Port Adventures - can DCL do better?

[TestingH2O]

I wonder if anyone would like to recommend third party companies for booking excursions through?

I doubt the mods would add a sticky unless one of those providers was willing to advertise. I don't say that as a negative, but running this board does cost time and money for the business.

In terms of recommendations, I typically follow a combination of 3 paths. First, I read trip reports here and/or make a post on this board specifically asking for recommendations. Second, I head over to cruise critic. Their user base is much larger and they have porr specific boards. Third, I check trip advisor and Viator to look at their reviews. Yes, it takes more time than booking through DCL, but we've been so pleased with our experiences that it's worth it to me.

 

[mcd2745]

I've only quickly browsed through the thread and not read every single post fully, so apologies if this has been mentioned already.

One thing that I don't like with DCL, is that on their website they do not allow guest reviews of excursions. Other cruise lines have this on their sites. Serves two purposes. One, is the cruise line gets feedback on the excursion. And obviously, second thing is it helps greatly in your research and planning to hear what previous guests thought of each excursion.

 

[cadien]

I second the recommendation of the port-specific boards on Cruise Critic.

I was recently impressed by seeing how some of Disney's museum excursions will take the kids off to do a craft and let the adults focus on the exhibits. I haven't seen another line offer that.

 

[kaseyC]

I also suggest the Port of Call boards on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor.

I've been pretty much done with DCL excursions after I booked one for one of our ports on our EBTA. Obviously, DCL didn't pay attention to their own "activity level" requirements because it was an active excursion with lots of walking, much of it uphill and on uneven surfaces plus a short driving tour on a mini-bus. Well, out of the about 20 people on the tour about 5 of them were elderly with mobility issues, two of them even had walkers. To make a long story short, they were so rude to our tour guide about having to walk up hill at our first stop that she just gave up and the whole tour turned into a short driving tour. I was livid. DCL should have never let those people book the PA. Even if they booked it online, the CM in the theatre where we met had to see these folks could not handle an active excursion. I complained to our concierge once we got back and we got half of our money back. I did include my feelings about the situation on an attachment to my comment card at the end of the cruise.

 

[RedSox68]

I also suggest the Port of Call boards on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor.

I've been pretty much done with DCL excursions after I booked one for one of our ports on our EBTA. Obviously, DCL didn't pay attention to their own "activity level" requirements because it was an active excursion with lots of walking, much of it uphill and on uneven surfaces plus a short driving tour on a mini-bus. Well, out of the about 20 people on the tour about 5 of them were elderly with mobility issues, two of them even had walkers. To make a long story short, they were so rude to our tour guide about having to walk up hill at our first stop that she just gave up and the whole tour turned into a short driving tour. I was livid. DCL should have never let those people book the PA. Even if they booked it online, the CM in the theatre where we met had to see these folks could not handle an active excursion. I complained to our concierge once we got back and we got half of our money back. I did include my feelings about the situation on an attachment to my comment card at the end of the cruise.

Yep, had that experience too. And as a PP stated, I agree about Disney allowing reviews on their site. On other cruise lines it has greatly helped in deciding what excursions we want to book.