CRUISE EXCURSIONS: Pros & Cons of Cruise VS Private Excursions (my exact planning process)

[@LifeWellCruised]

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[@lisamerriman255]

When we do excursions, we always book through the cruise line. I like the assurance of the ship waiting for me if we get delayed due to traffic, etc.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That's a good reason. We've experienced being late on a cruise line excursion and were thankful as we didn't stress

[@phxsun2001tony]

Cruise ship shore excursions are getting more and more expensive. I was on a Rome Mediterranean cruise 10 days ago. There were 6 ports and the average price for Land Excursions were averaging $200 for average 5 hours. I did not join any of them. I did my homework and took bus, Taxi and train my myself to varies attractions. I got off the ship and talked to varies companies offering tours. I kept good notes of how I did it and which private tour I took. There may be sites that we can share this information.

[@danielbaker3175]

One of the factors I use to determine which route to take is if the primary language of the location is English (because that is the only language I speak). If something goes wrong, the last thing *I* want to struggle with is language.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Omg best tip!!! Yes very very good point

[@srfoxymom]

Like you, I have done both ship and private excursions. I also do my research on each port. I have found Cruise Critic to be a valuable tool and I have often joined one of the excursions on my Roll Call. It's fun cause you kinda get to meet & chat with some of the passengers who will be on your excursion. The benefit of these smaller private tours, besides being much less expensive than ship tours, is that you're with a much smaller group. That's a big plus. After researching the ports ... eg Rome, and seeing how far a drive it was from the port ... I decided to go with the ship excursion. Always safer should there be any delay due to traffic, etc. At least you know the ship will wait for you. But at the same token, when I research a private tour, I always make sure that they have in writing ... a guarantee that they will get you back to the ship in plenty of time ... or it is their responsibility to get you to the next port. Believe me, they do not want to get you back late. I have never had any issue with a private tour.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! We decided the same for some excursions in the Med as well for similar reasons

[@lynneshapiro3248]

I'm doing the cruise-purchased excursion. It's safer, so I don't have to be a 'pier runner'! RESEARCH INFO FOR A SNORKELING EXCURSION: I did do research for my Ensenada snorkeling excursion, and I am SO glad I did! We're going October 30-Nov 3 2023 on the 4 night-5 day Navigator OTS cruise with ports at Catalina and Ensenada. 1. According to another cruise line's info (name indicates royalty, hint, hint), I noticed it takes 1 & 1/2 hours from the Ensenada pier to Todos Santos. The excursion on the RCCL webpage states the whole excursion lasts 4 hours. If it's 3 hours to get there and back, that's not much time to get a wetsuit on and snorkel! 2. I've been reading other articles about snorkeling and I've incorporated some swimming and water aerobics into my regular workout, to supplement my fitness level. I've also practiced doing the 'giant stride' into the pool that snorkelers and divers do getting into the water, while holding my mask. (Without the mask, it's the same 'giant stride' lifeguards do.) 3. I made a plan of what to bring with me, such as a waterproof pouch for my phone, a bag to put my clothing and other stuff in, and another around-the-waist waterproof pouch for my ID, SeaPass and tip money. I'm going to get Ilana's recommended waterproof bag. 4. I tried on my kid's wetsuit. What a pain, but at LEAST I know to bring a supermarket bag for my feet so I can 'slide' into the wetsuit! That was ANOTHER research snorkeling tips article I found online! 5. I EVEN researched the last 5 years of weather during the time I'll be snorkeling (and also when we're in other ports, like embarkation day, Catalina, etc.), and I realized that the weather will be mid-70's if we're lucky and the water temp will be 65 degrees. Brrrrrr. I'll just get acclimated in the ship's pool water a bit, which is usually 75 degrees or so. The weather research DID change my clothing choices from wearing shorts to instead wearing jeans, a long shirt and a sweatshirt with hood. I also bought my own dry snorkel so I can renew my familiarity with a snorkel from SCUBA diving 500 years ago.

[@deniseyoung3738]

We had the opposite happen to us in Belize...it was a cloudy rainy day and we watched the 30 people on the cruise line excursion get in a small boat and they covered them with a tarp and off they went. We met up with our private guide and they told us that we would not have a good time with the bad weather and immediately gave us back our deposit. I was impressed with their integrity! Over all we do a mix of private and cruise line, usually depending on the timing and distance of the activity.

[@gwendolynbueton8128]

Illana, I have watched HOURS of your videos. They have been helpful and the videos are VERY well done. I’ll continue to watch after my first cruise to Alaska end of May 2024 for my daughter’s wedding. Keep continuing to keep us informed!!

[@jimwisnieski6355]

My first two cruises I just got off the ship and picked a cab to take me around the island. Wasn't until later I found out how stupid we were. Since that time I usually use the ship excursions. I would rather pay a little more, know I'm safe, and have the ship wait for me. When I use a private company I do all the research you suggested. You gave the first timers some really good information.

[@LifeWellCruised]

I agree, on a cruise excursion definitely better safe than sorry!

[@janajeffsilvernickelladventure]

Thank You so much for the great information. I know this will help many people.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks Jeff for watching - so glad you thought it was helpful info. A few people have asked for excursion planning advice so I thought it was worth talking about :)

[@montyboswell6509]

Excellent, well presented information! It should be helpful to many!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks Monty!! I appreciate your kind words :)

[@jihuff1]

Hello Ilana, Thank you for all of your helpful hints and advice. We do both, book with the ship and also on our own. We look at the arrival and departure times and distance to the port. Many times in Europe especially, we book free walking tours of the city. Usually they are around an hour or two and you get a glimpse of the city's history. Proximity is important in planning cruise tours on your own.

[@jesicaraymond6434]

Thank you for this video!! We are still trying to decide if we want to book one with the ship or just do some exploring on our own. But you had some really good tips that I will be using and also checking out the websites you said, thank you

[@LifeWellCruised]

So glad this was useful Jessica!!

[@linda319]

California Linda enjoyed today's awesome informative vlog. Happy Canadian Day. The Roman Colosseum photo brought back memories of our Mediterranean trip.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Thanks so much and happy Canada to you as well! 🇨🇦 Ahhh I love Rome

[@cruiser236]

Hi Ilana!! Really appreciate this info. I've always booked with the cruise line. Many unforseen things can happen that could keep you from getting back to the ship on time. I've heard stories of how difficult it is to get to your next port if you miss the ship. Also, I know folks that were robbed when in a private taxi on an on-your-own tour. Better to be safe.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great points and it’s true, in some ports you really need to be careful. Always good to do what makes you most comfortable

[@bobkrakovich1851]

Hi Ilana, very informative as always. I'm already starting to research the Eastern Caribbean ports for our November Celebrity Millennium cruise. Hi from Bob and Jill in Connecticut

[@LifeWellCruised]

How fun!! It’s great to be planning again!

[@crabbygirl62]

I have done both! I do like the security of booking with the cruise line. Luckily I have had wonderful luck with private vendors. My favorite private guide was in Havana, Cuba. Our guide and driver were outstanding!!

[@LifeWellCruised]

I so want to go to Havana - sounds wonderful

[@alyssasimon3940]

of course... always another great great great video. happy cruising. since things are so up in the air and now who knows for the fall/winter- I am going to book directly through CCL. Really just Cozumel. Costa Maya?? up in the air.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Lol Costa Maya was a port that we just went into the port area. We said next time we’d stay on the ship, but friends went to a beach not far away and said it was fabulous

[@christinwhitehead3706]

I agree about bringing the port guide. On a Princess Alaskan cruise several years back I left my camera bag with extra lens on a bench in Juneau. My camera was around my neck. I did not realize it was missing for a while and could not find it. I contacted Princess and someone had turned it in. I had no ID on the bag (stupid I know) but did have the Port Guide in there so someone turned it over to Princess. I contacted them and they sent it back to me at no charge!

[@timkerwin6886]

Good informative video. For now I will book ships excursions for peace of mind and ease of use. We have a trip booked for Oct out of San Pedro to Cabo. We will book ships excursion. Thank for all the great tips. We have used private tour companies overseas in Europe. Have only used ships excursions for our cruises out of US ports

[@LifeWellCruised]

That makes a lot of sense for these times. It’s interesting we tend to book privately or go on our own more in the Caribbean than in Europe, but we have a language barrier and we’re less familiar

[@sunseekermama]

A great idea you brought up was to bring the ships "port guide", I do check reviews on private excursions,which really helps us to decide whether to use that company or not.we had one of our best private excursions ever solely based on the review's. I did make the mistake of not checking the reviews on one company and BARELY made it back to the ship on time,not to mention we had a miserable time on it to boot! Thanks for you're wonderful advice!

[@LifeWellCruised]

Omg poor you! I think we all have one negative experience once, but don’t make the mistake twice 😂. Great point about those reviews!!

[@dogcrazy25]

One thing I've noticed, some vloggers are so adverse to saying anything negative that I don't believe all the good cheer or get a good enough critique to base my decisions on their input.

[@bruciethecuz9031]

Some great tips and food for thought, Ilana. Five years ago on a stops in Aruba and Bonaire we went private and were very well pleased. As you mentioned, we did our homework researching, especially with Cruise Critic, which is very interactive upon joining. Great advice. Most other times it has been through the cruise lines. Be well. Love your channel! 😊👍👍👍

[@LifeWellCruised]

I’ve had some really good experiences using CruiseCritic as well, especially the roll calls or destination forums. I love Aruba & Bonaire!! Thanks for watching & taking time to comment :)

[@bruciethecuz9031]

@@LifeWellCruised You are most welcome. Thank you for your wonderful content! 👍

[@eleanor4482]

All depends on the cruise destination. If I am familiar with the port I do on my own. Thanks for sharing.😎

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great point - I do the same as well generally

[@susantownsend8397]

Very helpful, thanks. As you said, go online and read reviews. Read lots of comments. We went on a catamaran excursion in Grand Cayman that we found this way and it was a great decision. We did everything the cruise line excursion did plus more, and since there were 7 of us we got individual attention at a cheaper price. The crew constantly monitored weather and changed the itinerary slightly to avoid a bad patch. They kept us apprised of what they were hearing. The key was that a member of our group had done lots of research.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That’s fantastic! Great point to read lots of reviews - it gives great info and what you can expect

[@Theoceantraveler7]

Another informative video! If I am doing a long excursion like 5 hrs or more I usually do ot through tje cruise line. I have done a few tours with locals that have been great... the best one being on St. Kitts 🙂. If I have been to tje same port multiple times and have already done excursions, I usually just go off on my own and roam around and talk with the locals.. most are usually friendly... some not so much.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Love the tips Scott! At this point we pretty much do the same as you. I missed St Kitts our last cruise but definitely hope to get there

[@swagner7278]

We usually either book ship tours, or if it’s a walkable port we do our own thing. One time we went exploring without a ship tour was a great money saver. In Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier tour was available, can’t recall the price, over $100 for sure. We found a local bus for something like $10, and we didn’t have to be back for return bus trip at a certain time as they ran hourly. It worked out well. But I would always do a ship tour if the return time was within a few hours of “all aboard” just in case!

[@nicholaslazzari8787]

I enjoy your content. A few videos ago you talked about lounge chairs at the pool. Carnival on this current cruise has a sign that states of a chair is unoccupied towels will be removed after 40 minutes and if it’s determined they are not being used at all. I like it as people do t chair hog.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That’s great. Years ago they didn’t have this on my carnival cruise & I welcome it 😉😂

[@burningblue1254]

Hi Ilana. As always a great video. You are spot on with what you say about research etc. Absolutely check out CruiseCritic, Trip Advisor, and other cruise sites for this. Other vloggers too. Just a few comments. Great idea to take your port guide with you because there is a map in there. Ask a friendly crew member (like me) what are good places to visit. A lot of us go to the same ports over and over and we know what's worthy and what's not. If in doubt always go on the ship excursion, there's always peace of mind. Some private tours are amazing and cheaper. Sometimes we see them on buses going to the same places because there are only so many attractions to visit so we all go to the same places. Like Roberts Hawaii. They operate all the school buses in Hawaii for example and do all sorts of tours, very big and reliable. Also, Shore Excursions, thats the name of the company! Two managers from 2 different cruise lines that managed the excursions got together and formed their own company. They are excellent and yes they will get you back on time. They are very big. In the Caribbean on small islands there are island tours. I would suggest 4 people renting a car for $80 and doing it yourself. BTW how many beaches can you visit? The islands are small enough that you are never farther than 20 minutes or half an hour from the ship. The hop on and hop offs you can just pay for there. They are a great value and you won't get lost as you eventually end up where you started. Somebody bought up a great point, the farther away you are from the ship, the greater the risk. If a private tour requires everything to be perfect to get you back on time, forgo it. I don't want to scare anybody but there are some ports you have to be extra careful at. Some people have this false sense of security that because they are on a cruise, they don't have to be as careful as when they are home. The opposite is true. A few would be Jamaica, Haiti, Honduras, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru..... When I am in my ship officer's uniform I stay within the tourist area. If I am in civilian clothes, as are cruise ship passengers, they should leave on the ship, or in their zippered or buttoned pockets etc., anything that identifies them as a cruise ship passenger or crewmember. Why? Because criminals know if you are a cruise ship passenger or crewmember that the ship leaves at 3 or 4 pm or whatever. They know if they rob you, you have to leave on the ship. You don't have time to wait at the police station, report it, and hang around and identify a suspect etc. Because you arenot a local sometimes the police don't really care.I think its great that Princess gives you the blue Princess bag and you walk around with your cruise card on your lanyard but you stick out like a sore thumb. Same with your NY Mets baseball cap and 49ers t shirt. The more you blend in with the locals the better. I go to port and sit, say on the malecon in Puerto Vallarta, and I see the blue bags and the lanyards with the cruisecards and I can tell these people have no idea where they are going etc. They are easy marks. Once you are alone and away from others you are vulnerable.

[@vivianshomo1350]

As a woman traveling alone on cruises, I book cruise line excursions because I feel they are safer options in a lot of ports. I have never been disappointed in the excursions I have booked; however, I do spend a lot of time looking at them for ones that meet my interests, etc. I always look for longer excursions so I get as much time in port as possible. I also always read all the reviews.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Very smart & I think I'd do the same as a solo traveler! Love your tips

[@cleftheart1969]

Wow you sound like me l plan on doing the same.. l know it's more expensive but l know I'm safe.....

[@lj6393]

I really like this channel and trust the advice. I, too, am now a solo traveler, and it's been hard finding a solo traveler to follow. This might be a sign to start something. 🤔 🤗

[@joanneguarino170]

My friend and I usually just go off and explore on our own. We check the island's tourism site before hand to see what we want to check out and make a plan before we sail.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That’s a smart tip! Thanks for sharing it Joanne 👍

[@stedmays2768]

2/2......I'm having trouble with these issues as I am currently preparing for a 34-day Antartica/South America cruise this December, during the end of year/beginning of year holidays. Even most of the youtubes aren't very.helpful, and I'm having more trouble than usual with excursions aligning with the ship's schedule and porting info. Anyway, thanks for your many helpful videos, even though I found this one lacking.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Do you usually book with the cruise line or private excursion? What tips have you used to make sure things worked out?

[@stevegaris]

Hi, Ilana! I have always booked through the cruise ship. I have had some very enjoyable experiences with them. Always delightful. If I am familiar with the port, and just want to walk around I will do that as well. I would do that in Mexico, Canada, Alaska, and probably Hawaii. We booked an excursion to Murano and Burano when we were in port in Venice doing a 14 day Greek Island cruise that was a little scary because I thought the boat was a little too packed. Thanks for an outstanding video!

[@LifeWellCruised]

@@stevegaris oh wow, I feel warned for Venice lol. Thanks for the tip & kind comments

[@cruiseyseadays]

If I've do a private cruise excursion I always pick early one to get back to the ship on time.... I never want to be a pier runner lol

[@stevebartley8594]

5 stops on our TA. Explored on our own in 4 ports. The other we used the ship shore excursions because the attraction was over an hour from the port. We were slightly late in getting back. Ship held of course. Upcoming cruise we booked 6 ship excursions becaise of Covid rule uncertainty. $50 per cabin per excursion helped.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That’s good, and definitely something to consider during these “less certain” times

[@MaryPonder]

RCL changed our itinerary two weeks prior to sailing. I had booked Mr. Sanchos, third party/on my own excursion. I had to cancel because the day we were in port was at capacity. I had also booked an excursion with the cruise line; that excursion was moved to the new day automatically.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Glad it worked out at least. These days especially you need more flexibility

[@kstaffen-justlovescruising]

We almost always book with the ship. We have been on 2 excursions, where they held up the ship. It was a good thing we were booked with re ship. If no ship excursion, we either just walk around a bit. Once we went to the Marine Animal park and I swam with a manatee and a sea lion. We did book that on our own, but we just need we a short taxi.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Awe, that sounds like a really nice excursion. I love manatees but haven’t been up close

[@kstaffen-justlovescruising]

@@LifeWellCruised It was amazing. One of the excursions that held up the ship was at the sloth sanctuary. We we nv r to the nice unit and saw the 'slothpital.' Totally an amazing experience 💜

[@belindan4974]

I have always booked with the cruise ship. I will never book private when on international/foreign cruises. I like the safety factor. The expense is worth the peace of mind, IMO. It could cost you several times more if there’s any mishaps or issues with private tour. I don’t need the stress. 😳 I’m on vacation, after all. ⛱ Thank you for that note about the port agent phone number and information. 👍🏼😎

[@LifeWellCruised]

That makes sense - no amounts of money saved is worth worrying about your safety and getting back to the ship on time. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@oliviageiger550]

We are going on our first cruise ever and are planning on doing a private car and personal tour guide through the Amalfi Coast! While I am excited, do you have tips on how to plan the private excursions? How long after we dock should we have the car pick us up, and when should we be back by? An hour before? We are cruising Norwegian. Thanks for all your help!

[@enjoyinglifeoneportatatime251]

We do both, but try to stay away from the cruise line excursions if possible. Research, Research, Research... whatsinport.com is also useful and may have additional links to port excursions, and TripAdvisor is always useful too. Sometimes if we dock right in town, we might just pre-plan what we want to see or do while in port, and either walk, bus or taxi if need be. 👍 Another thing is to book a rental car. $20 for an international driver license is pretty cheap and good for a year. Many car rental offices are close to the port and some offer dock pickup & drop-off. Enjoying Life One Port at a Time! ❤️

[@DebDebbiesWorld]

I think everyone has to make their own decision based on their own comfort level, their own research, and their own travel history/experience level. Everyone will have different comfort levels. I will do things on my own (depending on locale) or with my husband, that I will not do with my son, or with friends who are not as experienced. I won't put my comfort level to theirs. I don't want to put THEM in situations where they are uncomfortable or feel unsafe. I wont put myself in a situation (in a cruising situation) where I think its possible I might miss the all aboard time. That's usually my largest concern in a port excursion. I have a cruise in August with my son (teenager) and my best friend and her two teenage sons. One of our excursions is a cruise sponsored one, the other a non cruise one (but one I have done previously with my sister). Neither my friend or her boys have ever been on a cruise. Her boys have never traveled, really. She has but not since her 20s. We are all looking forward to it! Your experience on the water would have had me concerned too, and I'm an experienced boater and diver. Maybe not so much for myself, but, especially with kids aboard. That would have made me really nervous.

[@LifeWellCruised]

I totally agree with you. It’s not a once size fits all. I have to say that was a very uncomfortable feeling being with my young kids - not professional at all. Great tips

[@DonLekei]

I usually book myself or sometimes if I research and find that there is no real need to book because there is a lot to do near the port or you can easily get to (eg. Nassau, Cozumel, Barcelona, Vancouver) I just wing it). One thing I always check (on top of Tripadvisor and asking on Cruise Critic and maybe Facebook) is: Do they cater to cruise ships? Tour companies that cater to cruise ships will adjust their schedule to the ship, they will probably know the difference between local time and ship time, and they will adjust the tour if they are running behind.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Great point Don. Many companies that are regularly providing tours to cruise ship guests are great options

[@redtankgirl5]

I’m a traveller who generally fly’s to a location and gets a car and then drives to all the places on my itinerary from there. I’ve been thinking about a cruise while watching all these different videos and the peer runner videos make me apprehensive about doing my own thing if I do a cruise. I just don’t want to be that guy lol. I certainly don’t want to get to a peer and have my heart drop into my shoes as I watch my ship sailing away without me bc of traffic or something like that. Yikes hahaha.

[@LifeWellCruised]

That would be awful! Truthfully, as long as you leave extra time and do some research about the specific port (all available online and in reviews), you should be fine :)

[@wendykoek6757]

When I did my excursions on my last cruise the ports were easy and accessible to get to I would spend a half a day in the port I got back to the ship at lunch time and stay on board as I get tired if I have a long day and take a while to recover from it, if I don’t know a place I would get a cruise line excursion just to be on the safe side

[@LifeWellCruised]

That’s perfect! Definitely makes it an easy and comfortable day to be able to come back and even have time to have lunch on the ship

[@Star-Boarder]

I have trust issues 😇🤣 so I go through the cruiseline. But I also view cruising as an opportunity to taste test so to speak of a different part of the world and see if I like it enough to do a full on vacation there. Just figure, the $20-50 I spend extra is a lot less than a hotel and flight upon missing the ship.

[@LifeWellCruised]

😂😂😂 the best $20-50 ever spent!! Love it

[@clement2780]

how far is destination from port? do attractions require reservations to skip long lines? do your destinations allow excursions passengers to skip visas? do destinations speak english ( or whichever language you speak, if you speak italian you can go to spanish or romania , if you speak german, hungary usually will be fine, czech poland slovakia possibly russia will be fine, also expedition safari security is worth the cost

[@kalypan8799]

What is good local tour company for bermuda

[@clement2780]

are there hop on off services close to port? if cancel excursion or port do you get refund?

[@kalypan8799]

What is website to search private your company for Bermuda? Thanks

[@brianmcdonald2045]

We always book our excursions through the cruise line. On one cruise the ship had to wait for passengers to return as there had been an incident with one of their excursions and the bus was held up.

[@LifeWellCruised]

Omg wow!! Good that things turned out well

[@brianmcdonald2045]

@@LifeWellCruised Things did not turn out well. The bus dropped of the passengers at a venue and then the driver went to park the bus. She stepped of the bus and was hit by another bus and died. When the passengers were back on the ship a counselling sessions was held for them. We saw some of them and they were very distraught.

[@LifeWellCruised]

@@brianmcdonald2045 omg that’s terrible!! How tragic

[@bigguy1403]

Can I cancel a shore excursion on Princess 3 days prior to the excursion on the ship because they won't let me now because we sail in 2 days so excursions are now closed. For a ship credit

[@mtoporovsky]

Who did post-cruise excursion with priceline firm?

[@clement2780]

if more than an hour one way definitely book excursion

[@lindashumaker806]

First time cruiser

[@LifeWellCruised]

Hi Linda!! Feel free to ask any questions. It’s so fun to plan a first cruise

[@matresahill3651]

If you have in excursion how do you get to it?.....I will be going in Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas 7/2024 am I responsible for getting to my excursion or do the ship be responsible first time cruising.

[@jptraveladventures]

Have you booked excursions thru shipmate

[@LifeWellCruised]

No I haven't up until now. Have you?

[@TT-xj3si]

Would it b wise to book a private excursion if u r a solo cruiser? Thats 1 im terrified of doing.

[@LifeWellCruised]

I think it’s a very good idea. I absolutely would

[@stedmays2768]

1/2 Found this video rather thin and unsatisfying compared to your others. You keep saying "Do Your Research" as if that's easy---it's especially difficult to research less frequently visited, smaller, shorter season ports. Also I need more of your advice about which private vendors/websites to use, and not use, for non-ship excursions..........

[@jeffstevens2878]

Carnival doesn’t have jet ski excursion anymore for Bahamas I’m trying to find out how to do it privately