Non Disney Port excursions

[Vness]

We are (1st timers) sailing on the Fantasy Oct 28. I have a 2 part question.

We weren't planning on doing many/any shore excursions as we are 7 in 2 verandah staterooms and have a princess obsessed toddler so after we factor in BBB and the Tea with princesses - the budget is has long been blown.

I did have my heart set on a Dune buggy or ATV excursion but with Disney the minimum age is 8. After lots of googling I see that there are independent tour company's and many of those have Dune Buggy excursions and there is no minimum age. I am specifically looking at one thru Viatour in Cozumel - that pretty much will give us everything we want (Dune Buggys, Beach time, Tequila and authentic Mexican food) Also they are quite a bit cheaper than the Disney Excursions.

Does anybody have any experience with outside excursion companies? Pro's/Con's...Safe?

I would be interested in just hanging around a beach in Grand Cayman...Can we do this somehow without spending a fortune on day passes or excursions!


Thanks for your time! This cruise stuff is super overwhelming!!!

 

[Dug720]

My only advice would be to really check the reviews and ask questions regarding safety. From what I understand, when Disney puts an age restriction on there (especially for something active like dune buggies), it's because they are not comfortable with whatever safety regulations/provisions (IF ANY) there are for children below that age.

 

[aggiedog]

My only experiences are with the DCL Baltic cruise, where we did 2 DCL excursions and organized 2 of our own. All 8 of us agreed we'd never do a DCL one again. They weren't bad, per se, but for the cost, the ones we did on our own were leagues better. More flexibility, smaller group, cheaper or the same cost for a longer day. Some people worry about not getting to the ship on time, but in the day of internet reviews, a company that lets its customers miss their sailing is not going to last long. You can check over on Cruisecritic for advice on excursion companies as well.

 

[Vness]

Thank you both! Dug720 - that does make sense.

aggiedog! Thank you! I am heading to that link right now! Just what I needed!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

TBH the Viator operator is 85%+ likely to be the exact same operator Disney uses.

 

[Barbydoll8]

1st cruise we did through Disney ($$$) 2nd cruise no excursions. 3rd I did on my own. Not only did I get a quality experience, I paid less than half of Disney. We did Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman's through this company: https://www.sotoscruises.com/
I found them on TripAdvisor. (love that site).
They were smaller in operation. Wonderful with kids and extremely communicative.
I would say TripAdvisor is your friend for finding stuff to do and for finding great reviews to help you decide.
Getting ready for our 5th and I'll be booking on my own again.
If you use TripAdvisor, just remember to go back and leave a review. It really is a great help to everyone using that site.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

5 Disney cruises, excursions in every port, have never done a DCL excursion. Check TripAdvisor, there are a ton of reputable tour operators, some who actively monitor the DCL ships' arrival /tender times and cater exclusively to DCL. Half the price in our experience and more bang for your buck. Just do your research and find out their guarantee in terms of if DCL doesn't make port or if there's an itinerary change. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are on Grand Cayman. Excellent snorkeling, too. Good luck!

 

[DisneyConvert]

Disney Excursions are carefully planned to avoid any kind of problem, therefore they are restrictive in what can be done. They excel in having people sit and watch and listen, but participation and activity will be limited (because not every passenger will be able to participate fully).

If one wants to actually go on a fishing excursion in Alaska and hook/land/clean a fish, one won't be able to do this on a Disney excursion designed for families and those with disabilities.

We study reviews on websites that act as an "advisor for those taking trips". Then we contact and discuss our expectations vs different providers' "sweet spots" of what they like to offer and to whom. For example, none of us drink, so we wouldn't go on an excursion that focused on wine or vodka. We are all physically active, so hiking tours are perfect. We are aldo ok with sharing a mini-van with another family or two.

Just like the DCL excursions, the established tour companies in each port rely on good reviews, satisfied customers and gratuities. We have never been "stiffed" or felt cheated. Plus the non-DCL excursions are 20~50% less expensive.

 

[cheermom2four]

First and 2nd cruises we did a mixture of DCL excursions and outside DCL excursions. This time around even in europe, we've decided to DIY as the prices are just steep. We research big time and most have in small writing if they dont get you back in time they financially get you to next port. But like a pp stated, with this age of internet, they will avoid a bad review. Just be diligent and also dont "cut it close" on returning to the ship. We always give ourselves 1 to 2 hours to be back at the ship BEFORE last boarding call.

 

[Dug720]

First and 2nd cruises we did a mixture of DCL excursions and outside DCL excursions. This time around even in europe, we've decided to DIY as the prices are just steep. We research big time and most have in small writing if they dont get you back in time they financially get you to next port. But like a pp stated, with this age of internet, they will avoid a bad review. Just be diligent and also dont "cut it close" on returning to the ship. We always give ourselves 1 to 2 hours to be back at the ship BEFORE last boarding call.

I personally make sure that I have it in big, obvious writing exactly what they will do. Not some vague small print where they go on about "we don't want bad ratings". I want to know what the game plan is because I have a friend who did an independent one once based on the small print, but when something DID actually happen to prevent them from getting back (some kind of accident that blocked the car from getting back in time and it was not somewhere the other line had an excursion so no hope of a ship-based tour being stuck also), the company was like "Um, we aren't sure what to do because we have never had to before. We just put that there because we thought we would lose business otherwise." So make sure you get what exactly they will do IN WRITING from them.

And just to add, check with them on their timeline. I know Captain Bob Cass in St Maarten for example will tell you up front if your ship's timeframe will permit you to do the tour, and if the time is too short, he won't book it unless you get enough for one boat from your ship so that THAT boat can do a shorter excursion and not penalize people from other ships.

 

[cheermom2four]

So make sure you get what exactly they will do IN WRITING from them.

Well if its in writing on their website (even in small print) I print it out and take it with me. I also make sure its on their invoice and receipt so I print those too as proof to what they "promise" and can show them without needing internet to access their website.

I also wont book with anyone that doesnt state they will refund if our ship cant dock if you had to prepay or if they will charge you if you no show even if your ship cant dock (out of your control and weather issues). There's some out there so beware

 

[Dug720]

Well if its in writing on their website (even in small print) I print it out and take it with me. I also make sure its on their invoice and receipt so I print those too as proof to what they "promise" and can show them without needing internet to access their website.

I also wont book with anyone that doesnt state they will refund if our ship cant dock if you had to prepay or if they will charge you if you no show even if your ship cant dock (out of your control and weather issues). There's some out there so beware

Agree 100% on the second one.

I still want in writing what their plan is should something happen. It is too easy to say they will get you back but have no game plan for what if it actually does.

Of course as a solo cruiser I don't think that ship excursions are the devil - they are often the less expensive (and sometimes only) option without connecting up with people you don't know and have to trust based on internet stuff. Having had more than one friend get burned that way (they joined a small group tour and then the rest of the group decided they wanted to do a different one - and announced it in the car so my friend had no way of getting out of it. It was not the tour my friend wanted and had signed on for, AND it was more expensive per person. But he was stuck.) there is no way I would join random people.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Ive used this company for dune buggy tours in Cozumel without any issue whatsoever. Would not hesitate to use them again.

http://www.cozumeltoursexcursions.com/


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attract...urs_Excursions-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

 

[crossfitmama]

check with https://cozumelcruiseexcursions.com/ ? They offer tours geared towards cruise ship passengers so have refund terms for if your ship misses port. We've used them often and they have tours all over the caribbean and mexico They offer Dune Buggies in Coz and the minimum age is much lower

 

[dcassetta]

We are (1st timers) sailing on the Fantasy Oct 28. I have a 2 part question.

We weren't planning on doing many/any shore excursions as we are 7 in 2 verandah staterooms and have a princess obsessed toddler so after we factor in BBB and the Tea with princesses - the budget is has long been blown.

I did have my heart set on a Dune buggy or ATV excursion but with Disney the minimum age is 8. After lots of googling I see that there are independent tour company's and many of those have Dune Buggy excursions and there is no minimum age. I am specifically looking at one thru Viatour in Cozumel - that pretty much will give us everything we want (Dune Buggys, Beach time, Tequila and authentic Mexican food) Also they are quite a bit cheaper than the Disney Excursions.

Does anybody have any experience with outside excursion companies? Pro's/Con's...Safe?

I would be interested in just hanging around a beach in Grand Cayman...Can we do this somehow without spending a fortune on day passes or excursions!


Thanks for your time! This cruise stuff is super overwhelming!!!

You don't mention if any of the other passengers are children besides the toddler. Have you considered booking nursery time for your toddler while the others are on the excursion. I understand that the private companies may not list age requirements, but they might also not be able to safely accommodate a small child on a dune buggy or ATV.

 

[JsMom2]

Cruise line excursions are notoriously over priced. Shore Trips is a great resource for excursions. And they guarantee to get you back to the ship in time. If something happens to prevent that, they will pay to get you to the next port!

 

[Chuck S]

In Cozumel, we just shop around the dock stores for a bit, then take a cab to Carlos and Charlies for a nice lunch and a little beach time...them back to the cruise. TO be fair, I've never done a Disney cruise, I do Carnival out of Galveston. Word of warning, take cash to Carlos and Charlie's, their internet/credit card machine connection is flaky.