Overnight cruises are a fun way to fully experience the best a destination has to offer. You can take your time exploring your favorite ports and discovering the vibrant nightlife of a city.
Whether you’re hoping to see the sunset in the Mediterranean, have dinner in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Asia, or dance all night in the Caribbean, here’s everything you need to know about cruises with overnight stays.
What’s it like being on overnight cruises?
On a cruise with an overnight stay, you’ll feel as if you’re spending the night in a floating hotel, since you can come and go as you please throughout the evening. At your overnight port stops, you can go sightseeing during the day, come back to the ship to change, and then head back out and enjoy the city’s restaurants and nightlife.
You can also spend the day exploring the port, come back for dinner in one of our onboard restaurants, then head back out into the city to enjoy a night excursion or a cocktail.
What cruises stay in port overnight?
Cruises with overnight stays are available in over 40 ports of call on Celebrity Cruises in each major destination we cruise to. Sometimes, overnights will occur during the middle of a cruise. Other times, overnight stays are offered at a cruise’s embarkation port just after you board, or at a ship’s last port before you disembark the following day.
Here are some of the overnight cruises you can experience on Celebrity Cruises:
Overnight Cruise Ports in Europe
On a cruise to Europe, you’ll have the opportunity to stay overnight in Lisbon or Porto, Portugal; Venice, Italy; Reykjavik or Akureyri, Iceland; Barcelona or Bilbao, Spain; Bordeaux, France; Cork, Ireland; Jerusalem, Israel; Istanbul, Turkey; Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway; and St. Petersburg, Russia.
At an overnight stop in Lisbon, Portugal, board a funicular to the top of Bairro Alto, where you’ll enjoy unparalleled views of the city’s landmarks and enjoy traditional Fado music. With an overnight stay in Porto, sample local port wine at your leisure and discover the sprawling Douro Valley. While in Italy, couples will want to make sure to take a romantic gondola ride on a cruise with an overnight stay in Venice.
Read: Best Cruises for Couples
Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland
Take advantage of your two days in Iceland, either in Reykjavik and Akureyri, and explore the country’s stunning natural wonders, including Godafoss waterfall, the famous Blue Lagoon, and the lava fields of Dimmuborgir.
Make your way through one of the world’s largest and most prestigious wine-producing regions with an overnight in Bordeaux. In Spain, you’ll get an extra day in either Barcelona or Bilbao, where you can experience even more tapas, culture, and breathtaking architecture.
Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul
Explore the magnificent sites of Jerusalem over two days on a cruise to Israel. Some cruise itineraries to Turkey and the Greek Islands include a night in Istanbul, where you can tour famous landmarks like the Blue Mosque and shop for local goods at its famous Grand Bazaar.
Read: Things to Do in Jerusalem
On a cruise around the Baltic Sea, stay for a night in Copenhagen, Denmark or Oslo, Norway, and discover the design and culinary treasures of these Scandinavian cities. Or spend an extra day in St. Petersburg and tour the opulent palaces and landmarks that date back to Tsarist Russia.
Overnight Cruise Ports in Bermuda
Bermuda
During a cruise to Bermuda, spend two nights in Royal Naval Dockyard and experience the nightlife in downtown Hamilton, where you’ll enjoy live music at their weekly Harbour Nights festival. If you’re looking to sample the local bar scene, sign up for a guided pub crawl.
Further south, you might feel like you stepped back in time when your ship docks for the night in Charleston, South Carolina, where you can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage around the city’s historic district.
Overnight Cruise Ports in the Caribbean
On a Caribbean cruise, experience a unique overnight stay in Aruba’s Oranjestad or Curaçao’s Willemstad.
After spending the day lounging on one of Aruba’s white-sand beaches, cap off the day by boarding a catamaran and sipping a cocktail as you enjoy a breathtaking view of the sunset.
In Curaçao, make the most of your extra day by strolling along its picturesque waterfront and through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, make sure to try the island’s famous blue Curaçao.
Overnight Cruise Ports in Asia
Our Asia cruise itineraries include overnight stays in Bangkok, Thailand; Hanoi, Vietnam; Hong Kong; Singapore; Kobe, Kyoto, and Tokyo in Japan; and Manila, Philippines.
Ha Long Bay in Hanoi, Vietnam
On a Southeast Asia cruise, you’ll have extra time to discover Bangkok’s palaces, shop for gems and jewelry in markets, and visit museums and temples.
One of the best things to do in Vietnam is sail alongside the natural wonders of Hanoi’s Ha Long Bay on a multi-day tour, which includes a visit to Cua Van Floating Village and a sunset dinner and cooking demonstration.
In Hong Kong, take in the iconic skyline and enjoy a primetime view of its famous Symphony of Lights show in Victoria Harbour, one of the city’s highest viewing platforms. On an overnight cruise to Singapore, board a bumboat and wade along the Singapore River, where you can see the city’s skyscrapers and marvel at its many architectural landmarks, including the Marina Bay Sands and the Helix Bridge.
Read: 3 Days in Hong Kong
Tokyo Tower, Japan
If you’re sailing on a cruise around Japan, there are three overnight options for you to consider in Kobe, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Discover the electric nightlife of Tokyo, Japan’s thrilling capital. Sample traditional Japanese food in Kobe. Enjoy a traditional shabu-shabu dinner followed by a Marko performance in Kyoto.
Read: Two Days in Kyoto
In Manila, embark on a comprehensive tour around its many attractions, including the walled city of Intramuros, San Agustin Church, and Fort Santiago.
Overnight Cruise Ports on the East Coast
Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada
One of our more popular overnight stops in North America is a stay in Quebec City, Canada, known as the “Paris of America” thanks to its five-star French-infused restaurants, European architecture, and state-of-the-art museums. We’ve also added an overnight stop in Prince Edward Island, a quaint island province full of scenic cliffs and charming red-and-white lighthouses.
Read: Best East Coast Cruises
Overnight Cruise Ports in California, Mexico, & Hawaii
On the West Coast, enjoy an overnight in San Francisco, where you can visit landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, discover its countercultural history in neighborhoods like Haight-Ashbury, and experience the city’s legendary nightlife.
While in Mexico, explore the nightlife of Cabo San Lucas while enjoying an evening full of authentic Mexican cuisine and tequila tastings.
Hula performance in Hawaii
Meanwhile, cruises around Hawaii include overnight stays in Honolulu and Maui’s Lahaina, where you can hike or lounge on the beach by day and enjoy traditional island cuisine or a hula ceremony at night.
Overnight Cruise Ports in South America
On cruises to South America, you might spend a night or two in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where you can sign up for a tango class and dine at one of their world-famous steakhouses. In Cartagena, Colombia, take a horse-drawn carriage around the walled city center and finish off your night at a salsa bar.
If you’re cruising around Brazil, make your way around the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro, where the famous Christ The Redeemer statue welcomes you with open arms. Or spend some extra time exploring the colorful Pelourinho district in Salvador de Bahia.
Overnight Cruise Ports in Australia, New Zealand, & the South Pacific
Sydney, Australia
Australia cruises include overnight stops in Sydney, where you can hop on a dinner cruise and enjoy a meal while admiring the stunning Sydney Harbor. In Cairns, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to sleep under the stars while camping on a stable pontoon in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef. Spend your two days in Adelaide sampling local Australian wines, like Shiraz and Riesling, in some of the region’s over 200 vineyards.
In Hobart, Tasmania, get up close to exotic wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, and the endemic Tasmanian devil. Meanwhile, New Zealand cruises make overnight stops in Tauranga, where you can embark on a gentle kayak excursion and marvel at the glow-worms illuminating the darkness.
Read: Exciting Things to Do in Tauranga
Kaituna River, New Zealand
Book your next cruise with an overnight stay and reserve your evening shore excursions today. To start planning your dream cruise that includes an overnight in port, browse cruise itineraries on our website and book your next vacation today.
