Website for Non-Ship tours of cruise port cities?

Question

We want to tour the places we cruise to without paying the overpriced fees the cruise charges for "excursions". People always say to just get a cab into town etc. but I know there are actual organized tours most places cruises stop. Anyone know how to find them ??

Answer 1

each area of the world has different organizations that provide local tours

the one that handles south america is www.portcompass.com

mexico and carabbean are easy to find online by googeling

havce a great trip

Answer 2

well some of the best ways to do it is walk around and see what the locals like to do... they can usually recommend places that show you the best for relatively lower prices...

Answer 3

For lots of suggestions and comments on specific tours, go to CruiseCritic.com, click on "Boards" at the top of the page, then go to "Ports of Call" and click on your ports.  You'll find info on which ports are "OK" to do on your own [Grand Cayman, Cozumel, St. Thomas, e.g.] and which are not [Jamaica].

As someone else said, BE SURE to allow yourself enough time to get back to the ship, especially if it's a tendered port.  If you're doing a trip that goes very far from the ship or involves complicated connections, don't try to do it on your own.  Always take the portion of your daily activities announcement that gives the shore contact number for the ship, just in case.

Answer 4

Just one very important tip and a good reason to go with the shore excursions from the ship(they are not really overpriced). If you do go with an independent tour, be sure to get back to the ship on time. I know this sounds silly, but on every cruise I have been on, I have seen people miss the ship and in every port too. They must get stuck in traffic or the tour is over too close to the ships departure. The ship does not wait for you and then you have to pay to get yourself to the next port. If you go through the ships excursion, they guarantee to get you back on time.

Answer 5

Use the tourist information sites for your ports of call, they have links to tour suppliers and maps of the area.

http://www.cruisecritic.com is a good forum for advice on "do it yourself" tours.

Answer 6

well you didnt mention where you were going but i have used these 2 companies before

http://www.cabosanlucastours.net/

http://www.caribbeanshoretours.com/

Answer 7

find the citys web site (Google it) and go from there

Answer 8

just search the name of the port or city and "tour" in any search engine.

I was surprised to find that the cruise line charged the exact same amount for my next cruise excursions than buying them directly from the source.  The cruise lines aren't always a rip off.