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Research your excursions - Cruise trip tip

by Michele Hester (RSS feed) on Jan 6th 2010 at 12:10PM

Every port of call has local individuals and companies that offer excursions, and they're often much cheaper than those offered by the cruise line.

There's a reason your cruise director is constantly urging you to purchase your excursions early -- the cruise line wants to make money! Instead of using the cruise ship's excursion options, consider making your excursion plans before you leave home -- or you can even decide when you get off the ship. Just use your best judgment in choosing with whom you go.

Have a good time, be sure to get back to the ship safely and on time, and always travel off the ship with at least one companion.

[Image credit: Luke Robinson]

Filed under: Ecotourism

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Michelle Apr 3rd 2010 10:39AM

Good point. Yet, be careful if you don't book excursions with the cruise line and you run into trouble they won't hold the ship and will sail away without you. Then it is your responsibility to find a way to the next port and hook up with the ship again.

Case in point a bus taking you and others to a particular place that breaks down. This happened to us and the ship made sure we found another way to get to the ship and despite the fact we were late the ship stayed and we made it back on. All because we booked on the ship.

GAIL Jan 7th 2011 3:19PM

You are so right Michelle. We were on a tour, booked through the ship's shore excursion desk, and it was a good thing. Our bus broke down twice. 1) it over heated then 2) the transmission died. they sent help for us and we arrived 45 min. late and they held the ship for us. We had friends who tried to save money and went on their own while on their vacation and the women made it back from shopping, but the guys missed the ship because their cab broke down. They had to pay for hotel and air fare to the next port of call. It was very expensive, and they wore the same clothing for 48 hrs. The safestest thing is to always book through the ship. Keep cruising.

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