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Head out to Magens Bay for a couple of hours of fun in the sun; afterward, you'll be transferred to Charlotte Amalie for some duty-free shopping. You can opt for a sailing tour to further feel like a celebrity or socialite. A catamaran or sailboat will whisk you away, typically including stops for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Excursions to El Yunque typically include bus stops at or short treks to one of the park's waterfalls. Cool off in Grand Turk's turquoise waters on a snorkeling tour; many of them are run aboard scenic catamaran sailings.
Booking Shore Excursions in Advance vs. Booking Onboard
Will you, for instance, be responsible for paying for your own lunch, or is an island buffet included in the price? Sometimes, you will have to pay an admission fee into cultural landmarks and will have to have cash on hand. That being said, avoid any tour that claims to show you the "highlights" of a destination.
Belize City: Cave-tubing and Ziplining Through the Rainforest
San Juan, Puerto Rico is a Caribbean cruise port where booking an organized shore excursion isn’t totally necessary. Included at Perfect Day at CocoCay is beach access, food, drinks (juices, water, tea, etc.), beach chairs, umbrellas, Splashaway Bay, Captain’s Jill’s Galleon, Oasis Lagoon pool, and more. Most is included in the cruise fare, so it’s not necessary to book an excursion on the island. If you are interested in exploring the natural beauty of Jamaica’s lush rainforest, your best bet for an excursion in Ocho Rios is one that visits Dunn’s River falls and the surrounding area. Due to the falls’ proximity to the cruise port, you won’t have trouble finding an excursion through Royal Caribbean or independent tour companies.
Travel Is Our Tradition
While most cruises stop in Falmouth, Jamaica as opposed to Ocho Rios, you’ll find that they offer several of the same excursions. Martinique is a French territory that is undeniably French, and while it may not be a very common port stop, the island offers activities for all interests. Outside of cabana rentals, you may wish to book a ride on Labadee’s famous zipline or a ride on the Dragon’s Tail Coaster. Both activities are sure to get your adrenaline pumping and can be fun options when traveling with kids. Those looking for a more luxurious experience in Labadee may want to rent a private cabana.
Booking a tour to Stingray City means you’ll have the chance to snorkel and interact with not only stingrays, but turtles, starfish, and other marine life. The tour begins with a tubing adventure and visit to Hibiscus Falls, a 40-foot waterfall leading to an emerald green pool perfect for taking a swim. Following a visit to the falls is a longer, 90-minute tubing adventure through mini-rapids and slower-flowing waters through the rainforest. While there are plenty of excursions offered in Curaçao, many cruisers enjoy strolling through the capital of Willemstad without an organized tour.
Things I Don't Pay Extra for on Carnival Cruises To Save Money - Cruise Blog
Things I Don't Pay Extra for on Carnival Cruises To Save Money.
Posted: Fri, 05 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Independent travelers might go straight to private tour guides (and the invaluable Roll Call forums to find friendly folks to share the minivan). But many travelers -- especially first-time cruisers -- prefer to rely on ship-sponsored shore tours. And while it's great that there are tons of Caribbean shore excursions, it doesn't make the decision-making process any easier. Some take up all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or for journeys to destinations outside of the port city. Some cruise lines and even some travel agents offer shore excursion credit as a booking perk.
Exclusive Shore Excursions Amazing Experiences
The tropical rainforest is known for its myriad waterfalls, scenic views and hiking trails. If you're visiting the "Spice Island" of Grenada, you'll likely want to see a spice plantation. Grenada is also known for its beautiful Grand Etang National Park, based around the crater lake of an extinct volcano. An island combo tour will typically take you to both, as well as to Fort Frederick and Annandale Falls.
The experience incorporates a high-tech twist via special handheld power units that utilize propellers to guide snorkelers along on their underwater adventure. The Southern Caribbean island of Dominica is a nature-fanatic's paradise; it's home to more than 170 types of birds, numerous waterfalls and mountains that rise to 5,000 feet. The best way to explore it as much as possible is to embark on an active excursion. You can book your tours online in advance, or have your travel agent do it for you. This is the best route if there's a ship's tour you absolutely want to take and you don't want to risk its selling out. When my parents traveled on a luxury Regent Seven Seas cruise, they said that waiting until the next morning to book tours meant that some of their choices were sold out.
Montego Bay: Historic Plantation Tours with Tropical Fruit Tastings
You can simply walk off the ship and stroll into town or catch a cab to take you wherever you want to go. While you can visit St. John without an excursion, it can be challenging to find a taxi to bring you to the ferry terminal, travel to and from the island via ferry, and find a taxi back to the ship. If you’re visiting St. Thomas and looking to experience one of the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean, book an excursion that visits St. John. Therefore, we recommend booking a taxi for the day in St. Maarten to bring you on a private, customizable tour around the island.
One of the biggest highlights of visiting Ocho Rios, Jamaica, is climbing up Dunn's River Falls, a 600-foot-long waterfall that flows into a pool by the beach. You can combine a climb up the falls with a number of other activities, including a dolphin swim, beach time or snorkeling. For high-flying views of Belize's rainforest, ziplining is a must, and for those who enjoy swimming in ancient, darkened caverns, cave-tubing will be right up your alley. If you're feeling extra adventurous, book a tour that combines the two for an active day in port.
Many lines also offer car-and-driver packages (so you can customize your own tour) or have concierges to arrange shoreside activities exclusively for your travel party. You can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more exclusive experience. Not all shore excursions involve busloads of tourists dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders.
For example, Royal Caribbean often advertises up to 30% off select tours reserved ahead of the sailing. The fun of a cruise is equal parts what you do on board and what you do on shore. Cruise lines offer a full schedule of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time in port. However, the process of choosing and booking tours can be overwhelming for new cruisers.
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