I’ve come to love cruises, that’s no secret. Even as the popularity of cruising in the post-Covid era has seen a swell in prices, an ocean or river voyage still offers incredible value. Think about it, for one fare you get transportation, meals, accommodations, and entertainment all included. And the ports-of-call can bring peace and relaxation, new adventures, breathtaking scenery, or even some fantastic (duty free!) shopping. Keep in mind, though, that how you choose to explore makes all the difference. I’m referring to the choice we all have: whether to reserve through the cruise line or opt for an independent tour operator. Each option comes with its own set of costs and benefits, and understanding these can help you make the best decision for your travel style and budget.
More on my recent experience later…..
The Costs of Private vs. Cruise Line Shore Excursions
Price Differences
The cruise lines typically offer a variety of shore excursions that you can reserve when you make your cruise booking, or at any point during the lead up to the cruise itself. Many cruise lines have fantastic apps that making booking those excursions so simple – you can often use your on-board credit to pay for them too. Though convenient, these excursions tend to be more expensive than independently booked options. Independent excursions, on the other hand, offer a wider variety of organizers that compete for your business at a more affordable price point.
Hidden Fees and Extra Charges
When booking through the cruise line, the price is usually all-inclusive, covering entrance fees, transportation, and guide services. However, some independent excursions might have additional costs for entrance tickets, transportation upgrades, or gratuities. Reading the fine print is always advisable. When booking independently, you sometimes need to hunt for the exact fine print that applies. No one wants an unexpected surprise at the end of the excursion.
The Benefits of Booking a Private Shore Excursion
Personalized Experience
One of the biggest advantages of an independent shore excursion is the ability to customize your itinerary. Even if you’re still touring with a small group, an independently booked excursion can often be tailored (even while it’s in progress!). This can allow you to explore off-the-beaten-path attractions, spend more time at a specific location, or avoid large crowds.
Smaller Group Size
Cruise line excursions often involve large groups, herded on to several coach buses, where you’re quite literally known by your group number only. Independent excursions typically involve much smaller groups, allowing for a more intimate and engaging experience with the destination and the guide.
The Benefits of Booking Through the Cruise Line
Guaranteed Return to Ship
The most important advantage of booking through the cruise line has to be the assurance that you will return to the ship on time. If a cruise line-sponsored excursion is delayed, the ship will wait for you. When on an independent excursion, you are responsible for getting back on time. And that can be stressful if there are unforeseen delays.
The ship cannot wait for every passenger who is not back on time. If they bent the rules for one group who were 5 minutes late, then what about another that’s 25 minutes late? With no way to draw that magic line, the cruise line has to enforce the gangway up time that everyone is advised of.
Less Planning and Coordination
Cruise line excursions take care of all the logistics, making it easier for travelers who prefer a hassle-free experience. There’s no need to research, compare prices, or communicate with multiple vendors—everything is arranged for you.
Standardized Quality and Safety
Cruise lines vet their excursion partners, ensuring a certain level of quality and safety standards. While private excursions can also be excellent, they require more due diligence to ensure reliability and safety.
My Recent Experience
I just returned from a wonderful, 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on a premium cruise line. We enjoyed a total of 3 at-sea days and got to visit 3 islands. The last stop really peaked my curiosity, because Saint Martin was a new island for me, and I wanted to see Maho Beach and the airplanes that fly just yards (or meters) overhead.
To save some money, I opted for an independently-operated island tour that had a 5-star rating on Viator. Based on the tour description, we should have had arrived back at the port more than an hour before the ship was set to depart. And I confirmed that when I arrived at the dispatch area. You can see where this is going, can’t you?
It All Goes Downhill From Here…
By the time we’d finished with Maho Beach and spent 90 minutes eating a so-so lunch, the driver was talking about proceeding on to Orient Beach. This could have been nice, as Maho Beach was too small and crowded to enjoy it for anything other than the plane spotting. Problem was, we’d spent a lot of time in traffic getting to lunch. And the lunch took longer than expected.
Looking at my phone, I could see the time to get to Orient Beach and the time to get from there back to the port. Things were not adding up. I mentioned this to the 4 other passengers on the tour, and we all agreed it would be better to head directly back to the port. It had been raining on and off anyway – who wanted to go to the beach in that weather anyway. The driver reluctantly agreed.
Now, I get that the ring road around the island was going to take us past Orient Beach anyway, but I figured we’d be driving right on by en route to the port. The driver, it turned out, had different plans. He turned off the main road and bounced down a road to a beach parking spot (wasting 10 precious minutes). He thought we’d like to know whereto find the chair rentals and snack bar. And with that, he backed out of the spot and headed back up to the main road (another 10 minutes). So, he’d now wasted 20 minutes just to point out some chair rental and snack shack, when we weren’t even going to get out of the van!
A Frantic Phone Call
By now we’re back on the main road and my phone says we’re due to arrive in the port area at 4:15 PM. Gangway up time is 4:30 PM. Panic mode sets in. I frantically search my phone for that cruise line emergency number I’d seen somewhere. I found it on the back of my seapass card. I dialed the number and reached the cruise line office in Miami, explained the situation, and asked (pleaded with!) the representative to contact the ship to let them know we were on our way and very close.
At this point I’m starting to make contingency plans in my head – good thing I purchased that travel insurance, glad I had my passport with me, etc.
An Amazing Race-style Finish
Well we did arrive back in the port zone at 4:15 PM, and I launched myself out of that fan super fast! Quickly I flashed my card to the gate attendant and ran as fast as I could. I even flagged down a golf cart and asked if I could get a ride to the ship. When I told the driver which ship, she got a worried look on her face. “Get in!” That woman drove just as fast and furious as I needed her to, tapping the horn the whole way down pier. She was a godsend, and she got the tip I had planned to give the tour guide.
Did I Make it onto Someone’s YouTube?
When all was said and done, other folks were still arriving at the gangway. However I’m certain at least a few passengers enjoyed watching me race to the finish. Just glad I wasn’t chasing after a departing ship! Way too close a call for my taste. And yes, the ship’s security did call my cell phone a few minutes later as I was making my way to my cabin. They’d gotten the call from Miami and wanted to check on me. Back in the cabin, after shedding a few tears over the whole experience, I showered and headed down to deck 4 to enjoy a well-deserved lychee martini.
Lesson: Never will I ever book an independent shore excursion again. For my comfort level, it’s not worth the few dollars savings. From now on, it’s either book through the ship or walk around on my own without straying too far afield.
Which Option is Right for You?
If you prioritize convenience, safety, and guaranteed return to the ship, booking through the cruise line may be the better choice. However, if you seek a more cost-effective, flexible experience, and don’t mind some risk, an independent excursion might be ideal option.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your budget, comfort level, and travel preferences. By weighing the costs and benefits of each option, you can ensure that your shore excursions enhance your cruise experience and create unforgettable (good) memories.
