Port Adventures Sold Out?!?!

[doriemg]

We're booked for an Alaskan cruise on the Wonder in August. We have relatives who are taking the same cruise in June. They just told me that they were online at midnight of the first day they could book port adventures and several of them were already sold out?!?! Anyone know how that can be? Also, any suggestions for getting the port adventures you really want before they sell out. Our ability to book port adventures opens up to us on May 29. I'm thinking now that I have to be online at midnight too in order to get what we want. Was wondering if we'd have better luck calling, although I'm wondering if the call center will be open at midnight. Looking for tips and tricks from all of you seasoned cruisers. Thanks for your help.

 

[caribbeandreaming]

Is this their first DCL cruise? The booking window opens up earlier for Platinum, Gold and Silver Castaway Club members.

 

[jdb in AZ]

What shore excursions did you have in mind? Most of them are available through the local vendors, cheaper than you can get them through the ship.

We've cruised Alaska four times and have always just done our own thing when we get to port, and have done some really spectacular stuff in and around the different towns.

 

[outahere]

We're booked for an Alaskan cruise on the Wonder in August. We have relatives who are taking the same cruise in June. They just told me that they were online at midnight of the first day they could book port adventures and several of them were already sold out?!?! Anyone know how that can be? Also, any suggestions for getting the port adventures you really want before they sell out. Our ability to book port adventures opens up to us on May 29. I'm thinking now that I have to be online at midnight too in order to get what we want. Was wondering if we'd have better luck calling, although I'm wondering if the call center will be open at midnight. Looking for tips and tricks from all of you seasoned cruisers. Thanks for your help.

It's entirely possible that Concierge and Platinum Castaway Club guests booked the excursions. Since they can book at the 120 day mark (if they're paid in full) they definitely have first crack at everything. Even if that group didn't book everything, Gold Castaway Club guests can book at 105 days and Silver members at 90 days. Having cruised to Alaska (on NCL) I know it's a very port intensive trip and we booked excursions in every port.

I don't think there are any tricks, other than being online at midnight the day you can book. The call center is not open at midnight.

 

[doriemg]

Thank you everyone! I didn't realize that concierge and Castaway Club members got to book earlier than everyone else. I guess that would explain it then wouldn't it. And thank you jdb in AZ for that tip about booking from local sources other than Disney. I just did a search for shore excursions in Alaska and found some awesome looking tours and they're available to book now. I don't have to wait until May 29. So if nothing else, I can try for Disney if I want to and if some of the tours I want are sold out, I'll try an outside vendor. Thanks again everyone.

 

[FlowerMouse]

If you really want something, I would book it now with outside vendors. I booked with some outside vendors back in March and some had very limited slots available. This was for my July cruise to Alaska.

 

[Jestocost]

It's entirely possible that Concierge and Platinum Castaway Club guests booked the excursions. Since they can book at the 120 day mark (if they're paid in full) they definitely have first crack at everything. Even if that group didn't book everything, Gold Castaway Club guests can book at 105 days and Silver members at 90 days. Having cruised to Alaska (on NCL) I know it's a very port intensive trip and we booked excursions in every port.

I don't think there are any tricks, other than being online at midnight the day you can book. The call center is not open at midnight.

We're Gold members sailing to Alaska in June and were able to book our #1 choices in every port--including some of the most popular shore excursions--at the 105-day mark. So it wasn't just the concierge and Platinum members getting all of the good ones. I can see how it might be tough for a first timer or someone who didn't know about those perks, however.

Also note that you can't book anything before the trip is PIF.

 

[tajz90]

And if you can't get what you want with local vendors beforehand, the amount of vendors off the ship/at dock is astounding Kids wanted to zip line at last minute and we walked off the ship, up to the vendor area and booked. Easy as pie. Good luck.

 

[outahere]

I know this has been posted many times, but for anyone booking with an outside vendor, make absolutely certain you will be back on the ship by the all aboard time posted in the Navigator. They may wait a few minutes for you, but they will leave without you if you don't make it back in time. I would also suggest taking a copy of the Navigator with you when you leave the ship because it will have the local port contact info/phone number. If you do have problems getting back to the ship, call them and they will relay that info to the ship.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I know this has been posted many times, but for anyone booking with an outside vendor, make absolutely certain you will be back on the ship by the all aboard time posted in the Navigator. They may wait a few minutes for you, but they will leave without you if you don't make it back in time. I would also suggest taking a copy of the Navigator with you when you leave the ship because it will have the local port contact info/phone number. If you do have problems getting back to the ship, call them and they will relay that info to the ship.

Book with a reputable vendor. They dont want word getting out that they are missing the boat. I used a company in Belize (on another line) that was recommended by my TA. When we got off we told the rep that our cruise line had changed our all aboard time. He moved quick and we were off on our adventure without waiting for the guests from another ship so that we would be back with time to spare and not have to cut anything short. Worked out great!

I would be happier researching in advance then using the "walk up" method as you can see what others have had happen (and trust me if a vendor misses the boat it gets trashed LOL!)

 

[tajz90]

The outside vendors that we found at the dock were generally the ones that everyone was using. they have little booths set up. We planned all of our excursions in advance. The only one we didn't was the zip lining. The kids just decided n that last minute. They took off on their adventure and visited the same place that the Disney guests visited. When advanced tours sell out, you may not have another choice. Just have vendors in mind and I promise you, you will see them there.

 

[TiggerBouncy]

It's also worth checking back if your excursion is not available. These are often outside vendors, and when they see they are booked up, they will add another boat / car / guide to the tour and take more groups.

I have seen ports that were sold out and suddenly they had room for another 20 people - it's usually the above scenario.

 

[mufasa0505]

If you want to book through the ship, check with Port Adventures when you board. We've had things open up. Not sure if they hold some for in-person reservations or if people cancel.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

If you want to book through the ship, check with Port Adventures when you board. We've had things open up. Not sure if they hold some for in-person reservations or if people cancel.

Unlike Palo and Remy reservations, shore excursions are fully bookable (that's a good word ) online. Onboard, they will have a wait list for cancellations.