cruise ?

we are comtemplating taking a caribbean cruise - it stops at 4 islands-
my question is how important is it to book excursion? we have never been on a cruise before - is the boat docked near a beach - is it usually easy to get around?
TIA

Re: cruise ?

Re: cruise ?

Posted by d-h2008

Posted by k-diggity

we are comtemplating taking a caribbean cruise - it stops at 4 islands-
my question is how important is it to book excursion? we have never been on a cruise before - is the boat docked near a beach - is it usually easy to get around?
TIA

HI :)

I consider myself pretty experienced w/cruises.. i think ive been on 5 so far,
so this is my advice...

Def. LOOK at the excursions booklet the first day you get on the cruise (they will pass them out to you)...

In my opinion the excursions that take you to a "private beach" = waste of time. Either the boat will dock on a beach OR you can literally hop in a cap for 10-15 dollars and ask them to take you to the best beach. EX. We did this in cozumel, Mexico.. we docked and my whole family got a cab (there will be tons waiting) and asked him to take us to the cleanest beach that has water sports/activites available. So we enjoyed ourselves for 8 hours for roundtrip $30 taxi.. RATHER than an "excursion" to some beach that would have cost us $50 EACH.

Now, there are excursions that are worth going in in my opinion. For example: swimming w/dolphins(bahamas), swimming w/stingrays ( grand cayman), or something else really special. My husband and I paid $50 each to swim w/stingrays at grand cayman then they drop you off at a nice beach afterwards. Worth it.

So take a look at the booklet and if theres something your dying to try go for it!! But if its just a pass to a beach I would skip that and go yourselves!!

HTH..

Re: cruise ?

Don't wait until you get on the cruise to find/book excursions. Most companies let you book online. All of the 'good' excursions might be booked before you get on the ship.

Re: cruise ?

Re: cruise ?

If there are multiple things that you want to do and there is an excursion which will take you to all of them I would do that so you don't have to worry about logistics. I agree with the beach advice and booking before you go. We booked one tour 4 months before our cruise. I was saddened to find out I had to do it on a different day because the day I first wanted to go was already sold out. Now that other members of my family want to join us, it is all sold out so they are SOL.

Re: cruise ?

I have done 14 cruises and been on 3 different lines. I would definitely say that it really depends on the islands you are going AND where you dock. Some ships dock right in great locations and other lines -eh not so great, or they tender.

I usually do excursions but only b.c we enjoy them. Do not waste your money on a beach trip - some will just put you on a bus or taxis and take you to a beach and tell you when to pick you up. I like the catamaran trips - they might do a short stop on a beach but you get a ride, snorkel time and then maybe some beach time. They give rum punch and some music etc. I have done a lot of the different ones like snorkeling with the sting rays in grand cayman, swimming with turtles etc on other islands.

It really depends on your interests. The sightseeing tours are okay if you have never seen the islands but many waste time with tourist shopping stops and people are always late so they cut into your "sightseeing" time.

Most islands are pretty easy to get off find a taxi and go to a beach on your own but again this depends on your itinerary etc. If you plan to do that you can ask on board where are the best beaches to go to - and in fact most lines will have island lectures each day that will tell you about the next island, the shopping there, the best beaches etc.

I know someone above mentioned looking at the tours when you get on board. I strongly disagree with that advise especially if you want the better or nicer/more popular tours. They will be LONG sold out by that time. I always book online before I travel. You must do that if you want anything that is really popular. If you wait there might be a spot or two left but you are gambling that nothing will be left. Not all cruiselines do you pay in advance for them - some you do but some you just reserve and then they are added to your shipboard bill once you board.

I recommend going to cruisecritic.com and looking on the posting board sections. They have an area for island discussions and you can get info on taking cabs, shopping best beaches and you will get people who will review their shore excursions. This way you can figure out what you want to do in advance.

Re: cruise ?

thanks everyone for the info!