Are cruises' Shore Excursions worth the money? [closed]

You probably won't save a significant amount of money and you will probably worry about being late back to the ship. But that doesn't mean that you must pay for a shore excursion. In the vast majority of ports, you can just walk around for 2, 4, or more hours and have a lovely time.

1. Is it better to book excursions before cruise?
2. Is it better to buy excursions through cruise ship?
3. Is it cheaper to buy excursions in advance?
4. How do you save money on cruise excursions?
5. Why you should never take a cruise?
6. What is the best way to book cruise excursions?
7. Do you take your passport on shore excursions?
8. Which Cruise Line has the best excursions?
9. How far in advance should you book excursions on a cruise?
10. Is it better to book excursions in Cancun?
11. Can you buy shore excursions on the ship?
12. Can you cancel shore excursions on Royal Caribbean?

Is it better to book excursions before cruise?

Booking Onboard. If you've done your research and have decided to book ship tours, think carefully about whether to book in advance or wait until you get onboard. It's best to book in advance for limited-availability excursions (like flightseeing in Alaska or Hawaii) and must-do tours.

Is it better to buy excursions through cruise ship?

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.

Is it cheaper to buy excursions in advance?

2 – You'll almost always be overpaying in advance

Booking online from a third party you'll be lucky to get the list price, and it'll probably be 10 to 20% more. ... If they charge you the list price online, there's a very good chance you'll find 20%-Off coupons in the lobby of your hotel.

How do you save money on cruise excursions?

Here are 10 easy ways to stretch that vacation budget as far as it will go.

1. Book restaurant packages. ...
2. Look for specialty restaurant specials. ...
3. Book spa treatments on port days. ...
4. Don't over-tip. ...
5. Go on your own on shore. ...
6. Disconnect at sea. ...
7. Save on your bar bill with discounted packages. ...
8. Look for drink specials.

Why you should never take a cruise?

Cruise vacations can often expose you to too much sun while lying on deck or when hitting the beach at one of your ports. Too much sun can not only increase risk of cancer, but it also can cause heat stroke, cataracts, dizziness, fatigue and skin blisters or burns.

What is the best way to book cruise excursions?

Book Excursions with Viator.com

If you want to do the same cruise excursions you can find on your ship, look no further than Viator.com. This website offers many of the same excursions your cruise line offers—and often with the same vendors—without the markup you'll pay for the convenience of booking on-ship.

Do you take your passport on shore excursions?

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

Which Cruise Line has the best excursions?

Best Cruise Ships for Shore Excursions

• Silver Galapagos. Price Starting from $3,150. ...
• Paul Gauguin. Price Starting from $3,314. ...
• Viking Star. Price Starting from $1,799. ...
• Viking Sky. Price Starting from $1,799. ...
• Carnival Valor. Price Starting from $159. ...
• L'Austral. Price Starting from $3,430. ...
• Seven Seas Mariner. Price Starting from $3,299. ...
• Carnival Splendor.

How far in advance should you book excursions on a cruise?

Once your cruise holiday has started it will be more difficult to stay in contact with local companies. Internet and phone use onboard a cruise ship is expensive. The best time to book local excursions through ShoreBee is about 6 to 8 weeks before your cruise departure.

Is it better to book excursions in Cancun?

1. Re: Is it better to book excursion online or do it in Cancun? IMO opinion it is best to wait until you get here to book tours. This way you can arrive, get a feel for the area, weather.

Can you buy shore excursions on the ship?

The tours booked on the ship are exactly the same as the ones you can book elsewhere. This is a big one. With very, very few exceptions, you can book the exact same tour off the boat, as you can on the boat. In other words, it is more than possible to do Alaska shore excursions on your own.

Can you cancel shore excursions on Royal Caribbean?

Excursions can be modified or cancelled up to 48 hours prior to port arrival without penalty. Tours involving flights, train, special events, overnight stays, hotel stays, and Private Journeys must be cancelled 30 days prior to sailing to avoid cancellation penalties.