Thread: port tours

Been starting to look at ship sponsored tours and the list I get when put in our booking # is different than the one listed on the Carnival basic site. Does this mean that not all tours are available on all ships/ports of call? there are a few that would like to do that aren't on the site where our cruise booking # is.

Originally Posted by tipsyq

Been starting to look at ship sponsored tours and the list I get when put in our booking # is different than the one listed on the Carnival basic site. Does this mean that not all tours are available on all ships/ports of call? there are a few that would like to do that aren't on the site where our cruise booking # is.

Debbie, you're right ... that's what it means. Not all excursions on the basic site are offered for a port of call on every ship or itinerary. This happens not only on Carnival but also on other cruise lines.

Note: Keep checking under your Booking # from time to time. Sometimes, new tours may be added. You're still six months out so it's possible.

It could depend on what time your ship is in certain ports as all excursions on the basic sight may not be available the times your ship is in port. I have seen whole day tours on the basic sight and the ship not in port long enough for the excursion. As Lulu said, keep checking as I have seen excursions added just a month before my cruise and once they had to change one of mine, but both Carnival and NCL were accomodating in cancelling and rescheduling the new excursions, so don't be afraid to reserve one now, you can always change it if a more desirable one comes up. I'm the antsy type, so I check every week right up until I leave for the cruise.

As was already stated, not all excursions are offered on all ships on all dates. Plus, as LuLu stated, new excursions are added and old excursions are deleted all the time, so keep checking.

But I would suggest looking at other options and not look only at the cruise line's excursions. Often you can find much cheaper, better, longer, and less crowded excursions using independent companies, such as Shore Trips, just to mention one very reputable company. We've personally been using them for years and have been very happy. Plus, between all of the other Cruise Planners agents around the country (over 800 of them), we've had thousands of clients use them and have never had any complaints. And don't listen to those who say you could miss the ship if you use an independent company - in the thousands of excursions booked through this one company, no one has ever missed the ship.

And lastly, depending on what you want to do, you can often do it on your own and have alot more fun while spending alot less money. Let us know what you're interested in and I know you'll get alot of feedback on what to do and how to do it.

Pete

Originally Posted by tipsyq

Been starting to look at ship sponsored tours and the list I get when put in our booking # is different than the one listed on the Carnival basic site. Does this mean that not all tours are available on all ships/ports of call? there are a few that would like to do that aren't on the site where our cruise booking # is.

Debbie,

Bummer about your particular shore excursion not being available through Carnival. While there are some advantages to booking direct through the cruise line for shore excursions (like guaranteed arrival time for ship departure), you pay a hefty premium - as I'm sure you know.

We've recently, after a lot of research, started talking to the fine folks at CruisingExcursions.com. They offer tailored trips for cruise passengers throughout the world at very reasonable rates.

You can claim some exclusive discounts for CruiseLineFans members by clicking on the banner below. If you're working with an agent, and you've found a nice tour you'd like to book, they can claim your discount also.

And - Pete's advice is sound. I've heard great things about ShoreTours and moreover, sometimes the best port tours are those done just strolling around and getting to know the local area on foot - for free.

I hope you're able to find what you're looking for - exactly what destinations are we talking about?

Thanks for posting!

Hi Lulu,Kirkz,Tim and Pete, thank you so much for the responses.
It will help alot, was choosing between a ship tour or going out on our own on Barbados and now there is no decision. :-)
On all the islands am looking for mostly snorkeling (a 3yr. beginner) trips, or lazy beach time.
Barbados am looking at catamaran/turtle/snorkeling - on here I heard about "Cool Runnings" & "Jammin" tours, any comments?
St Thomas (too many times here) was planning on going to beach on our own, Emerald Bay (?). or just stay on board & enjoy the quiet day.
St Lucia ship tour- snorkel between the Pitons. ?
St Kitts ship tour to Cockleshell Beach. ?
St Maarten ( been few times) no idea what to do. last time went to Divi Bay Beach Resort on ship tour, it was very nice. ?

So any help anyone can give is welcome with open arms......... I trust all of you and the advice you give, have used it many times on past cruises. Lulu, you gave us some really good tips about off the beaten path places to /see/shop on Dominica and Bonaire ( (J)Yenny's Art).

Debbie, in Barbados we took a taxi to Accura beach. It was beautiful. We used COSOL when we went to St Lucia. Had a fabulous time both times we used him. The first time, in 2007, they drove us to Jaloise beach between the Pitons to swim and snorkel. The second time, in 2009, we were there the resort (don't remember the name) wouldn't let them drive down so we had to take a water taxi over there.

It's been 2 yrs since we were on the Victory, but in St Kitts we did the train, thru Carnival. You ride the train 1/2 way then the rest of the tour you're on a bus. It was OK. We didn't got to St Maartin, so can't help you there.

We've done southern route 4 times and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by DOTTE

Debbie, in Barbados we took a taxi to Accura beach. It was beautiful. We used COSOL when we went to St Lucia. Had a fabulous time both times we used him. The first time, in 2007, they drove us to Jaloise beach between the Pitons to swim and snorkel. The second time, in 2009, we were there the resort (don't remember the name) wouldn't let them drive down so we had to take a water taxi over there.

It's been 2 yrs since we were on the Victory, but in St Kitts we did the train, thru Carnival. You ride the train 1/2 way then the rest of the tour you're on a bus. It was OK. We didn't got to St Maartin, so can't help you there.

We've done southern route 4 times and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks so much for this, St Lucia has been a complete blank for us on what to do. Is COSOL a tour company? Was just reading a book @ ports of call and swimming down by the Pitons would be great !! DH can sit on beach while I snorkel.

With this cruise, between the 2 of us, have done the whole caribbean, DH went to western part on a company cruise, so I haven't been, but he's not keen on going back. I'll talk him into it. Spent a week on St John, rained 4 days straight & then the skeeters came, so wasn't one of the best trips. But loved the beaches there and would like to try again someday.

Did you like the Victory? Our 1st time on Carnival.

Originally Posted by tipsyq

Thanks so much for this, St Lucia has been a complete blank for us on what to do. Is COSOL a tour company? Was just reading a book @ ports of call and swimming down by the Pitons would be great !! DH can sit on beach while I snorkel.

With this cruise, between the 2 of us, have done the whole caribbean, DH went to western part on a company cruise, so I haven't been, but he's not keen on going back. I'll talk him into it. Spent a week on St John, rained 4 days straight & then the skeeters came, so wasn't one of the best trips. But loved the beaches there and would like to try again someday.

Did you like the Victory? Our 1st time on Carnival.

You can contact Cosol at cosol-tours.com. My DH did the snorkeling and I did the beach sitting. It is really neat there. I have heard that Spencer Ambrose is very good also.

Last time we went to St Thomas we did a Carnival tour that took us over to St John. Next time I think we'll do it on our own or use a independent tour guide. There was to many people and it was just very unorganized. We didn't get to spend much time at Trunk Bay.

We did the Western for the first time this past May on the Dream and then again in Sept. on the Freedom. They went to different places though.

I had no problem with the Victory. Of course, we have only sailed Carnival so have nothing else to compare it to except other Carnival ships. When we sailed the Victory there was no sea days. Very tiring.

I would suggest flying into San Juan a day ahead of time. Less stressful.

Originally Posted by DOTTE

You can contact Cosol at cosol-tours.com. My DH did the snorkeling and I did the beach sitting. It is really neat there. I have heard that Spencer Ambrose is very good also.

Last time we went to St Thomas we did a Carnival tour that took us over to St John. Next time I think we'll do it on our own or use a independent tour guide. There was to many people and it was just very unorganized. We didn't get to spend much time at Trunk Bay.

We did the Western for the first time this past May on the Dream and then again in Sept. on the Freedom. They went to different places though.

I had no problem with the Victory. Of course, we have only sailed Carnival so have nothing else to compare it to except other Carnival ships. When we sailed the Victory there was no sea days. Very tiring.

I would suggest flying into San Juan a day ahead of time. Less stressful.

Debbie, sorry for not getting back to you. some weeks just are so crazy !
I contacted Cosol, but they only quoted me the whole tour pkg (5-6 hrs)? I was just looking for something to get us to the Pitons for day at the beach and back to ship. Will look into Spencer Ambrose. The whole tour w/ Cosol sounds great but DH doesn't like idea of being on a bus/van, getting on & off for so long. We did that in Grenada, and it was a very long day !!

If go to St John again, Go to Maho Bay, or Hawksnest or any of those beaches on that side of island. Maho is my fav. It's a shame that the best ones are on the east end, too far away and most taxis don't go there, have to rent a car. But it's worth it.

We're ok flying in on day of sailing, have a 6am flt, so will be there in plenty of time, did it the last time and it was nice cause ended up on board by noon and had the ship mostly to ourselves. We're staying over the day we land, flts were too scarce and that would have been stressful. So have a nice hotel right on the beach and close to town.
Thanks so much for all the info.
Stay in touch
Debbie