Things to Know About Shore Leave When You Work on Ships

seafaringtravel

12 Jun

You don’t always get it. And when you do, it’s often shorter than you hoped. But for most seafarers, shore leave – those rare hours when you’re allowed off the ship while in port – can feel like freedom.

One reason I chose this out-of-the-ordinary job was to see the world – to travel in a way that few people get to. Working on cruise ships isn’t a holiday, but shore leave is one of the few moments it delivers on that dream.

Sometimes it’s an afternoon. Other times, it’s under an hour squeezed between duties. And occasionally, it doesn’t happen at all.

When it does happen, even briefly, it’s often the mental reset you didn’t know you needed. Some crew chase wifi or snacks. Others just want a quiet bench and a place that doesn’t rock.

Good shore leave isn’t about doing everything. It’s about knowing what you need most that day – a pharmacy run, a strong coffee, a few deep breaths.

Here’s what’s helped me make the most of shore leave. Maybe something here will help you too. While I write from a cruise ship crew perspective, many of these experiences are shared across all kinds of seafarers.

Things to Get Right Before You Step Off the Ship for Shore Leave

Plan ahead before you step off the ship

Shore leave doesn’t start the moment the ship docks – not really. Between clearance delays, drills, or immigration formalities, your “free time” can shrink fast. That’s why a bit of prep goes a long way.

Know what time you actually have

“Five hours in port” on the schedule might become two. You might be cleared late because of immigration, or there’s a last-minute drill, or your department needs a hand.

Even when things go smoothly, you still need to factor in getting ready, the walk to the gangway, and how long it takes to disembark.

If the ship is anchored offshore, don’t forget to add boat or tender time to get to shore. It can eat into your limited leave.

Always plan for less than you think you’ll get.

Check if you need a shore pass

Some ports require crew to register in advance, apply for a shore pass, or wait for your name to be cleared. This can depend on your nationality, visa situation, or local port rules. The ship usually notifies crew in advance. But if it’s your first time at that port, double-check with your supervisor or the crew office.

Look up what’s near the port

Some docks are right in town. Others leave you walking 40 minutes past fences and shipping containers just to find a corner store, especially in remote or industrial ports. Set your expectations based on the port’s layout.

Ask around before heading out

Someone on your team or from another department probably knows the best wifi café, cheapest meal, or shortcut to town – just ask. Most crew tips are passed along by word of mouth anyway (not from reading random blogs like mine, unfortunately).

Save locations in advance

Use Google Maps or Maps.me to pin essentials – grocery stores, pharmacies, cafés, or the one shop selling your favourite snacks. It makes a huge difference if your signal cuts out.

Charge your phone before you go

Might sound obvious, but if you’ve had back-to-back duties, it’s easy to forget. A full battery means you’ll have maps, crew chats, and a way to call the ship if something goes sideways.

Always check the ship’s official shore leave timings

Don’t assume it’s always the same.

I was once marked as late in Hong Kong, even though I hadn’t left the port terminal. The shopping mall was part of the terminal, and I was just outside the gate. When I strolled back, ship security told me I was already late.

That day’s shore leave cut-off was an hour earlier than usual, but I didn’t check the gangway time. Late is late, no matter the reason, and it can earn you a warning or even disciplinary action.

Track the time (and give yourself a buffer)

Set a (mental) alarm and aim to return at least 30 minutes before all aboard. I usually aim for 30–60. Delays can happen at security, port gates, or with tender boats. Better to wait onboard than stress at the last minute.

I still remember one chaotic shore leave in Manila. It was late afternoon and a bunch of us were stuck in heavy traffic on the way back – and at some point, our Grab driver got sideswiped by a motorcyclist and decided to chase him. Back on the ship, told us how they’d ended up literally running along the road trying to get back on time.

Whether it was that day or another, I just remember the collective panic of trying not to be late. I’ve always tried to give myself more breathing room – even if it means waiting by the gangway.

shore leave at anchorage — When tendering, both crew and guests hop on boats to reach land and enjoy some time ashore.

This isn’t about overplanning. It’s about not wasting your one precious hour ashore trying to figure everything out. A little intention goes a long way, especially when time is tight and your energy’s low.

Match your shore leave to your time (and energy)

Shore leave isn’t about how long you get. It’s about how grounded you feel when you come back. Some days, even an hour ashore helps. Other days, that hour disappears into logistics: long walks through industrial ports, immigration queues, or waiting for clearance that never comes.

If you have under 1 hour: keep it small and simple.
Check if it’s worth going ashore at all. If the port is isolated or the walk to town is longer than your break, it might be smarter to rest onboard. But if it’s easy to step out, go for a small reset: a strong coffee, stable wifi, a quick pharmacy run, or just standing on land for a bit.
Stay close to the port if you’re unsure how much time you really have. It’s not exciting, but it’s safe, and still worth it.
If you have a few hours: give yourself space to breathe.
This is the sweet spot for a proper café visit, a hot meal, or a quiet wander through town. It’s enough time to feel like a person again, not just crew. Prioritise what you need most that day. A walk? Groceries? A call home? Don’t feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing.
Some of my most memorable shore leaves didn’t cost a cent – just walking around, sitting in a park, or watching local life go by.

If you have half a day or more: explore – but don’t rush it.
Sightseeing starts to feel worth it, especially if there’s a beach or local market near port. Longer adventures go more smoothly with fellow crew. You can split taxi costs, navigate unfamiliar streets, and stay safer in a new place. Group outings can be fun and practical, but don’t rule out going solo if that’s what you need.
Even if you’ve got time, remember that tourist crowds, traffic, or long port security lines can eat into your day. The more unknowns – like figuring out local transport or chasing down wifi – the more important it is to stay flexible. Sometimes the best “adventure” is sitting on a bench, watching life unfold around you.

Whatever time you get, match it to what you need, not what looks best on Instagram. For some, that’s restocking basics (snacks, shampoo) or grabbing something familiar – like milk tea or wifi. For others, it’s standing in fresh air that doesn’t smell like diesel or fluorescent soap.

That’s what shore leave is for.

Bring the essentials for shore leave

Some crew can walk off with just a wallet and survive any port day. I admire that. But if you’re not that person – or if you’ve ever been stuck with a dead phone, no signal, or no cash – packing light with intention makes shore leave smoother.

Here’s what I always try to bring:

Cash (small bills, local currency if possible)
For street food, market stalls, or when the card machine mysteriously “doesn’t work.”
Reusable bag
For groceries, random snacks, or impulse buys. Better than juggling plastic bags back to the ship.
Water bottle
Especially useful if you're walking far or the weather’s hotter than expected. Though I tend to forget this especially when I’m on a couple of hours run.

Optional, depending on your port:

Mini umbrella or cap (depending on weather)
Hand sanitiser or wipes
Portable charger – helpful if you didn’t get to charge before leaving, or plan to use your phone heavily for maps and calls.

You probably won’t need all of this. But forgetting just one can be enough to ruin the mood. Especially if that one thing is your charger and you’re trying to call your family from a café with 20% battery and no adaptor in sight.

Pack what makes sense for you.

Stay low-key and street-smart

Even if you’re off-duty, you’re still crew. In most ports, that means blending in matters more than standing out.

If you’re in uniform, keep a low profile. Some ports don’t allow uniformed crew to roam freely, while others might treat you differently – not always in a good way. When in doubt, bring a change of clothes or a jacket to throw over.
Avoid drawing attention. Skip the loud laughter, excessive alcohol before ship, or anything that screams “we’re from the cruise ship.” It’s not about being paranoid – just respectful.
Avoid looking too obviously like a lost tourist. Cruise ports can be magnets for taxi scams or petty theft, especially in crowded, touristy areas. Stick with trusted routes, stay alert in traffic, and be aware of your surroundings.
Stay alert, especially in unfamiliar areas. Keep your phone charged and your bag close. Not every port is risky, but not every one is safe either. Trust your gut.
Know when to call it a day. If something feels off, if you’re getting too tired, or if your phone is dead and you’re far from port, head back. No souvenir or milk tea takeaway is worth cutting it close.

If you can’t go ashore, recharge anyway

Not every port will go your way. Some days you’re on IPM (In-Port Manning), stuck covering duties onboard. Other days, it’s drills, short port calls, or inspections that take up most of your break. Sometimes, it’s your passport or visa situation that decides for you. Even if the ship’s in port, not everyone gets to leave.

It sucks when you’re counting down the days to touch land, only to get told you’re staying behind. But you’re not alone. Most crew know what it’s like to miss out. What matters is finding little ways to reset, even if you never step off the gangway.

If you’ve got downtime between duties, try moving to a different part of the ship – anywhere with natural light or a view outside. Bring your coffee to an upper deck, put on a podcast, or call someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with. Even just changing your surroundings for 15 minutes can help clear your head.

Or use the time for something that feels grounding: journaling, organising your locker, treating yourself to a proper shower, or just lying down with your phone on airplane mode. It might not look like much, but if it helps you feel more like yourself.

Shore leave is about breathing space. And when stepping outside isn’t an option, you still deserve a moment to exhale.

Take What You Can, When You Can

When you have free time and you get the chance for shore leave, take it – even if just for a short walk or a coffee. You might never return to that port again.

But when you’re running on fumes, it’s okay to skip it. Sometimes the most generous thing you can do for yourself is rest. Working tired, shift after shift, is its own kind of suffering – and I say that from experience. I’ve gone days on just a few hours of sleep because I didn’t want to miss a rare port. Was it worth it? Sometimes, yes. But it was also hard.

You don’t have to make the most of every stop. Just take what you need, when you can. That’s enough – especially for cruise crew running on little sleep.

Things to Know About Shore Leave When You Work on Ships