I Thought Cruise Port Days Would Be Easy. They’re Not.

 

I thought cruise port days would be easy.

You wake up, grab breakfast, get off the ship, go do something fun, and come back. That’s what it looks like when you’re planning your cruise from your couch. You see the port time, you Google “best things to do,” maybe pick a beach or an excursion, and it all feels simple.

That’s not how it actually plays out.

The first time you step off the ship, you realize pretty quickly that you’re not the only one with that plan. Thousands of people are getting off at the same time. It’s hot right away. The walk is longer than it looked. That is why planning and packing before hand it helpful. Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. 

Then things start stacking up. Taxi lines are longer than expected. The beach you picked looks more crowded in person. Like that time we wanted to go to Airport Beach, and when we got there it was so busy, we went to the next beach up and it was beautiful. Something that was supposed to take ten minutes turns into thirty. You check the time and realize you’re already behind whatever plan you made.

And the part no one really talks about is your energy.You needed this vacation. You’ve been busy, tired, and looking forward to doing nothing. Then suddenly you’re in the sun, walking more than you planned, trying to “make the most” of a place you only have a few hours to see. What sounded fun in your room doesn’t always feel the same once you’re standing there.

I’ve picked the wrong beach. I’ve waited too long to get off the ship. I’ve tried to fit too much into one day and ended up enjoying none of it. I’ve also had great port days, and they didn’t happen because everything went perfectly. They happened because I adjusted. That’s why I created what I call the Tourist Pivot Plan.

Instead of planning one “perfect” plan, I plan two. A Plan A, which is what I want to do if everything lines up, and a Plan B, which is simpler, closer, or easier if something feels off. Then I set a time to check in with myself and decide which one actually makes sense once I’m there.

You stop trying to force a day that isn’t working. You stop wasting time deciding in the moment. You already know your options. You just switch. It sounds simple, but it took me a lot of trial and error to get there. Cruise ports look easy, but they are one of the hardest parts of a trip to get right because your time is so limited.

That’s why I turned it into a system and eventually into a book.

If you’ve ever gotten back on the ship and felt like your port day didn’t go the way you thought it would, you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just missing a backup plan.

And once you start planning that way, your whole day feels different.

You can take a look at them here:

•  Greater Than a Tourist: Nassau Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan,

•  Greater Than a Tourist: Cozumel Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan, 
•  Greater Than a Tourist: Port Canaveral Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan

After So Many Cruises, This Is How I Plan Our Cruise Port Days

 

Cruise port days can feel harder than expected, especially when you only have a few hours to decide what to do. After being on many cruises, I started using a simple system called the Tourist Pivot Plan to plan my port days in places like Nassau, Cozumel, and Port Canaveral.

I’ve been on enough cruises at this point to know that port days don’t usually go the way you think they will. We need a vacation so much, that we don't have that much energy when we get to the ports. After enough port days my husband and I came up with a plan that I want to teach others that I called the "Tourist Pivot Plan". A system to decide what to do in each port and a back up plan if you don't have enough energy, enough sunburn, or if something crazy happens that you can't control. 

Also, look how smart I am above wearing sun tan lotion, a hat and glasses in Bermuda at Horseshoe bay. I learned a few lessons before I started doing that on my vacations. 

It’s just a way to decide what you’re going to do in port before you get off the ship, and what you’re going to do if that plan no longer makes sense. Sometimes that means you don’t have the energy you thought you would. Sometimes it’s the heat. Sometimes it’s crowds or something you didn’t expect. Instead of standing there trying to figure it out, you already know your next step.

Right now, I’ve created three books in the Tourist Pivot Plan series. Each one walks you through how to plan your port day in a simple, realistic way so you’re not making decisions under pressure once you arrive.

The first is Greater Than a Tourist: Nassau Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan, where I break down one of the busiest cruise ports and how to handle crowds, transportation, and short time windows.

The second is Greater Than a Tourist: Cozumel Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan, which focuses more on transportation decisions, beach clubs, and how quickly plans can change once you leave the port.

The third is Greater Than a Tourist: Port Canaveral Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan, where the biggest challenge is distance and deciding whether to stay near the port or go farther out to places like Kennedy Space Center.

Each one follows the same idea. Plan your day before you arrive, give yourself a backup, and set a clear point where you decide what actually makes sense once you’re there. But I also give you tips based on new travelers, adventure seekers and kids with families. 

You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need one that still works when something changes. 

Here is the basic plan but it is explained more in the book. You can also find other worksheets to help you plan your trip at CZYKPublishing.com my publishing company. 

If You Have a Cruise Coming Up

If you have a cruise planned, this is something simple you can try.

Before your next port day, take a few minutes the night before and write down your Plan A, your Plan B, and a time when you’ll check in and decide what still makes sense.

You don’t need to overthink it. Just having that written down can make your day feel easier once you’re off the ship.

If you want a little more structure, I’ve put together the Tourist Pivot Plan guides for a few cruise ports so far. They walk you through how to do this step by step, with examples and worksheets so you’re not figuring it out in the moment.

You can take a look at them here:

•  Greater Than a Tourist: Nassau Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan,

•  Greater Than a Tourist: Cozumel Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan, 
•  Greater Than a Tourist: Port Canaveral Cruise Port Tourist Pivot Plan

Even if you don’t use the books, try the idea. It’s one of the simplest changes we’ve made, and it’s made our port days feel a lot better.

2025- Lisa's Review of the Year

 

From Babies to Teenagers, and How the Lessons Still Follow Me

A look at my life in 2025 as a mom of teens, a writer, and the creator of 50 Things to Know Before Having a Baby. What parenting looks like now, what has stayed the same, and how daily routines keep our family grounded. 

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How 2025 Feels Compared to the Baby Years

When I wrote 50 Things to Know Before Having a Baby, my world was centered on sleep schedules, what to put in the diaper bags, and learning the importance of  my five senses. I did not expect that post to become the most visited page on this blog. The fact that it still brings readers here tells me something important. The desire for simple, clear guidance never goes away. That is why I created the 50 things to know book series, then my travel guide book series, Greater than a Tourist, Travel Like a Local, and Eat Like a Local. I was looking for simple tips and I want to give them to others. 

In 2025 my daughters are fourteen and ten. Our routines look nothing like they did during those early days. I see my sister going though it and I wish I knew better ways to help them. 

The shift this year has been significant. But what has stayed the same is letting them try new things, seeing them fail, and then bing super proud as they learn new skills. I spend more time driving, planning, and adjusting. Things I have not really enjoyed but I am growing as a person as I learn these new skills. I also get to become friends with their parents friends and their friends. It has been a joy to see them grow up. One of the biggest joys of my life! 

Work and Creative Life in 2025

If you are wondering what I am doing now, well I am still creating books. I love working with authors around the world. Also audiobooks too. I have not published any books that I wrote recently, but I have published 80 books under CZYK Publishing this year. Since I have been doing this for 14 years now, I think I get a little better at it each year. 

Looking Back at the Blog’s Beginnings

Charlie the Cavalier began when my children were babies. I shared small slices of life because writing helped me make sense of each new stage. Even as the content shifted, readers continued to find this space because the themes are universal. Parenting requires constant learning, no matter the year or age of your child. I still do update my facebook page if you are interested in seeing more: Lisa Rusczyk Author. 

Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton Review

This is an honest review of the Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton, where my husband and I had the pleasure of staying for two nights. We were in town for a wedding, and our experience at the hotel was exceptional from start to finish.

From the moment we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the staff, who made us feel welcome and at ease. They had cookies and we are gluten free, so they gave us gluten free cookies! The check-in process was smooth and efficient, which was much appreciated after a long day of travel. The hotel's ambiance was updated but has nice touches such as wooden sliding doors and some older pieces of furniture. 

Our room was spacious, impeccably clean, and well-appointed with all the amenities we needed to make our stay comfortable. The bed was particularly with down pillows and comforter. The bathroom was updated. It had a rain shower head with not the best water pressure. 

They had free coffee in the morning in the lobby. Also a coffee maker in the room and refrigerator. The air conditioning was loud at night. 

We loved how they used different rooms in the hotel for each event. Overall, our experience at the Desmond Hotel Malvern was outstanding. The combination of comfortable accommodations, attentive service, and a welcoming atmosphere made our stay truly memorable. We would definitely choose to stay here again and highly recommend it to others looking for a top-notch hotel experience.

Slicked Back Pony Tail Look Review

 

Hi everyone! It has been a while sine I have done a review of products. I was asked to review these four items. Below you will see two the winners. 

The Hair Edit Finish & Shine Brush $20.99

The Finish & Shine Boar Bristle Brush boosts the health and shine of your hair while smoothing and taming flyaways.

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The Hair Edit Brilliant Cuff $13.99

This uniquely curved elastic hair tie is great for easy styling and holds your hair in place securely.

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Hairdo 23 Inch Long Wave Pony $58.65

Featuring 23"" of heat-friendly synthetic hair with a long strip of wrap around hair that securely connects with a hook and loop fastening strip, the Long Wave Pony lets you create long, full, fashionable pony styles in a minute. Designed with Tru2Life® Heat-Friendly Fiber. (affiliate through Commission Junction)

 

John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch-Up Créme $8.95

Stops frizz and flyaways on contact. Formulated with Avocado Oil, this unique crème seals in moisture to eliminate flyaways between styling and leaves a flawless, shiny finish. 

I really loved the Fizz Ease for a slick back look that doesn't look too greasy. I also like that it didn't have much of a smell! What also helped was this brush. It not only was easy to brush my pony tail, it also have some smaller bristles to help make all the air go in the same direction. 

The cuff was heavy on my head, and I just could not get the wave pony tail to sit right on my head. I personally don't like heavy things on there. 

I was given the items for this review but not paid to do the review. I am giving my honest opinion of each item.