Need to do excursions?

[Ladyhawke10]

I've never cruised, but currently have two Disney cruises scheduled...I'm looking at the possible excursions both through other cruise lines (for our panama canal trip) and through Disney's site (for our 7 day western caribbean). The excursions are expensive and non-refundable...and my question is, is it necessary to book them? What about just walking around at the ports if we want to get off the boat? Is that normally done or is it best to book organized events?

 

[kellib36]

It depends completely on what you want to do, and where you want to do it.

Most water type activities, including Castaway Cay, should be booked ahead of time. Even the glass bottom boat at CC was sold out when we got on the ship last Sept. I never realized it was such a hot thing.

Some places like St. Thomas, have "private" beaches all around the cruise docks. So if you want to "beach" it, you may want to go on a beach excursion where the vendors will leave you alone. Just soaking up the local air sounds great to me, and Key West has a tram that takes you around and you can get off and on as you please.

Grand Cayman and Cozumel have strips of touristy shops close to the pier, but the "real" stuff, you'd need a cab to get to. A lot of these tourist areas have hawkers that get paid to get you into a shop, and they use different degrees of "herding" to get you there. (Downtown St. Thomas and St. Maarten are THE WORST!!)

I wouldn't recommend renting a car at Grand Cayman, its THE most confusing place I've ever seen!! They drive on the left, and they import cars for both left-seated AND right-seated drivers. You get to an intersection and you don't know who's driving!!! Its REALLY weird!!

I wouldn't necessarily book something at every port of call, but if I saw something that looks like I'd want to do it, I'd book at cose to 60 days out as possible. Kelli

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Book what you think looks interesting--otherwise skip it all together.

It would be a waste of money to book something just b/c you had too.

On our honeymoon--I wanted to book excursions in each port. We did a Carnival western Carribean cruise. While I appreciated all of the excursions--I would have chosen a different one for Cozumel. We did horseback riding and the poor horses were emaciated looking--not like our American horses. I probably would have enjoyed Tuluum more--but hubby wanted to ride those horses.

Research well--if a specific excursion interests you then check the boards and get some feedback.

Also--we didn't realize it--but the Tour ops and their drivers like tips--and our experience--they will point blank ask the group for them. Plan for them in your costs. We felt shocked and terrible--for being solicited for the tips and not having the knowledge to know that we should have tipped.

 

[toot2]

I found it very easy to relax and get in the habit of doing nothing on the cruise! LOL! There were a number of things I thought I'd do but just didn't get around to them.

If you do book excusions, consider the time involved. How long is the tour including travel time to and from ship?

We did a jeep tour, it was great but it was about 5 hours and I wouldn't have wanted all my excursions to be so long.

We did a half-day snorkel/stingray which was about 3 hrs plus time to tender back to the ship.

And we did parasailing at CC which was about 1hr total and a very short walk from the ship.

Also, are you the type who likes to always be doing something or are you happy with a book, lounge chair and a cocktail (like me!)?

Its not an excursion, but I loved the brunch at Palo...I highly recommend it!

Have fun!
Sue

 

[LAMPSKIES]

On our Nov. 03 Eastern sailing our only regret is that we didn't do more shore excursions. You can only shop so much......and every port seem the same.