Find out what tours your ship offers and how much they cost before sailing.

Caribbean Shore Excursions Tips & Advice


Although some people will rarely leave your ship, seeing new places and experiencing new things are two of the most important reasons for traveling.

Cruise lines urge you to get out and about by offering shore excursions for each port.

Their tours cover every conceivable activity, from scuba diving to mountain biking to jungle trekking to whale watching.

This is not just a service but another way for them to make money.

Price compare these shore excursions, not affiliated with any cruise line.

Shore excursions average between US$30-US$40 for a short bus tour and closer to US$100 for longer, more involved trips.

With many ships visiting the same Caribbean ports, the variety and quality of a cruise line's shore excursions are reason enough to book with it or ignore it.

The real question is not whether you'll be taking shore excursions but how you'll do them, through the ship's excursion office or on your own.

You can also book tours through Viator if their tour times match your hours in port.

Why Take Organized Shore Excursions

No hassle or worries . Someone else has all the responsibilities.

Language differences . In Martinique or Guadeloupe , for instance, it's easier to let your guide do the talking and translate for you.

Specialized activity, limited time in port. Locating a hiking guide in Dominica or St. Lucia takes time. The ship will set it all up for you.

Cruise ship passengers may have special privileges . In Bermuda, cruisers have access to private beaches closed to the general public.

The ships may have a kind of monopoly. On smaller islands, everyone may be so busy taking care of cruise ship guests they can't accommodate walk-ins. For example, all the scuba operators may be booked up.

In case of an accident or breakdown. . . If you're traveling on your own and your taxi breaks down and you're hours late returning, you'll probably be left behind. On a ship-purchased shore excursion, heaven and hell will be moved to get you back to the dock. And the ship waits for its own.

Why Do It On Your Own

It's almost always cheaper. On average, shore excursions are about 30% higher than what it would otherwise cost. This is not always the case but a good rule of thumb.

You avoid lines and waiting for others. Like bus travel? That's what most shore excursions involve.

You don't wait for others. On a busload of people, there are always stragglers and some shoppers that require a crowbar to dislodge them from a souvenir store.

You have total freedom to set your own schedule. Shore tours usually have set times in a place and for the entire excursion. Maybe you don't want to spend half of a 3-hour “city tour” wasting your “free time to shop.”

Next Page (Shore Excursions Part 2)

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