Excursions sold out in advance - what are our chances once we board?

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We are sailing in a couple of weeks and some of the excursions we are interested in are sold out - namely submarine excursion in Aruba. What are our chances of getting in if we go to Port Adventures desk day of boarding? Do they hold back some spots for people to book onboard?

 

[dcassetta]

I do not think they hold back any reservations for port excursions. However, keep checking up until three days before your cruise, as people finalize their plans and may cancel some of the port excursions. You can check once you're on board also, because the port excursion desk will maintain a waitlist for many things, so if someone cancels on board you might be able to pick it up. Is it possible for you to book the same excursion on your own, instead of going through Disney?

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I do not think they hold back any reservations for port excursions. However, keep checking up until three days before your cruise, as people finalize their plans and may cancel some of the port excursions. You can check once you're on board also, because the port excursion desk will maintain a waitlist for many things, so if someone cancels on board you might be able to pick it up. Is it possible for you to book the same excursion on your own, instead of going through Disney?

It's actually cheaper through Disney believe it or not

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Excursions are something they don't hold seats for onboard booking. Since they contract with a lot of external vendors it gets complicated if they were to do that.

 

[JW9DVC]

Book directly.

 

[Shanti]

It's actually cheaper through Disney believe it or not

I believe it. It is also sometimes cheaper to book a hotel or a flight via DCL, in some circumstances. But as a PP said, they don't hold back slots for onboard booking of excursions. Booking independently and stalking the DCL website are the only two options at this point. I hope one of those works for you!

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I believe it. It is also sometimes cheaper to book a hotel or a flight via DCL, in some circumstances. But as a PP said, they don't hold back slots for onboard booking of excursions. Booking independently and stalking the DCL website are the only two options at this point. I hope one of those works for you!

I think there actually might be availability, I believe it shows me there isn't because it says we have another activity booked that overlaps (which we do).
We would have to cancel it first to confirm availability.