Quote:
Originally Posted by Stephen
I have to disagree with that.
While you WILL save money booking your own tour off-ship, BUT, if there's a problem, such as the tour van gets a flat tire, and you don't make it to the ship on time, it sails without you ? however, if you book through the ship on an official tour, they won't leave you behind.
There's always a few folks that don't get the memo, and then are scrambling to catch a flight to the next port of call.
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I will not declare myself to be a cruising expert, but I have enjoyed about a dozen + so far. What I noticed, is that there are tour vendors hawking their packages, alongside those who have already negotiated contracts with the cruise lines. Generally I choose the same vendor as the other cruise passengers are with, just pay the lower shore price.
Each time we are on board, we get the same reminder ... "get back to the ship on time. We will sail with or without you." What I cannot confirm is "if you book on board your shore excursion and there is an emergency which causes you to be brought back to the ship late" will the ship really wait for you? I kind of doubt it. There are so many factors involved with the need for ships to leave on time. Among them the steep port taxes they pay to dock each time.
If there was an "emergency" that cannot be resolved quickly, I would be making alternate arrangements to get back to the ship myself if needed. Thankfully nothing bad has happened yet.
Now I am thinking, I wish I had the time to take another cruise.
