Maybe I'm just tired...but I'm pretty disappointed

["Got Disney"]

We have been booking excursions on our own for years.....many times we will do the same excursions for half the price as for the dolphins...there are many different types so have to be sure of the amount of interaction...also if you wait till you are getting ready to leave they want you to buy the photos so they will all of a sudden drop very low,,,,also if they want you to buy all of the photos split it with someone you know and have them make another disk of them....

Excursions can be a hit or miss so you have to do tons of research on them not just on the DCL boards but google the heck out of them and go to you tube as well....its all a learning process

Dont let this stop you from another DC....once you learn the ropes on excursions you will be set BUT ONE WORD OF WARNING....if you book on your own give yourself ample time to get back to the ship because they will leave without you!!!!!!

 

[Dug720]

hi Steve, I would love to hear more about your sled dog experience in Alaska. We are going to Alaska this August and I have been looking through the DCL excursions.
Karen

One caution to keep in mind when going on your own... Weather can move in, and helicopters are unable to get there to get you. I know for a fact it happened to excursion groups from 2 Holland America ships - and a smaller group from one of those ships but who booked on their own. They had to stay overnight at the camp until the helicopters were cleared for take-off. Then the ones on the ship-based excursions were put on a smaller boat or a train to meet their respective ships. The amount to cover their staying overnight and the transport to the ship was all covered by Holland America. Those who booked on their own? They had to work it out with their tour provider - and from what I heard from a Holland America crew member, the company did NOT cover at least part of their expenses. (I also heard a story on NPR by a girl who worked at one of the mushers' camps one summer and had the same thing happen - I think this was a different case though as from her report the guests were stuck up there more than one day.)

Not saying to completely avoid a private one - but I WOULD get in writing from them what they would cover IF weather prevented the helicopters getting to you in time to meet your ship or overnight.

 

[turtle27]

DCL used to send staff out on excursions every so often. I have not encountered one in the Caribbean, but have in Europe. That being said, I think most Caribbean tours are not up to high standards, plus you have weather and wildlife to factor in. Both of those are uncontrollable. For our next cruise, we are only doing 2 DCL provided excursions, we have a small group that is doing all private tours for 4 ports, signed up at our own for 1, 2 with DCL, and 1 opted for no port excursion. We are saving so much by doing this.
And, here is the thing DCL nor any other cruiseline wants you to know. Reputable tour companies do not want you to miss the boat. Many times, these tour operators are held responsible for you until you leave the country. It is in their best interest to get you to the ship on-time. The difference is whose dime to get you back to the ship, on a DCL excursion, DCL, on a private one, depends on your contract with the vendor, some offer guarantees. But whether you are on a DCL sponsored excursion or not, if the ship has to leave it will, DCL will just hand hold you in getting home or to next port. The ship will not always wait for you just because you are on a DCL sponsored tour.
Lately, I am finding that it is annoying with DCL having to meet with group, go here, go here, wait in line, go here, wait here, yay, finally released to your tour. I much prefer getting off ship on my own and meeting the tour outside. Wastes so much less time.