The last minute itinerary change is the scourge of every cruiser – here’s what to do if it happens to you.
1. Don’t get mad
Sure, it’s disappointing to miss a port, particularly if it was one you were really excited about. But there’s no point getting angry. The captain doesn’t make these decisions lightly and always has your safety as a top priority. So take it with as much good grace as you can muster and get on with your day.
2. Check the updated day planner
When the decision is made to skip a port, the crew will quickly put out a new version of your day planner. They will add extra activities and change the schedules for things like the specialty restaurants, shops and casino. Grab a new copy and make some plans for a fun day at sea!
3. Relax
Consider your new sea day as a free pass to have a day off. You can get back into bed, order room service, flop on a sunlounger, curl up in the library with a good book or anything else relaxing you can think of.
4. Tour the ship
Modern megaliners can be up to 400 metres long and almost 100 metres wide, rising up to 15 decks from the ocean. That means there’s a lot to explore and you probably haven’t seen half of it. Use your free day to tour the ship – we bet you’ll discover a new café or quiet sunny spot that you never knew existed.
5. Play trivia, bingo or karaoke
The crew will add extra activities like these when you miss a port, so it’s a great time to show off your knowledge at trivia, win some prizes at bingo or test your pipes at karaoke. You could even walk away with some cash, souvenirs or just the honour and glory of victory.
6. Hit the gym
You were probably planning to do some walking on shore, so don’t lose your chance to exercise. Most ships are equipped with fantastic gyms and you can be cycling or running in front of huge windows with sweeping views over the ocean.
7. Learn something new
Ships will run classes in everything from towel animal making to wine tasting. New classes will be added to the program when you miss a port stop so you can take this opportunity to learn something new.
8. Hit the shops
Onboard duty free shops have to be closed when the ship is in port (due to customs regulations), but now that you’ll be at sea they can throw open their doors. Many will even put on special sales or offers to take advantage of the extra shopping day. You could score yourself a great bargain.
9. Try your luck
The same rules apply to the casino, so an extra day at sea means they can also operate. Play a few hands of blackjack or try your luck on the roulette wheel. Just remember to stick to your budget.
10. Book your next cruise
If you’re having a great time, why not take the opportunity to book your next cruise right now? All ships will have a booking office onboard and you will generally get some nice extras (like onboard credit or an upgrade) for your booking that you wouldn’t get on land.
Have you ever been on a cruise that missed a stop? What did you do to pass the time? Please let us know in the comments section below.
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