Sydney harbour view
Destinations New to cruising Shore Experiences

Explore more with evenings and overnights in port

Think you won’t get enough time at your destinations on a cruise holiday? Think again. With evening and overnight stays in selected ports, you’ll have chance to soak up the local nightlife and the freedom to explore a new place in more depth or get to know a familiar one even better. 

4 min 26 Feb 2023

Editorial Team

Author

So, whether you’re looking to stroll barefoot on a moonlit beach, uncover hidden gems off the beaten track or dance the night away under the stars, you’ll have plenty of time to fully experience the very best each place has to offer. To help you get started, we’ve put together our top tips and recommendations for some of our favourite evening and overnight calls… 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Evenings & overnights in port

The fairy-tale charm of the Danish capital doesn’t fade when the sun goes down. Soak up the views from atop the Round Tower, which is open until 8pm from April to September. Once you’ve got the lay of the land, relax at Ruby, a cool and cosy cocktail bar set in a circa-1740 townhouse. Or head to La Fontaine, the city’s oldest jazz bar, for smooth sounds and laid-back vibes. And of course, whether you’ve been once or a dozen times, Tivoli Gardens  is a twirling, twinkling wonderland at night. Hop aboard the Ferris Wheel for a ride to remember.

 

Our top shore experience recommendation:

 

Evening Harbour Cruise and Tivoli

Spot the city’s famous sights from Copenhagen’s picturesque waterways, then immerse yourself in the thrills (or simply chill) at Tivoli Gardens.

 

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Singapore, Republic of Singapore

Overnights in port

If there’s one city that was designed to be experienced at night, it’s spectacular Singapore. Wander through the city’s famous Gardens by the Bay after sunset and the gloriously illuminated tree sculptures will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped straight into a futuristic sci-fi movie. Featuring more than 500,000 plants, over 2,200 species and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, prepare to go on a mesmerising journey, full of dazzling light displays, as you stroll along its unique aerial walkways.

 

As the sun goes down, the nocturnal animals come out at Singapore Zoo. At this award-winning safari park, you can take a unique night-time look at more than 1,000 animals from around the world. And then why not end with a boat ride along the Singapore River where you can marvel at the city’s many architectural wonders lit up at night?

 

Our top shore excursion recommendation:

 

Night Safari

Hop on the Night Safari tram for an expedition into the world’s first nocturnal wildlife park at Singapore Zoo. Here, you’ll see animals from all over the world, including Cape buffalo, red pandas, hyenas, jackals, rhinoceroses, and more.

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Red Panda

Valletta, Malta

Overnights in port

In the moonlight, Malta glows like the gem it is. Capture the moment on an evening boat ride in the Grand Harbour – the ancient cityscape makes for a brilliant photo op. Back on the Waterfront, sip a glass of wine and tuck into local cuisine – try the pizza at Il-Forn Tal-Ghawdxi or authentic Maltese dishes at Ta Detta. From there, wander down the busker-filled streets and sample some of the city’s nightlife. Bridge Bar is a favourite, owing in part to its picturesque setting and live music nights. Alternatively, head out of Valletta to see Mdina in a different light – the ‘Silent City’ is even more atmospheric at night. 

 

Our top cruise excursion recommendation:

 

Mdina by night

Stroll through the beautifully lit streets of this living medieval city. From the bastions, you’ll see half of the island sparkling in front of your eyes.

 

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Sydney, Australia

Overnights in port

 

As one of the world’s great cities, Sydney truly comes alive at night. As the harbour twinkles and the Opera House shines like a white beacon, you can savour the stunning spectacle on a Sydney Harbour evening Bridge climb. As your qualified guides take you to the summit 134 metres high, celebrate your moment of glory as you take in the city’s evening lights. Or why not enjoy one of the world’s most distinctive buildings from the inside with a night at the Sydney Opera House? Feel the frisson of anticipation as you take your seat for an evening of opera in this iconic setting. Alternatively, you can enjoy a captivating sunset stroll with an experienced guide at Taronga and see why it’s considered to be one of the finest zoological gardens on the planet.

 

Our top shore experience recommendation:

 

Sydney Harbour Bridge Evening Climb

Enjoy an exhilarating ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to take in the city’s twinkling lights on an evening Sydney Harbour Bridge climb.

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Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Evenings and overnights in port

 

With black skies, clean air and a high altitude, Tenerife’s Mount Teide is one of the best places on earth to go stargazing. On a clear night, 83 of the 88 officially recognised constellations can be seen from the base station’s viewpoint terraces – see how many you can spot with a night-time trip up the mountain. For a different kind of sparkle, Playa de Las Americas is known as the island’s party capital – the coastal resort’s 1km-long stretch of restaurants, bars and clubs have something for everyone, whether you want to dance till dawn or simply stroll along the sand.

 

Out top shore excursion recommendation:

 

Sundowners with the Teide Stars 

Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime evening experience where you’ll toast the sunset from Mount Teide and enjoy a special dinner designed by a Michelin-starred chef.

 

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New York, USA

Overnights in port

 

The 24-hour clock almost feels irrelevant in New York ­– this truly is a city that never sleeps. Whatever you’re into, there’s something to do. Theatre lovers will be blown away by Broadway, and foodies will get more than their fill at the city’s world-class restaurants –Dame and Bonnie’s are two of the hottest tables in town at the moment. The city is also well-stocked with rooftop bars, with Panorama Room on Roosevelt Island and LoHi in Brooklyn good places to start. Our cruise holidays to New York City offer not one but two nights in port and, in a city like this, you’ll have no trouble filling the hours.


Our top cruise excursion recommendation:

 

New York City Lights and Empire State Building

A dazzling tour that takes in an illuminated Manhattan, the dazzling lights of Downtown and more before ascending the Empire State Building for an iconic night-time view.

 

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Reykjavík, Iceland

Overnights in port

Reykjavík may be a small city, but it goes big on nightlife. Unlike in many larger cities, Reykjavík’s nightlife is mainly centred around one street and the roads leading off it. Laugavegur, the main shopping street, is home to a remarkably wide array of restaurants, cocktail bars, craft beer bars and live music venues, and is a brilliant place to bar hop, particularly as most don’t charge entry. For something a little more low-key, the city’s many geothermal swimming pools are open into the evening – check out Sundhöllin and Vesturbæjarlaug for central options – as is the Blue Lagoon and, at night, its milky waters seem to glow an almost phosphorescent shade of blue.

 

Our top shore experience recommendation:

 

Bathing in the Blue Lagoon – Evening Option 

Evening is the perfect time to visit this beautiful geothermal spa. Lie back and let the soothing waters wash away your cares.

 

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Please note that not all cruises to the above destinations will make evening and overnight stops. Please check the itinerary.