Should I pre-book excursions with the cruise line or on my own?

Question

Our family is cruising to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico in June on Carnival. The excersions with the cruise line are expensive. Has anyone gone on this cruise and if so would you book ahead or arrange on your own at the port.

Answer 1

I've been on this cruise and on a few others with Carnival and I ALWAYS book the excursions on shore, there are always legit people there doing the exact same thing for alot less... you gotta remember, the ship has to make money too.

A good example, in Jamaica 4 of us wanted to go from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios for Dunn's Waterfall... the Cruise was charging $70-$75 per person ($300 easily) and you go in a big group bus... as soon as we got off the ship, we found the exact same service (actually a little better, we had a minivan for just us 4 with AC and a licensed guide just as fit for the job... for $140 total for the entire day... so yeah, big difference... same thing in Mexico... hope this helps...

Answer 2

Mexico I would go on my own.

Answer 3

I have been to both on a different cruise line and my advice is don't book any excursions.  Cozumel is a place primarily for shopping (leather and jewelry), and snorkel, scuba, and other beach stuff.  There are really no sights to see on the island.  The real sights to see would be Chichen Itza or Excarat on the mainland.  If you want to do either of those for sure book with the cruise line because the cruise line will be sure to wait for your tour to return and not leave you.

Costa Maya is about the same.  My rule of thumb on tours is if the ship will be in port all day, not leaving until about 6:00PM I may go on my own.  But if the port stop is short, like 9:00 Am to 3:00 PM, I stick close to the ship and/or go on ship's sponsored tours.  I will not be lefvt in any of those places.

Answer 4

I would suggest always booking excursions with the cruise lines even if you end up paying a little more for a couple of reasons.

1. Since this is a cruise line "sanctioned" activity, they will make sure you return to the ship before it sails.

2. The excursion providers usually go through some sort of vetting process by the cruise lines.

Answer 5

The advantage in booking with the cruiseline is that they take you to and from the place the excursion is being held.  So that means they'll know you are with them and will wait for you, and not leave you stranded.

On your own you need to make sure you keep track of time (which is hard when you are having fun in a lagoon snorkeling) and make it back to the ship before it departs.  You would need to take a taxi to and from as well as paying for the attraction, so take that into consideration.

It is your choice though.  I've heard people have good things either way.

Answer 6

Although the cruise excursions are more expensive than anything you could arrange when you get to the port, the cruise-based operations ensure that you will get back to the ship on time and not be left behind.  I just returned from a Carnival trip to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, and for $75 in Jamaica I got a cruise-based bus tour of the island, a two-hour visit to a rum distillery (all expenses already covered in my $75), and a trip back through the hills, which I would have never attempted on my own (pretty scary roads and no where to stop if you have a problem).  And we got back to the ship in plenty of time.  

On the same trip, a tablemate told us that on his last cruise, about 27 people were left behind at one port because they went off on their own and didn't make it back in time.  I've also watched a young couple come flying in a jeep through the woods as the gangplank was about to go up--they went off on their own, and another five minutes would have stranded them on the beach, which was no where near any type of lodging or dining facility.   You're also taking a risk picking someone who is just waving a sign at you dockside instead of going with the cruise-based trip, so be aware of your surroundings.

Answer 7

I would book with the cruise line for sevarel reason.

1-You will not be left if the tour gets back late

2-The cruise line has already checked the company out to be sure they are legit and will not rip you off

3-If there is a problem with the tour, you may be able to get your money back from the cruise line or at least have a way to file a complaint

Answer 8

I suggest you do it on your own and save a lot of money. When 4 of us went to Alaska on a cruise, everyone said you just have to get on the train and to the tour White Rail Pass.  The cruise line for 4 of us to book it was over $300.  We rented a nice car for $55 and the highway took you on the same route as the train went, could see the train the whole time from the highway. Only difference was, you could stop anytime you wanted to, see everything you wanted and go back when you were ready.  We were so glad we did that, saved us a lot of money and was way better then being stuffed in a train. We got off the ship and walked two blocks to rent this car.

Have you found www.cruisecritic.com on the Internet? It is a fantastic website where you can ask a question about any cruise and get lots of answers.  Or you can just go in and read all the questions and answers people talk about that are going on a cruise.  It will answer anything you every wanted to know. There is a lot of info there about booking something on your own.

Answer 9

I never book excursions with the cruise lines... In Cozumel you can check all the excursions offered by the cruise line and compare on what you can get for less through the Internet.... In Costa Maya I rented a car the last time I went and I got to visit Tulum and Playa del Carmen in one day... Playa del Carmen is beautiful and has great beach and great shopping.... I recomend you to eat in a restaurant called Carboncito... great food, great prices...the car only cost $35.00 (tour to Tulum only was $65 + through Carnival) and driving was kindergarten easy....