With 1 in 5 Brits planning to take a cruise in the next 12 months, Brits are urged to check their itineraries carefully, as many travellers discover that “city stops” advertised on European cruise itineraries are often nowhere near the cities themselves.
Many so-called destinations can be over two hours’ drive from the port, turning your relaxing city break into a rushed and expensive transfer dash – partly thanks to super-sized cruise ships being banned from city-centre ports like Venice.
With major cruise lines using regional ports and naming the nearest big-ticket city, even when it’s miles away, first-time travellers are often misled into thinking they’ll be dropped off within walking distance of attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum or St. Mark’s Square.
“We’ve seen travellers on mainstream cruises step off at ports like Trieste or Le Havre thinking they’re in Venice or Paris,” says Maryanne Sparkes, a European Waterways itinerary specialist. “But often, the real city experience is often hours away by coach.
“Not all boats are banned, however. Cruise companies operating smaller boats, are still able to dock right in the heart of the city. For example, we’re fortunate that our 20-passenger luxury hotel barge La Bella Vita is able to dock right in the heart of Venice, as are any vessel weighing under 25,000 gross tons, so it’s a vital question to ask when booking any cruise.”
These are the top offenders, ranked by distance from the advertised city:
- Berlin (Warnemünde) – 236 km or 2h 25m
- Paris (Le Havre) – 196 km or 2h 05m
- Venice (Trieste) – 157 km or 1h 38m
- Venice (Monfalcone) – 129 km or 2h 06m
- Granada (Málaga) – 124.6 km or 1h 18m
- Seville (Cádiz) – 119 km or 1h 17m
- Florence (Livorno) – 89 km or 1h 10m
- Rome (Civitavecchia) – 71 km or 55m
- Cinque Terre (La Spezia) – 27.1 km or 39m
- Amsterdam (IJmuiden) – 26 km or 28m
What’s the problem with the renamed ports?
“If you’re not docked in the heart of a city, you could potentially miss key landmarks, or feel rushed around a city, or even be forced to pay for expensive taxis to maximise your time in the new city.
Some people may even face unexpected travel fatigue thanks to additional dock to city travel, especially for families and older travellers.”
Travel smart tips from European Waterways
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Double-check the port name before booking, and research its distance from the advertised city.
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Look for nearby overnight stays or longer dock times if your dream city is far inland
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Pre-book transport or excursions through trusted providers, not just the cruise line
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Choose smaller vessels or curated routes that prioritise city proximity over scale.
“A smaller ship doesn’t just get you closer to the city – it gives you more energy to enjoy it,” says Maryanne. “Less time on buses, more time with your feet on cobblestones – or soaking up the local spritz!”