Anyone not do excursions?

[JodiR]

If I decided not do to any excursions, what do you do then? Can you stay onboard? Are there onboard activities during the day?

 

[mommasita]

We have done this, and plan to again..

This is the BEST time on the ship. Pools are empty, as are most facilities...Sometimes we just check out the port, and get back on early. There are things to do, but not 'more" things like on sea days...YOu can definitely enjoy the empty ship...

 

[BethC1952]

We've never done an excursion in four cruises. We enjoy the ship while everyone else is off doing other things!

We really enjoy the hot tub and pool when it's just the two of us (and that's how it's been on several cruises).

Beth

 

[Keggy]

We have never done an excursion. Sometimes we wonder off and shop, or find a beach (normally taxi drivers will request a good beach), or stay on the ship and particpate in the various activities.

Kelly

 

[logan1_2000]

We have stayed on board in Nassau and Freeport (some family members went ashore in Nassau on the first trip to wander around and see what there was to see in the downtown area), and on St. Thomas and St. Martin we have gone to Magan's Bay, Orient Beach, and Trunk Bay on our own, and in so doing got more time on the beach than the excursions offered. On CC we just enjoy the island's activities, unless you count renting the float for $6 the first time for DS, who was 6, and his cousin who was 5 as an excursion.

But by all means check out the offerings and if you see something you like and are the type who appreciates that someone else has made the arrangements and taken some of the hassle out of it for you, enjoy. Otherwise, there's room at the pool and Spa and in fact those are the only times Bridge Tours are offered.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

You can also plan your own excursions, and put them together for less than if you booked it through the ship. Especially with the beach excursions, you can almost always do it yourself for less. When you do this, you also get to go at your own pace and not have to keep up (or wait for) the rest of the group.

One resource I've found helpful for this is Frommer's Caribbean Cruises and Ports of Call. This book is updated every year, and has a chapter for all of the most popular Caribbean ports, with contact information for tour vendors, as well as shopping, dining, and transportation information.

Also, you can book your own excursions through a third-party vendor, such as Shoretrips.com. I've never personally used this site, but they do list many of the same excursions as are available from the ship, but for a bit less. I've often heard people report that when they booked through Shoretrips, they end up on the same excursion with people from the ship, but paid less to do so.

 

[cindalu]

I have not done any excursions. In May we went on our 1st cruise. We went shopping and then came back early. That is the best time to go to the pools. They aren't crowded at all.

 

[kcashner]

We love to stay on the ship! Since we've sailed on the Magic 12 times, most of the ports and excursions really don't interest us any more. If there is something you want to do, you can almost always book it privately for less than DCL charges. This does require some homework on your part, but isn't hard.

The pools, decks, spa, and all activities are so quiet and peaceful while the masses are out on excursions. We do usually get off the ship for a short time to walk around, shop, etc....unless it is a place where we've "been there, done that."

The kid programming continues while the ship is in port.

 

[tvguy]

My mom never does excursions. Since the ships generally dock right where there are a lot of things to see, she just wanders through town, or enjoys the ship.

We had a morning excursion in St. Maarten, went back to the empty ship for a leasurely lunch in the dining room, then headed back out for shopping. There were only 10 people in Lumineres at lunch!!!!

 

[pewing]

What about Flounders? Is it open during excursions? I wouldn't want to leave the Princess and go ashore, but...a quiet pool might tempt me

 

[cristit14]

We didn't do any on our 4 day last summer. I thought we would be too tired after 4 days at WDW (we were). At Nassau we did get off the ship and shop a little and do the Pirate museum. We were probably back on board by 130 or 2 and spent the rest of the day at the pool. This year I am hoping to do the Doubloon Snorkel and Sail on St. Thomas and then a beach on our own on St. Martin. Can't wait to go!!!!!