Checking excursion availability

[texascutie]

Is there a way to see if an available excursion will accommodate our family of 4 without cancelling what we have? There were 2 times available and we currently have the later, prefer the earlier. Thanks!

 

[cvjw]

I have never found any way. I just cancel what I have, and hurriedly try to book the new excursion. If it doesn’t work - which means not enough spots, I try to grab what I just cancelled back!

 

[texascutie]

Thanks, that's so scary considering there's been absolutely nothing available for so long. I'll try!

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

Can I ask what port and what excursion? Depending on what it is, you might be able to get the same or similar experience for cheaper and earlier.

 

[texascutie]

It's the Southern Caribbean in July, Aruba. I was looking at the DePalm Island excursion, I did look at the website directly and it appears we would need to get our own transportation to and from and can enter at 11 as opposed to 10 if on the excursion. We have only taken ship excursions, this is our 2nd cruise, and have no experience in booking outside of Disney. I am also at a loss for Bonaire as it also has been booked up since we purchased the cruise. Thank for any suggestions.

 

[cvjw]

We booked the southern cruise last July very late. There were zero excursions available for a couple of the ports when we booked. Then, closer to sailing, DCL added more availability and lots of excursions were available again. Bet they do the same this year.

 

[auntlynne]

Some excursions flat out say Sold Out. If you have fast fingers and are daring - and it’s not at the moment a booking level opens, you could cancel what you have, try to book the other; if there aren’t enough spaces, quickly go back to pick up what you had.

There is no computerized waiting list. If you cancel and it gets reserved by someone else in the short time it took you to make a few keystrokes, it is a coincidence of timing.

Definitely not something to do when the next set of cruisers are getting their first chance at excursions.

When I look at my reservations, it will let me see the times that the excursion is offered (if all slots at all times are not taken - then the excursion moves to the Sold Out section at the bottom of the page.

I did this the other day for a Sep cruise, somewhere between Platinum and Gold booking. I cancelled, selected our names, and saw 2 of the 3 time slots as available. I knew ahead of time what I would accept, so if those slots were not available, I wouldn’t waste time making that decision - so I could go back and pick up my previous reservation. You can miss out if doing this.

(Edit - just reread @cvjw ‘s post which used so many fewer words).

 

[texascutie]

Thanks! I was shocked to see DePalm available, even with late time as its been almost 2 months with nothing available. I check several times a day, fingers crossed.

 

[auntlynne]

It is hard to break away from solely relying on ship excursions.

Both Aruba and Bonaire are easy to navigate without going through the ship.

Anything specific about DePalm Island that appeals to you? (I heard some opinions about it).

Bonaire - what are you wishing to do?

We just did the Southern Caribbean; such a great cruise and islands.

 

[texascutie]

Some excursions flat out say Sold Out. If you have fast fingers and are daring - and it’s not at the moment a booking level opens, you could cancel what you have, try to book the other; if there aren’t enough spaces, quickly go back to pick up what you had.

There is no computerized waiting list. If you cancel and it gets reserved by someone else in the short time it took you to make a few keystrokes, it is a coincidence of timing.

Definitely not something to do when the next set of cruisers are getting their first chance at excursions.

When I look at my reservations, it will let me see the times that the excursion is offered (if all slots at all times are not taken - then the excursion moves to the Sold Out section at the bottom of the page.

I did this the other day for a Sep cruise, somewhere between Platinum and Gold booking. I cancelled, selected our names, and saw 2 of the 3 time slots as available. I knew ahead of time what I would accept, so if those slots were not available, I wouldn’t waste time making that decision - so I could go back and pick up my previous reservation. You can miss out if doing this.

(Edit - just reread @cvjw ‘s post which used so many fewer words).

Before I cancelled to see if an earlier time was available, I was able to select all 4 passengers and 2 times were listed but grayed out. The fine print said that may be due to a double booking. So I cancelled, selected all 4 and tried for earlier and it was still gray but later time slot was bold, available. I knocked it down to only one person going and the early time became bold. I'm assuming the early time is available but right now for only 1 person.

 

[auntlynne]

Now You are the expert! Were you able to rebook the later time still?

 

[texascutie]

It is hard to break away from solely relying on ship excursions.

Both Aruba and Bonaire are easy to navigate without going through the ship.

Anything specific about DePalm Island that appeals to you? (I heard some opinions about it).

Bonaire - what are you wishing to do?

We just did the Southern Caribbean; such a great cruise and islands.

Would love to snorkel at Bonaire as I hear it's amazing. Thought we had Woodwind booked, received email confirming how many in party at 5am, by the time email was read a couple hours later as we are west coast, they said sorry it's now full. Not 100% sure in Aruba, only that we don't necessarily want catamaran/snorkling at each port and already have 2. A nice beach day maybe with available amenities, it's a long day at the port.

 

[texascutie]

Now You are the expert! Were you able to rebook the later time still?

Hahaha, yes! Shaky hands though!

 

[auntlynne]

My excursion (ironically, it was ship excursion) in Aruba went past Arashi Beach. Now I’m wondering how and when to go back to Aruba for some more beach time. (It’s like St Thomas, multiple good choices. This beach had facilities, a nice looking parking lot. I have been to Palm, Eagle, and Baby Beaches on a land vacation. I would love to add an UTV excursion to the dry side and make it a day.

 

[texascutie]

My excursion (ironically, it was ship excursion) in Aruba went past Arashi Beach. Now I’m wondering how and when to go back to Aruba for some more beach time. (It’s like St Thomas, multiple good choices. This beach had facilities, a nice looking parking lot. I have been to Palm, Eagle, and Baby Beaches on a land vacation. I would love to add an UTV excursion to the dry side and make it a day.

My bunch definitely wanted the UTV excursion! Arashi was my backup if I couldn't get anything. I need to look in to food/drink options if we go there. Can you share any reviews for De Palm you've heard?

 

[auntlynne]

My sister said the snorkeling up near Arashi was excellent. She may have been near Boca Catalina; she got there by boat.

So many islands with so many beaches on a cruise with more ports than useful can make it a challenge to pick excursions.

My takeaway (from reviews and reports) was that it is overpriced for a rocky little beach. I have considered it when it was just me, but couldn’t convince myself it was worth the money (it’s not that expensive, actually, but not really worth $100). The food was meh, as is often typical in buffets

and you are there for the duration, I believe. No multiple return options.

Do a Google map search for Arashi Beach. I clicked on the teardrop marker for Arashi Beach Shack on the map and got photos of the beach and the beach “shack.” It is no shack; it’s a restaurant with outdoor seating. The area around the beach has nice houses; The beach is basically the end of development.

 

[Calantha]

If you’re looking for an excursion in Bonaire, and have four people or less, I highly recommend “private guided tours Bonaire” with Kirsten. We snorkeled and did a tour of the island, but she has several different options available on her website.

 

[auntlynne]

The UTVs pulled up beside us at the California lighthouse. They were all smiling. Made me wish I had opted for that. Another future activity and call for a return trip. I believe the UTVs are street legal. So you could rent one or two and see various parts of the island and. Is it a beach or two.

 

[auntlynne]

The previous poster cruised with me - we did different activities, but I would second any suggestion she offers.

What to do can vary so much by what you want to do.

I tried to mix things up with 5 ports. Some cultural, some water based. often water was featured; these are islands, famous for their water.

 

[texascutie]

If you’re looking for an excursion in Bonaire, and have four people or less, I highly recommend “private guided tours Bonaire” with Kirsten. We snorkeled and did a tour of the island, but she has several different options available on her website.

I will definitely look in to that, thank you!