Guided cruise shore excursions are a great way to take in a port-of-call and make sure you get to see the highlights. With a knowledgeable tour guide and a well-planned tour program, you can maximize the short time your cruise ship will be in port.
Many people book their shore excursions directly with their cruise line, perhaps, not aware that there are several independent shore excursion companies that can offer alternative guided experiences ashore. Which one is the better option? The answer to that question depends on several factors.
Reputation
You will find that in many ports, the excursion companies contracted with the cruise lines, are the same that independent shore excursion companies use. In fact, it’s not uncommon for guests booked though these companies to join cruise line guests on the same tour. Still, you need to do your research as there are dozens of excursion providers online. Cruise Lines vet every excursion company they use, in order to provide the best experience to their guests. Get a personal recommendation from someone you know or ask your travel agent if they have any personal experience using a specific company. A good cruise shore excursion company will also have a knowledgeable staff available to answer questions, so do not hesitate to call them instead of relying on what they show online.
Inclusions
When comparing tour options between cruise line excursions and those from independent excursion companies, take note of what is included in each. This is especially important because many tours use similar naming and descriptions, but packaged differently. One tour may offer different points of interest or the duration of the time in each spot be vary. Another important point to note is the tour meeting location. Almost all cruise line tours will meet either on the pier outside the ship’s gangway or a short walk to the port terminal area. Make sure to find out where the independent company will pick you up and drop you off. Some of the specific inclusions that you’ll want to look out for are:
- Meals & Beverages
- Entrance fees (museums, monuments etc)
- Air-conditioned vehicles
- Availability of child seats in tour vehicles
- Weather Policy
Pricing
While pricing may be similar between both options, the independent excursions do tend be less expensive. You may also receive a longer tour or even travel in a smaller group for the same price from the independent provider. Some independent companies may also offer the option for private tours. Imagine having a personal guide for the day to take you where ever you want.
Policies & Guarantees
Know the polices for cancellations, inclement weather and any possible unforeseen issues. Many cruise lines offer the ability to cancel your tours within a certain period of time. They will also refund you completely if the ship doesn’t make the port of call for any reason. Probably the most important thing to keep in mind, is that when you book a cruise line excursion, you are guaranteed to get back to the ship on time or they will hold the ship. With independent excursions, they will do their best to get you back in time to meet the ship. If something out of the ordinary occurs (vehicle breakdown, injuries etc) and you are delayed getting back to the ship, your run the risk of being left behind.
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