Can you explore on your own after an excursion?

[ten822]

I am sailing on Western Caribbean so Falmouth, Cozumel and Grand Cayman. Are you allowed to grab a taxi to another destination and not return to the ship with your excursion group? For example, if I do a 2 hour snorkeling tour in GC, can I head to the beach after? Or if I want to shop at the port, can I do so after the excursion or do you have to get on the ship and then get back off?

 

[Mr. Drauer]

Well, that depends. If you are booking an excursion through DCL, they work with a local tour operator who will take over from DCL at the port and organize the excursion at the transportation area of the port. They are responsible for getting you to and from the excursion back to the port. If you want tro try and make it so they are not responsible for getting you back, and you go on your own, DCL does not wait for you if you do not make it back to the port on time. I am not aware of anyone on any of the cruises I have been on leaving the group, but I'm sure you could. With that being said, Jamaica is probably the port where most would tell you not to explore on your own. I'm sure that some do venture out without booking with a tour, but Falmouth is a decent ways from any of the attractions and popular beaches. You can investigate excursions outside of DCL which will have pick-up and drop-off at the port, but again, DCL will not wait if you are late. Finally - you don't have to get back on the boat with your tour. They will drop you off at the port, but you still have to walk back through the little port area and go through security/passport control before boarding the boat. You can explore this area at will. Most will still tell you not to venture outside of the secured area of Falmouth Port though.

 

[Mommb]

As long as you tell your excursion leader in advance, so your group will not wait for you before returning to the ship, you are typically welcome to explore on your own. If there is a reason that would not be permitted, the excursion lead will let you know. You would, of course, need to make sure you will have transportation back to the ship well before the final boarding time.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

We've only done 2 DCL excursions in 4 cruises. One of them we had to get back on the ship right after the excursion because it was already returning late. The other we ended up calling a taxi and going back to the ship on our own after the tour portion was over and we were just waiting around for the boat ride back (it was taking a really long time and was going to be at least another 45 minutes of waiting). We could have done whatever we wanted at that point ... shopping, gone to a restaurant, gone to another beach, etc.

 

[Chemist]

You don't need to get back on the boat with your tour.
You are expected to return to the port with your tour. Otherwise you guide will be waiting for you along with everyone else on your tour.

That being said... You don't HAVE to use a Disney tour. You can often book on your own for a better experience and often less money.