Cruises are supposed to whisk you away from one idyllic port of name to the following. With so many cruise ports situated around the globe, some locations are definitely extra in style than others. However, a handful of cruise ports are notorious for providing a less-than-desirable expertise.
A Reddit consumer not too long ago requested the r/Cruise neighborhood, “Huge time cruisers – what’s one port that you’ll NEVER go to once more?”
Within the caption, the poster continued, “Hey cruisers! As a cruise lover (25+ cruises thus far), I really like introducing cruising to my pals and serving to them with questions alongside the best way. My query to you: if you’re a giant time cruiser, what port would you NEVER go to once more and what occurred to make you are feeling this manner?”
The thread has garnered over 600 feedback from fellow vacationers, with many detailing their disappointing, and even scary, conditions in several ports of name. With so many feedback, a handful of ports have been repeatedly talked about by quite a few cruisers.
Right here’s an inventory of cruise ports that longtime vacationers say they’d by no means need to go to once more, primarily based totally on actual cruiser experiences shared on Reddit.
Colon, Panama
Among the many many responses on Reddit, one of the widespread responses was Colon in Panama. For cruisers who’ve all the time wished to go to the Panama Canal, they’ve doubtless skilled the disappointing and unsafe metropolis of Colon.
Positioned on the Caribbean coast of Panama, Colon is situated on the northern entrance to the world-famous Panama Canal. On this method, town serves as a gateway port for ships which can be transiting the Panama Canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
As well as, some Caribbean itineraries embody a port cease in Colon, Panama, for a partial transit by the canal. Colon is usually used as a place to begin for excursions visiting the Gatun Lake or Panama Canal locks. For a lot of, seeing the engineering marvel of the canal is a bucket-list expertise.
Sadly, town of Colon leaves lots to be desired. Many cruisers said the port itself felt extraordinarily unsafe, and the port lacked growth or infrastructure.
“Colon, Panama. Excessive unemployment & ensuing crime charges. They constructed an enormous shopping center adjoining to the port that’s largely empty. We did a tour of Gatun Lake to see waterfowl, sloths and howler monkeys. That was positive, however one and accomplished for me,” reads the highest remark.
One cruiser shared, “We needed to wait at that unhappy little mall two hours for our ship to undergo the locks to choose us up. The tour information was from Colon and even she mentioned to not go away that mall beneath any circumstance.”
“So harmful!! Nothing there. Panama Metropolis fantastic! Colon not a lot,” echoed one other commenter.
One cruiser even questioned Royal Caribbean’s determination to make use of Colon as an embarkation port for future itineraries: “We’re American expats who dwell in Panamá. Colon is admittedly sketchy. Royal Caribbean is beginning cruises from Colon in October. Nearly $1000 base fee for an inside cabin for 7 days?!?!”
“Colon Panama. It was our debarkation port. Full and utter chaos. Folks waited out within the blazing solar for hours. The army shouting at individuals. By no means once more,” defined one other cruiser.
Jamaica
As one of many extra in style ports within the Caribbean, Jamaica was repeatedly talked about as a least favourite vacation spot. The island nation is a staple vacation spot for a lot of Western Caribbean itineraries, with Ocho Rios, Falmouth, and Montego Bay because the three fundamental ports.
Jamaica is usually marketed with lush mountains, reggae music, lovely seashores, and vibrant tradition. The Dunn’s River Falls is without doubt one of the fundamental points of interest. Sadly, many cruisers on Reddit criticized the nation for aggressive distributors and described security considerations with visiting Jamaica.
“Anyplace in Jamaica. Each time I’ve been, I’ve been referred to as a [slur] and have felt utterly unsafe. It’s additionally usually been soiled and stuffed with scammers. And one time we went, and the port was actually on hearth lol. We needed to flip round and return out to sea,” states one of many prime responses.
Learn extra: I visited 25 Caribbean locations on a cruise ship. These are the 4 I might return to and the three I might skip
One cruiser even shared a scary expertise making an attempt to stroll outdoors of the port space. “Our cruise stopped at Falmouth just a few years in the past. It was me and my two sons, in all probability ages 9 and 12 on the time. As soon as we left the port space, issues acquired sketchy rapidly.”
The commenter continued, “There was a uniformed and closely armed police officer at each nook. We have been hounded by individuals promoting stuff. After strolling a few blocks, we rotated and acquired again on the ship. To place this expertise in perspective, I’ve walked alone at 1AM in Chicago simply 100 instances and felt unsafe solely as soon as. Falmouth was an order of magnitude past.”
“Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Been as soon as, no want to return. Only a tremendous busy procuring heart with individuals yelling at you all the time,” replied one cruiser. “Went to Falmouth. We did a bus tour. Handed by a number of armed checkpoints. By no means once more,” said one other responder.
Belize Metropolis, Belize
Though not as extensively disliked as Jamaica and Colon, Panama, one other widespread response within the Reddit thread was Belize Metropolis, Belize. Positioned on the japanese coast of the nation, Belize Metropolis is the principle port and largest city space within the nation.
For a lot of cruisers, Belize Metropolis is a gateway to the nation’s famend Barrier Reef snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, and Cave Tubing. Nonetheless, Belize Metropolis itself is an unpopular vacation spot resulting from poor infrastructure and inconvenient tendering. Many responders additionally point out staying onboard in Belize Metropolis resulting from these considerations.
“Belize Metropolis. Loooong tender into a reasonably awful port space. Not a lot round both,” reads one of many prime feedback.
Moreover, one cruiser shared, “The excursions you are able to do are nice, however they’re largely all issues the place you permit Belize Metropolis instantly. It isn’t a port you’d need to get off in and simply stroll or drive round exploring town by yourself.”
“We simply acquired again from a cruise with a cease in Belize, it was on Movie star Equinox, we should always have stayed on the ship – we paid lots I feel like $200 every to do the tour to swim with mana rays and child sharks and snorkel. It was two lengthy boring boats to get there after which it felt barely scary within the water with the rays swimming round your ft. There was an emergency nurse on board in case,” defined one cruiser.
“It has been a very long time however that port scared me. We had an tour that we actually loved however after that, we stayed on the ship whereas there.”
Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas, is perhaps one of the visited cruise ports on this planet, however that doesn’t imply it’s a favourite amongst cruisers. Due to its shut proximity to Florida, Nassau is usually included on shorter Caribbean itineraries.
Though the cruise port will be discovered on many various itineraries, Nassau is infamously unpopular. The principle cruise terminal was not too long ago renovated with a $300+ million funding to the pier. Close by points of interest embody the Atlantis Paradise Island, Junkanoo Seaside, and Queen’s Staircase.
Nonetheless, a number of commenters within the Reddit thread expressed their disdain for the Bahamian capital, stating they might moderately keep on the ship than go to Nassau once more.
One responder shared, “Nassau. Not a lot to do with out getting hassled. We’ve accomplished the entire simple stuff: excursions across the space, Junkanoo seashore, Atlantis, Señor Frogs, Queens Staircase, and many others. Finally ends up being a stunning day to remain on the ship!”
“Crime, annoying distributors, lack of allure, not a lot to do moreover store for imported crap and drink closely,” shared one responder. One other cruiser said, “I can dwell a fulfilled life with out ever needing to return to Nassau.”
As well as, one cruiser shared, “Nassau by far. Excessive strain, excessive value, aggressive road distributors. Felt unsafe.”
“Nassau. It was tremendous enjoyable, till the actually huge ships began docking there. It’s fairly harmful if you happen to go away the vacationer space. Now it’s simply soiled sleazy bars & costly souvenirs,” replied one cruiser.
Costa Maya, Mexico
Thought-about one of many largest vacationer traps within the Caribbean, Costa Maya is without doubt one of the extra widespread ports of name for Western Caribbean sailings. The cruise terminal itself is constructed totally for vacationers and full of retailers, eating places, wildlife encounters, a swim-up bar, and dwell leisure.
For these eager to enterprise outdoors of the port, excursions are provided to Mayan ruins and the stress-free seashore of Mahahual. Regardless, many cruisers expressed their disappointment with the Costa Maya port throughout their cruise, citing the inauthentic really feel.
“Puerto Costa Maya is my least favourite. It is a large lure to separate you out of your cash,” replied one cruiser.
One other cruiser echoed, “It’s a complete maze to get out of the port space! I hated that.”
“I wouldn’t get off the ship at this port if I ended up there once more. We did the Mayan Smash tour after we have been there final time and it was good, however there wasn’t a lot else to do. It was only a large shopping center in the course of nowhere,” famous one other cruiser.
One passenger talked about, “Costa Maya. We are going to go to it and there have been some good excursions, however it’s important to watch out for bank card theft. There are cases of have you ever card cloned if you scan at some distributors then they begin shopping for issues along with your card.”
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Whereas some cruisers rave about their expertise in Cabo San Lucas, not everybody was impressed by this port of name. Positioned on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is thought for its iconic landscapes, lovely seashores, and beachside events.
Nonetheless, for some, the cruise expertise in Cabo San Lucas was underwhelming, with pushy locals and aggressive salespeople. Others discover the port to lack genuine Mexican tradition with too many vacationer retailers. Moreover, prolonged and uncomfortable tendering operations worsen the expertise for a lot of.
“Cabo. For the hundredth time I don’t need to purchase a bracelet or [terrible] jewellery,” commented one cruiser. One Redditor replied, “Cabo is Taco Bell with jewellery retailers and fishing charters. Not Mexico, in any respect.”
Learn extra: I hadn’t cruised from the West Coast in 15 years. I had a good time, however I’m undecided I’d do it once more
“Additionally Cabo. Tendering in was [horrible] on extraordinarily tough waters and there’s completely nothing to do within the port space except you e-book an tour,” defined one other cruiser.
“They’re aggressive in Cabo. We stopped there on a cruise and the individuals promoting stuff wouldn’t go away us alone.”
Cartagena, Colombia
For Southern Caribbean itineraries, most sailings embody a go to to Cartagena, Colombia. This port metropolis is thought for its vibrant and genuine tradition, together with its colonial structure, historic walled metropolis, native markets, and colourful streets.
As well as, town’s Historic Outdated City, Ciudad Amurallada, is a UNESCO World Heritage website. The walled metropolis is completely preserved with cobblestones, plazas, church buildings, and colourful buildings. Nonetheless, the distributors will be aggressive, which might go away some cruisers feeling overwhelmed and unsafe.
“Cartagena. Distributors swarmed our tour bus after we stopped on the fort. They shook the bus and climbed as much as the home windows to indicate their wares,” detailed one responder. One other replied equally, “Cartagena, Colombia. Horrible road distributors.”
“Cartagena. I’ve by no means felt unsafe on a cruise till we went there. Step a foot outdoors the port and it’s scary. Aggressiveness was off the charts.”
One cruiser replied, “We’ve had distributors stroll behind us all the best way to the bus attempting to get us to purchase no matter we mentioned no to! Loopy!”
“One port we did not take pleasure in in any respect was an tour in Cartagena, Colombia. Should you ever go there, do excursions that take you away from the walled a part of town. We did a tour there and the venders swarmed us the entire time. Our information did nothing to assist so the one time we have been away from them was after we have been capable of go inside someplace,” described one other cruiser.
“Cartagena Colombia. Road distributors are simply method too excessive aggressive,” shared one responder.
Santorini, Greece
As one of the picturesque ports within the Mediterranean, Santorini is an island in Greece. Recognized for its iconic blue-domed church buildings, beautiful cliffside views, and quaint village of Oia, Santorini is usually thought-about a bucket-list vacation spot for a lot of.
Due to its recognition, many itineraries across the Greek Isles embody a port cease in Santorini. Nonetheless, some cruisers discovered the small island to be overcrowded and tough to navigate. Given the island’s rocky panorama, cruisers usually must take a cable automobile trip, stroll the steep steps, or trip a donkey whereas visiting the tender port.
“In all probability an unpopular opinion – I’d say Santorini – too unhappy to see the donkeys taking passengers up and down the cliffs, and the queue to the cable automobile is simply too lengthy. Okay views on the prime however fairly soiled normally,” replied one traveler.
As well as, one cruiser shared, “I agree with you… Santorini is our least favourite port… crowded! And the wait to go all the way down to the dock on the cable automobile was lengthy (40 minutes) and we have been the one ship in port that day. Folks ought to undoubtedly watch YouTube movies to acquaint themselves with this port.”
“Shocked most of those are Caribbean, would assume huge time cruisers would have gotten uninterested in that. I am going to throw out Santorini, lovely (particularly Oia) however method too many individuals and method too industrial,” said one other cruiser.
One cruiser shared, “It was my first cruise and we did the tour with RCI, we acquired tender to the previous port I imagine then bus the entire method up until we acquired to Oia, on our technique to Fira we did a wine tasting. I feel we waited an hour to an hour and an half to get down with the cable automobile.”
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