Safety requirements dictate that a certain number of crew members be present on each vessel at all times. As such, there may occasionally be times when, although not scheduled to work, you will be required to remain onboard while the ship is in port.

Yes, cruise ship workers are permitted to leave the ship during port days, but their "shore leave" is strictly dictated by their work schedule and port manning requirements. On any given port day, a certain percentage of the crew (usually around 25-30%) must remain on board for safety and emergency duties; this is known as In-Port Manning (IPM). If a crew member is not on shift or on IPM duty, they can explore the destination just like passengers, though they must usually return to the ship at least one hour before the official "all aboard" time. Roles in the shops or casino, which are legally required to be closed while in port, often grant more free time than roles in housekeeping or dining, which remain busy throughout the day. While many crew members use their time to find a local "crew bar" with cheap Wi-Fi to call home, others take the opportunity to see the world, often visiting the same ports dozens of times over a six-month contract.