Smarty Ports in the field

Born from a Bad Excursion (and a Very Long Pier)

It started the way most good ideas do, with something going wrong. After paying over $120 per person for a "premium" shore excursion that turned out to be a crowded, rushed, overpriced tour, we knew there had to be a better way.

We spent the next cruise researching ports ourselves: finding the local taxis, the hidden beach clubs, the family-owned restaurants the tour buses never stopped at. We saved hundreds of dollars and had a far better time.

Smarty Ports guides are the result of that research, written by cruisers, for cruisers. Every recommendation is grounded in personal experience and research. Every price is real. Every tip is designed to help you make the most of your time in port, on your own terms.

Our guides are available instantly on Amazon Kindle and work completely offline, so you always have your plan, even when you're standing on a pier in the middle of Mexico with no Wi-Fi.

What we stand for

The Smarty Ports Promise

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Honest Pricing

Every price in our guides is real and current. We tell you exactly what things cost so you can budget properly and avoid surprises.

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Firsthand Research

We draw on personal experience and thorough research for every port we write about. No recycled content, no guesswork.

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Independent Advice

We are not affiliated with cruise lines or excursion operators. Our recommendations are based solely on what gives you the best experience.

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Always Current

Ports change. We review and update our guides regularly to make sure the information you rely on in port is accurate and up to date.

Your Best Port Day Starts Here

Browse our growing library of cruise port guides and find yours. Available instantly on Amazon Kindle, download before you sail and have it ready offline the moment you step off the ship.

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