You've got eight hours in a port you've never seen, a ship that leaves without you if you're late, and a cruise line nudging you toward its pricier shore excursions. Sail & Sees helps you spend that day well: where to go, how to get there on your own, and when the ship tour is worth the markup.

Where to start

Cruise port guides. What to do, see, and skip on your shore day, port by port, including whether you can usually walk into town or need a taxi.

Departure port guides. The logistics at your departure city that decide whether you start your cruise relaxed or stressed: where to stay the night before, where to park, and how to reach the terminal.

Cruise planning. The decisions you make before you sail, like which cabin to pick, when to book, and what's worth your money once you're onboard.

Sailing somewhere specific?

Start with your region. We cover the major cruise destinations and the ports within each one, with the practical stuff for every stop: whether you can usually walk into town, how to get around, and what's worth your few hours ashore.

• Alaska cruise ports
• Bahamas cruise ports
• Bermuda cruise ports
• Canada & New England cruise ports
• Caribbean cruise ports
• Hawaii cruise ports
• Mediterranean cruise ports
• Mexico cruise ports

Who's behind Sail & Sees

Sail & Sees is founded and edited by Nate, a former cruise vacation consultant who spent years helping travelers choose the right cruise, ship, and itinerary, and who has sailed most of the major lines firsthand. That's the perspective behind the guides here: real specifics, and a straight answer on what's worth skipping, like when the local train beats the ship's shuttle, or when paying for the ship's excursion is worth it.

Before your next port day

We publish new cruise port guides regularly. Sign up and we'll send the ones that match where you're headed. Sailing somewhere we haven't covered yet, or spotted something we got wrong? Tell us: tap the chat bubble or drop us a note in our contact form.