Ever cruised w/o doing excursions?

[Pink Flamingo]

Has anyone ever been on a Disney cruise and not done any of the shore excursions? We are considering a cruise for our next Disney vacation & I was just toying with that idea. I have 2 boys who will be 9 & 6. They have never been on a cruise & will probably be fascinated by the ship. I thought it might be more relaxing to not do any shore excursions, but I also don't want to regret missing something really great.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

 

[westjones]

We did a 3 and a 4 day with no excursions. The ship is so wondeful and we just wanted to enjoy it! Now last year, we went on a 7 day and we did do excursions and enjoyed them. But on the shorter cruises, I prefer being on the ship. This saves a LOT on your bill too! When we did our 3 day cruise (which was our second cruise), we didn't buy pictures, we didn't buy 'drinks' or any extras, so our only charges at the end was our tips and our purchases in the gift shop. That was VERY nice!
DJ

 

[Bev J]

When we did the 4 day Wonder we did not do any excursions either. It is easy to get a cab to the beach if that is what you want to do. We walked around Nausau a bit and hightailed it back to the saftey and the clean ship. Freeport did not interest us . We had a very enjoyable day onboard the ship.
Now on a 7 day it would be hard to do no excursions at all. But you could just taxi to beaches or do stuff on your own. But it is nice to do a island tour you really see alot.

 

[kml2000]

We did the 3 day with only one excursion, it was the banana boat ride at Castaway Cay. I wouldn't call it a "shore excursion". I do not regret doing it, would probably do it again because it was inexpensive. I do not regret being stingy with excursions otherwise. I still feel like we missed so much on the boat.....

 

[Gillian]

We didn't do any on the 4 day. In Nassau we spent the morning on the ship & it was so peaceful! No kids in the pool We have been to islands & on island tours/snorkeling trips before so we didn't feel like we missed much.

We actually spent a lot of time going to movies on the ship. It sounds goofy, but we love movies & it's so hard to go at home with little ones.

If you try a shorter cruise, just relax & enjoy yourselves! Do what sounds fun to you & don't worry about missing anything.

 

[tigerhoo]

I've done the 4 day and 7 day cruise and didn't go on any excursions. We would get off the ship and walk around at the ports, but that was it. It was great for our budget too.

We didn't have to rush or get up early to go on the excursions. We could take our time shopping while in port and it was very nice and leisurely.

The ship seemed empty and we felt like we had the ship all to ourselves. It's a good time to go to the pool and to watch movies too.

Whatever you do, you'll have a great time.

 

[dianedisney]

I very rarely do excursions. I like exploring on my own.

 

[natsmom125]

We have been on 5 cruises...4 DCL, 1 Carnival...and NEVER done
any excursions on any cruise. We use them just to rest and
relax and spa treatments are usually like 2 or 3 for the same price on port days and the pools are less crowded.

Just what we like to do. We have a friend who does 2 or 3 excursions at every stop!!!! Not for us.

Phyllis

 

[gometros]

When we did the 4-day Wonder, I stayed on the ship with my dad, while my mom, my wife and the kids went ashore to do some shopping in Nassau. We had already been to Nassau twice before and that was enogh for me. Being on the ship while in port was great. It was virtually empty and we almost had the adult pool to ourselves.

 

[perdidobay]

I've taken the 4 day and 3 day both with no excursions. I don't feel like I missed a thing. The first time we did get off in Nassua and take a taxi to Atlantis for 2 hours.
The next time we stayed on the boat.
There is so much to do, I don't feel the need for anything extra

 

[DawnL]

We did the 7 day Western this past summer with 2 other families and did no excursions. We were easily able to get to the beaches in both Cozumel and Grand Cayman on our own, walked around the Key West, etc. We had a wonderful time!!

 

[floridaminnie]

We did do excursions at every stop on the 7 day western, but we felt so rushed to get back on the boat. This time, we are going on a 4 day and I'm not doing any excursions. I guess it is because I don't care where I'm going as long as I'm on THAT boat!

We actually spent a lot of time going to movies on the ship. It sounds goofy, but we love movies & it's so hard to go at home with little ones.

I know that feeling. I have a 3 yr old dd and this past week was the first time I've seen an adult movie in over three years!

 

[tlgoblue]

Wow! I'm really glad I read this thread. We are not doing excursions this time either, and I was wondering how it would be. Sounds very nice and relaxing. I agree that the excursions, while fun, do cost a ton and do leave one feeling like you've missed out on other things, as well as rushed to get to dinner, etc. Thanks for the post. I feel much better now

Tracy

 

[mickeymom629]

On our upcoming first cruise (4 night) I have only reserved the banana boat ride (twice-a.m. and p.m.). I want to save the $ and enjoy the boat for our first time. Plus, going in Jan., I wasn't sure what the water temp. would be for swimming (with dolphins or in Atlantis, etc.). It looks like it's pretty chilly this week (after checking Dave's website) so I might've made a good decision.

 

[mickeymom629]

On our upcoming first cruise (4 night) I have only reserved the banana boat ride (twice-a.m. and p.m.). I want to save the $ and enjoy the boat for our first time. Plus, going in Jan., I wasn't sure what the water temp. would be for swimming (with dolphins or in Atlantis, etc.). It looks like it's pretty chilly this week (after checking Dave's website) so I might've made a good decision.

 

[dianedisney]

As always, when you explore on your own remember to time yourself you get back to the ship with time to spare. On my last DCL Magic cruise we had families at St Thomas and Key West (ship deverted from St Martin due to hurricane) miss the ship due to poor timing. Especially in St Thomas because quitting time and the ship leaving are at the same time and that equals up to a real bad traffic jam on the roads.

 

[pouncingpluto]

So, what happens if you miss the ship? Do you have to fly yourself to the next port?

 

[dianedisney]

No they got a ride on the boat that goes out to pick up the Harbor Pilot to take him back to shore. Our balconies were on the side of the ship that they used so it was cool to watch people trying to jump from one moving boat to one moving SHIP. The family that missed the ship in St Thomas had a toddler with them, talk about scary and what a long ordeal it was, can you imagine jumping from one to the other, no way. I will just make sure I get back to the ship with time to spare.

 

[fletcher21]

We've done 4 DCL cruises and have yet to do an excursion!

Maybe on the next one.

 

[>>^..^<<]

Hi there... I wish I had done no exursions on my 7 day eastern cruise... we did something at every port

We came back exhausted from them all and wished we had just stayed on board and relaxed and did what ever the ship had to offer.

Too much running around!

Next time - NO excursions!