Thread: Excursion advice

We will be in Grand Cayman end of April and would like to snorkel and do sting ray city Thinking of half day excursion with Bucanner sting ray catamaran excursions.We were just at a info session with a Carnival Rep and she recomends booking everything through the Ship(safer? guaranteed we won't miss the ship etc.)I would also like to know if this is the best Island to snorkel at since we also stop at Cozumel Belise and Roatan?We would love any advice and comments Thanks Oh by the way we will be cruising with our 7 year old daughter Thanks Again

When stopping in a port for the first time we have always booked any tours with the ship. It is safer if you are concerned. There are placed that we have been to a number of times that we now go out on our own. I have had some great snorkeling experiences in Grand Cayman. I have not snorkeled in Cozumel and have never been to Belize or Roatan so I do not know about them.

Thanks for the advice.Being new you are probably right

Agree with Bliz! On your first time it's so much easier and much less anxiety to book thru the ship.

Honestly, we've been on 40+ cruises and STILL rather book thru the ship if they offer something we like so don't feel silly about doing this.

Tours booked through the ship: Pick you up from the ship ... Take you to have fun ... Return you to the ship ... and you NEVER miss the boat.

PLEASE check out the Cruise Places section here on CLF under each of your ports of call and ask questions there as well.

Excellent advice for a first time cruiser. Use the ship's excursions and don't worry about a thing. Go and have fun!

I am about to go on my 13th cruise and have already booked our shore excursions through Princess. We have always been happy with ship's tours.

Should I wait and book after boarding or now before boarding (booking through carnival as suggested I think) Again thanks

Originally Posted by bhoppy

Should I wait and book after boarding or now before boarding (booking through carnival as suggested I think) Again thanks

Some tours are very popular and get booked up quickly. If you know what you want to book, then go ahead and do it now before your preferred times are taken.

Do it now! You don't want to be left out.

We split about 50-50 on the ship tours. Most of the independent operators are well aware of ship times and make sure that the people make it back. Otherwise their reputations would go down the drain and they would have no business.

With that said, when we took the three hour trip to Paris from La Havre going on the ship sponsored tour was a no brainer. With that much time and distance to t he ship, we were not going to risk it.