So having traveled around a world a few times by ship I have seen and learnt a few things. When comes to getting around in port, this is the spot for cruise tours made easy and safe.
All cruise company’s offer shore tours, don’t get me wrong this is by far the best option. Yes they are overpriced, but they have not stopped in this port for nothing. There is a reason (why you took the cruise) and 95% of the time it’s an excursion. Its normally to something historical, amazing UNESCO world Heritage Site or wonder of the world (mostly they are both).
The other major added extra is if you are on the ships tour and something goes wrong, bus breaks down, road is blocked the ship HAS to wait for your return.
Off course the ship can only offer so many seats on a bus (book early online), they just don’t enough seats for everyone on the ship, so what the alternative………
Tours from the Port Gate
Well like I said the ships docks there for a reason and don’t you worry the local’s know the reason as much as you. Drivers (let’s face it, Taxi’s) that don’t have contracts with the ship companies will be waiting outside. As soon as you walk out you will be swamped and mostly its fine they all know each other. Remember they are there most days. Yesterday a ship from another company docked and tomorrow it’s a different company again.
Choose one and settle on a price BEFORE you get in any car, never pay up front, pay when you are back from tour and at the ship. Make sure you make the return time well before the ship leaves, I mean hours before. See my blog Missing The Ship. Don’t be cutting it fine, most captains will not wait. If you do get back hours before, this will give you time to have a walk around the local port. Most are really interesting.
You would be amazed how many people I talk to after a port that have done it this way and have had the best day. They all get personal service, some, actually most see more than those on the ships tour.
Be prepared to tip if you have been looked after and shout your driver/guide lunch is mostly customary. They will take you to their friends/family restaurant. Trust me it will be a lot more fun, a lot more local and a lot cheaper than any restaurant in the tourist hub. It could end up being a high light of the day.
I said Safely
On ships tour safety and security is looked after by your tour guide and the onshore tour company. When you take the local driver, they look after you and trust me they will because they want to be paid. Fair days’ pay for a fair days work.
If you are walking around on your own you need to be a bit more careful, here is a few things to be mindful off.
Pickpockets
They are everywhere and they are far better at it they what you think. Always keep bags zipped up and in front of your body. I have heard stories of backpacks being sliced open with a blade and emptied out.
Keep an eye on your belongings at ALL times. So many stories of “O I just looked away for 2 minutes and it was gone”. Even in Hotels at the front Desk.
Wallets and phones, keep them in your front pockets and constantly keep your arms/hands in the same area. Back pockets just make you a target.
Shipboard bags
The shipboard bag you get given, most cruise lines give you one, it’s bright with their logo on it, normally cheaply made. LEAVE IT ON THE SHIP. There is no need to advertise you are a tourist, it’s just asking for trouble. So many times I have herd of guests being robbed ashore. When interview by security after, every single one of them was carry one of these bags.
Street seller, beggars
Yes it’s sad and they have to make a living, or more just live. When you are in a foreign country, you speak the foreign language, you are the foreigner, you are vulnerable. Most street sellers and beggars are in main tourist areas, that’s where the tourist dollar is. Unfortunately most pickpockets and shady characters (gangs of shady characters) are there too. If you decide to talk loudly or lengthy it will be noticed. Me I tend to do more of a hand wave of not interested and don’t stop moving. With my hands by my side and my valuables in my front pockets.
Over all the ports are safe, if they weren’t the ships would not dock there.
So enjoy your day out and about, make the most of it, you may not be back
ENJOY THE JOURNEY