Hi, the cruise ships dock in the main harbour area near to the Old Town of Rhodes, therefore, it's a very short walk to the Old Town area, plenty of shopping and also the New Town area. Rhodes is quite compact and you can easily take in a few sights and shop depending on how much time you have. There is a very small sandy beach in the harbour area but you'd need to venture a bit further to find a bigger sandy beach such as Faliraki. The New town beaches are mainly shingle and it can get very windy on that side of the island!
Tinka14

thanks for the reply tinka, we have about 8 hours there.

There is Zefira beach south of the ferry quay, about 800 yds, sheltered from the wind tourists never find it as there are no hotels nearby.