wingman2014 Posted September 21, 2014 #1 Share Posted September 21, 2014 What do you do if you haven't booked a shore excursion ? Stay on ship or walk around the port ?? Were going on Freedom of the seas ( western Caribbean ) our first time on freedom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted September 21, 2014 #2 Share Posted September 21, 2014 What do you do if you haven't booked a shore excursion ? Stay on ship or walk around the port ?? Were going on Freedom of the seas ( western Caribbean ) our first time on freedom There is lots to do in any port. For suggestions, use the Ports of Call forum here on Cruise Critic: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewSalt Posted September 21, 2014 #3 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Depending on how long we'll be in port (my DH has a terror of the ship sailing without him), we'll walk around the port with some assistance from a tour book and shop or take a tour offered by one of the many people who offer them as you leave the ship. We've had very good luck with finding pleasant, knowledgeable guides for a very reasonable amount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matj2000 Posted September 21, 2014 #4 Share Posted September 21, 2014 We really do shore excursions and wind up having a better time than most of the other passengers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OfTheSeasCruiser Posted September 21, 2014 #5 Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) If we don't have an excursion booked, we just take our time getting off the ship, then just go explore the port for few a hours. I try to get a few really nice pics of the port and the outside of the ship and we will usually grab a bite to eat for lunch, also. Edited September 21, 2014 by OfTheSeasCruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted September 21, 2014 #6 Share Posted September 21, 2014 We really do shore excursions and wind up having a better time than most of the other passengers... Do you REALLY do shore excursions, or do you RARELY do shore excursions? How do you know the level of your "good time" vs the "good time" of others? Inquiring minds want to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLion_AP Posted September 21, 2014 #7 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Do you REALLY do shore excursions, or do you RARELY do shore excursions? How do you know the level of your "good time" vs the "good time" of others? Inquiring minds want to know. Thinking the exact same thing. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted September 21, 2014 #8 Share Posted September 21, 2014 When we have no shore excursions booked, sometimes we walk around in town and have a drink or lunch. Other times, we take a taxi to a beach when in the Caribbean. When the weather is bad, we just stay on the ship. It all depends on the port. :) LuLu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted September 21, 2014 #9 Share Posted September 21, 2014 There is lots to do in any port. For suggestions, use the Ports of Call forum here on Cruise Critic: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587 Good forum. :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BND Posted September 21, 2014 #10 Share Posted September 21, 2014 (edited) Do you REALLY do shore excursions, or do you RARELY do shore excursions? How do you know the level of your "good time" vs the "good time" of others? Inquiring minds want to know. Ha. Good one;) We sometimes book excursions and sometimes don't. We explore on our own in some ports, in others we shop or eat a meal at a local restaurant. Occasionally we stay onboard like we did on Allure. Research the ports and decide if there's something you really want to do and if not, just go with the flow. It can be very relaxing to just stay onboard. Edited September 21, 2014 by BND Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted September 22, 2014 #11 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Excursions are nice but to wander around on your own for a few hours off ship is very nice as well. We often head to the Main street find a bar and people watch for a while in the Ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viv0828 Posted September 22, 2014 #12 Share Posted September 22, 2014 We have never booked a shore excursion. We read up on the port, decide what we want to see, grab a cab, ask for additional sightseeing suggestions, negotiate a price and off we go! This gives us the freedom to stay as long or short a time as we wish as each sight, stop unexpectedly if we see something that looks interesting, and grab some geocaches along the way. Works for us! We have never been even close to returning late as we really keep track of time. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingman2014 Posted September 22, 2014 Author #13 Share Posted September 22, 2014 We are going jetskiing in LABADEE, has anyone done that before ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyGUofD Posted September 22, 2014 #14 Share Posted September 22, 2014 My favorite moments while cruising are when the ship is in port and virtually empty. It's a great time to hang out at the pool and, since there are so few passengers there, it's actually easier to get to meet people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 22, 2014 #15 Share Posted September 22, 2014 We hardly ever do excursions, but we DO research our ports, so we know what to do! Wandering without a clue is a waste of time! Almost everything can be done without excursions, but you HAVE to do some research! Get a guidebook on your ports! Libraries have them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Paul Posted September 22, 2014 #16 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Sometimes we just walk around the town, eat drink and be happy. Usually the first time on an island we do an excursion, subsequent visits perhaps not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MICHLEV1974 Posted September 22, 2014 #17 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I felt a little guilty that I stayed on the ship and didn't explore the island. I thought, perhaps, I will be missing something really great and would regret staying on the ship. But then, it was a happy day to be able to enjoy the empty pool deck and the empty windjammer and the empty pool bar......really took time to explore the ship and all the artwork around the ship....i talked with the CD for a little bit and felt more connected to the ship (if that makes sense) :) Did I want to see the island-yes....but did I enjoy the ship more-absolutely! Unless it's an island that you truly don't want to miss, staying on the ship is a beauty in itself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted September 23, 2014 #18 Share Posted September 23, 2014 My favorite moments while cruising are when the ship is in port and virtually empty. It's a great time to hang out at the pool and, since there are so few passengers there, it's actually easier to get to meet people. yes it is a good time to talk with others.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted September 23, 2014 #19 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Sometimes we just walk around the town, eat drink and be happy. Usually the first time on an island we do an excursion, subsequent visits perhaps not. We do this as well and found out some wonderful sites and met some amazing folks.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
April-in-NC Posted September 23, 2014 #20 Share Posted September 23, 2014 We rarely do SHIP SPONSORED excursions, but I usually book something with an independent provider. This last cruise on the Majesty we didn't book anything and just laid on the beach in Coco Cay and wandered around the port area in Nassau. A little bit of research will go a long way on free/cheap things to do that don't require an "excursion". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matj2000 Posted September 23, 2014 #21 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Do you REALLY do shore excursions, or do you RARELY do shore excursions? How do you know the level of your "good time" vs the "good time" of others? Inquiring minds want to know. I meant rarely. But we do stuff at the ports. Usually rent a car/jeep and drive around the island at our own thing. Mainly beaches. Sometimes we do an organized excursion. Usually last minute/weather pending. As far as having a better time than the others. When you have a "hot wife" it increases the overall experience tenfold. Thus making it a better time than most of the others!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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