Excursion Explanation/Recommendations

[geegeewhiz]

As I'm planning for my upcoming cruise (RCL 6 night Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Labadie) I realized that I don't know much about the excursions and haven't found any real specific answers, so I was wondering if you all can help.

 

I keep reading posts that say do not book excursions through RCL, so where do I book? I would like to visit the beach in Falmouth, do I need a day pass to do that? Or can I just get off the ship and find a chair and sit? I would also like to do the zipline in Labadee and the turtle-thing in Grand Cayman, please help! Any recommendations on where to book other than RCL? Thanks!

[spookwife]

booking through the cruise line is( usually) more expensive yes.

 

HOWEVER when you DO you are guaranteed to not miss the ship.

 

My husband is Ex Navy and has been pretty much all over( hell right before he retired he spent six months deployed to pretty much all the Caribbean ports plus a few extras) so is quite comfortable venturing out on his own. he WILL NOT do anything but a ship tour in Haiti. (and a couple of other locations not relevant to your itinerary)

 

Labadee is Royal's private beach destination, ( and you really DO NOT want to leave that area at all) so you do not need to book anything.. treat it like beach day

 

the other two ports: start with the Port Call section of this board, where you can get recommendations. then hit places like Trip advisor to get a feel for the reliability of the tours. also hit up up the Roll Call Thread of your itinerary.. you may find someone who wants some people to join them on a private tour whcihcan lower your overall cost.

[cb at sea]

True...on Labadee, it's a beach day. NO excursions needed at all! The zip-line can be booked onboard, or even on the beach, if slots are available. ALL excursions there are thru the ship...you have no choice in that regard.

 

For your other ports..read a guidebook...most things are easy to do on your own!

[Sauer-kraut]

Look at the PORTS OF CALL board here on cruise critic for your port stops, there are lots of tour operators that are vetted by other cruisers. You just need to do some research.