Shore Excursions on a Cruise - Worth the money or are you better off finding you own when you get there?

Question

Traveling on Carribean Princess to St. Thomas and St. Maarten

Answer 1

There are drawbacks to both methods.
The ship excursions are costly and more "touristy" (Of course, you ARE a tourist!) But you don't have to worry about much, just get on and go. If the official tours are late getting back, the ship will wait.

If you go on your own, you may see things and places the official tours won't see. You may see things and places you'd rather not see! If you're late in returning the boat will not be waiting for you.

My husband and I have cruised a number of times. At first, we usually took the shore excursions from the ship. But later we have ventured out on own own. Cheaper, and we have seen some cool things. Also, I am a photographer , and going out on my own gives me more opportunity for photo ops.

St Thomas and St Maarten are both fairly safe places. Take the trip to St John if you can from St Thomas. The Dutch side of St Maarten is nice as well. I got a great deal on my Nikon F100 on St Maarten several years ago, so be sure to stop a while for shopping!

Have a great cruise!

Answer 2

I have been on that exact cruise!

When I first started cruising, I thought I would just try to arrange my own stuff when I got to wherever I was going, but really it is more convenient to just go through the cruiseline.

The most important reason for this: if you book an excursion through the cruiseline and it runs late for any reason, the ship will wait for you. If you go on your own and run into delays, that ship is going to sail and leave you stranded. I have also found that once you get to the islands it is a real hassle to really know who you can trust, the time out of your day trying to find something, etc. At the most you are going to save 20 bucks per person, just go with the cruiseline.

BUT, with that said, I would more recommend you plan something on St. Thomas, and maybe just spend the day on the beach that is close to the docks in St. Maarten. We went on a trip to emerald beach(I think that was the name of it), and the beach right there by the ship was just as nice to me, and there was a little cheap beer stand there and everything. I would do that if I had it to do over again... Also there is lots of good shopping there right by that beach.

Hope this helps!

Another thing, when you book your excursions, if you don't want to be in a huge group or on a boat with two hundred other people, ask the shore excursion people what tours and boats accomodate fewer people. That way you get away from the crowds for a little while.

Answer 3

What my esteemed colleagues who have responded to your question have forgotten to mention, is that if you go off on your own and get back to the ship late, you'll be standing on the pier waving to everyone else on board as the ship leaves port.

Yes, the shore excursions offered by the cruise line are more expensive, BUT, they are operated under contract. What that means is that they are inspected, licensed, and insured. The ship absolutely WILL hold departure if you're late returning! I was on a cruise two weeks ago in Grand Cayman. Traffic was so very bad around the crowded little dock area that one of the tours was 45 minutes late getting back. The ship was held for those folks!

Don't overlook the fact that a tour operator under license with the cruise line must additionally meet other standards of operation.

Yes, if you want to grab a local cab to go downtown, go right ahead, but be very careful of who you book an independent shore excursion with - who's van are you getting in to? If you like to gamble go to the casino!

Answer 4

I go only on shore excursions by the cruise line. First, they are reviewed by the line to provide what is promised. If you go on your own, you may get what you want or not. Second, they are timed to assure you get back on time. The last thing you want to do is miss the boat.

They are more expensive than going on your own but the assurances I mentioned are worth the extra.

One time I went on my own. It was in San Juan and I wanted to go to the Bicardi plant. I was assured that it was just accross the bay via water taxi. When I got off the water taxi, I didn't know where to go or how to get there. I found a taxi and arrived at the plant OK. Unless you are very sure of where you are going, take the excursion and save yourself the troubles.

Happy Cruising

Answer 5

I have done both. It is better to have a cruise through the cruise line. It is much easier to get off the ship and you know what you are doing before you get there. Not every port has vendors that offer tours. St thomas I have been to and we did our excursions to the Pirate's castle and shopping tour through Carnival worth the money, It was 39.00 per person for Tour ride.

Answer 6

I would definately skip the shore excursion except if it is some activity that would be hard to do on your own. Sometimes booking the excursions turns out to be a pain; you have to wake up early and do a touristy activity. If you dont book them, it gives you the option of choosing what you want to do at the time without having to worry about losing money. Sometimes its more fun to just stay on the boat!

Answer 7

If you know your where to go and could handle the launguage, Then
go on your own. But otherwise SE:s are quite a deal. The cruise liners representives have selected good places to go and is offering you a reasonable price. Plus the fact that you most of the times (the exceptions are some take a walk in the city centre afterwards excersions or maybe it is a stop in the centre where you could go off the buss) they will have you back to your ship in time for departure or
earlier. Johan

Answer 8

I went on a cruise pretty recently and I would definitely say finding your own when you get there. Its much cheaper and sometimes you can find things you like better. But if you don't want the stress and if money isn't an issue then just book it with the cruise.

Answer 9

I've been on five cruises and found the shore excursions to be overpriced but without them you wouldn't know about these places to go or things to do.

Answer 10

ive been on 6 cruises and every shore excursion i took was worth it