I've been on a lot of cruises. I swear by spending at least one port day on the ship.

With fewer people on board, I find it way easier to truly relax on the ship on a port day instead of a typical sea day.

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• One of the best ways to enjoy a cruise is to stay on the ship while it's docked at least once.
• Ships are often pretty empty on port days, so spas offer deals, and lounge chairs are easy to snag.
• On port days, I love enjoying the ship's amenities at a slow, laid-back pace without crowds.

One of the most exciting parts...