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You are in a new place--you might as well explore something, even if that means just grabbing lunch off of the ship. It is customary to tip your guide, as well as the driver, at the end of your excursion. While there is no set amount, you should plan on tipping more for full-day excursions. Moreover, it is important to read into the cancellation policy of the provider you are considering booking with.
We skipped the cruise ship excursion and went with ToursByLocals — here's what happened - The Points Guy
We skipped the cruise ship excursion and went with ToursByLocals — here's what happened.
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Shore Excursions Ports of Call
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise.
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Some cruise lines charge penalty fees for canceling shore excursions onboard or within 24 to 48 hours of the port call, so you might want to wait to see how the weather is before booking. You may also get some good word-of-mouth tips on board the ship that change your mind about what tour you'd like to do. Don't forget to come up with a Plan B, in case your desired tour gets canceled or is sold out. Another option for shore excursions are intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so passengers. Many lines offer these boutique-sized excursions, which could be cooking classes at a renowned French cooking school or visits to Native American villages in Alaska.
Caribbean
The beach offers excellent swimming as well as the opportunity to snorkel or rent water sport equipment. Instead, you will need to make sure that you have cash (and/or the local currency), any debit or credit cards that you wish to carry, and your photo I.D. Depending on where you are going and what tours are being offered, there might be a small capacity, meaning that it has the capability of selling out faster. This is also true if you want to book a specific time, as some time frames are more desirable than others.
Barbados: Electric Tram Tour of Harrison’s Cave
However, if you're a novice traveler, you might want to book ship tours exclusively because they're the simplest, easiest and most convenient options. This tour takes guests on a 10-mile bike ride along St. Croix’s coastline, through sugar plantations, and in the port city of Frederiksted. It includes commentary from a local guide, as well, meaning you’ll not only take in the sights, but also the culture and history of this Caribbean island.
Shore Excursions
Located 30 minutes away from the cruise port by boat, Pearl Island offers a small, turquoise beach, bar and lunch buffet, lounge chairs, watersports equipment, and more. When visiting cruise line private islands, however, there are no local third party vendors. If you want to book an excursion -- whether it is a jet ski tour, snorkel adventure, or anything else--, you will have to book a tour directly through the cruise line. Additionally, sometimes it is easier to go on a tour if you are visiting a remote location where accessing highlights on your own would be difficult and where there are few independent operators.
If your ship cannot dock or there is inclement weather that prevents the tour from operating as scheduled, you should know whether you are entitled to a refund or not. Help preserve the destination and support the local community on tours that emphasize local history, culture and environment. Explore the best in every port with a select group of like-minded adventurers.
Natural beauty is in abundance in the Caribbean, and that remains true in the Dominican Republic, where visitors can enjoy beaches, jungles, and waterfalls. Nassau is an extremely common port on cruise itineraries, and most visitors to New Providence Island will opt for a beach day. The best way to do this is through a shore excursion that combines both attractions of the island. Royal Caribbean’s Spices and Sunshine tour first brings visitors to the Laura Spica Gardens, where they’ll learn more about the various spices and herbs produced on the island.
Cruise Travel Trends: Bookings, Value, & Destinations
Experience each city's must-see landmarks and iconic sites through shore excursions that ensure you check the most important items off your bucket list. Buck Island Reef is officially a national monument, and the 19,015 acres of land and sea lie just off the north shore of St. Croix. A typical shore excursion features a 45-minute bus ride across the island, followed by a 40-minute scenic powerboat cruise out to the reef.
What is the timing of shore excursions?
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. The benefits to a cruise line's shore excursions are that they depart from and return to the ship; you don't need to figure out where to meet a guide in a port you've never visited. Better still, should an unexpected problem (traffic, a medical emergency) occur during your outing, the ship will not leave port until all of its own tours have returned. Because you won’t find many cruises visiting Martinique, we recommend making the most of your time on the island through an island tour. Booking an island tour means you can see multiple of the island’s highlights, from beaches to markets and historic ruins, in one day.
Cancellations for pre-paid tours are allowed up to 3 days prior to cruise embarkation and will be refunded to the credit card used for the purchase. If within 3 days of embarkation, all changes/cancellations must be done onboard the ship and refunds will be applied to your onboard account. 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 you need a break from beach-bumming, a popular alternative in Barbados is a tour of Harrison's Cave. This crystallized limestone cavern comes teeming with streams, pools, stalactites and stalagmites. 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. 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. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A.
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. Finally, some ports are simply wonderful to walk around, popping into shops and local restaurants or bars, going where you will. I've skipped tours in places like Key West, Florida; Tallinn, Estonia; Monaco; Nassau, Bahamas; Skagway, Alaska; Geiranger, Norway; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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