Is it worth the money to book cruise shore excursions?

Do your homework BEFORE you go as to what you want to see - not what the cruise company want to charge you to see! In our opinion most cruise line excursions are over priced profit centres for the cruise line. 1. Arrange a rental car before you go so you can do exactly what you want - on your own - and stop if something takes your eye as you pass. 2. Use one of the taxi drivers who will be waiting on the quayside. 3. Look NOW on the tourist office website for your destinations, decide what you want to do/see and then ask them for a list of registered guide/driver, and/or locate guides on the web. A mix of all 3 is our norm. We do this all the time, EXAMPLE:- The first time we went to Sicily we went on organised trip to see Mt. Etna (volcano). We were one of several coaches that wended our way across the land and up the mountain, past the lava flows etc. We arrived at a coach park - by the inevitable souvenir stalls - and were told "you can get a souvenir". We asked where the Volcano was and was told over that hill but you don't have time to go and see it as we leave in "x" minutes. The next time we went we organised - via the local tourist office - a local guide who had a 4 wheel drive Land Rover and spoke reasonable English. He met us on the dock and took us up the back way, along/over the lava that had erupted 18 months ago. It was strange as we were there in (I think January) and there was snow all around but the new road was clear! We stopped, he put a newspaper into a space under a rock and it burst into flames! Even after 18 months it was still hot! That is why the road was not snow covered! We went up to near the new vent that had opened up in the side of the volcano. We walked up and around the dormant crater which was still glowing dull red in various places! Now that is what I call an excursion! Really worth whatever we paid for it which I think was only slightly more than what would have been another "coach trip" rip off! The other great advantage is you can stop where you want, not get dropped by the coach at a cruise line commission paying souvenir shop for an hour on your way back! Have a great trip.

Have never booked an excursion thru the cruiseline - can usually fine the same/similar excursions plus others for far less money. Booking thru the cruiseline DOES have its perks, though. Is it worth it? DEFINITELY! Otherwise its sorta like visiting Paris and not going to see the Eiffel Tower....

1. Yes, you can book the excursions while on the cruise. Most cruise ships have an excursion desk with brochures, someone who can provide additional information and the ability to book the excursion in advance. Try to book early because some will sell out. You can book in advance on your own, which will save you money because the cruise line doesn't get a commission, but booking on the cruise eliminates some hassle. 2. Absolutely. Our best memories as a family on four cruises is all of the excursions we took. But don't do anything that you can do anywhere else, like go on a horseback ride, but instead do something unique, like cave tubing in Belize. 3. Like I said in 2, definitely consider cave tubing in Belize. And as I mention on another post, consider taking the ferry from San Miguel in Cozumel over to the shopping district in Playa del Carmen.

The cruise ship excursions are safe, secure and high quality. They will hold the ship for you if the excursion does not get back in time - not so with independent excursions. My boss hired a local driver on the dock in Jamaica. He and his family were VERY frightened when he drove them through the slums on purpose. You can also book independent excursions online. www.tripadvisors.com has dozens if not hundreds of reviews on each one and ranks them.

First of all- Have fun!! 1) You can book while on the cruise, but we always research everything beforehand and book before we go. Some excursions can fill up, or the time slot you want may be gone. 2) Depending on the excursion, yes it can be worth it. I wouldn't recommend booking an excursion outside the cruise line. I've heard horror stories about them. I rather book with the cruise line, that way I know what I am getting myself into. Try finding the Frommer's Book on the Caribbean. It will list every island and will have suggestions of where to go or what to see. So you may end up wanting to skip an excursion and just go out and explore yourself. I find this book extremely helpful!! 3) As for Cozumel, I don't know what time you are docking, but we docked at like 6am, we got off the ship at 7am, and we got a local taxi. We asked the guy to take us to his favorite beach. He took us to Mr. Sanchos. We got there so early NO ONE was there! It was so peaceful and serene! They had little chairs you could sit in the water, lounge chairs, and a little restaurant there. It was beautiful! Then there is shopping right at the port! We did a sunset snorkel excursion, and it was nice, nothing spectacular though. I think my main piece of advice- do research before you go! :)

You can save on an excursion price offered online by a cruise online rather than waiting until you board. I booked a Volcanoes National Park tour online and it went up $10 at a later date. It is all supply and demand. Tours booked online can always be cancelled once you get on the ship usually up to 24 hours before the tour. I do agree that tours offered by private companies onshore will be cheaper. You just have to be careful and know who you are dealing with. If a tour run by the ship is late the ship will wait. If you are on a private tour and there is any type of delay the ship can leave without you. ℬ ℋ