5 Ports Experienced Cruisers Almost Always Skip (And Their Reasons May Surprise You)

Not every port on your cruise itinerary is worth stepping off the ship for — at least not on your second or third visit. Here’s a look at five ports where repeat cruisers often choose to stay onboard.

Should You Always Get Off the Ship?

Just because your ship docks somewhere doesn’t mean you have to explore it. Many experienced cruisers skip certain ports they’ve already seen. But travel experts say first-timers should almost always get off and look around.

“If you haven’t been to any of those places, it’s usually worth getting off at least once, especially if you’re truly new to the destination, not just to the cruise, because that ‘first time I’ve seen this place’ experience is exactly what turns a port from, let’s say, an abstract itinerary box into something more memorable, something later that you decide to skip,” said Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel.

With that in mind, here are five ports where some repeat cruisers tend to stay onboard — and what you should know before deciding for yourself.

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau is a fun stop the first time around. Feldman says it’s “great for the first time, especially if you’re doing an excursion to an Atlantis-type resort or Baha Mar.” Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is also nearby, reachable by a short ferry ride.

“But you know, on later trips, passengers often opt to just stay on the ship, because even if they wander off the ship and go to the downtown strip around the cruise terminal, you know, it’s just those predictable shops that just feel (like) the same thing over and over again.”

Nassau shows up on many Caribbean itineraries. So even if you switch cruise lines, there’s a good chance you’ll end up there again.

Is Nassau Safe for Cruise Passengers?

Safety is worth mentioning here. The U.S. State Department has a Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas. That means travelers should “exercise increased caution” due to crime. “Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands,” the advisory notes.

However, Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board CEO Joy Jibrilu pushed back on those concerns. She said the advisory “has been in place for some time and is not a recent change, and we firmly believe there is no elevated risk to visitors, as our tourism partners are diligent in adhering to the highest standards.”

Jibrilu also pointed out that there’s much more to Nassau than the cruise terminal area. She recommended visiting the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas and Clifton Heritage National Park. She also suggested trying local dishes like conch salad or cracked lobster. “Engaging with our people and traditions allows visitors to experience the destination differently each time they visit, allowing them to rediscover Nassau & Paradise Island in a deeper, more personal way each time they return,” she said.

Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya sits on the Yucatán Peninsula and appears often on Western Caribbean itineraries. But Feldman says there’s “not a lot going on there” compared to other ports in the region.

“It’s largely, I would say, a resort-style beach zone with chains, beach clubs,” he said. “But after you’ve been once, clients typically tend to skip it in favor of more scenically distinctive ports like Cozumel.”

That said, things could change. Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico destination is set to open near Costa Maya in 2027. That new development might give cruisers a fresh reason to go ashore.

Ketchikan, Alaska

Ketchikan is known as the “totem pole capital of the world.” It’s one of the most common stops on Alaska cruises and offers shopping, zip lines, and hiking. Even so, Feldman says the excursion options are more limited than in places like Juneau.

“If you’ve been to Alaska many times, and there’s definitely some seasoned Alaska cruisers that go every season, they prefer to treat it more as a one-time stop than go back again,” he said. “So they prefer to stay on the ship because they’ve already done their shopping at these kitschy stores.”

If you’ve never been to Ketchikan, it’s absolutely worth exploring. The totem poles, rainforest scenery, and local culture are memorable. But for Alaska veterans, a quiet morning on the ship might be just as appealing.

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria often gets skipped — but not because it’s a bad port. The issue is timing. Many ships arrive in the evening to meet U.S. regulations that require foreign-flagged ships to stop at a non-U.S. port.

“So, they’ll have you in port from 7 p.m. to midnight, and people are exhausted by that time of day, they don’t want to get off,” said Sheri Griffiths, founder of CruiseTipsTV. “But it’s actually a very sad thing, because Victoria is a beautiful, clean, walkable city with tons to do.”

Those things include afternoon tea and a visit to the stunning Butchart Gardens. Despite the late arrivals, most passengers still get off the ship. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority reported that 73% of cruise passengers disembarked in 2025 — including over 60% of those “arriving after 5 p.m. or staying less than five hours.”

“While we’re seeing broader shifts across the industry toward slower sailing speeds and later arrivals, driven in large part by environmental considerations, a clear majority of passengers still choose to come ashore,” the organization said. Victoria is also Canada’s busiest cruise port, expecting around 335 ship visits this year.

Port Canaveral, Florida

Port Canaveral is best known as a departure point for cruises. But ships sailing from cities like New York, Bayonne, and Baltimore often stop here along the way. Outside of the Kennedy Space Center, Feldman says there isn’t much to do right near the port.

“Once you’ve done Cape Canaveral, there’s really little reason to do it again unless you’re, like, a space enthusiast,” he said.

Orlando is about an hour away by car, but squeezing a theme park visit into a single port day can be tough. It depends on how long your ship is docked and how much energy you have.

Port Canaveral itself noted that guests enjoy nearby options like Jetty Park beach, Cocoa Beach, and Kennedy Space Center. “We regularly receive positive feedback from our guests visiting Port Canaveral as they enjoy visiting the beaches at Jetty Park, within walking distance from our cruise terminals, as well as nearby Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center,” the port said.

The Bottom Line: Skip or Go Ashore?

There’s no universal right answer here. If it’s your first time at any of these ports, it’s usually worth stepping off the ship. You might surprise yourself. But if you’ve been there before, staying onboard and enjoying a quieter ship is a perfectly valid choice.

As Feldman put it, “For someone that’s never been to Orlando, the Space Coast, or, let’s say, other Florida gateway ports, even a short stop will let them see the environment, get a feel for the city, and decide for themselves whether it’s worth returning.”