Is it worth booking cruise excursions?

Is it worth booking cruise excursions?

The primary benefit of booking excursions through the cruise line is that they guarantee your return to the ship. This generally means that if you’re on a tour that’s scheduled to finish 30 minutes before sail-away and the tour is in some way delayed, the ship will wait until you’re safely back onboard to set sail.

Do you have to book shore excursions through the cruise line?

When booking a cruise vacation, it’s important to know you have options. There is no obligation to sign up for a shore excursion through the cruise line, despite the inclination to. By booking your shore excursion through us, you will undoubtedly save money on tours at port that otherwise may have gone unnoticed.

What is the true purpose of shore excursions?

Shore excursions are sold to passengers both before and during the cruise. Alone, they generate revenue, but the shore excursion’s true purpose is to add value to the cruise experience.

Are shore excursions worth the money?

Taking a tour in every port can quickly inflate your onboard bill. Shore excursions are worth it if you want to venture to attractions that are located far from the pier, learn more about an area through a guide or participate in physical activities where gear is required (biking, diving, golf).

What are the categories of shore excursions?

If you are planning a cruise, here are five of the most popular types of shore excursions you might be interested in.

• 1) General sight-seeing tours.
• 2) Water sports shore excursions.
• 3) Adventure Tours.
• 4) Cuisine and culture tours.
• 5) Wilderness and wildlife excursions.

Do shore excursions go on sale?

Book excursions in advance Every few weeks, Royal Caribbean offers sales via its Cruise Planner site that discount select shore excursions. These may not be giant sales, but every dollar saved adds up. Head over to Royal Caribbean’s site to book shore excursions and see if any discounts apply to you.

Should you take your passport with you on shore excursions?

On most shore excursions, you can leave your passport on the ship and bring a photocopy (paper or digital) with you.

Is it cheaper to book cruise excursions in advance?

Booking an independent excursion or tour guide usually will cost less than with the cruise line, since you can customize where you go and there is no “middle man” taking a cut of the cost. You could also skip an organized tour all together and rent a car, hop on a bus, or simply walk around on your own.

What should I bring to shore excursions?

We’ve gathered a list of all the essentials you need to bring for your upcoming cruise shore excursion.

• Day Bag for Cruise Shore Excursion.
• Shoes for Cruise Shore Excursion.
• Comfortable Outfit.
• Sunscreen and Bug Spray.
• Hat and Sunglasses.
• Snacks and Water.
• Change of Clothes.
• Diapers and Wipes.

Is it better to book shore excursions through your cruise ship?

Is it better to book shore excursions through your cruise ship, or should you arrange port activities on your own, independently of your cruise line? That question is one of the most commonly asked by cruise travelers, and it doesn’t have an easy answer.

Where to go back to ship after shore excursion?

Major tourist beaches, such as St. Thomas ‘ Magens Bay and Grand Cayman ‘s Seven Beach, offer services (including eateries and water toy rentals), and cab/van drivers flock there so it’s easy to find a ride back to the ship. If you’re setting out on your town to an off-the-track beach, make sure you have return transportation.

Which is better, a cruise line excursion or an independent excursion?

For the most part, cruise lines do charge more than non-cruise-related tour operators for the same (or similar) outing. If you trust the company and feel confident that you won’t miss the ship, it certainly makes sense to pay less by booking an excursion independently that could cost you more onboard.

What’s the difference between a cruise line and a shore tour?

While actual commissions vary from contract to contract, the cruise line’s cut may be as high as 50% for a same-day Alaska excursion. When you book with a smaller agency, like Shore Tours, you’re not only saving money but much more of your ticket price gets back to the actual tour operator.