Question about going on a cruise....?

Question

Ok this may be a stupid question but you book a cruise and it has 3 or four (maybe more) shore excursions... but once you get on the ship.. do you have to book to go on these excursions and pay for them?? I thought they were included in the ship..?

Answer 1

most of the time shore excusions coast extra

Answer 2

You have t otell us which cruise line you are booking. Most of the commercially popular ones (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, ect) the shore excursions are not included. But I have no idea, maybe some of the smaller/less known cruise lines have them included.

If you are talking about one of the cruiselines I mentioned, when you are talking about the 3 or 4 shore excursions, I think those are examples of things you can do on shore. Like it will say "Cabo San Lucas: Swim with Dolphins, Mexican Feast, City Tour" or whatever those are just examples of things you can do on shore. The list is usually much longer 15-30 or so options for each stop.

You do NOT have to pay for any shore excursion. They can be expensive or very expensive. You can just get off the ship and explore on your own. You can book your own excursions independent of the ship (hire locals) or just sit on the beach, shop, or do whatever is close to the ship.    

I reccomend taking the ship sponsored shore excursions because they are all set up for you and you know they are guaranteed and safe. Plus if something happens or a delay, the ship will NOT leave you if you know one of their excursions have not returned. If you went out on your own then you are exactly on your own.

It all depends on your comfort level. I book excursions through the cruiseline because I have never been to these places the cruise ship stops at. But if shopping/eating/attractions are close to where the ship docs sometimes I like to do just that and walk to them. There are some cheaper shore excursion on eahc cruise. They are usually like a city tour or a ride to a beach/museum. That way you can do something out in the city but it won't cost a lot.

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

Yup, you need to book them yourself and pay for them separately. You can usually do it online ahead of time or sometimes on the ship. It is well worth it to sign up for excusions through the cruiselines though, they usually include transportation and ensure that you will get back to your boat on time. Plus....... who knows what kinds of shady dealings you will encounter venturing out on your own.

Answer 4

yes you have to book them and pay extra but you can get off the ship at any port and not pay any but if you want to parasail or any thing like that yes you pay but  its a great way to vacation I'm never interested in shore excursions i like to get off ship explore on my own just keep in m ind that the ships don't wait for you so make sure you get back in time to set sail good luck and have a great cruise.

Answer 5

Excursions are not included. What's included in what you pay initially is your cabin, port fees, and your food (unless you choose to eat at the high end supper clubs that may cost extra).

You don't have to go on any excursions but many choose to do it. You also have the option of getting a cab or renting a car and doing your own thing, which is cheaper than the excursions BUT the ship won't wait for you if you are late returning from that whereas if an excursion is running late getting people back to the port, the ship will wait.

Some people choose to not leave the ship at all as there is so much to do (that is included in the price you pay) that they aren't compelled to pay extra to do the on-shore stuff. It's really up to you and what you want to do as the excursions can be a bit pricey.

Answer 6

What they have are "Ports Of Call".  Say Key West, Nassau, and CocoCay.

The excursions are an extra fee, you go to the cruiselines website and pick out excursions you want to go on...  like a Thrillboat ride, or a SUB Bahamas adventure.  The price per person is located beside each shore excursion.

OR you could wait and purchase them on the ship, but that means hoping that some excursions have openings.

OR not do any excursion at all and just wing it on the islands.

Answer 7

No charge to disembark the ship ay any port I know of.  The excursions are all optional and can cost from $50.00 to several hundred dollars.  Save your money and spend it on real stuff.  You are very limited on what you can do on an excursion.  If you really want to know what the ports are like and what to do ask your waiter they have seen them all a million times and they know everything.  You can always follow some of the excursions if you want to know what they are like.

Answer 8

You have to pay for excursions before going on them.  If I were you I would rent a taxi for a tour or see what else there is when you get off the ship.  With excursions they pack as many as they can into them.  I didn't feel we got our moneys worth.  In Bermuda we hired a horse and carriage and they were able to take us on back roads where the regular tours can't go and we got to see the true side of Bermuda's beauty.

Answer 9

first of all...no question is stupid. as far as your inquiry....i went on a cruise and all the shore excursions are included unless you want to do something special. sight seeing is free but the specialized excursions do cost.

Answer 10

yep - theyre  typically extra...

Answer 11

No, excursions are not included. You can get off at any port and explore it on your own for free, but the tours are extra and you have to pay for them.

Answer 12

I don't know of any cruiselines that include the shore excursions in the fare (unless it's the real ritzy ones such as Crystal).  There is no charge for getting off the ship.  Here are your choices when you get to a port:

1) stay on the ship

2) get off the ship and walk around the port.  Some are within walking distance of the pier but some you may need to hire a cab to get into town.

3) get off the ship and go on a ship's excursions.  The pros are that if there's a problem with a bus breaking down...or some other reason you can't get back to the ship before the sailaway time, the ship will wait for any one on a ship's excursion.  Some cruiselines let you book ahead of time online.  Some won't charge you until a day before the excursion (Princess does this).

4) get off the ship and go on an independent excursion.  Some you can book ahead of time (but make sure you get their cancellation policy in writing, just in case your ship doesn't make it to that port...which does happen.  You don't want to pay for an excursion you can't take).  There are also booths set up at the pier, trying for your business.  It's definitely buyer beware.

5) a combination of any of the above

I would suggest you check out the website for the cruiseline you're going on.  Often the excursions are listed there so you can decide ahead of time.

Answer 13

Usually you can go on shore for free. If you would like to do an activity on shore ie tour of the city or snorkling or something like that then the people on the shore charge you to do those things.  The cruise will book them for you and you can charge them to your room or you can search them out when you get to shore or research them before you leave for the cruise so you know what is available in the area and the going prices. Usually if you book through the cruise they are more expensive but usually safe.

Answer 14

The activities on ship are included in fee.  When you dock, the stuff you do is entirely up to you.  I just took a Hawaii cruise, and every day we were on a different island.  My shipmates all did things like helocopter rides and snorkelling and luaus and such.  I rented cars and took off. My daughter showed me beaches the tourists never see.  I liked doing my own thing better.

The touristy things you do and pay for is how the locals support themselves.  That's why the country/state /locale allows the ship to pull in and dock there with all those strangers.  Tourists boost the local economy by buying things there, but they also add the risk of multiple strangers running around and not always behaving.  It's a balancing situation.

You decide whether to even set foot off the ship.  Figure out in advance what activities you want to do and budget for them.

And have FUN!

Answer 15

Some are included, most are extra.  Contact your cruise line and make sure.  You don't want any surprises.  Have fun