I'm going on the Carnival Pride to the Mexican Riveria at the end of Sept., should I book the shore excursions through the cruise line or should I book it independently with the tour company?
Does anyone know any trustworthy tour companies I should book it with? I'm porting at Puerto Vallarta, Matzanlan, and Cabo San Lucas.
Also does anyone know where the ports are located at these cities?
Any information would be helpful.
Thanks.
2007-09-14 17:17:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Cruise Travel
You can usually save money by booking your shore excursions independently. There is an excellent website where you can explore shore excursions and ground operators. This website has been voted the BEST by Travel and Leisure magazine. Spend some time on it, you can check out your ship, the exursions, others who have taken the ships tours and independent tours, recommendations for best tour operators and just about anything about cruises....
www.cruisecritic.com
Keep in mind one thing, however. When you are on a ship-sponsored tour, if anything happens on the tour that delays your return to the ship in time - in most cases, the ship will wait for you. If you book your tour yourself, and you are late returning to the pier, the ship won't wait for you.
2007-09-16 04:38:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
You can do it on the ship. Also, depending on where you're going, it could be a waste to actually buy excursions. Places like Roatan Honduras you don't need a snorkel excursion just because you can go to Mahagony Bay or Tabyana Beach and swim out a little and it's perfect snorkel water! However, other places like Belize you'll definitely want an excursion because some places literally have NOTHING when you go into town. And of course Cozumel is known for it's "great deals" on almost anything you can think to buy, so if you're going anywhere like that, just shop on your own without an excursion. And there are places like Grand Cayman with the 7 mile beach where you don't need to plan an excursion, but when you get off the boat ask a taxi to take you there. So the best thing to do before you plan your excursions would be to research where you're going and find people who have been there before and see what there is to do in town and beach and snorkel-wise.
2016-05-19 23:34:13 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We booked all our excursions through Carnival. We did a snorkel safari, catamaran sailaway and a beach break. If you just want to go to the beach or around town I would reccommend doing it on your own (we would not book the beach break again) But if you want something exciting definately book through the cruise line. Our snorkle safari and catamaran were great! And you don't have to worry about time while you are out there because you know the boat won't leave you!!
2007-09-18 08:26:48 · answer #3 · answered by landrover 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you want to shop or sun and drink on the beach ..go it on your own BUT if you want a real story to tell about your cruise consider taking a interesting shore excursion.. Cabo is a good place to go para sailing at the pier..rented a golf cart in Mazatlan...now that was taking your live in your hands, but sure had a great time that day
2007-09-17 14:11:42 · answer #4 · answered by cruise junkie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's your first cruise, I'd recommend booking the shore excursions through the cruise line. You'll pay a little more, but it gives you an opportunity to find out how it works.
2007-09-14 17:26:22 · answer #5 · answered by bayshorebabydoll 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
NEVER ---- NEVER ---- NEVER
book excursions through the cruise line -- you will pay out the nose. Just buy the trip from a vendor on the pier.
2007-09-15 08:02:16 · answer #6 · answered by Bill in Kansas 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋
i would book a few with the cruise lines.
2007-09-16 18:39:46 · answer #7 · answered by Tivogal 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋