Private excursions - when to book?

[DGNY]

I know ship excursions are usually available 3-4 months prior to a cruise.

 

I'm curious when people usually book private excursions. Do they tend to book up earlier than that? Or do people wait to browse the cruise ships offering before making decisions?

[eh2zed]

We book our private tours as soon as we know our itinerary. Some private guides get booked quickly.

[GORDONCHICK]

Depends on the ports as well. For Alaska, we booked our whale watching as soon as we could. We used a very small private company, and they book up early. I know by March, they were completely booked for the 2009 season.

[paul929207]

I agree as soon as you know which private tours you want book them, before they book up.

[Travelcat2]

Also agree that you should book your private excursions ASAP. Glad to hear that you use local sources for tours -- they are so much better than what the ship has to offer and, many times are priced more fairly.