6 Ports to AVOID When Cruising
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- Опубліковано 2 бер 2024
- Jamie shares 6 Cruise Ports that many people say they don't get off the ship for.
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Loving everyone's feedback on these ports!!!
Belize City and Belize can be Dangerous is it Safe to get off The Cruise Ship in Belize and Stay at Cruise Port Only and look in Gift Shops at Cruise Ports Then go Back on Cruise Ship just not go into the Town????
Do They have Alot of Gift Shops at Belize Cruise Port Pier?????
I stay on the ship in most ports. I have cruised many times and just enjoy being on the ship with no crowds.
When docked in Ensenada, we hired a local to take us to Valle De Guadalupe…the Napa of Mexico for some wine tasting. Over 200 wineries, some huge and absolutely beautiful and some mom and pop cool places. It’s 45 minutes drive from the cruise port to the valley and made for a wonderful day. By the way, we found our tour guide through trip advisor and he was wonderful.
I absolutely agree. I loved the tour I took to wineries. Undiscovered jewel.
I agree with some of those which I've been to such as Nassau and Ensenada.
Staying on the ship while in port is the most peaceful time you can have,even the crew is happier and you get better pours at the bar,just tip the bartender well after your first drink..
Excellent point!! Thanks for watching!!!
Had my fav excursion in Ensenada, did a winery tour with 3 stops and wine at each one.
I’d be reluctant to swim at Margaritaville pool … all those folks drinking and NOT leaving the pool? One big unisex toilet!!!
Let's hope there is extra chlorine in that pool!!!
We get off when we go to Belize. Cave tubing is a blast but depends on weather. Going to Altun Ha Mayan temple is great but a very long bus ride. Always take the ship excursion in Belize to avoid missing the ship. Another point is to go to Belize in December or January if you do a temple excursion, it’s a hot trip, so choose a time when it’s most likely to be cooler. We went for Christmas a few years ago and weather was glorious. Not hot at all, but your mileage may vary for sure.
Fabulous as always! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Jamie!!!!
Shocked at Grand Turk being on the list. We always have a great time there and love the water. We love Grand Turk.
About to the only islands I enjoy going ashore in the Caribbean are the Dutch islands and Grand Cayman. My purpose when booking Caribbean cruises is to enjoy the warm weather, the balcony, especially at sea and the food.
i love Grand Turk!! i was just there a few days ago and we rented a golf cart and explored the island (its only 6mi by 2mi). You can drive to beach and have the whole place to yourself to do whatever you want. Water is some of the prettiest ive been to in the Caribbean!
I love Belize and Jamaica. I find the people of both of these places friendly and helpful. I have never felt unsafe at either. I enjoy Progressi because it is more old Mexico and not the over developed ports like Cozumel. I always get off the ship at Freeport because there are artisan craftsman that we love to visit I am looking forward to get to Nassau again, simply because of the newly constructed port. I really think that everyone should visit each port at leat once and make up their own minds. Another thing is they should research the country, history, etc so they aren't clueless (like the lady I met on a recent cruise to Belize who was really unset that she had learned Spanish and no one spoke Spanish at the port😂). As for the "aggressive vendors, you need to realize that this is how they support their families. If you don't want to purchase, a polite but firm, no thank you works for me.
I like Costa Maya!!! I have been there several times even before the huge pool was built. You forgot there is some Mayan Pyramids that are awesome!!!! Subscribed today! 😊
Thanks bebreyes4766!!!
I gotta say, we still enjoy getting off the cruise at every port, but maybe in time we will decide to stay on board one of these times. Good job with the video Jamie!
Thanks for a well done, intelligent video. As a 23 year veteran of the cruise industry, I agree completely with your assessment. Thanks again!
Thank you!!!
Jaimie…. You are getting to be the most informative person on the subject of cruising.
Wow!! Thanks Stevenz!!!
I agree with you 100%. I'm a long time cruiser and those ports are lousy in my book. If we get off the ship it's just to walk around the port area and feel our land legs.
Totally agree with Costa Maya!
That's was really interesting. I used to go to Ochos Rios in 1996 and it wasn't too safe then! I always loved cruising the Caribbean. Looks like paradise to us! Cheers 🍻
Thanks for watching!!!
I went to Colon earlier this year. I took an excursion to Panama City. I liked it.
I can somewhat agree on Belize. Best thing was the tender ride over there and the coconut with the rum drink. Did not feel safe going outside the port area. Very pushy vendors. Food was good but everyone who ate became sick later.
Tortola, British Virgin Islands. When every building in the port has bars on the windows, it tells you are not in a safe area.
I agree with your review of Costa Maya. When we visited we were ship #4. It was PACKED. Moving around was almost impossible.
We walk out the port in Progresso and talk to the guy on the right at the excursion/taxi stand. We have done the salt flats, flamingo, mayan ruins and beach break. It is a great excursion and the taxi driver handles the payment into the mayan ruins and beach area. No one hassles you and the beach is beautiful! Done this twice now and it was so much fun.
After 6 times visiting Encinada, on the 7th time I decided it was time to just stay on the ship. There is some interesting shopping, but you get hounded constantly to either give money or buy something and I’ve finally had enough! Thanks for the video! :)
Great video. We were just at Costa Maya last week and really enjoyed Krazy Lobster. The port area was way too busy even with only 2 Carnival ships there that day. Icon of the Seas did not stay due to the windy weather. I'd also avoid all other ports mentioned.
I also did the ATV in Grand Turcks and it was awesome had no problems at all.
We love Belize. Some of our favorite excursions have happened there. We usually stay on the ship in most of the eastern Caribbean ports as most are the same. We enjoy the western itineraries more, seems like there is more adventure.
I've been to all the ports Jamie's audience voted on. I actually liked Progreso when I visited last year. I went to Merida, a nearby big city with plenty of things to see and do.
I agree with a lot of them. Spot on
Thanks for watching!!!
Great vlog!
We always had a good time at Ensenada. Just need to go visit some of the local vineyards and wineries. Really greats wines being made there.
Thanks Warren!!!
Also shocked about Gran Turk. I loved it. We rented a golf cart for the day and drove around and went to the far side of the island. Absolutely beautiful water. Lots to see there.
True, the water is fantastic!!! Thanks for watching, Judith!!!
just saw you comment and I said the same as you did! lol
Maybe Bahamas and Jamaica charge the cruise lines less than other ports, so they save money by stopping there.
Definitely agree with all of those ports. Sometimes I might get off the ship to stretch my legs at one of them (except Belize) but that really depends on the mood. When I book a cruise now, I try to find itineraries that do not have any of these as a port of call.
Just got off a ship that set sail from Laromana. They have just finished rebuilding the port stop there. Lots of local venders and a pool area.
Excursions would have to be pre arranged and expect some transit time.
We got off in Nassau two weeks ago. Check out the new port shopping area. Also, yes the vendors are pushy there but not too bad compared to other ports. We don’t go for a lot of beach excursions, we enjoy history, culture and food or local drinks, wineries, brewery or distillers and so forth. So it depends on your interests too.
Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
Costa Maya or as the comedian on our ship called it Close To Maya, massive tourist trap, stay on the ship
There is now a purpose built resort area in La Romana owned by Carnival right next to the Dock. We walked into La Romana it did not feel dangerous (Dec 2023)
St. Lucia is a mixed blessing. There definitely are beautiful beaches and places to see, but avoid the downtown: lots of beggars, shady characters and soldiers with guns. A really scary place that had the group of us head back to the ship within five minutes.
I agree with you on coasts maya
So glad I was done with the Caribbean 20 years ago...saw just about every Island. I have no desire to ever go back...
Cruising in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe is soooo much more interesting and beautiful...so much to see and do.
I agree with you about Costa Maya. It's always so crowded. I am adding Cozumel to this list. I know this is controversial, but I tend to stay on the ship at this port.
To each their own..thanks Karla!!!
Hey Jaime, hope you and yours are all doing well. The Port of Costa Maya has added a new pool and bar area in the back where you exit the Cruise Port to grab your taxi or Golf cart cart. Some positive comments have been posted about this new area, because lots of passengers just stay in the front main area thus little congestion. I know you and Sharon weren't happy with your experience at Crazy Lobster, but a few recent videos on UA-cam have shown good to very good satisfaction. Maybe a change in management. I personally did the excursion to Atlantis with Carnival to the huge enclosed Marina wildlife and beach getaway, which I enjoyed with R/T shuttle, which I enjoyed. Thanks in advance, keep up the great work. 😎⛹️♀️🚴♂️🤸♂️
Thanks Clarence!!!
We enjoy Grans Turk because of the beach. Then we hand out at Margaritaville. We have done a couple of excursions on Grand Turk.
1st time, my wife & I walked to the airport, from the port, (2-3 miles). Not much to see! Then, last time that we were there, we went into the small town! Also, not much there! Stay with the Margaritaville pools or beaches!
Agree on all the ports you listed. The only port you may want to look at again is Belize. Only because there is a 2 hour each way trip to the Mayan ruins on the Guatemala border at Xuanatunich. It was a hard bus ride but the climb up the pyramid was great. You look right into Guatemala. Ensenada might be okay if you take a wine country tour. But that's it.
Agree that some of the best things, you have to travel to get to, but I think that long bus ride each way scares off cruisers. Thanks for watching John!!!
Great video! But we're going to change your mind about Costa Maya. Its one of our favorite ports!
Good luck!!! lol Loved the Icon videos @howwecruise!!!!
Good Evening Jamie, for me Costa Maya MX is one that I have been too many times and I have no desire to see it again.
Thanks Douglas!!!
I am an advocate for getting off at each port at least once. You make the call after that. Belize I will stay on the ship until the new port is complete. Half Moon and Princess Cay I will stay on the ship. Progresso I will stay on and I agree with Costa Maya. I may get off at Costa Maya since it's been 10 years since i've been there.
Agree with Belize, Puetra Plata Dominican, Bahamas. Jamaica was an experience of a different culture for sure.
I am not an expert cruiser but just my opinion if you have seen one caribbean island then you have seen them all. Tortola is nice and seven mile beach in Grand Cayman is great along with Sting Ray Island but for the most part you can get off and wander around the port area alittle. It seems all shore excursions have more than doubled in price everywhere now and most are just not worth spending so much money. Just say'n.
Never been to Ensenada. Or Jamaica. But all the rest I love going to.
I get off everywhere. Enjoy the sights people culture. My niche may be different than most folks. But I absolutely enjoy the Caribbean.
I've been to some of these ports and I really can't agree with your view. But then again I didn't book a cruise because I wanted to stay on the ship. I enjoy seeing the towns either by taking excursions or walking around on my own. One of my favorites is Jamaica.
Cartagena is a one time stop but only with a ship tour. Costa Maya is a good place to go on a tour of the Mayan ruins, which are an hour bus ride away. I’d never get off in Jamaica again. Dunnes Falls is a one timer too.
We did Cartagena visit 2 weeks ago and once we left the ship and cruise terminal, we called an uber to drop us to the city center and it was well worth it. There were 2 ships on that day and there was police on every corner, so we did not felt unsafe at all and we enjoyed the walled city a lot! We were also approached by freestyle rappers and they were really so cool and funny. We gave them a couple of dollars, because at least they amused us. It was much better than taking a picture with the Colombian women dressed in colorful dress. We always avoided them, because who would like to take a picture with someone who demands money then :D
On the same cruise we also did Falmouth, Jamaica and it was really nice place to visit. The atmosphere was really nice, we bought a trip with cruise company and the only thing we did not like when we visited the Blue hole were loads of people where the tour guides even did not let us to take a quick picture, because he wanted these tourists to move smoothly, so more can come later. It was quite annoying, but we felt very safe there.
I agree on Ensenada. I use to drive once in a while to Ensenada as a young man and have a good time. But other than drinking and eating there isn't much to do. Nassau we visited in January for the first time. We walked 8 miles and that was good day sightseeing the town. Didn't feel unsafe, lots of vendors and cab drivers stopping us.... but probably will not do it again.
Cruising is so much more than the Caribbean Mexico… Boring! I have a friend who does nothing but take cruises ( 40 of them ) in the Caribbean. how boring is that?? Cruising means the world! Try taking a cruise to Norway, take a cruise to eastern Mediterranean, including Greece, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Venice, try taking a western Mediterranean cruise to Barcelona Valencia, Gibraltar, London, Bordeaux, try taking a cruise to Australia, New Zealand! I’ve done all those cruises and they’re so much fun! I couldn’t imagine doing any more Caribbean cruises after five I am completely done, eastern, western, southern, and a couple of others boring! When you’re talking about ports, not getting off the ship, that’s a very limited myopic view of cruising. Once you’ve seen the eastern western and southern Caribbean, there’s no need to go back there again. This experience includes a visit through the Panama Canal, which I’ve done. Try expanding your horizons people.
Shocked Grand Turk is on the list. Such a beautiful beach that's steps away. One of my favorites. La Romana has improved the port recently. Added a nice pool with swim up bar. Worth at least 1/2 the day off ship.
Right! We were surprised too!! Maybe it's more of a one and done type of port. Thanks for watching!!
There isn't much to do in Grand Turk besides beach and water sports. I'm one of the ones that does little of either, so I do understand the sentiment.
St Lucia and Belize is on my not-returning list
I went cave tubing. I booked thru Carnival. But that was the only thing I enjoyed in Belize
Agree with Costa Maya and I would add Guadeloupe
I must be the rarity, I always enjoy Nassau maybe because on the first of my many cruises it was our first port.
Do not agree about Grand Turk, been there many times on our cruises and absolutely love the beach, the water is beautiful and even went on a snorkeling excursion that so fun and beautiful!!!
We have fears horror stories on street vendors & alcohol drinks. We stick to restaurants & bottle or can beer or bottle soda.
Agree on your ports.
He speaks the truth!!
Thanks Dan!!!
@@SharonatSeaTravel only Caribbean port I liked was Grand Caymen
I wouldn't get off at Jamaica again.
Belize nature tour is great.
I’d agree with you about Costa Maya. Absolutely nothing to do or see their. Labadee, Hati is another port i stay on the ship.
Going to give some tips in the comments cause people tend to not go very far which seems to be the problem here.
Ensenada town isn't great. The Valle de Guadaloupe is the best hidden gem in the world of wine. Book a tour to the wineries and get away from just California wine.
Progresso - When you take the shuttle from the ship to the bus station, ask for a ticket on the next bus to Merida. It's a couple dollars, takes just under an hour, and your in a fascinating and authentic Mexican city that is the capital of Yucatan.
Costa Maya - Not for everyone cause you need a certification, but for those that are ignore the not so great beaches and get a boat to take you out deeper for scuba diving. Consider a snorkeling tour if your not certified. The reefs are amazing there since they don't get the traffic of Cozumel or Cancun
Thanks for sharing Brett!!!!
I spent 3 week in Mahahual 12 years ago to do some diving on Banco Chinchurro,it's off limit to tourist and only 10 divers per day can dive the reefs.The island has a Marine University research center owned by Spain..only fishing families live on the Island...after we finished our dives we would go buy 3 lb lobsters for $9.00 each,take them back to a restaurant in Mahahual and paid them $10.00 to grill and served with fries and garlic butter.Mahahual(Costa Maya)is the cruise port is a big drug area,we had to be inside our hotel after dark and nothing is open,except for a small local bar that gets very rowdy.
Unfortunately, Caribbean cruise ports mostly seem so uninteresting to me. I’m that weirdo who plans cruises where I can seek out a nearby art museum or historic cathedral 😂.
You sound a lot like our son, Matthew!!! Thanks for watching!!!
I agree with your uninteresting cruise ports and to make matters worse the ships are becoming nothing more than an amusement park which is attracting too many kids that ruin a big part of the cruise vacation. Lets make an appeal for newer, smaller cruise ships.
@@williamwatson689 Yup! Seems like time for me to book my next Holland America cruise 😉 🛳️
You see one Caribbean Island,you see them all...everywhere you go the locals are trying to rip you off in every country in the world..now they have migrants from Africa and Eastern Europe doing the same thing,especially in Italy...
@@_echobravoMy wife and I cruise solely on HAL. Great experiences.
We always stay on the ship when going to Victoria Canada generally getting there late and leaving late a lot of things are closed not much to do there.
Good point!! Never enough time in Victoria!!!
Ensenada has a lot more to offer, for example Valle de Guadalupe, a 30 min drive from Ens😁😁
I don't get off a ship for food/drink. But I like to shop for souvenir's, maybe an excursion or a nearby beach. I agree there is not much to do in Grand Turk but the pool is fun if you get there early. I feel if you don't like a port, do more research when booking a cruise.
Ensenada is a cruise stop only because cruise lines MUST have a non-US stop to avoid having to pay crew members US wages.
It’s a lousy stop, but I will say it has recently improved a little with the pathway from the port
We did snorkeling which was great but yah nothing else is great
I think you need to consider that Ensenada is on the port list as a means to be compliant to the Jones act. I am not an attorney, but as I understand it, this act requires that non-US registered ships starting and ending in American ports must visit at least one foreign port before returning. In other words, you can’t have round-trip with just American ports unless the ship is US registered. Most round-trip cruises from West Coast ports, such as Los Angeles, stop in Ensenada for this purpose.
It certainly does satisfy the Jones Act. We've been there on shorter cruise with just Ensenda and Catalina, but also longer ones that continue to Cabo. Thanks for watching!!!
That's also why Alaska cruises departing from Seattle always stop in Vancouver or Victoria.
We use to really enjoy Costa Maya but now that there are so many ships there at one time it is way to crowded even after the expansion they did.
I look forward to the Carribean ports. I enjoy talking to the people and learning about their culture. When we do Euroean ports, we usually don't het off the ship. We find the people and attractions to be boring and the locals tend to be a bit....non welcoming to those who don't look like them.
Progreso is the port for the Mayan ruin of Uxmal. It is totally worth the time.
Grand Turk has nice beaches and great beach eats.
Freeport is a stop i never get off at, There is nothing there either
I have been on a a number of cruises before and I understand a lot of these complaints or concerns. Belize is however something I don’t understand. Maybe it’s just me but the cruise lines offer great excursions there. Last time I was there we went cave tubing and zip lining and it was one of the best excursions I’ve ever done. Maybe it was more memorable because our tire blew out. One port I really don’t like is Mazatlan. It’s an industrial port and there are numerous safety concerns.
Thanks for the feedback!!!
In LaRomana last year and loved the tour to Las Catalinas island. A magnificent beach with an international crowd. No real development and a true island vibe.
Was there 3 weeks ago. Agree
Hated Belize, we ventured outside and it was scary.
I would get off and walk around the port area as long as it wasn't an industrial port. I feel I'm still in the cruise ship bubble and I can look around. I haven't gotten off in Nassau my last few cruises but I would do it next time just to look around the new port area they've created.
For many on the Norwegian Star, Antarctica would be in this category.
My list of “stay on the ship” ports are Nassau, Belize, & Ocho Rios Jamaica
These days, especially when cruising the Caribbean, it is not about the destination, it is the journey I enjoy! Meeting and conversing with people and a few adult libations. The food is good but the rule of thumb on a cruise should be, "Eat to live, don't live to eat".
After you have been to 3 or 4 islands in the Caribbean, they are pretty much all the same, with very similar history. The gross national product for them all these days is Tourism. So buyer beware and just enjoy the journey! 😎😎😎
Last time we got off at Costa Maya we won’t anymore. It was right after the shut down and the sales people were too aggressive.
We really wanted to love it!!! Thanks for watching!!!
Nice video! Now do the best ports 👍
Thanks for watching!!!
I would add Martinique. When I worked on ships we used say, to passengers that asked, Martinique is French for "stay on the ship"
Ensenada, Mexico. Most cruises leaving from the west coast go there for legal reasons. I stopped getting off the ship after the second visit.
Ensenada is good to get off and enjoy some of the freshest street seafood,then head right back to the ship.There's nothing to see there.
I stay on ship when in Ensenada.
My fav excursion ever was in Ensenada did a winery tour and it was fantastic
I've been off at most, not LaRomana and Progresso, of them and personally, never had an issue. I'm with the rest on Grand Turk, my father thinks I'm crazy. Maybe do the golf cart excursion I saw Dee and Jay do, I believe it was them. Belize we did Altun Ha ruins, I'd go back to see how it changed. Costa Maya we've only been twice.
It's been a long time since I've been to Jamaica but I wouldn't get off there again. Even with a excursion I felt hassled and unsafe, and the disparity between the poor and the rich is so incredibly depressing.
I understand your point of view - and agree so we do not cruise the Caribbean any more. There is a luxury in reaching a time in life where we have the time to travel farther and explore other places.
Going to Nassau in 3 weeks and will go to the new port area, walk around for an hour and get back on the ship to enjoy. Quite frankly I’m really sick of being haggled to buy stuff. if they would leave me alone for two seconds I would buy some stuff to help them out.
Man. What luck. I'm a cruise rookie. 3rd cruise scheduled for this June and it includes Progresso (and Cozumel). I will likely get off the ship just for the bridge ride and some pics from the beach area of Progresso then back to the ship after a couple of hours.
My first cruise was to Ensenada (and Catalina) - my home port. The other was Alaska (no problem there). Maybe I need to rethink where I go? 😀
Have a great cruise in June!!! Thanks for watching!!!
We stopped in Progreso on this cruise several years ago. We realized that the port/stop was not going to be a huge draw, so we hired a taxi and had the driver take us into Merida. If you have a chance to do this, I recommend it. We were dropped off at the Plaza Grande, which contains a beautiful square dominated by the Catedral and you're a block or two away from restaurants and local shopping. The taxi drivers will take you and return you to the ship. Just have to set a price before you go. Also recommend a couple of beach clubs in Cozumel. You can hire a taxi at the port and have them take you. Might save you some $ compared to the cruise line excursions.
All that are definite no's for us,
Jamaica, Belize, Haiti (Labadee), La Romana, and anywhere cold like Europe, Alaska, New England and Canada!
So Rome and Athens are a little chilly for you? 🙄
We went to a vineyard while in port an Ensenada. Drinkable wines and a lot of fun. Otherwise, we would have stayed on the ship, as well.
A few folks have commented on the vineyards..Thanks for watching!!!
We went to a couple vineyards outside of Ensenada too. A perfect alternative to the city itself.
Placencia is amazing if you can get a ferry