Cruise holidays have become more popular in recent years, with one in five British people currently planning to launch a cruise in the next 12 months. However, travel experts warn travelers to check their itinerary before boarding the boat, allowing them to be aware of long coaches' journeys that could form part of their vacation.
Nowadays, many cruises cross the port away from major cities, and some destinations are even a nearly two-hour coaching trip after you leave the boat. Some cruise lines dock at local ports, but name the closest high ticket city as a stop for the day. This could lead to confusion with villas that appear to have been dropped in Venice and Paris.
Marie Annes Park, a European waterway itinerary specialist, said:
This can lead to travelers feeling rushed when they reach the city or missing out on certain landmarks and experiences due to time constraints.
Maryanne advises people booking a cruise to investigate port names in advance and check the distance from the advertised cities.
If you're not in a hurry when you arrive in the city, Mary Anne suggests looking for a cruise that takes longer docking times, or booking an overnight city stay if necessary.
You can also book a round-trip to and from the city in advance, not only using what the cruise line offers, but it could be faster than your coach.
Another tip is to avoid booking a stay on a large cruise liner and opt for a smaller boat instead.
Marianne explained: “A small boat doesn't just bring you closer to the city. It gives you more energy to enjoy it. It takes less time on the bus and more time to wear your feet on the cobblestones.
Ports miles from the advertised city:
Berlin (Warnemünde) – 2 hours 25 minutes Venice (Monfalcon) – 2 hours 6 minutes Paris (Le Havre) – 2 hours 5 minutes (Trieste) – 1 hour and 38 minutes Granada (Malaga) – 1 hour and 18 minutes (Cadiz) – 1 hour 1 hour and 5 minutes (Livorno) – 1 hour 1 hour – 5 minutes MinutesCinque Terre (La Spezia) – 39 MinutesAmsterdam (Ijmuiden) – 28 minutes
