Excursions

DennaBeana · February 16, 2007

I've always booked the excursions that were offered through the cruiseline. Is it safe to book outside? I'd worry about being scammed or miss my time to get back to the ship. Thoughts/ Advice?

Gregswife · February 16, 2007

We have done it both ways - usually if it is just for sightseeing, we will find a taxi driver who will give us a tour of the island for a set price. That way we can do things at our own pace and not at the timing of an organized tour group.

Peddler · February 16, 2007

You may pay more on board or on line thru the cruise company, But the way I feel is if anything goes astray, as bus breaking down etc, then the ship will wait,. JMHO.

SCIROCCO · February 16, 2007

Denna I agree with booking through the cruise line for tours but Cheryls right too about the Taxi, you control that yourself so either way is good Ive seen a lot of people left behind on the dock and all of us waving goodbye!

DennaBeana · February 17, 2007

I've just heard horror stories about being ripped off and such. But then I wonder if I missing some nice excursions by not looking. Are there reputable excursion companies that any one can recommend?

Althoug I thinkI'll just comtinue to play it safe...

jacketwatch · February 17, 2007

We've done most tours on our own. No worries. Get a cab and go. If they break down they have radios to call someone. You will save tons of money, be on your own time and enjoy it more I think. Don't forget that these private tour companies make a living doing this day after day, season after season. Our very first cruise was the Med and we did all private cab tours w/o a hitch. There are liscensed cabs just waiting at the pier. Its no problem. :-)

btate · February 19, 2007

This really depends on what it is that you are doing and where you are doing it.

Jamaica - Do it through the cruise line! If you don't have something planned through the cruise line here, then I would not even get off the ship. It was just that unpleasant there.

Everywhere else, I would read other people's experiences. For instance. I am going cave tubing in Belize next week and can pay the cruise line $100 per person to go through one cave and pretty much do it on my own. They provide thansportataion and tubes and head lights.

Or, I can read up on how other people did it and if they had a good or bad experience throught an independent group. Looks like the independent group here wins. The stories are all great and the cost is $45 per person, including transportation in new air conditioned busses and a guide the entire time and 2 different caves! Yes it includes tubes and lights and all you need, but they also take care of you the entire time you are in the water. I will let you know my experience in a couple weeks, but my Bro and sis in law just got back and told us that this was the only way to go if you are going to do this. The ship does not have as good as a guide and you certainlly pay more.

As for Costa Maya, I did an independent to see the Mayan Ruins there and was also very pleased. They were more than half the price and knew everything about the history of the area. In fact, one of the tour guides grew up on the ruins as a play area when he was a child! He loved the area and knew his stuff. VERY GOOD.

I also book through the cruise line. If you are going to be short on time and are tendered, the cruise line gives you priority to get off the ship and also gets you going a little faster. Also, if you are going to be doing the exact same tour that a company offers and it is the same price or a couple bucks more throught the ship, choose the cruise line because you are guaranteed your money back if you don't make it to the port. You may have to cancel on your own 48 hours in advance otherwise and could lose your money. . .

Be smart and do your homework. Read reviews on offshore excoursions and ask all of us what to do. We will all tell you the way it is for us and then you can decide what you want to do for you! That is why this forum is so great!

I guess what I am saying is that I DO BOTH!

Shari2 · February 19, 2007

We have often just stepped off the ship and gone with an independent tour or cab driver (usually an air-conditioned van) and these have been our best tours. I wouldn't recommend doing it this way if you are women or a woman traveling alone, though.