booking shore excursions - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

taylor · 01-08-2006, 07:38 PM

I've heard you can save money by booking a shore excursion through the actual tour company rather than the cruise ship. Is it less money to book when you get off the ship at the port, or the same price, if you book directly through the tour company.

floflegs · 01-25-2006, 04:19 PM

Cheaper to either get a taxi or tour on the dockside.

Koi Fish · 01-25-2006, 04:31 PM

I always feel more secure by paying a little more and booking excursions through the cruise line.

jstducky · 01-25-2006, 04:58 PM

it really depends on your level of comfortability in using an independent company or hiring a taxi.

i have found that booking on your own, you can get a better tour, in a smaller group with more personal attention and for cheaper

however, i always use a company with a good reputation and recommendations from fellow cruisers, and i always confirm with the company that i will be back in plenty of time. if possible, try to take the morning excursions so that you are assured you won't miss the ship. and also ask about the cancellation policies!

Sheffie · 01-25-2006, 05:13 PM

This is a BIG topic!

Independent excursions can be cheaper, more individualized, have smaller groups, and be different than the ship's excursions.

Some people will not do an excursion other than the ship's excursion. Some mix them up, some do independent excursions, and some just go off on their own.

You must do what you are comfortable with.

We have gotten so that we do independent excursions; ones that are only highly recommended by fellow cruisers, either on this board or over on cruisecritic. I always check out when the excursion will return to the dock area so that I give myself ample time to get back on the ship. (Usually 1-2 hours leeway) I have never heard of an independent operator getting back to the ship late. We are their bread and butter and they know we talk! I also decide if the tour operator is going to far away from the ship and I don't feel like there would be others to back him up and take me back if there was a problem with the boat, etc. (Such as up the river in Belize.)

There are some excursions that you can ONLY book through the ship due to contracts. One of these is the America's Cup Regatta in St. Maarten.

My suggestion is to do your homework, look at the excursion times, and do what you are comfortable with.

Have fun planning!

cathdav · 01-29-2006, 09:39 PM

Unless you want to feel like herded cattle, do your research on the internet and book your own excursions. They are better, cheaper and more intimate. My kids even appreciated it

tomvk · 01-29-2006, 09:53 PM

I usually book direct with a tour operator.The tours seem a little better than the ones offered by the ship.You have to check the forums there is a large amount of info there.For me half the fun is doing the research for the tours.

cathdav · 01-29-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomvk

I usually book direct with a tour operator.The tours seem a little better than the ones offered by the ship.You have to check the forums there is a large amount of info there.For me half the fun is doing the research for the tours.

He is so right.

TerilynnS · 02-03-2006, 06:10 PM

Such great advice here. I only book shore excusrons with the cruise lines that are short and relatively inexpensive. In Europe we'll do a short walking tour fo a city that leaves us in teh city center, and lets' us return to the ship on our own. This way we'll get a feel for the town first before we venture out. But for the biggie, (St. Petersburg) we're using an outside company.

When we rtavel to the Caribbean again next year, We'll be looking at a private tour in Mexico and in Costa Rica....

It all depends on what your comfortable with as well as how much you want to spend!

floflegs · 02-03-2006, 06:13 PM

If you do your research here and on the internet you will save mega bucks