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The tours can be booked onboard at your ship's excursions desk or online before you depart on your trip. Waiting might be a good idea if you're not inspired by the shore excursions you're seeing on your cruise. Some cruise lines charge penalty fees for canceling shore excursions onboard or within 24 to 48 hours of the port call, so you might want to wait to see how the weather is before booking. You may also get some good word-of-mouth tips on board the ship that change your mind about what tour you'd like to do. Don't forget to come up with a Plan B, in case your desired tour gets canceled or is sold out.
SNORKEL EXCURSIONS
Our Destination Insiders leverage extensive knowledge and years of travel expertise to hand craft one-of-a-kind private tours with you in mind. You can customize an existing tour that catches your eye, or work with an Insider to create an exclusive tour experience that’s completely unique to you or a small group. Celebrating a special occasion, chasing a lifelong dream, or looking for ways to rediscover a favorite destination? Don't compromise and pay for a tour you're not thrilled about because there's usually a better option out there. Make sure you understand what you're getting with each excursion choice and that you and your travel companions are both able and excited to participate fully in the listed tour activities.
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You can skip the hassle of arranging your own onshore activities, you'll know the tour provider has been vetted by the cruise line and is licensed and reputable. The ship also won't leave until all of its tour buses have returned -- even the tardy ones. And you might meet shipmates whose company you'll enjoy back on the ship.
Book less important tours on the ship
I've signed up for hikes that were actually quick walks and spent more time in buses when I wanted to be out exploring the sights. I've overpaid for tour experiences that I could have done more cheaply on my own. Shore excursions titled "panoramic," "easy" or "highlights" are often bus-focused tours where you'll view most sights from your window. If the write-up does not specifically say you'll venture inside an attraction or building, assume you'll only view it from the outside. Just make sure you read the fine print regarding tour cancellation policies. Also, in some cases, you cannot use onboard credit to pay for tours booked before sailing.
Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. If the excursion truly is demanding, the tour description will make sure that's abundantly clear in order to scare off anyone who isn't up to the challenge. Take your adventure underwater and discover a whole world that’s teeming with life.
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You can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more exclusive experience. Not all shore excursions involve busloads of tourists dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders. However, some tours simply bring you to a destination where you're free to explore until it's time to meet the bus to go home. Others feature guided components, followed by an hour or two of free time. Remember that shore excursions look different in different parts of the world.
First-Timers' Guide to Shore Excursions
In Sicily, you can bike across the rim of Mount Etna, which the ancient Greeks believed was home to the legendary Cyclops. In Spain, learn how to prepare tapas like a true Malagan, then savor every single bite. And venture deeper into nature — literally — as you explore the magnificent Lipa Cave in Montenegro. No matter where your journey takes you, these experiences will make every moment memorable.
What not to do on your first Royal Caribbean cruise, from someone who just made these mistakes - 9Honey Travel
What not to do on your first Royal Caribbean cruise, from someone who just made these mistakes.
Posted: Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:58:21 GMT [source]
Booking Shore Excursions in Advance vs. Booking Onboard
Most ships have a shore excursion team through which you can get detailed information about the available tours and purchase excursions. For shore excursions that are not included in your cruise fare, budget a minimum of $50 per adult per excursion. There is no real upper limit as exclusive tours could cost thousands of dollars. You might also prefer to hire a private guide or book a particular activity through a local outfitter, especially if the cruise line's excursion options don't include exactly what you're looking for.
With few exceptions, you are free to walk off the cruise ship and do your own thing. However, if you prefer guides or easy transportation, a shore excursion is probably for you. To give you the skills to make the most of your days in port, read on for our advice on what to expect from shore excursions and maximize the fun on your cruise vacation. Another option for shore excursions are intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so passengers. Many lines offer these boutique-sized excursions, which could be cooking classes at a renowned French cooking school or visits to Native American villages in Alaska. Many lines also offer car-and-driver packages (so you can customize your own tour) or have concierges to arrange shoreside activities exclusively for your travel party.
Read the tour description carefully to determine if the activity level is right for you. If you like independent touring and merely want an excursion for the transportation and someone to get you pointed in the right direction, book tours titled "on your own." In a similar vein, compare the amount of free time you'll have to explore on your own on a tour against how much time you'll be following a guide.
When looking at daytrips from your port of call to a destination outside the city, add up the transit times before subtracting them from the length of the tour. My personal goal when venturing ashore on a cruise is to spend as little time as possible in transit and more time exploring. Folks with mobility issues, on the other hand, might prefer tours that let you sightsee exclusively by bus. Read the tour description carefully and then read between the lines to discover the truths about the excursion hidden behind all the promotional language.
You don't want to book three days straight of all-day excursions, nor do you want to plan to skip a port for a quiet day on board after you've just spent a day or two at sea. Many cruise lines also offer slightly different versions of the same tour, such as a beach break with all-inclusive and less-inclusive options. Determine which inclusions or activities you will actually use before deciding which specific excursion will provide you with the best value for money. Before you book that shore excursion, compare the tour price to doing the same activity on your own or with an outside tour operator.
