I once saved hundreds of dollars organizing a group to go on an overnight, independently operated excursion to see the Pyramids of Giza from Cairo; the ships tours were incredibly marked up. You can only get there on Royal . We are an office of knowledgeable travelers who know our product well. The key to getting the most from your cruise shore excursion is to know what you want and make sure the tour description matches your expectation. From there, you can narrow down the results based on the port, interests . place to get away than out on the. Come to the Caribbean to sip salt-rimmed cocktails on sugar-sand The local residents of any cruise port want you to shop in their city. Horseback riding, mountain biking, parasailing, rain forest hiking, and 4x4 off-roading are just a few examples of what you can do. Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest ($158.99/adult, $110.99/child) Helicopter Glacier Walkabout ($406.99) Mendenhall Glacier River Rafting ($141.99) Find the right card for you. Download e-Brochure. If you cannot find something everyone wants to do, consider splitting up and meeting after separate excursions for lunch or a drink before getting back onboard! A shopping excursion will not necessarily take you to some unknown quadrants of the port of call that no one else knows about. Any time you see labels like Panoramic Sightseeing or City Overview Tour it very well could be that you will have to take most of your pictures through a bus window. DOWNLOAD THE SHORE EXCURSIONS BROCHURE. After the tour, feel free to grab lunch, have a few drinks, or shop before getting back onboard. Guests of Royal Caribbean wishing to tour with the cruise line's excursions should contact the cruise line directly. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Dedicated pre-cruise and onboard specialists are available to assist you. No refunds are made for failure to use all of the described services included in the excursion price. At ShoreTrips we are committed to enhancing your shore excursions with small, creative and personal day tours and adventures. On top of being overly expensive when booked through a cruise line, its hard to really immerse yourself in a city and experience the tour when youre more concerned about maneuvering and avoiding potholes in the sidewalk. The same is true with independent tours. Participants wishing to snorkel must be able to swim in water that will be over their head. 13 Biggest Mistakes Made by Carnival Cruise Passengers [Carnival Tips], Carnival Bringing a Fourth Cruise Ship to Galveston, Texas, 10 Things You CAN Pack on a Cruise, But Shouldnt, 10 Biggest Cruise Tipping Mistakes You Can Make, 10 Biggest Differences Between Carnival and Royal Caribbean, These 5 Cruises to Europe Could Be Cheaper than Flying, What is the Best Cruise Line for Alaska in 2023? . As a side note, many cities have free museums you can enjoy as well if youre cruising on a budget. Some shore excursions might be totally worth the long drive. No. Since 2017, Royal Caribbean has joint ownership of Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport), where major drydock refurbishments and ship maintenance works take place. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. You wont want to show up to a hike with flip flops or a tour of a church in Rome with shorts and a tank top! because when you book a Shore Excursion you have priority. adventure time. Alternatively, you can wait to book shore excursions onboard the ship. I did not ask any questions about transportation logistics before purchasing the tour, though, so you can imagine my surprise when we boarded a bus instead of a boat! Shore Excursions must be purchased in the same currency as your cruise reservation. Not only was he full of useful knowledge of the history of St. Maarten but he allowed us to stop and enjoy a few sites along the way. Whatever your ideal adventure involves, Shore Excursions make it easy to immerse yourself in each vibrant destination you visit. . In Juneau, Alaska, a 3.5-hour tour to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center costs $50 per person. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? What you can do if your cruise cancels port calls? Dive deep below the surface of the sea with a certified expert and weave through brilliant coral colonies, scour centuries-old shipwrecks and come face-to-face with exotic aquatic critters. It may take some time to rebuild a complete shore excursion portfolio once cruising resumes. Dont book a shore excursion based solely on the title or pictures without researching what the excursion entails. These excursions have you covered. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Sometimes an excursion will take you to sites within walking distance of your cruise; on other occasions, they might take you on a day trip to a nearby city. Prefer a nice relaxing walking tour? Need help? If you're having trouble, you can complete our e-mail form and one of our representatives will contact you. LauraS Onboard Brilliance of the Seas. Here's where I shared a spreadsheet to automatically generate the cruise planner URL for any given sailing. You also want to check reviews before booking a tour. What if the computer I'm using does not have a "Print to PDF" option? If you read the fine print, youll find that many of these mistakes (transportation logistics, cancellation policies, etc.) In my case I explained that I'm not booking an Oct 21 UK cruise unless I can see the excursions 1st as they currently won't allow kids off in port if not on an excursion. Found a favourite? Related: Visiting Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos, Greece. Jon can be reached at. Heres everything you need Independent tours, on the other hand, can be cheaper than cruise ship tours. where I can find laundry services on the ship? Do you know about when you'd like to sail? I think Im just too eager! Unsubscribe whenever you want. So, if youd rather make the most of your time and for the money you spend on your excursion, I would recommend at least finding a smaller group. *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level from locally taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline-amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. These tours are also often very short, and they feel even shorter when some of the time has to be spent getting trained on how to use the self-righting machines. Some excursions are only 3-4 hours long, meaning that sometimes you can technically fit two excursions in one day if the times line up correctly. 6 NIGHT MELBOURNE & HOBART CRUISE. You can browse each individual excursion category or check out our. Love Cruise Fever?Sign Up to Our FREE Newsletter! Our team personally tests every tour in destination to select only the best. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. I might get some heat for this one, but hear me out. Find a Shore Excursion; Tours, Land and Hotel Programs; 2024 - 2025 Tropics & Exotics Cruises . Ive seen some horseback riding excursions along the beach or in the countryside that offered a much better user-experience so Im not saying all of these excursions are overrated. However, the center is compact and has many highlights, including sights, restaurants and cafs within walking or cycling distance. Related: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own. Most Royal Caribbean shore excursions can be cancelled up to 48 hours before arrival in port without penalty, and full refunds will be provided to guests. If its an activity, like snorkeling or a helicopter tour, read up on how much time is spent in transit and prep and how much time you will spend actually doing the activity. Our Destination Insiders leverage extensive knowledge and years of travel expertise to hand craft one-of-a-kindprivate tourswith you in mind. Guests who wish to sightsee independently or sightsee outside of Royal Caribbean shore excursion hours must obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa before leaving home. Thanks for your reply - yes they sent me that email address too so I asked them and I was told the brochure isnt ready yet and to keep trying! Shore excursions can run anywhere from $50 to well over $500. When I was in St. Maarten I hired a taxi driver for a tour of the island and it was a wonderful experience. Not every horseback riding experience is the same. Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean are not allowing unvaccinated guests - mainly children under age 12 - to go ashore in many ports unless they're on a specific ship-sponsored shore excursion deemed a "bubble tour." These are special tours with extra precautions taken to protect unvaccinated travelers from the local population, and vice versa. Download a Shore Excursions Brochure. The best reason to book your shore excursion with Royal Caribbean is the convenience and reliability the cruise line provides. Who doesnt love a beach day while on a cruise, right? Ships Guests bringing more than one bottle at the start of the first . For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. Depending on the excursion, transportation time can vary from ~5 minutes to over two hours! You may cancel purchase(s) made via Cruise Planner up to forty-eight hours prior to the cruise departure date. Youll be able to ask the staff there any questions you have about the tours, and the charges will be added to your final cruise bill. Wonder of the Seas itineraries and information. Looking for the Best Cruise Deals? All you need to know is their last name and reservation number. are listed in the fine print. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. You just dont need to book an excursion to shop there. Download e-Brochure. Personally, I find that organized tours are best when the excursion is an activity I cant do on my own (such as kayaking, zip lining or a winery tour); when long distances are involved where I dont want to bother with public transportation or renting a car on a one-day visit; or when the culture is foreign enough that independent exploration would be tricky. Search Now In most cases, you dont need to book a shore excursion in order to explore a port of call. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/shoreExcursions/downloadBrochure/, http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/print-pdf-windows/, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, The Land of Pleasant Living (Baltimore County, MD). The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level from locally taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline-amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. Departs From Sydney, Australia. If you are dependent on oxygen or require oxygen therapy, you must supply your own oxygen, and meet certain requirements prior to boarding the ship. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Another reason not to book multiple excursions in one port is that shore excursions can be tiring. Ready to follow where adventure leads you? Royal Caribbean - Come & Seek - 2019/2020 Brochure. Thanks in advance! The problem comes into play when you booked a parasailing excursion with a large group. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. expansive variety with excursions for every type of traveler. Think we will just wing it when we get off the ship. And yes, some ports of call in the Caribbean can offer fantastic shopping experiences. Yes. However, if youre a novice traveler, you might want to book ship tours exclusively because its the simplest, easiest and most convenient option. As I already mentioned above, beach escapes and shopping excursions can all be done on your own. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Segways are a lot of fun, and they are still fairly popular after all these years. You have entered an incorrect email address! For those looking for a more personalized adventure, theres Private Journeys. Stairs and steep hillsides are no-gos for these transportation gizmos. Do a once in a lifetime dive and witness beautiful coral reefs, marine life, and shipwrecks. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Swim with turtles and manta rays, float over vibrant reefs and explore colorful coral forests on a snorkelling excursion designed to bring you up close with the oceans most beautiful natural treasures. All rights reserved. For those looking for a more personalized adventure, theres Private Journeys. Find a sailing that's on the same itinerary as yours on Royal's website then enter its information in the spreadsheet. is a travel editor for TPG, with a focus on cruise travel. Private Journeys are at your service. Similarly, don't book the first tour you see. We ensure For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Whether you dream of trailblazing through the Alaskan tundra, learning how to whip up traditional Mediterranean dishes on the Greek isles or sampling rum at centuries-old distilleries in the Caribbean, youll find the world is brimming with full day adventures and nobody takes you deeper than Shore Excursions. Our new interactive brochure will make it easy to view all of our cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska or Europe. Now, this might fit fine into your port of call schedule, but thats two hours of driving on a bus, with a limited amount of time at the actual excursion site. + In the unlikely event that your tour is significantly delayed, well make all the arrangements for you to return to the ship at the earliest opportunity at no expense to you. Land tours, Europe excursions, private tours for small groups, exclusive shore trips, snorkel and scuba excursions, and more. Of course, booking an excursion directly through Royal Caribbean comes with more protection if the tour runs late, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons of booking independently in your planning process. The tour required a 1-hour bus journey across the island to reach the boat. All rights reserved. Simply log into Royal Caribbean's site, find your cruise booking and purchase your tour before the sailing begins. The Shore & Land Excursion brochure is in PDF file format only by specific ship and sail date. Gourmet Lunching: El Gaucho, Aruba's best Argentinean restaurant, is located in an atmospheric old-town house on the east end of Oranjestad (open daily for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m . In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. Cruise lines offer a full schedule of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time in port. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Shore excursions can help you discover even more at each incredible destination. Finally, some ports are simply wonderful to walk around, popping into shops and local restaurants or bars, going where you will. Tipping is a personal matter, and there are no hard and fast rules. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Some shore excursions are targeted at families or can easily accommodate children. shopaholic6, August 23, 2021 in Royal Caribbean International. Expand Your Vacation. Be sure to consider your fitness level (and the fitness levels of others in your group) before booking an excursion to ensure you will be able to complete the tour successfully and without too much struggle. You dont need permission or a shore excursion ticket to explore the many wonderful museums in the world. Unleash your inner explorer and discover bold new ways to connect with the people, culture and places around you as you cruise from one unforgettable port of call to another. There are two primary means of booking a shore excursion: online via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site, or onboard the ship at the shore excursion desk or via the app. The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level from locally-taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. Click on our e-brochure links below or enjoy the interactive experience on your tablet with our new Digital brochure app. Ready to revisit that bucket list? A. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Company changes 2023 Take your adventure underwater and discover a whole world thats teeming with life. Royal Caribbean offers the Swim with Turtles, Shipwrecks, Snorkel, and Beach excursion, during which visitors take a boat ride to Turtle Bay where they can observe sea turtles in their natural habitat. The easiest way to book a shore excursion is to do so before the cruise on Royal Caribbean's website. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. You can simply walk off the ship and stroll into town or catch a cab to take you wherever you want to go. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Related: Avoid these mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions. The downside to booking tours in advance is that some cruise lines require that you pay for the tours in full, rather than putting them on your final cruise bill. Young children often pay a reduced rate for tours. I was interested in taking the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway in Juneau, and found that the cost for the exact same experience was $59.99 when offered by Royal Caribbean and $45 to book directly on the Goldbelt Trams website! You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Barefoot Beach Cabanas on Royal Caribbean's Labadee, Why booking my cruise shore excursions in Europe with the cruise line was the best decision. Royal Caribbean offers wonderful shore excursion opportunities, from whale watching in Alaska to guided tours of Rome and catamaran excursions in Mexico. Reading the fine print is a surefire way to ensure you wont encounter any surprises on the excursion. 170. Follow along on this incredible voyage! Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. Google Play. Started June 21, 2021, By In the event your ship skips the scheduled port call, Royal Caribbean will refund your money. If you like staring at the rear end of a horse while riding a horse you cant even really control as it rides the same path it has ridden a thousand times then sure, this might be for you. It boggles my mind why someone would want to book an excursion to get a tour of a local museum when they can just walk into the museum and do it themselves. We guarantee we will always get you back to your ship on-time. Certain destinations have complex visa requirements that make it tricky for cruisers to explore on their own. Still need help? Close X. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Theres no better way to explore the beauty beneath the waves than on a guided scuba excursion. Youll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour. Learn more. Some may not be around anymore. Even a local taxi driver can point you in the right direction and take you to all of the best shopping locations in town. Research different tour operators and prices to see which works best for your preferences and budget. One of the things I really enjoyed during my trip to Barcelona, Spain was how many free tours are offered around the city. Royal Caribbean International. And if by chance your excursion gets stuck in a traffic jam, the ship will wait for you. Welcome aboard! If you book a whale watching tour in Alaska for $160 and later see the price dropped to $130, youre able to cancel and rebook the excursion at the lower price without penalty. All too often, however, first-time cruisers or those who are new to a particular port can make rookie mistakes in the shore excursion planning process, which can lead to disappointment and extra money spent later on. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. You can browse each individual excursion category or check out ourshore excursion brochurefor more information.