Shore excursions: Should I book through the cruise line?
Anytime we book a cruise where we will be getting off the ship in the ports, we always look at booking our shore excursions early. The struggle comes with deciding whether to book third party, or through the cruise line.
We’ve booked it both ways so here are some pros and cons to help you decide what’s best for you!
Pros:
Transparency: Booking through the cruise line, you have a better chance of understanding the weight limits and activity levels of an excursion.
*This information should be available well before you book so you can make an informed decision and plan according to your comfort levels.
Convenience: Shore excursions are easy to book, either online or on board the ship if you don’t feel like planning ahead.
*Keep in mind the shore excursion might sell out if you wait until you are on board.
Guaranteed Return: Shore excursions through the cruise line have a guaranteed return to the ship, so you don’t have to worry about missing the departure time.
*This is not meant to scare you!! Booking through the cruise line ensures that the ship will wait for you if your excursion runs late. There’s no guarantee of this if you do book third party.
Safety: Excursions offered by the cruise line are vetted for safety and reliability, giving you peace of mind.
*If you’ve purchased travel insurance through the cruise line, excursions booked through the line are covered by this as well.
Exclusive Access: Some shore excursions offered by cruise lines provide access to exclusive sites and experiences that are not available to independent travelers.
*For example, a site may only be available to tour groups on certain days so you would not be able to go independently.
Hassle-Free: Shore excursions booked through the cruise line eliminate the hassle of researching and booking activities independently.
*The booking page will detail out what the excursion includes.
Value for Money: Shore excursions offered by the cruise line often include transportation, admission fees, and other expenses, providing good value for money.
*This method of booking is usually more expensive but there’s a reason.
Cons:
Limited Options: Cruise line shore excursions may not offer as many options as private tours, limiting your choices for exploring destinations.
*Especially as you move closer to your cruise date, things will sell out and some lines already have a limited number of companies they partner with.
Higher Costs: Cruise line shore excursions can be more expensive compared to private tours or exploring on your own.
*If you prefer exploring independently, this is definitely a good option for you. You will also likely save money, in comparison.
Limited Time: Cruise line shore excursions may not provide enough time to fully explore the destination or participate in all desired activities.
*Because a huge priority is making sure we all get back on time, these excursions may be shorter than you would like.
Overcrowding: Cruise line shore excursions may be popular, leading to overcrowding and less enjoyable experiences.
*There are so many options to book 3rd party and only 1 option through the cruise line so it may be more crowded than expected.
Lack of Flexibility: Cruise line shore excursions do have fixed itineraries and schedules, leaving little to no room for customization or changes to the itinerary.
*Example, if there’s a restaurant or something you’d like to try but you’re going as part of the cruise line tour group, you likely won’t be able to veer off because of the time allotted for your trip.
Lack of Authenticity: Cruise line shore excursions may not provide an authentic experience of the local culture, as they may be more geared towards tourists.
*Naturally, these excursions are geared towards tourists, because that’s what we are! If you want to get a real feel for the culture of the place you’re visiting, you may want to consider other options.
The most important thing here is to do your research. Your decision will depend on a number of factors: What places you’re visiting, What cruise line you’re with, weight limits, activity levels, how comfortable and how familiar you are with the destination, cost, etc..
Whatever you decide, stay safe and have fun!
