09/22/2026
🚢 Sometimes the best part of a cruise happens when you’re not on the ship.
AFAR recently highlighted a growing cruise trend we love: less rushing from port to port and more time actually experiencing the destination. In fact, 42% of respondents to an AFAR reader survey said itineraries that linger longer in destinations would make them more likely to take their first cruise. (afar.com)
It’s also one of the reasons we love sailing with Azamara. Nearly half of Azamara’s port visits now include late-night or overnight stays, with many visits lasting 10 hours or more. That means time for dinner ashore, an evening performance, a neighborhood you didn’t expect to discover—or simply exploring without constantly watching the clock.
And it’s something we value on our Uniworld river cruises, too. River cruising puts you right in the heart of the destination, giving you more opportunities to experience the cities, towns, food and culture along the way.
That kind of immersive travel is a big part of how we choose our KelliGregg Travel itineraries. From our 2027 Out in Italy voyage aboard Azamara Onward to Castles Along the Rhine & Amsterdam with Uniworld, Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong, and our 2028 Capital Cities of the Danube, we want the places we visit to be more than just stops on a map.
Cruise lines are rethinking the rush from port to port, offering longer stays and overnight visits for deeper, more immersive travel.
