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»	Cruise Talk » Ports of Call and Destinations » cruise line excursions vs. own arrangements

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Topic: cruise line excursions vs. own arrangements

kate
Just Boarded
Member # 2532

posted 11-06-2001 01:45 PM

Leaving in 12 days for 14 day western Carib. cruise incl. Key West, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Ocho Rios. Have cruised before and used the cruise line shore excursions, however, price seems so high. (our ticket wallet doesn't even list prices - just the excursions themselves - we can't even budget for shore excursions, since no price given) Can we and do you recommend making our own arrangements once in port. How do I go about doing this? Is it worth it? How reliable are they? Any help would be appreciated.

Posts: 5 | From: Kitchener, Ontario | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

jmfleser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1141

posted 11-07-2001 02:16 PM

Kate:

The easiest way to do any research is on the web. Look throught the shore excursions listed for your ship to get an idea of what you'd like to do. For instance when we were in Grand Cayman we knew we wanted to swim with the Sting Rays. I checked out several dive shops: prices, reviews, location and convience,etc and then compared that to what the ship offered and when I put it all together the $5 I would have saved was not worth the convienence of the ship tour. Yet on Cozumel it was another story. The 3 of us hopped into a taxi ($10)and headed for Chakkunab. Once at the beach you might want to do the Dolphin Experience so can pay for it right there. Food (in Chakkunab and Cozumel in general)was also very reasonable. Have lunch or dinner on shore as opposed to Grand Cayman which was very expensive and the food quality was not worth the price.

In Jamaica the natives can be very agressive so you might feel safer to stay with a ship tour. There is a nice beach (or at least it use to be)right next to the docks so all you have to do pack your shades, sun screen and towel and walk on over.

What ever you do have fun and tell us all about it when you get back.

Joan

Posts: 183 | From: Esperance, NY USA | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

kate
Just Boarded
Member # 2532

posted 11-08-2001 04:38 PM

Thanks for the reply, Joan. The problem is the cruise package includes info of the various excursions, but no prices. I've tried to look up info on the web (can get lots of information from other cruise line sites but ours doesn't offer anything. This, again is info from a cruise line. What I'd like to know is how to find names of independents on shore. We'd like to go sailing and deep sea fishing. I can't find anything about this. Can you help???
Also the ship is priced in British Pounds so do we take that currency and how much, or US dollars for shore excursions booked from the islands? Do you see the problem we have?
This cruise is to celebrate our 25th anniversary and although we don't want to scrimp, we can't overdue things either.

Posts: 5 | From: Kitchener, Ontario | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

richfei
Just Boarded
Member # 2628

posted 12-01-2001 07:25 PM

Kate,
I'm looking for the same information as well. I've read abou the port destinations but can't find anything about the prices the cruise lines charge. I only know of one website (portpromotions.com) who are independent and list prices. I think for some of the excursions as someone has already mentioned, there isn't really much of a saving over the cruiseline price e.g snorkelling at stingray city costs around $32 with the independents. I think it's around 35-40 on the boat. Plus as someone has mentioned to me, it may be fun to get in the same group as people from your ship. I think for some of the more expensive type excursions, I'll still try and shop around. I just couldn't find much on the web, but perhaps I'll try some of the local papers or yellow pages when I'm in Miami the day before my cruise

Posts: 1 | From: California | Registered: Dec 2001 | IP: Logged

Pete n Earl
First Class Passenger
Member # 1301

posted 12-01-2001 08:08 PM

We have been to Grand Cayman 4 times on cruises, 1st went with the NCL tour to Stingray City, It was so great. 2nd time, to the Turtle Farm & Hell with atour bus found roght by the tender. 3rd time, all snorkling trips cancelled due to rough seas. 4th time, May2001, snorkling trips cancelled again, so we hooked up with a private tour right by the tender dock. $25 PP plus tip, to stingray city plus a coral reef? The seas were rough, but I couldn't miss it again. I would use this company again, had a great time, many people from our ship & the other one in port, about 30 people.
Another choice is Capt Marvin's, but I have no info on them

Posts: 19 | From: Maple Grove Mn 55311 | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

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