Overnight cruises are a great way to 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. Often, staying the night is a chance to see a completely different face of a destination, sample its cuisine, and check out local bars, pubs, and cultural performances.
Whether you’re hoping to see the sunset in the Mediterranean, sample sizzling street food in Asia, or dance the night away 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 luxurious floating hotel. 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 relax, 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.
Which 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 exciting overnight cruises you can experience on Celebrity Cruises:
Overnight Cruise Ports in Europe & Africa
Lisbon, Portugal
On a cruise to Europe, you’ll have the opportunity to stay overnight in multiple cities.
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 have a chance to enjoy authentic Fado music. In Madeira, take the opportunity to hike the trails that snake around the contours of the cliffs, or admire the lush Botanical Gardens in Funchal.
Florence, Italy
While in Italy, the overnight stay in La Spezia gives you a chance to explore historic Florence or Pisa after sunset, joining locals for their evening stroll and aperitivo hour.
Blue Lagoon in Reykjavik, Iceland
Take advantage of your two days in Iceland to sample the nightlife of Reykjavik, and explore the country’s thrilling natural wonders, including Godafoss waterfall, the famous Blue Lagoon, and the lava fields of Dimmuborgir.
Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul
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. Watch the minarets of the city fall into silhouette at sunset as you stroll along the Golden Horn.
Temple of Poseidon in Athens, Greece
If your ship is in Athens for the night, take a trip to Cape Sounion to admire the dreamy sunset and explore the elegant Temple of Poseidon before heading back to the capital for dinner with a view of the floodlit Acropolis. Thessaloniki, meanwhile, is buzzing by night, when locals stroll along the waterfront before dinner in one of the dozens of restaurants and tavernas.
On a cruise around the Baltic Sea, stay for a night in Copenhagen, Denmark and discover the design and culinary treasures of this Scandinavian city.
Even if you don’t have dinner ashore, the pubs and bars along the waterfront of colorful Nyhavn are busy late into the night. Visit in summer and you’ll enjoy long, light-filled evenings.
Overnight Ports on Bermuda Cruises
Bermuda
During a cruise to Bermuda, spend two nights at the historic Royal Naval Dockyard, famed for its restaurants and nightlife. Take time for an evening catamaran cruise to enjoy the glorious sunset and a rum swizzle. If you’re looking to sample the local bar scene, sign up for a guided pub crawl.
If you’re in port on a Wednesday, join the locals at the exuberant Harbor Nights Street Festival in downtown Hamilton. After dark, Front Street is a whirl of color, music, street food, and dancing, as everybody embraces the party spirit.
Because the two nights give you so much time in port, you can really get to know Bermuda, whether you’re sunbathing on pale pink beaches, enjoying a round of golf, taking in some of the historical sights, or cycling and hiking the scenic Railway Trail.
Overnight Cruise Ports in the Caribbean
On a Caribbean cruise, experience a unique overnight stay in Aruba’s Oranjestad or sultry New Orleans.
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.
The Big Easy, meanwhile, needs little introduction; an overnight stay is the perfect opportunity to listen to live jazz or do something offbeat like take a ghost tour.
Overnight Cruise Ports in Asia
Bangkok, Thailand
Our Asia cruise itineraries include overnight stays in multiple cities.
In India, you can delve deeper into the local culture in Cochin and Mumbai, while there are also overnights in Colombo, Sri Lanka; Penang, Malaysia; and Benoa, Bali.
On a Southeast Asia cruise, you’ll have extra time to discover Phuket’s famous nightlife or head to a romantic beach restaurant for dinner.
During your night in Bangkok, the famous night markets are a must for jewelry, clothing, and handicrafts, with sizzling street food on hand if you feel like a snack and an ice-cold beer. Ho Chi Minh City, too, is a great chance to try street food before heading to one of the city’s buzzing bars on your overnight stay.
Hong Kong
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. When your cruise calls at Taipei, head up Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world, and in contrast, explore intricate temples.
Penang has some fantastic rooftop bars from which you can take in the sparkling lights of the city—perhaps after browsing the bustling Batu Ferringhi Night Market. The Old Quarter in downtown Hanoi, meanwhile, is enchanting after dark, and perfect for a nighttime stroll.
Kyoto, Japan
If you’re sailing on a cruise around Japan, an overnight in Kyoto is the ideal opportunity to enjoy a traditional shabu-shabu dinner followed by a Marko performance. In Tokyo, take in the dazzling neon colors of the night, admire the views from the Sky Tree, and visit a karaoke bar.
If your voyage takes you to laid-back Aomori, spend time in the Aomori Museum of Art, and in cherry blossom season, take long strolls to admire nature’s beauty. Kobe, meanwhile, is a great opportunity to try a traditional Onsen bath and sample the legendary Kobe beef.
Voyages to India, meanwhile, are a chance to photograph the famous Chinese fishing nets at sunset in Cochin or take in a spellbinding Kathakali dance performance. In Mumbai, experience the buzz of the night markets, or head out for dinner for classy and classic Indian cuisine.
Overnight Cruise Ports on the East Coast
Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada
One of the best places in North America to experience the atmosphere after dark is elegant Quebec City, Canada, known for its chic, French-influenced culture, European architecture, fine dining, and state-of-the-art museums.
Take a night cruise on the St. Lawrence River, stroll Old Québec, and stop in at a local pub—and round off the evening with a snack of poutine, the local specialty of fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Overnight Cruise Ports in California & 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.
Hula performance in Hawaii
Meanwhile, cruises around Hawaii include overnight stays in Honolulu, Kailua-Kona, and Hilo. By day, hike, explore the lush volcanic scenery, or lounge on the beach, leaving evenings free to marvel at the dazzling sunsets, taste traditional island cuisine, and enjoy a hula ceremony.
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 fresh seafood while admiring the magical sights of Sydney Harbour, the famous bridge, and the Opera House illuminated after dark.
From Cairns, you’ll have the incredible opportunity to sleep under the stars while camping on a special pontoon in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef—a real once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If your voyage takes you to Airlie Beach, explore the town’s lively beer gardens once you’ve had your fill of snorkeling and magnificent beaches.
Cruises to New Zealand sometimes overnight in Auckland, where you can take a sunset stroll along Waitemata Harbour and watch the city light up as dusk falls, the skyline reflected in the water.
If you’re sailing the South Pacific, Papeete is another wonderful overnight stop; the best thing to do here at the end of a day on the beach is to take a sunset catamaran cruise and relax, cocktail in hand, as fiery colors streak the sky.
Sydney, Australia
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 get ready for the exciting places you’ll visit after dark.
