Top 10 Cruise Ports For Overnight Onboard Stays
For the majority of ports, it is pretty straightforward to see all that you want to see in the few hours that you are onshore and for most places it is during the daytime hours that you want to visit a place.
There are however some places that you simply need more time or that they really come alive when the sun comes down and despite enjoying a day on shore it can often be disappointing to set sail as you feel like you have missed out.
Thankfully, that doesn’t always have to be the case as a number of cruise lines now take those points above into consideration and allow you to really make the most of your time in port and to really experience all that a destination has to offer as many itineraries now stay docked in port overnight.
A cruise ship is often referred to as a floating hotel and that is certainty true for ships staying in port overnight as you are free to come and go as you please and take in your destination during the day and on a night.
For this list we have taken into account the number of ships/lines that offer overnight stays, the differing options for daytime and night time activities and of course our own personal favourites.
Our Top 10 Cruise Ports For Overnight Onboard Stays
St Petersburg, Russia
St Petersburg is a bit of an outlier on this list as the majority of visitors will not head into the city on a night, you cannot easily head back and forth between the city and the ship and in all honesty, it is not really a safe place to be once the sun goes down.
So why you may be wondering have we listed the Russian Baltic Sea port as our number 1?
The short answer is that it is simply a necessity to have an overnight stay in the city due to the struggles in leaving the ship to go to shore.
With outdated visa requirements, under-funded and over reaching security staff and border agents and seemingly never ending red-tape to just leave the port area, visitors to the city need to have lots of patience but also lots of time.
Dubai, UAE
Dubai, like so many destinations across Asia and the Middle East, really come to life on a night time and it is well worth searching out an itinerary with an overnight stay.
The Emirate is of course built in a desert and as you would likely expect, the days can be incredibly hot but when the sun goes down, it is actually a very pleasant temperature for simply walking around, taking in the sights, and enjoying the futuristic city.
Dubai loves to show off and that includes the lighting of its skyscrapers, offering light shows, well lit parks and even dancing fountains all of which really come to life when the sun goes down.
Singapore
Singapore is a simply stunning city/state no matter if the sun is shing or if it is night time but it is also a city of huge contrasts which can only truly be enjoyed with an overnight stay.
During the day, Singapore attractions, buildings and open spaces sparkle in the bright sun of the equator but when the sun goes down, things change and it is artificial lights that make things pop.
It is only in Singapore that you can enjoy a light show made up of real trees, dancing fountains and even a night safari and it is only with an overnight stay that you can take them in on a cruise.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is known for its skyscrapers and neon/LCD lights and whilst the hustle and bustle of the city makes for a great day of exploring, it is only when on a night when you truly feel you are in Hong Kong properly.
Reykjavik, Iceland
The Icelandic capital may not be able to match many of the other destinations on this list for night time attractions, aside from the stunning northern lights during the winter, but what makes it such a popular stopping off port of call to enjoy an overnight stay is the time you need to take in all that the country has to offer.
The majority of visitors will head to Reykjavik in the hopes of seeing huge waterfalls, massive mountains, incredible volcanoes, bubbling geyser’s and majestic glaciers but with the vastness and remoteness of most things on the island, visitors need lots of time to really take it all in.
Bermuda
The island of Bermuda is simply a long way from anything and whilst some itineraries heading transatlantic to Europe will call in for a day, the majority of cruises to the destination come from the US mainline.
That means a minimum of 2 straight sea days to get there and to head back again, so it is no surprise that many cruise lines stay in port for 2-3 days.
The great news for those visiting Bermuda is that there is so much on offer, from beautiful beaches to incredible wildlife and from the historic naval docklands where most large cruise ships dock to shops, bars, cafes, restaurants, and attractions of the nation’s capital city of Hamilton.
Bangkok (Laemchabang)
Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of Asia’s greatest cities but from a cruising point of view, it has 2 big problems for been a port of call.
Firstly, the city is absolutely massive and has so many attractions and must see landmarks, that it can be almost impossible to take in everything you want to do during a regular cruise stop.
The second big problem is that the cruise port is in Laemchabang, which is around an hour away from the historic centre of Bangkok and with the traffic in the city, it can take even longer.
That means you can often feel rushed on an excursion into the city or to one of the great attractions located in and around Bangkok but many cruise lines have taken that into consideration and offer overnight stays in port so allow you to spend a day exploring the bustling city and a day exploring the major attractions.
As is so often the case in Asia, Bangkok is also one of those destination that really comes alive on a night and it is of course well known for a thriving nightlife which visitor can only take in and enjoy on an itinerary with an overnight stop.
Malacca City, Malaysia
Malacca City on the face of it should be a great regular port of call thanks to its relatively small size, the fact you can easily explore on foot and the fact that its main attractions are all relatively close together.
The heat of Malaysia also doesn’t have to impact your day on shore too much as the best way to take in the sights of the city is by enjoying a boat ride along the Malacca River.
The reason that we have added the port to this list is the huge difference between the city in daylight and on a night.
During the day, the city is relatively relaxed and is just great for strolling around and taking it all but when the sun goes down, the city comes to life with tourists and locals alike heading for the street food markets and the lights of the river front.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Dutch capital is one of the world’s leading cities for tourism and is a great all year around destination and despite offering so much for visitors to enjoy, it is actually quite an easy destination to explore on your own.
Most attractions can be visited easily on foot and there is lots to enjoy as you walk from one to another to break things up but Amsterdam is one of those cities where things just have a different feel during the day when compared to a night time.
Well known for its nightlife, the city is an adult playground on a night but families can enjoy canal boat rides taking in the numerous bridges that light up on a night or you can stroll around the historic centre which really comes alive when the sun goes down.
Oranjestad, Aruba
Oranjestad is known for its beautiful and colourful Dutch Colonial architecture and for its tax free shopping but it is Aruba’s all year around warm weather and stunning beaches that is the major attraction for many.
The island is also known for its musical influence and its relaxed feel which can only be truly enjoyed when the sun goes down and the locals mix with tourists in the many bars, cafes and restaurants found across the city.
