For many cruise passengers, exploring exciting ports of call is the highlight of a cruise vacation. However, with modern cruise ships being destinations themselves these days, ports of call have become less important to some cruise vacationers, especially on Caribbean cruises.
Beaches are the highlight of many ports in the Caribbean and Bahamas, and some cruise passengers are content to visit any port, as long as there’s a beach nearby.
If you haven’t taken a cruise before, it can be difficult to determine how much planning you need to do ahead of time for activities both on and off the ship. When it comes to ports of call, many first-time cruisers wonder if it’s really essential to book shore excursions in advance, or if you can get by just as well with making port day plans as you sail.
A recent poll of Carnival cruise passengers conducted by the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, offers a look at how much port planning most cruisers do ahead of their vacations.
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Beaches are key attractions in many Caribbean cruise ports.Image source: Carnival Corp.
Carnival cruisers share their port planning style
Loyal Carnival cruise vacationers shared their port day planning style in a Dec. 4 poll on Heald’s popular Facebook page.
More than 5,800 cruisers voted in the unofficial poll, which asked cruisers to vote for the option that best fit their port planning style. The poll results showed that few passengers completely wing their port days, but the majority of passengers don’t plan all of their port activities in advance.
Related: Is a 3-day cruise too short? Here’s what Carnival cruisers say
Carnival Cruise Line port planning poll results:
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About 37% of Carnival cruisers plan all of their port day activities in advance of their cruise.
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Around 55% plan some of their port activities, but don’t make plans for every port of call.
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Only about 8% of Carnival cruisers choose not to plan any of their port activities in advance.
Although you can wait until you’re on board to plan your port day activities, you should consider a few things before you decide to go that route.
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Popular shore excursions often sell out in advance
If there are certain activities that you have your heart set on doing during your cruise, it’s always a good idea to plan and book those shore excursions in advance. While you can book shore excursions on board, your options may be more limited. Popular excursions often sell out, as one passenger pointed out in comments on the poll post.
“I have all of my excursions purchased for my March cruise. Occasionally an excursion is sold out so I don’t want to take that chance. I remember being on a cruise once and some people we met said they would be horseback riding, as we were, so we expected to see them there. It turns out they hadn’t bought tickets and it was sold out. I learned my lesson then and there,” Linda Pasciak Zanke commented.
Even if you’re flexible with your plans, it’s a good idea to research each of your ports of call ahead of your cruise so you know which ports are easier to explore without a shore excursion. In some ports of call, activities are limited in the port area, so having an excursion booked, or at least a plan for how to get to the beach or another attraction, will help to ensure you aren’t disappointed by your port experience.
Related: Royal Caribbean cruisers share their cruise packing regrets
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.