smart Moments When Staying on Board Might Be Your Best Move
1. When the Port Holds Little New for You
If you’ve visited a particular port or stop before and nothing new awaits, staying aboard gives you time to indulge in the ship’s amenities while most travellers are off exploring. As one cruiser noted:
“We have been to the South Pacific many times… on our first cruise we did one excursion; on our next we stayed on ship and it was a blissfully quiet day.” (Cruise Critic Community)
For your group: treat it as a spa-day, movie-marathon or pool-deck retreat day together.
2. When the Ship is Your Destination
Modern cruise ships offer resorts-at-sea: waterslides, adult-only zones, specialty dining, shows, and more. On a port day, when fewer guests are onboard, these spaces are even more indulgent:
“While everyone else was ashore, we had the Solarium to ourselves, the bars were quiet, and we skipped lines at the slides.” (cruise.blog)
Your group can use the day to connect, lounge, and enjoy slower moments you might miss on busy sea days.
3. When the Logistics or Cost of Going Ashore Don’t Add Up
Sometimes the port destination is far from the sights, or the cost of excursions feels steep, or there’s a long shuttle bus ride just to get to anything worthwhile. In those cases, staying aboard is smart:
“If the ship is docked far away, or the port offers little unique, staying on board makes far more sense.” (Tips For Travellers)
For your group: decide ahead which ports are the ‘must-see’ and which you’ll treat as mellow ship-days.
4. When You Want Quality Group Time & Connection
Group travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about shared moments. Staying on board can give your group uninterrupted time: morning coffee on deck, group brunch, spa sessions, sunset chats.
When everyone is off ashore, that chance disappears. Use port days on the ship to deepen friendships rather than logistics.
5. To Manage Budget & Energy
Exploring ashore often costs more: excursions, taxis, local shopping, extra meals. Staying aboard can help manage both your budget and your energy levels:
“By staying on board the port day we avoided extra excursion costs, relaxed fully and used amenities at their best.” (blog.onlinevacationcenter.com)
Your group can plan ahead: pick-and-choose which ports you explore and which you stay on the ship—keeping pace, cost and mood in check.
How Your Group Picks the Right Balance
- Pre-agree as a group: Choose your “must-see” ports and mark the rest as “stay-on-ship” days.
- Pack for both moods: Bring walking shoes and swimwear/lounging gear for days you stay onboard.
- Schedule a group ritual: Maybe “deck coffee at 9 am” on stay-on-ship days, or “photo at port exit” on explore days.
- Stay flexible: Even if your plan is to go ashore, if you wake up and feel like a quiet ship day instead, do it. The point is communal joy, not pressure.
Why This Works Especially for Women & Travel Groups
When women travel together—friends, sisters, book-clubs—knowing when to let the ship shine is as important as knowing when to step off. Staying on board isn’t a “missed port”; it’s a shared choice to relax, reconnect, and recharge.
You’ll return home not just with photos of places—but with memories of togetherness, laughter under the stars, and peace in the journey.
Ready to Cruise Your Way?
Let’s plot your group’s itinerary and your “stay-on-ship vs explore-ashore” strategy. At America’s Best Cruises, we’ll help pair the ship, destinations and rhythm that fit your group best.
Contact us today—and let’s craft a voyage where every port day, whether on deck or on land, becomes part of the memory.
Here’s to mixing wanderlust with sweetness, movement with stillness—and sailing together exactly how you want.
