luv2cruise_19 Posted March 13, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Going on the 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa this coming weekend. Been looking at the offered excursions through Carnival but was wondering if booking locally once at the port of call was a better option as far as pricing goes. Should I go ahead and book the excursion(s) through Carnival? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosoxfan5 Posted March 13, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Going on the 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa this coming weekend. Been looking at the offered excursions through Carnival but was wondering if booking locally once at the port of call was a better option as far as pricing goes. Should I go ahead and book the excursion(s) through Carnival? I've always booked through Carnival even if they can be more expensive. The ship will wait for an excursion that is booked through them. They don't have to wait if you book on your own and get delayed for any reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwantsomesun Posted March 13, 2018 #3 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Just book through Carnival and then submit a price protection for the cheapest local vendor you can find. I pocketed $300 in credits using this plan on my Miracle cruise a month ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmclaughlin01 Posted March 13, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Just book through Carnival and then submit a price protection for the cheapest local vendor you can find. I pocketed $300 in credits using this plan on my Miracle cruise a month ago. How were you able to do this? I've heard that the excursions have to match exactly (lunch, transport, etc.) and Carnival will argue with you and explain that the excursion is not the same due to these factors. I'm interested in doing this for my cruise! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babyfin Posted March 13, 2018 #5 Share Posted March 13, 2018 How were you able to do this? I've heard that the excursions have to match exactly (lunch, transport, etc.) and Carnival will argue with you and explain that the excursion is not the same due to these factors. I'm interested in doing this for my cruise! Thanks! I would love to know the same thing. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinpsychRN Posted March 13, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Many are sold out before you go. I'd look at different excursions on the boards and book it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2cruise_19 Posted March 14, 2018 Author #7 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Thank you all for the replies and suggestions on the price protection. Going to look into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teknoge3k Posted March 14, 2018 #8 Share Posted March 14, 2018 You can find great excursions at each port. Check your social media roll call, the roll call here on Cruise Critic and TripAdvisor to get better ideas. Personally my family will never do a Carnival excursion for a few reasons. There are lots of great options out there aside from through the cruise line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted March 14, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 14, 2018 if purchased at port you will have no idea how competent a tour guide the driver will be. I would go to port of call pages and read up on what others have done, If done privately make sure tour scheduled to be back well before sailaway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhopster Posted March 14, 2018 #10 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Going on the 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa this coming weekend. Been looking at the offered excursions through Carnival but was wondering if booking locally once at the port of call was a better option as far as pricing goes. Should I go ahead and book the excursion(s) through Carnival? In Roatan look at Bodden tours. You get a driver and plenty of options to choose from. We have used Victor Bodden 3 times and always fabulous. In Coz do the beach in the morning then head downtown for eats and shopping. Cabs everywhere. Belize is probably one port I would try to use the carnival excursions. Grand Cayman, use Soto's Cruises for Stingray City and to snorkel the Coral Gardens, my wife and I have done this 3 times also. I'm going on the Miracle May 6th and will do what I recommended. Do not be afraid of outside excursion vendors. They will take good care of you, and I have never missed a ship in 25ish cruises. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhopster Posted March 14, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 14, 2018 Going on the 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa this coming weekend. Been looking at the offered excursions through Carnival but was wondering if booking locally once at the port of call was a better option as far as pricing goes. Should I go ahead and book the excursion(s) through Carnival? Forgot to mention, book online before you go. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tkghill Posted May 18, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 18, 2018 ]Just book through Carnival and then submit a price protection for the cheapest local vendor you can find. I pocketed $300 in credits using this plan on my Miracle cruise a month ago.[/q Does this mean you take the local vendor or just get something to verify the cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted May 18, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 18, 2018 I've always booked through Carnival even if they can be more expensive. The ship will wait for an excursion that is booked through them. They don't have to wait if you book on your own and get delayed for any reason. Carnival's "fear factor" this is just not true. My son was a Captain in St Thomas taking out cruise and hotel passengers. Some booked through the cruise line for $75, some booked privately for $55, same excursion. My son had the phone numbers of the cruise ships and once they were delayed with 20 cruise guests, of course they waited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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