I'm a seasoned cruiser, but I still made a planning mistake that ruined an entire port day

When it comes to cruise itineraries, it's important to review them closely — especially the ports. Rebecca Shinners I've been on many cruises over the past 20 years, but I still made a recent planning mistake. Instead of checking where a ship was docking, I made assumptions that left me scrambling. A ship can't always dock directly in the town it lists as a stop — it may be further than you think. I always envisioned my first visit to Positano involving leisurely strolls through a dreamy, brightly colored coastal landscape. Instead, I found myself rushing down a vine-lined street, feeling lost and confused. Watching the time fly by, I debated whether I'd make it to the beachfront and back in time to catch my shuttle to the cruise ship.