Excursion Time - Convenience vs. Cost

[bwbuddy]

I'm approaching the window of time in which I can reserve excursions for the 7/3/04 Western. I wouldn't mind saving some money, but am also the type that pays gladly for convenience.

What's the positives and negatives of reserving through Disney vs. locals?

 

[MrsPete]

Don't forget to throw SECURITY into that mix. Remember that if your Disney excursion is late returning, they'll hold the boat for you. If you make your own plans and return late . . . well, you're out of luck.

Having said that, I would make my own plans IF the situation was right:

I'd have to know that I was either saving a good bit of money OR that I was getting something that Disney couldn't offer -- I wouldn't "go it on my own" to save $5 per person.

I'd have to know that my transportation back to the boat was very sure. I would not, for example, try to do the Myan ruins tour (I forget the name) that requires a tender AND another ferry to another island. There are just too many little things that could hold you up. However, I would gladly do an on-your-own excursion that only required a taxi ride.

I'd make sure I had a cell phone and the phone number for customer service so I could call if I encountered any problems. I'd be ultra-double-sure of the back-on-the-boat time.

 

[hopelea]

There are a lot of people that do book their own excursions and do save money!

But......I'm not one of those people. I am nervous about doing it alone. My family feels better knowing that I book excursions through DCL for reasons that Mrs Pete stated above!!

The finally decision has to be what ever makes you feel comfortable!!

ENJOY

 

[rsjj]

and also who's in your traveling party! we went on our 7 day with our 2 DSs 5 & 2...and just felt "safer" for all the reasons stated above, since our boys are young. but if they were a bit older, maybe in their teens, i might consider booking on our own...to be "adventurous", but with our boys so young, anything & everything is an adventure!

 

[mcnuss]

I absolutely refuse to pay DCL's outrageous charges for any excursion I could book on my own. We did Chankanaab in Cozumel, the whole day, including taxis & snacks, cost less than $50 for the 3 of us. I think DCL wanted $50 each for the privilege of riding the bus. (And btw, when we left, jumping into our waiting taxi, we were waving to the folks in loooongggg line waiting for the bus...) Similarly, we booked our own snorkle trip on GC and saved $20 each. Friends took a cab to a free beach on GC that was lovely and uncrowded for the cost of the cab, vs the DCL trip at $75 pp. I would agree that I would not try to do anything that required complicated transportation, but otherwise I am not going to give into DCL's usury.

If you want to do some research, go to the cruisecritic site where there is extensive information on ports of call.