Shore
Excursions From the "Expert".
Real world tips
below.
- Shore
excursions can book up fast. If you haven't booked them before
you depart, think about doing so as soon as possible after
boarding.
- Remember
to budget for shore excursion expenses. Excursion prices can
vary greatly depending on your port of call, cruise line and
activity.
- If you are
elderly or physically challenged, check with the cruise line to
make sure all the ports can accommodate your needs.
- If you're
concerned about the drinking water and food onshore, ask your
cruise director or physician for recommendations. In certain
ports, some items (particularly water) may be off limits.
- You're
never obligated to take an organized shore excursion. To explore
a city more in depth or see something not included on an
organized excursion, consider exploring on your own.
- If you
explore on your own, you may not be covered by your ship's
insurance. It's wise to check the details of your ship's policy
beforehand.
- If you
explore on your own, keep an eye on your watch. If you miss a
launch, you'll have to meet the ship at the next port, at your
expense.
- During a
shore excursion, always carry identification, the name of your
ship and its docked location. Bring a photocopy of your passport
with you as well.
- Leave valuables,
excess cash and unneeded credit cards aboard while on shore
excursions.
Ok Now for the real
world Tips
1. Unless you are
made of money,
Don't buy the excursion from the ship. Ok Ok I hear
everyone screaming now. I am not telling you to run off the ship
with no plan. Research your destinations before you get there. Call
ahead and schedule an excursion with the locals, Some cruise lines
AKA the "C" word try to prevent locals from doing this. Ok I will
give you some examples.
a.
In Progresso
Mexico it cost 4 people $150.00us to go to chicinitza, This included
car, driver, and personal English speaking guide. I do not have to
tell you how nice it is to have a personal tour do I. We were able
to go up to top of pyramid and under it into the catacombs.
b.
Belize city Belize
we were late coming into port. "C" canceled all their excursions. We
got to go cave tubing through the mountains because we made our own
arrangements. Only one other group on ship was able to do this and
it was worth the entire cruise, but only cost us $45.00/person.
c.
Honduras swim with the
dolphins cost
us $60.00us per person, from the ship was close to $200/person. Only
one dolphin place so "C" bought all open spots, but because there
are local hotels you go to one and get a flyer then go to dolphins
and say you are staying there and what do you know spots open up.
Ok you get the point.
2.
Research
--- I
cannot stress this enough RESEARCH where you are going. Some
countries REQUIRE a VISA for you to come into country at all, this
includes from a cruise. OK I may be picking on them but it is
because they are the biggest culprits. "C" does not tell you
this anywhere. they wait till you are on board to let this out and
since you are already on board there is NOOOO WAY to get a VISA now.
So if you want to leave the ship you have to buy their excursions
and pay the premium price they are asking.
3.
Do not book through the ships website.
I will explain.
There are travel sites out there for a reason, they can get better
deals. A cruise could cost 2000.00 through ships site, but if you
bought it at a discount site it could cost $1700.00 and include room
upgrades and on board credits.
4.
Tipping is your
prerogative -
Ok I hear you again I will explain. "C" bills your rooms at minimum
$10/person per day for tips, his is no a lot of money in fact I
usually tip more then this. The difference is I choose who gets the
money. My cabin Steward is THE MAN and they usually get the most.
Wine steward - do you ever even see him? Restaurant manager - um
please I usually eat outside the main dining and never see him, and
when I do eat in the dining room you still never see him. Again it
is your choice of who you tip, don't be stingy these people do not
get paid a lot.
5.
Bring you own alcohol
- What you are going to question me
again! I am not saying to bring enough for everyone or enough for your for the
whole trip. You can bring a pint or two on board without anyone ever saying a
thing. When you get off at port buy some more. Remember to finish anything you
open because you CANNOT bring and open container back with you.
6.
Bring an insulated cup or Camel Back-
If you do not know what for go ahead and read number 5 again. When
you get off in port you do not want to drink the water. Bring it
with you from the ship. they will have bottled water for you to buy,
but we thought ahead and filled or Hydration pack with ice and
water, now we don't have to carry anything.
7.
Bring toys
- Why you ask? For when you are walking around town and see a kid
who has nothing, you can change that. Pens, Pencils, Notepads are a
huge hit and they do not cost you a lot.
8.
Book middle of ship
as close to sea level as
possible - When at sea
yes you cannot see out, but when the ship is a rockin you rock the least. The
other benefit is complete darkness. It is some of the best sleep I have ever
had, middle of the day!!!
9.
Ships do rock
- If you are at the least bit nervous of getting sea sick TAKE
SOMETHING the night before you get on the ship. Once the boat is
rocking it is too late. I have been on a ship watching the pool
water empty out as we go up and down the swells, and I mean front to
back not side to side. One remedy that the ships don't mention
either is stay drunk you won't even notice the ship moving.
10.
Use the stairs
- If the floor you want is only 2 floors away walk you lazy @$@@ no
wonder your putting on weight. I NEVER use the elevator I do not
care if I am 10 flights down. I watch people use elevator to go down
1 flight, hell you spend more time waiting for the elevator then it
took me to go down and come back up because I forgot something.
Now remember
these are not rules. They are simply steps that I take to make sure
I have a good time and do it without having to take out a loan.
BTW RESEARCH!
Another excellent site
for more information
Cruisedirectonline |
