Table Of Content
- Be realistic about activity level.
- If I book a shore excursion and then change my mind, can I get a refund?
- How to Get the Most From Your Shore Excursion: Pro Tips for Your Tour
- Should I tip my shore excursion guide?
- What happens if I want to take a shore excursion but don't want to book it through my cruise line?
- FOOD & WINE Tours
There’s no better way to explore the beauty beneath the waves than on a guided scuba excursion. Dive deep below the surface of the sea with a certified expert and weave through brilliant coral colonies, scour centuries-old shipwrecks and come face-to-face with exotic aquatic critters. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. 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.
Be realistic about activity level.
Carnival Cruises Most Common Mistakes People Make on First Cruise - Business Insider
Carnival Cruises Most Common Mistakes People Make on First Cruise.
Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Most tours require some degree of walking; however, some excursions include extensive walking and hiking. Likewise, the grand entryways of local museums, castles and forts, sprawling gardens, hilly and icy Alaskan terrain, or Europe's cobblestone streets can all make walking and climbing even more difficult. Whatever your fitness level, we highly recommend comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes. To assist guests in choosing their shore excursions, most cruise lines grade their tours according to the level of activity they entail. Walking and driving tours to local land attractions, beach escapes, or simple museum tours can be purchased for as little as $15 - $25 per person.
If I book a shore excursion and then change my mind, can I get a refund?
Online message boards and Facebook groups can be great resources for finding other travelers on your cruise ship interested in joining you on a private tour. Cruise line shore excursions try to cover the most popular sights and attractions in a destination, but your ship might not offer a tour to every interesting spot in or near the port. If you don't do your own destination research and only make your tour decisions based on what the cruise line is offering, you might miss out on an activity you'd enjoy more.
How to Get the Most From Your Shore Excursion: Pro Tips for Your Tour
Viator.com guarantees the rates on their tours, plus they offer 24-hour, 7-days-a-week global support and free cancellations up to 24 hours before your excursion. But before you book through an online travel site, shop the cruise line rates, as well, to make sure you're actually saving money. The downside to booking tours in advance is that some cruise lines require that you pay for the tours in full, rather than putting them on your final cruise bill. It means you're out the money in advance and it can be difficult to use onboard credit to cover the cost of excursions booked online.
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For example, Witsoe says that when passengers aren't happy with an excursion, it's usually because of the guide. She encourages passengers to report back, good or bad, to help cruise lines fine tune their tour offerings and to request only the best guides. Knowing which are small-group or large-group tours can help cruisers be smart about advance tour bookings. For example, Windstar's typical group size is 20 people, but some tours can take up to 100 people by splitting cruisers into multiple buses with separate tour guides. Tours that sell out are usually more niche tours with upper limits, for example, a cooking class with limited space or a water-based tour with only so many seats in the boat. "Book those small-group tours early and then cancel, if needed," Witsoe says.
Take the time to do some independent sleuthing for each port on your itinerary before deciding how to spend your limited, precious time ashore. Perhaps you'd prefer a local hike you can do on your own, a religious site that's especially meaningful to you, or an attraction or tour that relates to one of your specific hobbies or interests. The City and Borough of Juneau, more commonly known simply as Juneau, is the capital city of the state of Alaska.
Should I tip my shore excursion guide?
Do note, however, that it's hard to compare the offering you book onshore with that of the cruise line's. They may have hidden perks, more comfortable vehicles, and may serve snacks and refreshments. However, for the adventurous traveler who doesn't need extra frills, booking trips directly, for the sake of savings, is the way to go. Nourish your mind, body and spirit with tours that include a range of authentic experiences—indigenous healing practices, detoxes with local muds and minerals, destination-specific fitness, and more. To browse shore excursions from Shore Excursions Group (The Cruise Web's 3rd party tour partner), please CLICK HERE. I canvassed TPG's cruise team and we agreed that we give roughly $5 to $10 per person for half-day tours and $10 to $20 per person for full-day excursions, adjusted for service and quality.
What happens if I want to take a shore excursion but don't want to book it through my cruise line?
Avoid rookie mistakes, and never do these 10 things when booking shore excursions for your next cruise. Shore excursions are available through our partnerships with local suppliers and guides, in the majority of ports we visit. Looking at Princess Cruises' shore excursions in Grand Cayman, a 2.5-hour stingray swim costs $70 per person, a 5-hour scenic island drive costs $100, and a 4-hour, two-tank scuba dive costs $180.
Shore excursions include transportation to the attraction or activity, the services of a local tour guide, equipment and gear (if applicable) and entrance fees (if applicable). Again, transportation from the ship to the helicopter, and glacier trekking gear (boots, coats, gloves, ropes, etc.) would be provided. Your helicopter ride, the glacier trekking and transportation back to the ship would also all be included. Some tours may also include meals, drinks and refreshments depending on the tour. Most cruise lines allow you to cancel your shore excursion plans with a certain amount of notice. You can take advantage of that flexibility by booking tours early to reserve a spot and canceling if you find a more interesting private tour or decide that you'd rather have a day to wander on your own.
The fun of a cruise is equal parts what you do on board and what you do on shore. Cruise lines offer a full schedule of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time in port. However, the process of choosing and booking tours can be overwhelming for new cruisers. Another option for shore excursions are intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so passengers.
Be sure to note the fitness level required and don't try to take on more than you're able to do. If you struggle with mobility, check to see if there's a lot of walking on uneven ground like cobblestones. Just be sure to read up on the area around the dock so that you know whether you'll be pulling right up to the center of the action or if sightseeing on your own requires a shuttle or a cab. Grab a tourist map, or use a map app on your phone so you don't get lost.
Cost is always a factor, whether you're a cruise line or cruise traveler. When planning excursions in new destinations, a cruise line will talk to multiple tour operators to find the provider with the best prices and reputation, as well as a variety of creative and unique tours. Windstar offers between four and seven tours in every port; mega-ships offer even more choices in each destination.
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