Number Of Trips For Each Port?

Shore excursions are cruise activities that take place while the cruise ship is in port, such as snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, and hiking on glaciers. If money were no object, having a shore excursion booked for every port would be ideal, but the prices can quickly add up. It is generally recommended to book one shore excursion per port to allow plenty of time to explore on your own.

The amount of choice you have in a particular port depends entirely on the ship affiliated excursions. On average, excursions are likely to cost between $50 and $200 per person. Before settling on any itinerary, do some research to see the average price of shore excursions. A cheat sheet highlighting favorite Caribbean cruise excursions in 30 of the Caribbean’s top cruise ports can help you out.

At most ports, the ship affiliated excursions all start at roughly the same time, so there is no way to book more than one. However, guests can book more than one shore excursion per port, depending on the length of each applicable shore excursion relative to the amount of time the ships stay in port. Make sure to allow at least 30 minutes between excursions.

If time allows, the system will allow you to book more than one adventure, but usually time allows for only one per port day. The rep said that the cruise line does not recommend booking more than one excursion per port for this very reason.

Expert advice on when it makes most sense to book cruise shore excursions and when to explore the port on your own is available.

Can I do my own excursions on a cruise?

Passengers on cruise ships are permitted to disembark at their own discretion. However, those who prefer the guidance of a tour guide or the convenience of easy transportation may choose to participate in a shore excursion.

Are cruise ship excursions worth the money?

Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but a mix of guided tours and independent exploration can be the most value. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and consider both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. If you want to stay on board while your ship is docked in a port that doesn’t interest you, that’s okay. There are several guides to choosing a cruise line, including the 5 most desirable cabin locations, the 8 worst cabin locations, the ultimate guide to packing, the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks, top ways cruisers waste money, and the ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin.

What are the disadvantages of shore excursions?

Cruise line excursions offer advantages such as traveling with a group of passengers and comparing notes with fellow shipmates. They are also reputable and licensed, unlike independent tours. However, downsides include potential long lines, crowded buses, and long stops at souvenir shops. Port tours can range from free on cruise lines like Viking, Crystal, and Uniworld to over $100 per person for higher-priced options like golf, helicopter rides, seaplane rides, and visits to ancient ruins.

Some lines even offer overnight excursions to swanky hotels or private limo tours. Traditional shore excursions are worth it for exploring sites far from the cruise dock, accessing historic monuments, forts, or castles, and learning more about a region.

Is it cheaper to buy excursions on the ship?

Ship-sponsored tours are often more expensive than directly offered tours through the operator, as the cruise line serves as the middleman and inflates fees to take a cut before paying the tour company. Independent tours take smaller groups, allowing for more personalized experiences. When booking a private tour, you may be one of fewer than 20 people, compared to the smaller group sizes of third-party tours. Therefore, it’s essential to choose the right tour option for your travel needs.

Do cruise ships wait if you are late from an excursion?

The ship may wait for passengers returning from a cruise-line organized excursion if it is running late. This is because the excursion is supposed to take place within the allotted port time. Two recent incidents have highlighted the issue of delayed returns. On March 27, eight Norwegian cruise passengers were stranded on São Tomé and Príncipe after their private excursion arrived more than an hour after boarding closed.

On May 13, a couple sailing in the Mediterranean with the same cruise line were left stranded in Motril, Spain, after an hour bus delay due to rain. Cruises allow travelers to experience multiple destinations on one trip with port stops for exploring new places.

How many times can you get on and off a cruise ship at port?

Cruise Critic allows passengers to visit and leave the ship as often as they want once the ship has been cleared by local authorities. Tours usually leave the ship first, as there is usually a mass of people getting off at that time. As a first-time cruiser, you can enjoy the empty pools and bars in port before getting off later in the afternoon or enjoy port first before returning to the ship early.

Can you get off a cruise at port without an excursion?

Passengers are at liberty to explore the ports of call at their own discretion and are not obliged to reserve shore excursions. Passengers will be informed of the time at which they are required to proceed to their cabins, which is typically 30 minutes prior to departure. It is recommended that this time be verified on board and posted in a prominent location near the ship’s gangway. The vessel will not delay its departure from the port of call in anticipation of the arrival of all passengers.

Do cruise ships restock at every port?

Fleets are provisioned at the start of each cruise in ports worldwide, including Miami, Port Canaveral, Los Angeles, San Juan, Venice, Barcelona, and Vancouver. The day of reckoning is when all the advanced planning pays off. Before new guests board, cabins and back of the house areas must be cleaned, food production for the next cruise must be staged, broken china and glassware replaced, and equipment like coffee and dishwashing machines serviced.

Paperwork must be filed with local authorities, and thousands of pieces of luggage are offloaded. The ship is connected for fuel and water bunkering, and provisions are being loaded from 15 to 20 tractor-trailers. The inventory manager and provision manager supervise loading, while the food and beverage manager checks on progress. The executive chef or sous chef inspects the quality and freshness of the delivered products before they are loaded. By noon, new guests’ luggage is loaded and restaurants begin serving lunch.

Can I leave the cruise ship without an excursion?

Passengers are at liberty to explore the ports of call at their own discretion and are not obliged to reserve shore excursions. Passengers will be informed of the time at which they are required to proceed to their cabins, which is typically 30 minutes prior to departure. It is recommended that this time be verified on board and posted in a prominent location near the ship’s gangway. The vessel will not delay its departure from the port of call in anticipation of the arrival of all passengers.

Can you do two excursions in one day?

Two excursions can be done in one day, but an hour between them is required to avoid booking issues. For example, the Ancient History of the Shetlands tour and the included Shetland and ponies tour can be combined. However, two included tours in one day are not allowed, and one tour per port is not allowed, even if offered multiple days. For instance, in Bergen, there are two included tours, a panoramic tour and a walking tour, but only one can be booked. The advertised promise is one included tour per port.