One Cruise Word we’d love to ban
Why your cruise may not be taking you exactly where you’re expecting!
If we could ban just one tiny word from cruise itineraries, it would be this: FOR.
Yes, for! Such a harmless-looking word… but in the cruise world, it can be a complete minefield.
Four ports on this itinerary, that aren’t exactly where they say that they are!
When you see Southampton FOR London, Livorno FOR Florence, Le Havre FOR Paris…
on an itinerary, your mind starts painting the dreamiest pictures—sailing under Tower Bridge, gliding down the Seine, or wandering through the streets of Florence with a gelato in hand.
But here’s the truth: if the word FOR is there, then the city you’re dreaming of isn’t where your ship is docking. What awaits you instead? A large, industrial port that’s miles away from the actual destination. And to reach that “bucket list” city, you’ll almost certainly be looking at a long, tiring, and expensive coach ride.
The FOMO Factor
Le Havre: the gateway port for Paris… but is it really the best way to see the city?
Cruise lines know how to pull on our heartstrings. Log in to your cruise planner and the messages start rolling in:
“Book your excursion now.”
“Don’t miss out.”
“Popular trips sell fast.”
Sound familiar? That’s FOMO—Fear Of Missing Out—and it works brilliantly as an advertising strategy.
It plays into the pressure of “Well, if everyone else is going to Paris, I should too!” even when the reality is spending most of the day on a motorway and very little time at your dream destination.
When the “Trip of a Lifetime” Really Is
Of course, there are exceptions.
If you’re travelling from New Zealand, the US, or Australia, and this is your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe, then yes—book that Paris excursion or Florence coach tour. Go, soak it all in, and make those childhood dreams come true.
But if you live in the UK or travel often? Pause for a moment. Think it through.
Would a weekend break in Florence cost you that much more than two spots on a cruise excursion? Probably not. And you’d get far more time in the city without the pressure of racing back to the ship.
On one cruise to Le Havre, we even worked out we could reach Paris faster by train from home in Kent than from the port itself!
A Quick Reality Check
Here’s a simple trick: look up what excursion companies are offering from your nearest home port.
For example:
If you lived near Southampton, would you ever hop on a coach to London and back in a day via Stonehenge? Probably not. You’d take the train and maximise your time.
When you see what’s sold as a “must-do” excursion, it suddenly becomes clear just how little quality time you’ll actually spend at that destination.
Warnemunde is very pretty - or you could spend all day travelling to Berlin & back!
So What Are the Alternatives?
Here’s the best-kept secret:
You don’t have to go on the cruise company’s excursions at all.
And more importantly—
You don’t even have to decide now.
If you see FOR on the itinerary, remember: it means you could go to that city, not that you must.
Instead, consider:
Exploring the local town (you’ll often find quirky museums, galleries, shops, and cafés).
Hopping on a local ferry or train to nearby historic sites (from Southampton you could easily reach Winchester, Bath, Portsmouth, or even the Isle of Wight).
Booking with independent excursion providers such as Viator or GetYourGuide, which often offer smaller group tours.
Checking our Cruise Addicted Port Guides for real traveller insights.
Asking fellow members in the Cruise Addicted Facebook Group for their tips and personal recommendations.
Fight the FOMO – and Cruise YOUR Way
Cruising should never feel like a checklist of “must-sees” and endless coach rides. It’s your holiday. Your time. Your adventure.
So the next time you see the dreaded FOR on an itinerary, take a step back and breathe. You don’t have to go to Florence, Paris, or London just because it’s on the list.
Instead, embrace the freedom that cruising gives you:
Do what you love.
Explore at your own pace.
And don’t forget—sometimes the very best discoveries are the ones right on your doorstep.
✨ FOR means you could, not you must!
If ‘everyone else’ has gone to Florence, you’ll find the spa looking like this!
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