Exploring ports on your own???

[Helene]

This will be our first ever cruise. We are on the 10/15/05 sailing of the Magic.

In lieu of booking excursions, I was wondering who has had fun going out on their own to sight-see. Is it difficult or would you experienced folks suggest first-timers like us leave it to the professionals to arrange?

I am most interested in doing a bit of shopping and then hitting the beach.

If you think its doable, what suggestions do you have???

TIA for all your help,

Helene

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Eastern or Western?

 

[webray]

We have done the 7 night western with no formal excursions, and the 14night panama with only one formal excursion (not worth it by the way), and the three night with excursion (historical city tour definately worth it it nassau).

Other than that..we did research before we left and knew exactly what we wanted to see and do in each port, where we wanted to eat our meals at etc. We have never had a problem exploring on our own, especially first time to a port, we don't want to waste the day on a formal excursion..we feel we would miss too much of the port by doing that.

 

[cruzings]

Try to read as many cruise boards as possible to learn more about your port. Most people who have been there and done them on their own always have excellent recommendations. I understand it is a bit nerve-wracking to do on your first cruise but it is definitely do-able. Disney-sponsored excursions are more expensive and also limits you to one activity or destination. If you are able to contact a tour guide ahead of time, they can usually arrange a tour that incorporates a few activities (for example, beach/tour/shopping). Just remember to allow a lot of time to return to the ship. If you are not on a Disney-sponsored tour and you return late, the ship will leave you behind.....

 

[jencav5]

We haven't been on DCL yet (Nov05 is first!), but we've been on other cruise lines. They don't always have scuba dive excursions that we want, so I have done them myself. Usually, if you tell them you're on a cruise ship, they are very accomodating-know the schedules, have shuttles, etc... I'm sure that would be the case with most any excursion. The locals know and accomodate the cruise ships because of the tourists. If you're going on your own to shop, beach, etc.., (which we've also done), just make sure you know your time limits and how and where you are getting your transportation-taxi, bus, etc..., and you will be fine. We have never had a ship leave without us! Have fun!

 

[Helene]

Favorite Auntie: We're on the Eastern.

To Everyone who responded: Thanks for the input you've offered. I'll begin searching other Cruise forums for ideas.

To Everyone Else: Keep the suggestions coming!!!!


Helene

 

[Cruiser4Life]

I always try hard to find things to do on our own since it is so much cheaper. WE have hired guides and tours from locals and got a much better deal. You should do that. Sometimes you just have to do the cruise's tour due to time or it is the only one offered but last resort !!!

 

[Jeanne B]

My DH and I went on our first cruise in January and we booked our excursions independently which saved us a lot of money. Had I not researched beforehand on the disboards and cruisecritic we probably wouldn't have done it but you can learn a LOT on the cruise boards. We went on a western Caribbean cruise so I can't offer you any specific suggestions for the ports you'll be in.

 

[msim]

I was thinking about trying to rent a room for the day at the Atlantis Resort, on the Nassau leg, so that we could use the facilities like the great pools for the kids. How can you get from the dock to the resort from the dock? Is it a safe thing to do with small children?

 

[scrapperjill]

We booked a Day room at Atlantis....last fall...and had a BLAST. Our kids loved it...(6 & 11)...but there are height restrictions...so if your kids are to small...they won't be allowed to play on the sldes...with was the funnest thing we did....matter of fact we spent most of our time there...We also went through the dig (aka aquarium) which was cool...but didn't take all that long....and you can do without booking a room...but at $25pp depending on howmany are in your group maybe close to booking the room. (price of the dig is included in the room rate.

Anyway we grabed a taxi at the pier...for about $12 each way...crazy drivers but we got there safe and sound. Took about 10-15 min...depending on traffic.

The hotel was nice...you could almost spend your time just looking around, there is so much to see. We felt safe the whole day there...We even left our things on a lounge chair and didn't have anything bothered all day....not that it couldn't happen..but it didn't to us.

BTW...food at Atlantis is VERY spendy.

 

[msim]

How do you book a day room at Atlantis? I called the toll free reservation number, and they tell me that is not possible to do. I've heard of other people doing it. What do I need to do? Thanks.

 

[michboro]

You can only book a dayroom at Atlantis the same day you are there, depending on availability. However, you can book a room at Comfort Suites Hotel (across the street from Atlantis) ahead of time, and you will get full use of pools, slide, aquarium and Atlantis facilities, because of agreement they have with Atlantis. This is actually not a dayroom, but an overnight room, but it still might be cheaper than Atlantis room. They give you a writstband so that you can go to Atlantis and use their facilities. I was able to get rate of $150 per night using this link:
http://www.smartertravel.com/hotel/mb.php?id=1417