cruisingblogger32

This will vary widely by the port. We have not really seen a lot of "segregating" of the ship's excursions and private ones like you describe, and we use a lot of private tours.

I know it doesn't happen at every port, but it happened to us on two out of three of our tours. It would have been nice to know in advance where we should actually go. It's just something for people to be aware of, if you book a private tour and the guide is not there chances are he's outside the terminal.

I used them for three tours in January 2013 and we had an amazing time. Couldn't fault the at all. I think that the only thing to be aware of which we found out at our first port is that as they are "unofficial" in the eyes of the ship if there is a terminal of the port they have to wait for you at the other side of it in the car park. They are not allowed up to the ship like the "official" buses. They should state this on the vouchers to make it more clear. So walk through the terminal to find them.

I wrote a comprehensive blog post about it here if you would like more info

http://www.thedaniellediaries.com/2013/01/sail-away-royal-caribbean-serenade-of.html