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 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. My tour guide's warning from earlier, "Meet here in 45 minutes or we're leaving without you," echoed in my head.Begrudgingly, I turned around and stopped in some of the well-known shops I had dreamed of visiting for years. I couldn't help be disappointed as I frantically rushed to pick out souvenirs.Despite being an experienced cruiser, I had made a major mistake tracing all the way back to when I booked this itinerary.I focused on where I wanted to go and assumed I'd be, not where my ship would dock

I hadn't realized my cruise ship was docking quite far from my goal destination.

Rebecca Shinners