About booking excursions -- with Carnival or no?

What I typically do is browse the cruise line excursions to get an idea of what activities are available in each port. Once I do that and have an idea of what I would like to do; I use the ports of call board and trip advisor to determine if I’m best doing it as a cruise line excursion, with an independent group tour, or on my own. We typically do the cruise line excursions if the travel is extensive (like visiting the mainland ruins from Cozumel). For a beach day or simply to visit a ‘thing’ or an area we want to just walk around we typically try to do it on our own. When we want a boat or island tour we try to book directly with the tour company and find them via trip advisor.

I highly recommend trying to book directly with tour companies you find on TripAdvisor. 1. Have a better idea of who you are dealing with and the quality. When you book through a third party or cruise line you don’t really get unbiased reviews to read (why would they publish bad reviews). 2. You usually get the best price available. And 3. You can directly ask the company questions (like cab my 6 year old come even though he can’t participate).

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I don't consider using a ship excursion as needing someone to "hold my hand" or that I'm "scared of venturing out" -- sometimes it's a matter of the port and the time -- Peace of mind is worth a certain price.

This. I mostly use Carnival excursions but I have ventured out to outside providers. I'm of the firm belief that any outside excursion provider has a real business interest in getting passengers back early or on time. You cause a passenger to miss their departure, you might just lose your business. But peace of mind is really motivator.

Hi

 

Of course we all have heard about people being left behind. You do realize that very often this happens to people that aren't mindful of the time.

 

Quite often if people are overdoing it at a local bar. Maybe just forgetting while shopping. Very possible when one forgets there is a difference between port and ships time. Often people involved in accidents. Agreed.

 

I have been cruising many years and have followed on these boards for a number of them, and I can't remember posts (not to say that I may have missed one) where busloads of people have been left behind because they went on a private tour. So, I imagine it is possible, just not likely.

 

You do need to use some judgement in your planning, but there is no reason to feel afraid. The cruise lines have used this concern, specifically brought up by them, just to take advantage of people's fears. They get their excess fee at the same time that they get their additional kickback from the local provider. It makes perfect sense for the company and it's bottom line, but for a family of five that just wants make their vacation dollar go further, a little common sense and some research will go a long way.

 

hope this helps

Please reread my posts. I don’t believe I said that busloads of people were left. I did say we all have different levels of comfort with excursions. I am far from a cruise newbie.

My general rule of thumb is to consider (1) what do we want to do in port and (2) our port time. As an example, when we went to Amber Cove aboard Carnival Horizon I really wanted to ride the cable car. It's not available through Carnival. We found an independent tour with good reviews and assurances we would return in plenty of time. It was a great tour. Other times we've wanted a tour that's only avalable through Carnival. We had that happen in Skagway when bookng a White Pass & Yukon train - there are lots of train trips available independently, but the steam train (a must for DH) was only available as a ship's excursion. Most of the time we do on-our-own or independent activities, but if it's a unique tour or we're afraid of cutting it too close to back-on-board time, we book ship tours.

This. I mostly use Carnival excursions but I have ventured out to outside providers. I'm of the firm belief that any outside excursion provider has a real business interest in getting passengers back early or on time. You cause a passenger to miss their departure, you might just lose your business. But peace of mind is really motivator.

Consider that many are one boat or one van or whatever, small businesses. If they lose their asset, they are out of business anyway. Some might not have any insurance for you or themselves. Heck, at least one cruise line stop operations mid-cruise when they went bankrupt.

In other cases, they just change the boat name and form a new business. A while back it seemed like every time I went to Belize I would see the same boats year after year operating for a different company.

Please reread my posts. I don’t believe I said that busloads of people were left. I did say we all have different levels of comfort with excursions. I am far from a cruise newbie.

Hi

Yes, exactly, and I agree that many times people have been stranded because of their particular situation. What I was suggesting, these people aren't coming back from some organized 3rd. party tour.

I believe, you would have to look pretty hard to find a tour operator whose busload of tourists didn't get back to the ship on time and Carnival (or any other cruise line for that matter) stranded them. As I did say, this is the sort of idea that the cruise lines themselves always bring up to scare people into thinking that there is much danger if they don't book their tours through the cruise line.

At least in the Caribbean for example, you can drive across most islands in less than half an hour. If there is a problem these tour operators will get you back in time. This is their livelihood. I have never been in anything close to being late, except for cruise line tours. Maybe it's just because it doesn't matter for them. I would also think that if there was an genuine issue with a tour company and they did make it known to a cruise line that a number of their passengers were being delayed, the cruise line would be hard pressed to just ignore a request for a short departure delay. You can pay the extra for the cruise line tour, but it is taking money out of the local's pocket.

Hi

 

You can pay the extra for the cruise line tour, but it is taking money out of the local's pocket.

Cruise ship tours ARE local's tours, generally under contract to the cruise line. Cruise lines operate cruise lines, not shore excursions.

One other "perk" when booking an excursion through Carnival is that if you miss your port or are late to the port for some reason, they will refund your money or make arrangements to alter the tour times. This isn't always possible booking independently. I've done both and have generally been quite satisfied both ways.

can someone please tell me about the Island of Hondurus I have booked an excursion for the 10 best of Hondurus it is 4 hrs long . do you have to stay the full 4 hrs or can you get back to the ship b4 the 4 hrs is up don't really want all that beach time . would rather get back and go see the monkeys in the park b4 the ship leaves or is it doable or not???

CAN YOU HELP ME CRUISING IN A COUPLE MONTHS ON THE DREAM

Cruise ship tours ARE local's tours, generally under contract to the cruise line. Cruise lines operate cruise lines, not shore excursions.

Hi

They get kickbacks from the operators, just as they get kickbacks from the "preferred" stores that they also recommend you shop, because the way they put it, if the store isn't on their list, you can't trust them.

Cruise lines operate cruise ships and they are in the business to make money, any way they can. There is only one customer, they provide a service, and they will endeavor to entice you to spend as much as you can, if a little scare tactic helps, then they will do that.

I don't consider using a ship excursion as needing someone to "hold my hand" or that I'm "scared of venturing out" -- sometimes it's a matter of the port and the time -- Peace of mind is worth a certain price.

i agree with this. I also booked carnival ship excursions when i have large amount of OBC. Where else can you take a tour/excursion for FREE!!

another thing to considering is the tour meeting place. Carnival excursions is right on the dock or nearby. private tour guides may not be allowed to enter the cruise terminal area depending on the port. sometimes you have to walk outside that area and then try to find the guide in some parking lot or other nearby location.

i agree with this. I also booked carnival ship excursions when i have large amount of OBC. Where else can you take a tour/excursion for FREE!!

 

another thing to considering is the tour meeting place. Carnival excursions is right on the dock or nearby. private tour guides may not be allowed to enter the cruise terminal area depending on the port. sometimes you have to walk outside that area and then try to find the guide in some parking lot or other nearby location.

So if you have obc to cover cost of a tour it is free? You do know that the obc can be returned to you as cash if you know how.

We have had to search just a bit to find a tour operator but have never run into a problem finding them.

So if you have obc to cover cost of a tour it is free? You do know that the obc can be returned to you as cash if you know how.

It depends on the OBC. If it is non refundable credit, it can not be returned as cash. It is use or lose it. It is possible to make a donation to the casino to turn into cash by that involves fees or spending a little bit of it. Only refundable OBC can returned for cash in the form of a check at the end of the cruise

All of the OBC i get is mostly non refundable OBC

I've booked both Carnival excursions and excursions on my own. Usually, if there's a Carnival excursion that has good reviews and looks like something I would really like to do, I book it. Sometimes my husband and I will not book anything, walk off of the ship, and then grab an excursion. We've had good experiences on all of our excursions. For longer excursions, I prefer to book through the ship.

I read a lot of reviews before book anything in advance.

One thing I have run into is that if a particular company contracts with the cruise line, they will not let you book independently with them. We tried booking a horseback ride through Chukka - no deal, since we were sailing in. Also tried booking the Twister boat to Passion Island - same thing - they wouldn't let us book - said we had to go through the cruise line. They say that is part of their agreement with the line.

Hi

 

They get kickbacks from the operators, just as they get kickbacks from the "preferred" stores that they also recommend you shop, because the way they put it, if the store isn't on their list, you can't trust them.

 

Cruise lines operate cruise ships and they are in the business to make money, any way they can. There is only one customer, they provide a service, and they will endeavor to entice you to spend as much as you can, if a little scare tactic helps, then they will do that.

Not exactly for the operators. The operators contract to Carnival and in return, Carnival guarantees bringing full ships to port. Carnival's cut is their markup over what the operator would otherwise charge.

If scare tactics are what the cruise lines use, reverse scare tactics are what those who say don't book with cruise lines use.

On another note, Carnival will try to get an exclusive contract, but they can't always. One example is the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour in Ketchikan, where you can save money booking directly or you can book through Carnival and get the difference plus back as OBC.

One other "perk" when booking an excursion through Carnival is that if you miss your port or are late to the port for some reason, they will refund your money or make arrangements to alter the tour times. This isn't always possible booking independently. I've done both and have generally been quite satisfied both ways.

Any reputable tour operator will refund your money. Many do not even charge until you arrive. Read the rules prior to purchasing, shoreexcursioner has a full refund policy.

As someone also mentioned, there are no "kickbacks" My son Captained for the Pirate ships in St.Thomas. Their fee for hotels and private bookings was $55. Carnival charges $75 for the same snorkel tour. Yes, some contractually can not book if they are Carnival guests.

Not exactly for the operators. The operators contract to Carnival and in return, Carnival guarantees bringing full ships to port. Carnival's cut is their markup over what the operator would otherwise charge.

 

 

If scare tactics are what the cruise lines use, reverse scare tactics are what those who say don't book with cruise lines use.

 

On another note, Carnival will try to get an exclusive contract, but they can't always. One example is the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman Tour in Ketchikan, where you can save money booking directly or you can book through Carnival and get the difference plus back as OBC.

I generally will not book with cruise line but to say "reverse scare tactics" is a bit much. Fundamentally what others will do is their own business. There money to spend as they see fit.

I generally will not book with cruise line but to say "reverse scare tactics" is a bit much. Fundamentally what others will do is their own business. There money to spend as they see fit.

The cruise line telling the truth is hardly a scare tactic. The ship will do its best to wait or Carnival is on the hook to get you to the next port. If you don't book with Carnival, it isn't their problem. The operators they use have been vetted and do have insurance.

Any reputable tour operator will refund your money. Many do not even charge until you arrive. Read the rules prior to purchasing, shoreexcursioner has a full refund policy.

 

In general, true. If they are still in business.

In some areas, for example Europe, tour operators often come long distances to the port, and have to hire a driver and van/bus/etc., whether or not the ship docks on time. Those expenses still have to be paid.

Excursion brokers are similar to cruise lines in that they sell tours but are not the operator. Typically their cut is whatever deposit is required. Sometimes a commission is also paid to travel agents recommending the service. You can find complaints against all of them. Yes, they might return your deposit, but anything more, you might have to deal with the operator directly.

Usually everything goes smoothly. Usually.

We avoid the ship's tours for a few reasons:

• Ship tours tend to be larger groups than private tours with more passengers per guide, hence less personal attention
  
• Private tours cost a lot less, and go the same places, and sometimes to places the ship tours do not go
  
• We research guides ahead of time or use guides we have had good experience with in the past
  

The "ship will wait for you" aspect is not a factor, since we always book early tours which return in the early afternoon so we can have lunch on the ship. Never a line at lunch when most guests are off the ship. We also don't stray far from the ship.

We usually finish off the day at a bar in the port area, very close to the ship, where we can usually find a beer for $2 and hang out there until we have to get back on the ship. No sense in being on the ship where they charge $6 for a beer, if you don't have to!

For us it really depends on the port, the amount of time we have and what we are doing at other ports.

We have done ship excursions that we really enjoyed and some that were just "meh." Maybe it's the type of excursions we take, but very few have been particularly crowded.

We do typically look at the ship excursions for ideas of what to do, and if something really stands out we will search to see if someone else offers a similar excursion cheaper. Again, probably based on what we choose but I have yet to find the same excursion offered by someone else cheaper.

Some ports are very easy to walk on your own and DIY for excursions. We've done this at a few ports and probably enjoy it as much or more. We keep a close watch on the time, but can spend as long as we want at each place rather than being on a guide's schedule.

We haven't yet used a private guide, rented a car, or taken public transportation (including taxi) - but these are all ways to have a more personalized experience too.

It's ok to not do something at every port if you just want a quieter ship experience one day too, or if there is little appealing at that port.

One more thing I would add is going directly through the vendor will also be less crowded. I will give you two examples, my wife and daughter did a dolphin encounter in Grand Cayman and had two dolphins between the two of them. They booked directly through the dolphin encounters. My sister decided to use Carnival for the same excursion, paid twice the price and had 12 people and 1 dolphin. My son and I did the Stingray Catamaran in Grand Cayman and had 12 people on the trip, and sure enough the Carnival excursion pulls up with 40 people.

In Juneau, we did a whale tour. We had 6 people on our boat. A cruise ship excursion was not too far from us. It was a double decker ship loaded with people running from one side to the other trying to see the whales. On the way back to the ship, we were in the van, went by the glacier and then back to the ship. Two for one.

For me it depends on the port sometimes the portions to go independent are vast than what the cruise ship can offer other times it I see hard to find something but then the ship offers a comprise closer to what you want at an alright price