Carnival Cruise- getting off the boat?

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Lew

You can do what ever you want to do when the ship arrives in port. The choice is entirely yours. If you want to explore by yourself, you can do so.
Sometimes the ship docks a fair distance from the actual town, but there are usually shuttle buses to the town centre or taxis available.
Be aware, if you're doing your own thing, that it is your responsibility to get back to the ship on time. Passenger boarding times are posted on the gangway as you leave the ship, if you are not on board, the ship WILL leave without you.

stepmiller2

Based on the itinery of the Glory you will be visiting St. Thomas, St.Martin and Nassua for eastern carribean or Cozumel, Belise, Rotan for Western Carribean so you will not need a visa to get off the ship (assuming you are an American resident). When you exit the ship the crew will scan your sail and sign card so that they know you are not on board. They will do the same when you return so that they know you have returned. So if you are not back when the ship is supposed to sail they will attempt to find you but they will not wait for long. They have specific docking times for each port and must be there at those times, so they will leave without you. Most of these ports will dock right near the downtown area and you can walk to the city center. I did that in Cozumel and Nassua. The beaches are farther away so you will need to use a taxi or shuttle. I always use the cruise excursions for these because if for any reason you are delayed on the return to the ship they absolutely will wait for you. In any event have a great time, read the Capers (carnival newsletter) so you know what is going on and take the opportunity to do as many things as possible. Something will be going on 24/7 so make the most of the trip. As a side thought, the ship is quite large so when you first board explore, it will save you a lot of time later. You will soon discover that there are decks that do not traverse the entire ship, learn how to get around them. Enjoy.

Italiana Mama

In Feb of this year we were on one of the carnival ships and yes you can just get off the ship as long as you are back in time when the ship is ready to take off. Unless you are on a excursion the ship does not know if you are on ship or where you are so they will leave and you will have to find your your way back at your expense. But if you are on one of the excursions the ship always knows if you will be late and they will wait if there was trouble and you are running late.

tetlitea

For most countries you can just get off of the boat and do as you like. In some you may need a VISA to enter the country, you're travel agent would have told you this if it was necessary. Remember that all cruise ports are not in accessible places so you would want to make sure that the place where the boat docks has things near by or you may want to plan ahead and arrange transportation since you aren't going to use the excursions. Make sure you allow plenty of time to return, you don't want to miss re-boarding. Just be careful whatever you plan to do, some locals will take advantage of tourists. That's everywhere you go. Try talking to the staff on the ship, many of them will have been to this port before and may be able to give you some pointers.

canuck

you can go on and off as much as you please. All you need is your cruise card and your all good. usually the ports hav little tourist districts right at the port so you don't really need to go far. If you want to explore more, catch a cab and ask for a beach or something. It is really easy to find a cab just make sure it is one before you get it! Just make sure you are back within the boarding time for the ship or else bon voyage!

Camille

I'm pretty sure most of the time you can just get off the boat and look around. Depends on where you are going, but you should be able to just leave. Some ships are too big to go directly to the dock, so they have to send boat loads of people in. But you don't just have to have an excursion planned.

Tivogal

yes, most places you can. Some you need a visa for the country.
I would ask the cruise line.
have a good cruise
cruisecritic.com

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