Cruise holidays have seen a boom in popularity in recent years, and it's estimated that one in five Brits are currently planning on embarking on a cruise in the next 12 months. However, travel experts are warning holidaymakers to check over their itineraries before boarding the ship, so they can be aware of any long coach journeys that may form part of their getaway.
Many cruises now port away from main cities, with some destinations even being almost a two-hour coach journey after you have left the boat. Some cruise lines will dock in regional ports but name the nearest big-ticket city as the stop for the day. This can lead to some confusion with holidaymakers thinking they're being dropped off in Venice or Paris, only to discover they're still hours away.
Maryanne Sparkes, a European Waterways itinerary specialist, said: "We’ve seen travellers on mainstream cruises step off at ports like Trieste or Le Havre thinking they’re in Venice or Paris. But often, the real city experience is often hours away by coach."
This can lead to travellers feeling rushed when they do make it to the city, or having to miss off certain landmarks or experiences due to time constraints.
Maryanne advises those booking a cruise to research the port names ahead of time and check the distance from the advertised city.
If you don't want to be rushed when you arrive in the city, Maryanne also suggests looking for cruises with longer docking times, or even booking an overnight city stay if needed.
You can also pre-book transportation to and from the city and not just use what the cruise line provides, as this may turn out to be quicker than their coach.
Another tip is to avoid booking a stay on a big cruise liner and instead opt for a smaller ship, as these are often able to dock much closer to the city centre.
Maryanne explained: "A smaller ship doesn’t just get you closer to the city – it gives you more energy to enjoy it. Less time on buses, more time with your feet on cobblestones - or soaking up the local spritz!"
