Is It Better To Buy Excursions Through Cruise Ship
The answer is most often no but there are caveats.
Is it better to buy excursions through cruise ship. Perhaps the most compelling reason to book a shore excursion through the cruise ship is the promise if the tour runs late or is delayed Royal Caribbean will get you back on the ship. Not only are they easy to book but if you book through the cruise line there is usually a guarantee that you will make your return before the ship departs. You can do your research avoid the huge lines and maybe save a buck or two.
Of course everything comes with a cost. Can I avoid overpaying The short answer is Yes you canbut with some risks involved. When the cruise lines excursion may be best.
One of the biggest questions cruisers have is whether or not theyre required to book shore excursions in port. However if you DO NOT feel comfortable in this process of purchasing once you arrive on the pier often at a very sizable savingsthen I suggest you purchase your excursion through the Cruise Line just remember it is never a good idea to wait till you board the ship to do so as generally all of the desirable excursions will have already been purchased in advance. Royal Caribbean coordinates with the tour operators around the ships schedule to minimize any risk of the ship needing to leave for the next destination without you onboard.
Buying a ship-sponsored shore excursion is considered the easy way out by some cruisers but I see nothing wrong with going easy during a cruise. If you make independent arrangements and your bus breaks down or your taxi becomes lost so that you are not back to the ship by the time specified in the ships daily program the ship may well sail without you. Is it such a big deal to hold the ship for late passengers.
Cruise ship excursions are more expensive but have the advantage that the ship will wait if you are late. Cruise lines are typically good at pointing out which excursions are strenuous and even which are best for travelers with limited mobility. Any ships tour means less hassle and time spent planning than doing your own thing but some cruise lines offer imaginative excursions that may.
The primary benefit of booking excursions through the cruise line is that they guarantee your return to the ship. As well the cruise line has the ability to round up dozen of choices all at once including tours you might not find anywhere else. The tours your book through the cruise.
