We regularly engage in private activities ashore, with a few guidelines. Please steal them if you'd like: We've refined the list over 50 years at sea. We gave up not looking like tourists long ago- our physical disabilities already cause us to stand out in a crowd. Otherwise, dress in a sensible manner and not draw excess attention to oneself. And consider keeping one's American spirit controlled to help avoid violence.
1) If we're getting on a power or sailboat on an excursion and the trip is scheduled to end less than 3 hours before sail-away, book through the ship. If the boat is going more than 1.5 miles from port, book through the ship.
1a) Same as 1 for things that fly, except range is 50 miles.
2) If the feature to be experienced is more than 75 miles from the ship, book through the ship.
3) Have the name and phone number of 3 local taxis.
4) Someone in the party remains sober/limit to 1 drink. If renting a car. designated driver drinks no alcohol. No reason to get tangled up with a potential dui/dwi. Take the local rental insurance- don't rely on insurance through the credit card or your regular car insurance.
5) Each person under age 70 carries their own charged phone/electronics battery pack (5,000-10,000). We check them before leaving the cabin. Everyone has two aboard ship so that one can alway br getting charged and one available for use.
6! Active local cell service is available on at least one phone among party members. Everyone knows how to make calls in whatever port we're in. The port agent's name and number are entered into all phones. Everyone knows the protocol for an emergency call in the locality (911. etc.).
7) Everyone in the party knows how to activate their phones for local use. No reason to activate on the local network in advance if there's a cost or activation is instantaneous.
7a) Phones are unlocked from their original network. International dialing is on on each phone. A locally-valid SIM card and tool is in each person's wallet if their phone isn't already good to go. Everyone knows how to replace their SIM card.
8) Very clear instructions and agreement on rendezvous points and schedule within our party during the day.
9) Extra credit card is carried on each person's body (not in a bag). Niumbers are different than primary cards. A list of all credit card numbers and company contact info is in the safe aboard ship, along with copies of IDs. Ship's key cards (ship's ID) and photo ID are on lanyards underneath clothing if not a beach day. (eg, someone's bag/wallet gets snatched, there's a way of paying to get back to the ship and proving who we are).
10) Carry $200 cash in appropriate regional currency ($, Euro, etc.). Check that all party members have necessary medications and that any controlled substances remain aboard ship if there's any issue with them being ashore (comply with prescription labeling requirements). Don't bring medications that are in conflict with any port on the itinerary aboard the ship on the first place.
11. Be within 1/2 mile of the ship an hour before all aboard time. Verify everyone in the party has their key cards and ID.
11a. Be within the port security perimeter 30 minutes before all aboard.
12. Be aboard 15 minutes prior to all aboard.
edited
? You could not pay me to go there.
