Cruise ports are not always in the most convenient locations. They are seldom very close to a major airport, they often are in an industrial type area as opposed to a tourist area. Sometimes they can even be an hour or more away from the stated destination.
Take Rome, for example. Many cruise claim Rome as a stop, but the actual cruise port is in Civitavecchia, which is an hour from Rome. That means you'll need to be prepared for some transportation.
Other ports, like San Diego, are quite close to the airport. You can actually see the cruise ships from the San Diego airport.
Each port has it's own benefits and challenges, but with just about every port it is important to be prepared Before You Go in order to take full advantage of your limited time in port.
If you are going to a port in one of the locations we've reviewed, look for a "Cruise Port Tips" section at the end of our articles.