15 Cruise Port Dangers & Safety Tips 2025
Cruising is a great way to travel & see multiple destinations. However, it’s important to stay safe in cruise ports, avoid theft & any potential dangers. In this video I share cruise port safety tips, as well as cruise tips & advice to feel confident when getting off the cruise ship.
Learn about safe practices in cruise stops with these practical tips for first time cruisers & seasoned veterans. If you’re going on a cruise, this cruise video will help you to have a safer & better cruise vacation!
These are cruise port dangers to be aware of and avoid, for a fun & safe cruise holiday.
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ABOUT ME
Hi! I’m Ilana! I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband Frank. We can often be found dreaming about and planning future cruises, ideally to hot and sunny destinations! I believe in having fun, being kind and that you are never too old, or too young, to live the life of your dreams!
Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travellers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking.
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46 Comments
My dad got pick pocketed at a port of call in France while we were waiting at a train station to go to Montecarlo. Unfortunately, the thief has used one of the credit cards on a lot of transactions before I was able to call the credit card to report it stolen. Luckily, the credit card company was willing to cancel all the transactions that were not done by us. My point is, just beware of your purses/wallets at any port of call in any country, not just Barcelona and Rome.
I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOU SHARING GREAT CRUISE INFORMATION! THANK YOU🙏✝️❤🛳😀😀
Thank you
Be careful on Dominican Republic. They will overcharge you for a taxi. We wanted to go to the nearest supermarket avg they wanted to charge $40, but we bargain down to $25.
We use Allianz for yearly travel insurance. Covers everything from a cruise to overnight stay near my daughter's college.
For keeping ship time against real-time, what I’m planning on doing, is keeping my Apple Watch on real time and using that onboard ship, and I’ve picked up a cheap water resistant watch from Walmart for going on excursions kept on ship time.
great advise , thank you
It also helps to send a text to a family member or friend back home your planned itinerary ,when you leave ship and again when you are back on board, also give the member copies of contact info for cruise line/ personal info for yourself to give authorities/travel itinerary ( flights, hotel, port of calls)from the moment you leave for vacation to the day you get back , better to be cautious.
Scuba diving was actually my reason for starting to cruise 13 years ago. I dive on all of my cruises. It’s actually a great way to scuba at prime dive destinations. I’ve always had a good experience diving on my cruises. 😀🤿
Sneakers scream AMERICAN!
I take a passport card – ordered when I renewed my passport. I use Allianz for insurance
I have been on 3 cruises and loved each one. I watch your videos a lot and enjoy them. Please keep up the great videos.
I zip lined in Mexico many years ago. Was one of the best excursions i ever did. Not sure i would do that in Mexico now. I will say ATV, NEVER AGAIN! Not safe!
We always carry our passport cards off the ship.
Just a word of caution to check your travel medical insurance to make sure it includes “higher risk” activities such as scuba diving, mopeds, and zip lining as many clearly state they do not. You can however buy supplemental coverage.
As a recommendation when you get your passport get a passport card it of course won't do everything a passport would do but it is a good government I'd to have off ship
When Ensenada please look out for getting over on at the Flea market type shopping near the blow hole there is a tour and a tour guide because they work together will tell you everyone else is bogus and second they are working with the store/shop they refer to shop at
Emailing the photo of your passport to yourself is such an incredible piece of advice that I never would have thought of. It never even occurred to me that I would want to look up that photo even if I lost my phone. So thank you for bringing that to my mind
I've had the "hey, I'm your waiter from the cruise ship" scam. We didn't fall for it.
If you're walking on the sidewalk keep your shoulder bag on the arm not street side. Theives on motor scooters will dtrve alongside you and rip the bag off your arm. I've seen this happen and the woman was badly injured.
Good solid advice. works for wherever one may travel too .
Travel
Insurance is a SCAM!!! We have always purchased it and when my daughter died when we were in Sydney Australia and had to cancel 1/2 our back to back cruise we were out 15k. They deny almost all types of death. This wasn't life insurance so I don't understand why any type would be excluded. Never again, we will take our chances.
🛳️Where can I get an over sized long sleeve white collar shirt like the one you wear in some videos. I absolutely love it.
Thank you! 😊
Her personal rule, don't do anything people visit paradise to do. Lol😂
Your hair looks amazing.
Don't fall for the "local" at the cruise port offering to take a photo of you (and whomever you are with) in front of the perfect location with your phone. By the time you get into position, they are gone with your phone.
We take passport cards in my money belt when we go ashore.
A heads up for anyone sailing around Japan. We just did this in the fall of 2024. You are required to take your actual passport off in many ports. You go through security right on the pier at almost every port. Security is very tight and they will not accept any other ID. We saw many people going back to the ship to get their passport. I have a small Travelon cross body bag, and they easily fit in that. We felt very safe everywhere we visited in Japan, though.
Great video!
Have you ever had an issue time wise not getting back to the ship early using Shore Excursions Group?
Having a set amount of cash for port's is great. We tend to take no more than $150. Per port and use credit cards and inform the credit card company that we are taking a cruise beforehand.
My husband and I are a tad older so we always have travel insurance in case of a medical issue. The two companies I have used are Travel Guard and Alliance. I usually price them against each other:)
Excellent idea emailing your ID information and cc too
I have used Travel Insured International for many years and they have a discount for USAA members.
I didn't realize that the "I was your waiter, this is my families store" etc. was a regular thing. My friend and I actually fell victim to this in Cozumel. The thing is the young man actually looked almost identical to the waiter we did have the night before. He lured us into a jewelry store that was supposed to be his grandfather's store. I realized pretty quick that it was a scam and got out. My travel partner wouldn't come out and she was harassed until she made a purchase for a worthless ring.
My only cruise was to Ensenada. Was having so much fun I wasn’t on guard and got pick poceted. The thieves didn’t understand how travellers cheques worked and came to the ship and demanded money for me to get them back. Your advice is right on.
When using your CC make sure they don’t take it away to charge you.
Always good advice. Learned the hard way don't put your wallet in your back pocket. Got pickpocketed in Lisbon, Portugal while going on a subway. Also when in port if one of the locals ask to take your picture Don't give them your phone. They will ask for money to get it back.
01:39 Don't wear your neck lanyard in cruise port
02:12 Leave Flashy Jewelry on the ship
02:42 Make sure you have your cruise ship contact number
03:29 Check for government travel advisories
05:00 Have cash and a credit card for emergencies
07:39 Avoid Risky Excursions
08:13 Don't rent mopeds
08:51 Get Travel Insurance
09:32 Don't fall for cruise port scams
10:13 Only use a license Taxi
10:48 Avoid Theft by making sure you are protected
11:53 Beware of pick pockets
12:29 Should you take your passport in cruise port of call?
13:44 Be aware of ship time vs local time
14:56 Be cautious of eating food in some ports
15:48 Use a travel agent
16:19 Have a buddy
When in port and using a credit card, make sure they bring the card machine to you or you go with them to the machine.
If they try to take your card somewhere out of your sight there is a danger of them cloning it it.
Also, always make a note of the contact details of the port agent. This is the easiest way to get in touch with the ship if you have a problem.
Làdies Don't travel on Italian chips especially by yourself.
When in any port, I always use a "safe" and pickpocket proof travel bag, such as made by Travelon. Almost impossible for some one to get into it, the strap has a metal cable inside of it so no one can cut it off you, and when Dining you can lock it to your chair.
I only brought a credit card, but it was my Discover, many places we stopped at did not take Discover!!! Would have been nice to know that in advance.
I don't understand why you would bring your fancy jewelry on a cruise to begin with.
Were you on the Norweigen Escape last week? I saw someone who looked a lot like you going into the buffet on embarkation day.
Welcome to warm South Florida. I wanted to say TY for all the tips that you give. I just go off the NCL Encore and used a lot of your tips. I had a blast. I am a Miamian and have not cruised for over 10 years, last cruise was to Alaska. Your tips made it easier and smoother. Can't wait till I can plan another one.
i got some underwear with pockets when i went to Italy for three weeks. They were actually big pockets that could fit my phone and passport!