DCL excursions vs. Booking yourself

[Synonymous]

Does anyone have any advice on whether it's better to sign up for the excursions offered by DCL or to do them independently? What are the plusses and minuses?

 

[prymsu]

doing it your self can save you money and allow you more flexibility, and sometimes more time at what you want to do.

minuses would include that if you are not back to the ship on time, the ship won't wait. also if you encounter problems or get lost, you are on your own.

We do about half and half. For somethings that you couldn't save much money on, we sometimes go ahead and do an excursion. for others, especially when we have been to the port before, we go ahead and take off on our own. It all depends on you, and how you can handle the stress of the 'unknown'...

 

[vixenslc]

Another minus we've encountered with the Disney excursions (especially on the Western Itinerary) is that depending on the age of your children, if this applies to you, there are very strictly enforced age requirements on all of the excursions. The only ones that allow for younger kids are beach/tour trips that are DEFINETLY cheeper to do on your own. We've always just done our own thing and we love the flexibility and savings. Good luck!!

 

[atigeg]

Since this was our first time on the Western itinerary, we did most of our excursions through Disney. However, in Grand Cayman and Key West, almost everything was also offered independently when you walked off the ship (this didn't seem to be the case in Cozumel, tho'). I did the Conch Train on my own...only a couple of dollars cheaper, but much easier timewise. We did the Island Tour/Snorkeling with Stingrays and the Jeep Safari Tour via Disney, mainly for convenience. When we return to Grand Cayman, we will most likely book things on our own. For Cozumel, it will be a toss-up.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[llachance]

I am not certain that many will agree with me but I am glad to hear that they are sticking to the age requirements on the excursions. When we were on the Eastern last summer we went on a couple of excursions that were not supposed to have younger children on them but they were there anyway. They were unhappy, their parents were unhappy, and the rest of the tour group was unhappy as well. There is a reason that the age restrictions are put there and parents should be aware of them. If you think your children are old enough to go on that type of excursion anyway then it may be worthwhile to make your own arrangements so that you don't ruin the trip for others. Just my opinion and I would have never said anything if it hadn't been brought up first.

 

[Synonymous]

Thank you for the responses. It sounds like booking ourselves would be the way to go for us. Can anyone suggest some internet resources or books with information on the activities available independently? We plan on taking the Western Cruise next February.

We do have a 5-yr old daughter. I was disappointed with the age restrictions, because I know she would enjoy some of the things that are 6 and up. Do independent places generally have the same restrictions?

Thanks again.

 

[llachance]

It wasn't the five and six year olds that were the problems it was the two and three year olds! Independent operators probably do have different limits as you are contracting with them, exclusively, for their services and you can put together a package that meets your family's needs rather then a larger group of people. Good Luck!

 

[JLSE50]

My concern is what would happen if the ship were diverted due to weather and we did not go to a port where we had booked a private excursion? When we booked a Disney excursion and the ship was diverted, they refunded our money and we could make other plans.

Jan

 

[tlt]

Can't help you with the Western, we just got back from the Eastern, but we did our own excursions to the beaches and snorkelled and it saved us so much money, plus we spent all day at the beaches, and the DCL excursions only lasted a couple of hours. Definitely to it yourself. There is a Stingray snorkeling place in Cozumel and Grand Caymen that always gets rave reviews on this board...not sure if there is an age limit on your own. A lot of times you can just ask a cab driver when you get off the ship...they transport cruisers everyday to the best spots and they usually have great suggestions...they know their home area very well from what we've experineced. Have a great time!

 

[MFan]

Here are a couple of potential sources for planning your own excursions. I got these from others. I have never used them, nor do I know how their prices compare with Disney.

http://www.portpromotions.com/

http://www.caymanislandsdiscounts.com/

Mark

 

[Synonymous]

Thanks for the great links, Mark; and everybody for the good advice.

 

[SailinAway]

I just used some coupons from the Cayman Discount site and they worket great. We completed the scuba resort course with Abanks and it was one of the most amaizing thing we have ever done.

Definitely print out the coupons if you'll be in Grand Cayman soon, they save us $100us just on the resourt course!

I went back on that site and realized they have just opend a forum!

 

[goofydadeo]

We were unable to book the Disney excursions on for Grand Cayman on the 5/24 Western and ended up doing it on our own and it worked out great. Seems my DW had a former work colleague who lived in Georgetown for several years and was a neighbor of Bob Soto, one of the larger dive operators (bobsoto.com) in the Caymans. We took their 3 stop snorkel tour for USD 30/each and were able to take along my DD4 and DS8. We snorkeled at Coral Gardens (very calm - 10' deep) and the Barrier Reef (1.5' waves - 8' deep) and then went on to Stingray City (very calm - 3' deep). It was excellent! Our three guides were outstanding (one was an underway photographer and shot a video of our trip) and we had a great time! I would highly recommend this tour over any snorkeling/stingray city trip Disney had to offer - you get so much more for your money. Also, it was very simple to get to Bob Soto's, we took a bus for USD 3 each from the tender pier (5 minutes) to the Treasure Island hotel where Bob Soto operates a retail dive shop. From there we checked in and paid and then were transported their boat (total of 20 divers). All equipment is provided including water and lemonade/punch. They also have a toll free number from the US that you can use to get additional info. After the snorkel tour we took the Cayman bus to the Turtle Farm for another USD 2/person, did the self guided tour, and then took the bus back to the tender pier (another USD 2). So, you can do it yourself and take along your children under 6 and have an outstanding time! By the way, the night prior to the excursions the Disney shore excursion staff was willing to book our DD4 on any snorkel trip that was open regardless of her age!

 

[goofydadeo]

Correction to my post - the site for Bob Soto's sb www.bobsotosdiving.com.ky

 

[Synonymous]

Goofydadeo- I'd like to take my 5-yr old along for snorkeling. How did it work out for you with your DD? Was she able to get into the water and see things?

 

[goofydadeo]

We went to a local dive shop and purchased her size mask, snorkel, fins and dive vest and then practiced in the bathtub and pool. When we dove I took her in with me and held her hand while we swam on the surface with our masks in the water. She did great. Our tour operator also had a small raft with a clear bottom so when she got tired she simply sat in it (with her vest on just in case) and I pulled her around. It was super! The calm waters of Grand Cayman were a huge plus too - very kid friendly!