First time booking cruise excursions

[Anonymous]

Going to Bermuda later this year as a first time cruiser. We will be in port for two days, one adult and one child. Is it advised to book excursions in advance direct through the cruise line? Or book when on board? Or don't book and grab a taxi to do our own thing once off the boat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going to Bermuda later this year as a first time cruiser. We will be in port for two days, one adult and one child. Is it advised to book excursions in advance direct through the cruise line? Or book when on board? Or don't book and grab a taxi to do our own thing once off the boat?

I found the same excursions (in Alaska) that my cruise was offering by googling -- and then booked the excursions we wanted direct with the excursion/tour company for about 25% less on average then what the cruise line was charging.

[Anonymous]

Some people like to book directly with the cruise ship because you can be confident about the quality. And they guarantee you’ll return in time (or they won’t leave without you). And you get your money back if something weird happens and you aren’t in port at the scheduled time/day.

I personally avoid them at all costs because they’re cattle calls. Too much waiting around, as you’d expect in big groups.

I use Viator and book my own, preferable private or a small group.

If there’s nothing you really want to do, you can try buying a day pass at a resort, if that’s your speed. Or researching a good beach and seeing if it’s close enough to taxi. All ports have plenty of cabs waiting.

Booking on board isn’t great because usually good things sell out.

[Anonymous]

There’s no need to book excursions through your ship. You’ll save money and have a better time booking directly or winging it on your own.

Start watching YouTube videos and asking questions on your ship’s Facebook group.

[Anonymous]

For Bermuda you can just get a cab or take a bus (they’re easy and fun) and go see what you want.

[Anonymous]

Don't underestimate the value of the cruise affiliation, which becomes crucial in the event a tour operator is unable to get you back to the ship before you're scheduled to depart the port. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes transportation breaks down, traffic conditions are heavier than expected, someone has a medical emergency preventing the group from adhering to a planned schedule, etc. Cruise ships don't wait for passengers who fail to return on time and who made their own excursion arrangements or who simply failed to re-board on time for any reason. The ship will wait for passengers on a cruise-affiliated excursion. Big difference if you're ever affected.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't underestimate the value of the cruise affiliation, which becomes crucial in the event a tour operator is unable to get you back to the ship before you're scheduled to depart the port. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes transportation breaks down, traffic conditions are heavier than expected, someone has a medical emergency preventing the group from adhering to a planned schedule, etc. Cruise ships don't wait for passengers who fail to return on time and who made their own excursion arrangements or who simply failed to re-board on time for any reason. The ship will wait for passengers on a cruise-affiliated excursion. Big difference if you're ever affected.

This really isn’t an issue on what is presumably an overnight port in Bermuda.

[Anonymous]

I usually book thru the cruise line even though some think those are more expensive. If there is a delay with your cruise sponsored excursion they'll hold the boat for you.

[Anonymous]

I did the cruise to Bermuda and it was fun! For Bermuda in particular, I don't think you need to book excursions at all, much less with the cruise. You can get all over the island on your own by public bus or taxi. But, if you like the idea of being with a group, it might be a good idea. You can definitely book once there, though. Just FYI, there is also an awesome place you can snorkel off the shore (i.e., not on a boat excursion) that is walkable from the port. I think it's called the Snorkel Park, and you can rent the gear right there. So that is one fun thing to do that's totally easy. Horseshoe Bay Beach is also fun, and you can take the public bus, really. There's one main road and the buses run up and down it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't underestimate the value of the cruise affiliation, which becomes crucial in the event a tour operator is unable to get you back to the ship before you're scheduled to depart the port. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes transportation breaks down, traffic conditions are heavier than expected, someone has a medical emergency preventing the group from adhering to a planned schedule, etc. Cruise ships don't wait for passengers who fail to return on time and who made their own excursion arrangements or who simply failed to re-board on time for any reason. The ship will wait for passengers on a cruise-affiliated excursion. Big difference if you're ever affected.

This really isn’t an issue on what is presumably an overnight port in Bermuda.

Yep. This really isn’t an issue in Bermuda.
We booked ours separately.

[Anonymous]

Don’t wait until on board, may find many are sold out.

[Anonymous]

If you look on the cruisecritic.com forums you can find forums organized by port which might be helpful in identifying things to do (also by cruiseline or even cruise).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I usually book thru the cruise line even though some think those are more expensive. If there is a delay with your cruise sponsored excursion they'll hold the boat for you.

Same for us. Plus when you book through the cruise line all excursions have to meet US safety standards. When I travel with my kids I’m pretty dis adverse.

If you’re booking through the cruise line definitely do it in advance. By the time you get onboard, many/most are sold out.

[Anonymous]

Bermuda is safe and easy to navigate. I wouldn’t limit myself to a cruise excursion unless you want a big group and the actual excursion has received excellent reviews.

Go on cruise critic and join the Facebook group for your cruise line and actual ship. People on the FB groups will provide the best intel and tips.

[Anonymous]

It depends on what you wanna do. If it’s something that involves an activity far from the ship then I book through cruise. Bermuda is tiny but I did book an excursion for snorkeling combined with a zoo tour because I didn’t want to deal with finding tickets, equipment, getting a boat etc. They took me to a snorkeling spot in a cave that I wouldn’t have gone to on my own. That being said, I think there is public snorkeling spot near the port that I probably could have gotten for much cheaper but I honestly did not want to do the homework. Look at your options and if something really jumps out at you, book it in advance. But also check around like others have said to see if you could do it on your own if you’re willing to do the homework.