Booking Exercusions - DCL vs. booking directly

[dtuleya]

I've seen people mention that they book some excursions directly through the various companies vs. DCL. What are the pros and cons of this? Does it save much money?

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

It will almost always save money, as the cruise lines usually take their cut. The advantages of booking through DCL are that transportation to and from the excursion is included, and if something happens to prevent you from going (i.e. the ship is late or misses a port), you can get your money back. In addition, the cruise line is responsible for getting you back to the ship on time, and if necessary, the ship will wait for you.

The advantages of booking your own are the aforementioned savings, and the fact that you can move at your own pace or in your own time frame. This is especially so for things such as island tours, where, if you want to remain in a certain place longer than the tour, you would be able to.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Yeah, you have to weigh the pros and cons. For any excursions we plan- we're going to do through DCL. It means we'll be on a tighter schedule maybe, and pay a little more- but I like the peace of mind of a refund if we can't make that port of call.... and that transportation is included and it's DCL so they'll make sure we're back on the ship before it leaves. I'd be so worried otherwise....

 

[musicgirl]

I agree will playing it safe and booking through DCL. I feel the extra money is well worth my sense of security so that I don't have to stress over it. Especially in places that I've never been. I guess if it was a 2nd trip, I might be a little more adventurous.

Now to totally contradict myself, just how far is Dawn Beach from the dock at St. Maarten? I know there is a nice beach at Great Bay right there, but I'm having a hard time finding out what is there. Like is the snorkeling any good at Great Bay, do they rent equipment (jet skis) and if so, what?

The reason we're looking into Dawn Beach is that I've read the snorkeling is really good here. Also, bodysurfing.

If I can, we might do the Pinel Island excursion through DCL.

 

[kcashner]

This will be our 10th trip, so we're getting pretty comfortable with the various ports of call.

Booking thru DCL makes everything "easy", but they do add a surcharge to the trip and you are totally on their schedule. Most places have web sites, and you can arrange most visits after the ship has docked (so you don't lose money from an advanced payment in the event that the ship can't make that port). The age for the biggest savings is the 10-12. DCL charges adult rates at 10, most places don't charge adult rates till age 12 or 13. That can be a large difference for a child in that range.

We always plan to be back at the ship well before the "all aboard" time, so there has never been a problem with getting back. That would be the biggest "downside" to going on your own. We were on one cruise where 4 people didn't get back on time. The captain held the ship for about 90 minutes, but gave a special announcement at the next port about being back on time. I remarked about it to someone at guest services...she laughed and remarked that if 2587 people could get back on time, they didn't have a lot of sympathy for 4 who couldn't make it.

 

[glindamood]

I am the opposite end of the spectrum - I have never taken a DCL excursion, we always do it ourselves. We are "beach people" and just took a taxi to Dawn Beach (been to Saphire and Megan's Bay on St. Thomas), made arrangements with the cab driver to pick us up at an appointed time and never had a problem. Warning label - I am always back to the ship at least 2 hours before the All Aboard time - or she is at least in my view.

Dave from Marietta has an excellant site (http://www.dcltribute.com) that lists taxi fares and links to the islands for the information you are looking for.

 

[musicgirl]

glindamood, I'm not sure if you saw what I just posted about ??? about Dawn Beach.

How far is it? I think I figured it would be around $42 roundtrip for three. Was the snorkeling good? And what about waves? Are there any? We'd love some good ones!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

musicgirl,

Dawn Beach is maybe a 10-15 minute cab ride from the cruise ship pier. The last time we went it was $15 each way (i.e. $7.50/person) for two people. I like this beach a lot. There's a little restaurant there and you can rent chairs, umbrellas floats, etc. The snorkeling is good when the water is calm. Occasionally, it gets a bit choppy, in which case we just leave the snorkeling gear on the beach and have fun in the surf.

 

[prymsu]

Dawn's Beach is very easy to get to on your own.

If you are nervous about doing things on your own, then by all means you should book through DCL, but if you are the adventerous type, then you can save money and have lots to choose from.

 

[glindamood]

Musicgirl - I can't honestly remember if the snorkeling was good or not the day we were there - my trips to Dawn and Saphire have sort of blended together. But, if my memory is correct, we were at Dawn Beach on Christmas Day in 2001, a bit choppy early on but calmer later in the afternoon, sunny and the snorkeling was good. I also think the tour book listed it as a good snorkeling beach.