Cruise lines take care of most of the planning. You don’t have to book each leg yourself like you typically do on a train.
The cruise line provides a schedule of activities and entertainment on board each day, so you can pick and choose at your leisure.
However, there is no flexibility when it comes to time spent at the port stop. Cruise ships stick to a tight schedule, and if you’re late, you may be left behind unless you’re on an excursion you booked through the cruise line. But if you plan your own train trip, you can give yourself as much time as you want to explore.
During my cruises, most port stops were about eight hours long. I booked excursions through the cruise line, including beach days, hikes, and tours. Some were compelling, but ultimately, I didn’t feel I had enough time to get more than a taste of the destinations we stopped at.
