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All cruise ships offer shore excursions -- guided walking or bus tours that allow you to experience local history, culture and cuisine, as well as activities such as snorkeling, zip-lining and shopping. Some tours are simply transportation to a nearby city or beach, and you can do what you please once there. To enhance each port visit (as well as to increase their profits), cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for additional fees. These land-based trips run the gamut from sightseeing city tours to cultural events and active pursuits.
Shore Excursion Frequently Asked Questions:
Should you book a ship-sponsored or independent shore excursion on a cruise? - The Points Guy
Should you book a ship-sponsored or independent shore excursion on a cruise?.
Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Some shore tours -- such as daylong trips from Tunis to the marketplace, museum and ancient Carthage -- pack many activities into one trip. Others focus on one destination or activity, like a trip to the Mayan ruins from Cozumel. It's up to you whether you'd prefer to see many things for short amounts of time or focus on one place in depth. There are instances when you might be limited to excursions provided by the ship. These usually are cases where local restrictions simply do not allow cruise passengers to freely wander the streets. Your cruise line will advise you in advance if this might be the case in any of your scheduled ports of call.
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Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. You'll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours — consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour. Cruise itineraries visiting St. Vincent are few and far between, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to discover in this small island nation. There are, however, several other activities on the island for an extra cost including Thrill Waterpark, a zipline course, jet skis, kayaking, the Coco Beach Club, and cabanas, just to name a few. If you’re looking for other ideas of how to spend a day in Nassau, check out our article on the best things to do in Nassau on a cruise. Those looking for a more luxurious experience in Labadee may want to rent a private cabana.
How can I find out more about shore excursions?
The excursion ends with a relaxing afternoon at a park with reggae music, lunch, and beverages. Dominica has lush, dramatic landscapes, and one of the best ways to explore the island is by booking a shore excursion to the rainforest. While there are plenty of excursions offered in Curaçao, many cruisers enjoy strolling through the capital of Willemstad without an organized tour. Finally, those interested in exploring more of Costa Maya’s culture may want to make the short trip to the nearby town of Mahahual.
If the credit is not fully utilized during the cruise, the balance will be paid to that passenger by the ship's Purser at the end of the voyage. If cancellation occurs onboard after the cancellation deadline for specific shore excursions, a 100% cancellation fee will apply. The ship's shore excursions office will be able to advise you of the cancellation deadline applicable to each tour. Optional shore excursions during the land portion of a Land & Sea Journey are non-refundable within 3 days of your Land & Sea Journey departure date. Group shore excursions cancelled within three days prior to embarkation (sail) date are nonrefundable. Custom tours may have different cancellation deadlines which will be stated in the proposal.
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That being said, we recommend, even if you are not going to go far, that you at least get off the ship and walk around the cruise port. You are in a new place--you might as well explore something, even if that means just grabbing lunch off of the ship. Speaking of the fine print, you will want to make sure what is included with your tour and what is not. Will you, for instance, be responsible for paying for your own lunch, or is an island buffet included in the price?
You will have numerous options no matter where you are going, ranging from historical or cultural landmarks to spending time outdoors on a hike or lounging on the beach. You can go zip lining through the forest, ride an ATV along the coast, or experience local culture through a food tour. Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but you might get the most value out of a mix of guided tours and independent exploration. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and remember to look at both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. And if you feel like staying on board one day while your ship is docked in a port that doesn't interest you, that's okay, too.
Most ships have a shore excursion team through which you can get detailed information about the available tours and purchase excursions. While you can visit St. John without an excursion, it can be challenging to find a taxi to bring you to the ferry terminal, travel to and from the island via ferry, and find a taxi back to the ship. If you’re visiting St. Thomas and looking to experience one of the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean, book an excursion that visits St. John. Therefore, we recommend booking a taxi for the day in St. Maarten to bring you on a private, customizable tour around the island.
If I've booked a shore excursion, where will I find my group?
The price of shore excursions vary greatly depending on where you are sailing to and what you decide to do. Excursions in Alaska, for instance, are often more expensive than those in the Caribbean and Bahamas. On the other hand, a snorkeling excursion in the Caribbean can cost as little as $60 each.
You can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more exclusive experience. Viator is another good resource when looking for third party shore excursions, as you can browse and book different tours, day trips, etc. all in one place. If you are not sure of what you want to do yet, you can even filter the search by category to show tours relating to food & drink, sightseeing cruises, and more.
Sometimes you also need an expert guide, such as in Pompeii, to know what you're seeing. The key to getting the most from your cruise shore excursion is to know what you want and make sure the tour description matches your expectations. I find that the more I cruise, the less I take ship-sponsored shore excursions because they don't offer exactly what I want. The benefits of booking a shore excursion through your cruise ship are many. 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.
If the tour takes place over lunchtime, check to see if a meal is included or if you have time to pick up something to eat. Many Western Caribbean cruise itineraries include a stop in Roatan, an island off the coast of northern Honduras. Natural beauty is in abundance in the Caribbean, and that remains true in the Dominican Republic, where visitors can enjoy beaches, jungles, and waterfalls. While you can visit Chichén Itzá from Cozumel, it’s much easier to visit the site from Progreso as it does not require a ferry ride from the island of Cozumel to mainland Mexico. Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, is one of the most beloved ports among Royal Caribbean fans.
When it comes to available tours, only you know your children's limits, and what works for one child might not for another of the same age. When your group is called, you'll exit the ship together with the other tour participants and look for a crewmember holding a sign with the name (or number) of your tour on it. For those looking for a more personalized adventure, there’s Private Journeys.
One of the most unique tours offered in St. Vincent is a hiking trip on Mount Soufrière, the largest peak on the island and an active volcano. Rising over 4,000 feet above sea level, the hike is no walk in the park, but offers unbeatable views of the country and the unique opportunity to experience an active volcano up close. As one of the most common cruise ports in the Caribbean, there is no shortage of things to do in Costa Maya.
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