Booking shore excursions/ not with Disney

[connie1042]

We are going on the Fantasy Western route. Has anyone booked shore excursions with Shore Excursioneer? I have read a lot of reviews, and they all seem pretty good. I can take a tour on all three stops for $181.00. That includes a All inclusive resort for a day in Cozumel, Dunn River Falls and tubing in Jamaica, and snorkeling and sting-ray city in Grand Cayman. That's a lot cheaper than the Disney tours, for the same thing.

 

[dcassetta]

I have not used this particular company, but I find generally that good reviews tend to lead to good results. And, these companies have a vested interest in getting people back on time so that those good reviews continue. I would ask them about their policy if they get you back to late to the ship who is responsible for getting you to your next port.

 

[connie1042]

I have not used this particular company, but I find generally that good reviews tend to lead to good results. And, these companies have a vested interest in getting people back on time so that those good reviews continue. I would ask them about their policy if they get you back to late to the ship who is responsible for getting you to your next port.

Yes they do say they guarantee you will get back in time. In Cozumel, transportation is not included.

 

[cheermom2four]

I usually book non DCL excursions. Also, make sure of the refund policy say if your ship cant dock (we tendered in Grand Cayman on our Western Caribbean cruise this past sept) or tender for that matter. Ive booked private excursions at 3 of the 4 stops on our next cruise.

 

[Dug720]

My general rule of thumb is "the further away from the port the excursion takes me, the more likely I am to use DCL" because they WILL hold the ship as long as possible for DCL excursions should something happen and if they cannot, they WILL take care of whatever is needed to get you to the ship or home port. This applies to any cruiseline.

Exhibit A: Two summers ago I was on RCCL Radiance Southbound Alaska cruise. There was a massive accident that I believe included a fatality (I know for sure there was an emergency air lift of more than one person involved) that shut down the road between Anchorage and Seward. Because RCCL still had buses that were coming to the port, the ship delayed sailing until their last bus was there (ended up being 3:45am). When that last bus hit the terminal lot, the gates were shut and locked. I met a couple who had done a private car who happened to be the last car before the last bus, and they saw other private cars being turned away once the bus was in the lot.

Exhibit B: (per a HAL crew member and then the story from a Musher's POV was in a podcast - either This American Life or Radiolab) Helicopter Glacier Musher's Camp excursions got stranded on the glacier because of weather. Cruisers put up at Mushers' Camp. When they got down, HAL covered the extra costs to the camp and put their excursion people on a boat or train to meet their respective ship. People on HAL ships but who went rogue were dealing with the company as to who was paying and how they were to get to their ship.

Sure a company can "guarantee" you are back in time, but crud happens. Before I go with any outside company, I ask them pointedly "And what if something unexpected happens that prevents us from getting back." If they just keep spouting "We will have you back in time", I will not be booking with them. Period.

 

[DisneyConvert]

We have gotten used to booking excursions on our own. There's nothing wrong with DCL excursions, but they are predictable, highly-controlled ("safe") and expensive.

Agree with above postings that guides and tour company's live and die by their reviews on TripAdvisor, etc. so they have a strong, vested interest in providing satisfying experiences and yes, getting one back to the cruise ship on time.

Looking at Alaska options right now and there's no shortage of alternatives.

 

[dcr]

I'm with Beth on this one. A company can say that they will get you back, but I've seen it happen, time and time again where they didn't get people back to the ship on time! DCL will do everything that they can to hold a ship for DCL booked excursions. It has less incentive to do the same for personally booked tours. Yes, they will you behind.

 

[efam]

First time cruiser here....where do you find non DCL excursions?

 

[Dug720]

First time cruiser here....where do you find non DCL excursions?

You have to do your own footwork online if you want to do your own thing. Google, Cruise Critic, etc. DCL certainly isn't going to tell you about them.

 

[KashasMom]

We've done over 100 excursions on our own and have never had any problems, nor have we ever seen anyone who has missed a ship due to booking an excursion on their own. There are tens of thousands of cruisers each WEEK who book on their own. If there were so many people missing a ship, we'd hear about it!! In the end, everyone has to do what makes them comfortable but being on a cruise line excursion with 50 or so other people, stopping for bathroom and shopping breaks is not how I want to spend my time in a port!

BTW, the company you mention does not get good reviews. I would not use them. We have used shore trips with good results - https://www.shoretrips.com/. I always check TripAdvisor for tour reviews and frequently use companies on there - just Google "tours in Cozumel" and look for the TA link (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g150809-Activities-c42-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html).

Have a great time on your cruise. We just did the Western itinerary (on RCI) and had a blast. Loved tubing in Jamaica!

 

[KashasMom]

We have gotten used to booking excursions on our own. There's nothing wrong with DCL excursions, but they are predictable, highly-controlled ("safe") and expensive.

Agree with above postings that guides and tour company's live and die by their reviews on TripAdvisor, etc. so they have a strong, vested interest in providing satisfying experiences and yes, getting one back to the cruise ship on time.

Looking at Alaska options right now and there's no shortage of alternatives.

Alaska is amazing! A few companies we've used multiple times - Temsco Helicopters (in Skagway & Juneau), Island Wings (Ketchikan), and Orca Enterprises (Juneau). Recently I've gotten the itch to go back to Alaska...enjoy!