Frequent cruisers tend to skip these 5 ports. Here's why.

• Some repeat cruise passengers may choose to stay on the ship at certain ports they have visited before.
• Travel experts note that first-time visitors usually find it worthwhile to disembark and explore any new destination.

Just because a cruise ship docks in a destination doesn’t mean passengers have to get off there – and some ports may get skipped more than others among repeat guests.

Cruise experts helped USA TODAY round up five ports where some cruisers tend not to disembark for various reasons, though that judgment call comes down to guest preference and others may find plenty to enjoy.

“If you haven't been to any of those places, it's usually worth getting off at least once, especially if you're truly new to the destination, not just to the cruise, because that ‘first time I've seen this place’ experience is exactly what turns a port from, let's say, an abstract itinerary box into something more memorable, something later that you decide to skip,” said Jared Feldman, owner of travel agency Jafeldma Travel.

Nassau

Feldman said the Bahamas capital is “great for the first time, especially if you're doing an excursion to an Atlantis-type resort or Baha Mar.” Royal Caribbean also recently opened the nearby Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, a short ferry ride away.

“But you know, on later trips, passengers often opt to just stay on the ship, because even if they wander off the ship and go to the downtown strip around the cruise terminal, you know, it's just those predictable shops that just feel (like) the same thing over and over again.”

Many Caribbean itineraries stop there, as well, so there’s often overlap even for guests who are trying a new cruise line.

However, Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board CEO Joy Jibrilu said the “area around the cruise terminal is just a small glimpse of all that Nassau & Paradise Island have to offer from our world-class cuisine to vibrant arts and culture scene.” 

“Engaging with our people and traditions allows visitors to experience the destination differently each time they visit, allowing them to rediscover Nassau & Paradise Island in a deeper, more personal way each time they return,” she told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. Jibrilu recommended visiting sites like the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Clifton Heritage National Park and sampling local cuisine such as conch salad or cracked lobster.

Criminal activity can be a concern in Nassau, according to Sheri Griffiths, founder of CruiseTipsTV. The U.S. State Department currently has a Level 2 advisory in place for the Bahamas, warning travelers to "exercise increased caution” because of crime.

“Most crime occurs in Nassau and Freeport on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands,” the advisory said. “Stay alert in the ‘Over the Hill’ area in Nassau, south of Shirley Street, where gangs have killed residents.”

Jibrilu noted that advisory “has been in place for some time and is not a recent change, and we firmly believe there is no elevated risk to visitors, as our tourism partners are diligent in adhering to the highest standards.”

A number of other popular destinations, such as the U.K. and Mexico, are also designated as Level 2 (though some parts of Mexico have higher and lower levels).

Costa Maya

The port on the Yucatán Peninsula is a common stop on Western Caribbean itineraries, but Feldman said there’s “not a lot going on there” relative to other ports.

“It's largely, I would say, a resort-style beach zone with chains, beach clubs,” he said. “But after you've been once, clients typically tend to skip it in favor of more scenically distinctive ports like Cozumel.”

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico destination, slated to open in 2027, may change that, however.

Mexico tourism officials did not immediately share a comment before publication. 

Ketchikan

Ketchikan, known as the “totem pole capital of the world," is among the most common ports on Alaska cruises, with shopping and activities like ziplines and hiking. However, the selection of excursions is more limited than in some other destinations like Juneau, according to Feldman.

“If you've been to Alaska many times, and there's definitely some seasoned Alaska cruisers that go every season, they prefer to treat it more as a one-time stop than go back again,” he said. "So they prefer to stay on the ship because they've already done their shopping at these kitschy stores.”

Visit Ketchikan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Victoria

Griffiths said some cruise passengers skip the Vancouver Island port, but that typically comes down to timing. Many ships stop there in the evening, which satisfies U.S. regulations that require ships registered in another country to stop at a foreign port.

“So, they'll have you in port from 7 p.m. to midnight, and people are exhausted by that time of day, they don't want to get off,” she said. “But it's actually a very sad thing, because Victoria is a beautiful, clean, walkable city with tons to do.”

That includes having afternoon tea or visiting The Butchart Gardens. 

Most passengers do explore, however. The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) told USA TODAY that 73% of all cruise passengers who stopped there in 2025 disembarked, including over 60% of guests “arriving after 5 p.m. or staying less than five hours.”

“While we’re seeing broader shifts across the industry toward slower sailing speeds and later arrivals, driven in large part by environmental considerations, a clear majority of passengers still choose to come ashore,” the organization said in an emailed statement.

The port is also the busiest in the country, with around 335 ship visits expected this year. “Victoria is a premium port of call that passengers actively choose to experience and that consistently receives high satisfaction ratings,” the GVHA said.

Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral is a major departure point for cruise ships, but it’s also featured as a stop on many itineraries originating in cities like New York, Bayonne and Baltimore. Aside from the Kennedy Space Center, Feldman argued there aren’t many activities located near the port. 

“Once you've done Cape Canaveral, there's really little reason to do it again unless you're, like, a space enthusiast,” he said.

Orlando is about an hour away by car – though that can vary depending on traffic – and theme parks can be challenging to tackle in a single day depending on how long the ship is docked (though one-day visits can be done).

“We regularly receive positive feedback from our guests visiting Port Canaveral as they enjoy visiting the beaches at Jetty Park, within walking distance from our cruise terminals, as well as nearby Cocoa Beach and Kennedy Space Center,” the port told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

Ultimately, travelers have to make their own calls about which ports they’d like to revisit and which they might skip next time. “For someone that's never been to Orlando, the Space Coast, or, let's say, other Florida gateway ports, even a short stop will let them see the environment, get a feel for the city, and decide for themselves whether it's worth returning,” Feldman said.

This story was updated to refresh headlines.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].