For many cruise ship passengers, one of the biggest questions to decide before you begin your dream cruise is what kind of shore excursion arrangements you should make. There are now numerous options available on all cruise itineraries, meaning that you have much more choice today than ever existed before, and generally speaking, much lower prices than in the past. The days of everybody on board simply taking the cruise ship’s tours are long gone, with the internet providing an array of reliable, independent tour operators all over the world.
Cruise lines make much of their money from their own shore excursions, and selling tours is an important part of their business model. Some of the benefits of choosing to take a tour directly with your cruise company are the following:
· It’s easy and straightforward since the ship arranges everything for you
· The cruise ship’s tours are normally refundable in the event that you are unable to make land
· Tours can be paid for using your onboard credit
· The ship is guaranteed to wait for you so you don’t get left behind!
However, there are also some downsides to consider:
· The ship’s private tours are sometimes much more expensive than independent tours
· Group tours can be large, it often feels like you’re being herded around the sights
· The ship’s tours tend to be shorter, often leaving you wanting to see more
· There is no flexibility on the tour itinerary
In the last few years, a large number of local tour agencies have woken up to the fact that cruise ship visits are good business, and they have gone into direct competition with the cruise lines by offering single-day shore excursions from their local port. This is excellent news for the consumer (you!), but as with any travel planning, you will need to do some thorough research to make sure that you get exactly what you are paying for.
On previous cruises, I have occasionally arranged for 8 of us to take a private tour with a local guide and we have had a sensational day, visiting places and getting a feel for the local culture in a way that would have been impossible on a large coach tour. Getting back on board that afternoon knowing that we had had an unbeatable experience while paying less than our fellow cruisers, was a great feeling. But there might also be rare occasions when people don’t receive what they have booked, and they have no real recourse to complain. So, if you are considering booking your own, independent tours for your upcoming cruise, it is worth considering the following Pros and Cons before booking something locally:
The Good
· Prices are much more reasonable
· Group sizes tend to be much smaller
· You can really interact with your guide in a much more personalised environment
· Small groups make much more sense in these post-Covid times
· The freedom to adjust itineraries to your personal tastes
The Bad
· Depending on the part of the world, some local agencies don’t speak very good English, and requests can get lost in translation. Make sure that you feel comfortable communicating with the company at the other end.
· At some ports, particularly those requiring tenders, cruise lines will often let those people taking the ship’s tours disembark first, resulting in a slightly longer wait if you have booked an independent tour. But this will not be an issue in Valparaiso or San Antonio as no tendering occurs.
· Meeting up with your local tour guide can sometimes be an issue at a busy port. Ensure that you have clear instructions and a telephone number for them in case you can’t see them when you disembark.
And the Ugly!
The ship has no duty to wait for passengers on independent tours who arrive back late at the end of their tour. This reason alone means that you should look for an experienced tour company that understands the importance of punctuality, and possibly has a guarantee in place to get you to your next port in case of any unforeseen delay.
It is worth noting that in our experience it is unheard of for anyone to have missed the ship’s departure after an independent tour, although it is something that cruise companies occasionally use to scare people from booking alternative tours!
Whatever you ultimately decide to do in regard to your cruise tours, it is worth being aware of the realities of both options and ultimately it comes down to a personal choice. But on a vacation in which so many of the costs appear after you have paid for your cruise, it is good to know that there are alternatives out there to prevent your costs from mounting up too much.