Sea days vs port days – what floats your boat?

Sea days vs port days – what floats your boat? This may seem like an unusual question to ask, especially as those who cruise tend to enjoy life on the ocean wave as well as exploring new ports of call… however in thinking carefully about your answer, you are likely to find your perfect balance of sea days vs port days, which in turn will help you in selecting a cruise that is ideal for you!

So when you consider your cruise holiday, do you picture yourself exploring new ports of call, lazing on a sunkissed beach, trying your hand at snorkelling, or perhaps zip-lining your way to adventure through a rainforest or suchlike? Or, do you picture yourself catching some rays poolside, sipping a cocktail on deck, perhaps partaking in some of the onboard activities, or enjoying the amenities such as the jacuzzi,  gym & spa offerings? Chances are that when you cruise, you enjoy a balance of what is offered on board, as well as the delights of new ports to visit… the trick is finding your ideal balance of sea days vs port days and applying that new formula to your next cruise.

Once you’ve figured out your ‘sea/port equilibrium’, the world truly is your oyster and you will find that your next cruise meets your personal preferences better than ever before!

Different cruise itineraries offer a range of options in terms of the balance of sea days vs port days.

A port-intensive cruise tends to sail at night meaning that as you awake in a new port of call each morning, you are able to experience a number of different destinations within one sailing, with organised excursions and plenty of opportunity to explore. Popular port-intensive cruise destinations include clusters of islands such as the Caribbean and Hawaii, as well as the Mediterranean; where distinct ports are relatively close together.

Port-intensive cruises are ideal for those who enjoy the opportunity to experience a range of different destinations and cultures on their travels and are looking for a fairly active cruise holiday, however these cruises often do not leave much time to fully enjoy the amenities of the ship…

If exploring the ship appeals to you, then a more sea-intensive cruise provides plenty of time to enjoy the ship amenities such as the pools, jacuzzis, waterslides, sports & spa facilities, shops, dining options & nightlife, as well as time to simply relax and enjoy being on board. Sea-intensive cruise options include the transatlantic voyages from Southampton to New York, and cruises over longer distances such as sailings from the US West Coast to the Hawaiian Islands, as well as ‘repositioning cruises’ like those that run from Alaska to the Caribbean, for example.

Of course, on a port-intensive cruise, there is always the option of staying on board during port days; which often makes for an opportunity to explore the ship and enjoy the amenities at a quieter time, whilst other travelers tend to disembark… effectively increasing your sea days. However, this switch obviously does not work in reverse, as on sea days you are bound by the position of the ship.

So take a moment to find your ideal balance, take a look at the cruise options that best fit your cruising-style, and get ready to set sail for a cruise that truly floats your boat!