Port Grind

They don’t show you this part of the cruise.

The “welcome back to land” shuffle where you’re herded like sleepy cattle off the ship, still full from last night’s all-you-can-eat dessert bar, and now facing a line that moves slower than a sea turtle with a hangover. But hey, thanks to facial recognition tech, we no longer need to flash passports or yell our names five times to underpaid customs agents. Just stand there, look alive, and boom you’re free (and slightly sunburnt).

But before you even take five steps, BAM photographers. Like paparazzi at a red carpet, they come at you with cameras and cheesy backdrops asking for the $25 glam shot you never asked for even when you’re holding a DSLR in your hand! (I already took 400 photos, my dude… I’m good.)

Then you look up… and the ship. The ship. Towering over you like a floating skyscraper. Those lifeboats overhead? That’s when it hits you this massive beast holds thousands of people. Crew. Passengers. Tourists. Over 5,000 people on a single vessel, floating in a metal box across the ocean.

And yes, people do get left behind. “All aboard” isn’t a suggestion it’s a countdown. If you’re sipping margaritas past time, that boat sails without you. Happens more often than you’d think.

Port days are chaos. Heat, crowds, sunscreen, overpriced souvenirs, and a lot of walking. But they’re also the heart of the experience. They’re where the memories are made. The wild moments. The photos. The hustle. The humanity.

Here’s a fun (or terrifying?) fact: Since 1980, only about 16 cruise ships have ever sunk. Out of thousands. So yeah, odds are in your favor. But standing under those lifeboats… it’s still a little unnerving.

Make the most of the chaos. Capture it. Embrace the mess, the sweat, the laughter, the exhaustion. Because it’s part of the adventure. And adventures don’t come with room service.

#CruiseLife #SmoothAndBumpyTravels #PortDayChaos #MakeMemoriesNotExcuses #YouMightGetLeft #ButHeyAtLeastThereArePhotos