Perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences available on select cruises is the opportunity to spend a night in an exciting port of call. Paying close attention to passenger response in Europe and Asia, Royal Holiday Cruises-affiliated cruise line Celebrity has recently announced that it will include more overnight stays in select ports of call throughout the Caribbean, including Aruba, Barbados, Cozumel, and St. Maarten, among several others.
The new itineraries announced by Celebrity take full advantage of the many popular Caribbean destinations that provide overnight accommodations. In this way, the company promises to allow cruisers the opportunity to experience a different side of some of the most beloved seaside destinations in the world.
Of course, daytime excursions provide plenty of enjoyment, whether it’s relaxing in the sun, adventuring among ruins and rainforests, sampling local cuisine and music, or wandering historic sites and museums. But overnight stays in port open up a completely new world of nighttime fun and exploration.
It’s easy enough to stay on board and enjoy all the amenities available on the ship, but that means missing out on much of what makes an exotic port so special. These kinds of stopovers are the perfect chance to check out the local nightlife or to explore beyond the port town itself—all without worry of missing the boat.
So how exactly does a cruiser get the most out of an overnight port of call?
Without that curfew to worry about, many cruisers enjoy the classic night out: dinner and a show. Others prefer simply to wander unfamiliar streets, people-watching and relaxing in seaside cafes late into the night. Still others can take advantage of longer shore excursions with hours that conflict with day-only calls.
Getting around need not be a hassle just because the hour is late. Taxi services proliferate in the larger tourist towns where overnight stops are most common. Local buses and trains can be an adventure in and of themselves, but be sure to check timetables to avoid getting stranded after hours. For maximum freedom, of course, renting a car is also a fine way to explore, especially for those with their sights set on more distant attractions farther away from the port.
