1st Time Cruiser--Shore excursion confusion--E. Caribbean

[julie_shannon]

We are taking our very first cruise (as our honeymoon) on the Allure of the Seas on 4-10-16 in the Eastern Caribbean. Because we are using RCI's honeymoon registry, we don't actually want to book our excursions yet as we want to use the money gifted to our account. But we have been looking over our choices. We have some questions that we can't seem to find answers to so we're hoping you can fill in the blanks.

 

--The beach excursions. What are we paying for exactly? Couldn't we just walk off the ship and go to the beach ourselves without paying more money?

 

--No matter what excursions we book, can we just leave that activity when we want to get back on the ship?

 

If it helps, our ports of call are: Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten.

[Clarea]

We are taking our very first cruise (as our honeymoon) on the Allure of the Seas on 4-10-16 in the Eastern Caribbean. Because we are using RCI's honeymoon registry, we don't actually want to book our excursions yet as we want to use the money gifted to our account. But we have been looking over our choices. We have some questions that we can't seem to find answers to so we're hoping you can fill in the blanks.

 

--The beach excursions. What are we paying for exactly? Couldn't we just walk off the ship and go to the beach ourselves without paying more money?

 

--No matter what excursions we book, can we just leave that activity when we want to get back on the ship?

 

If it helps, our ports of call are: Nassau, Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten.

Some beaches require transportation, entrance fees, and fees for loungers and umbrella. The excursion would include these things. Some excursions also include lunch and/or drinks.

 

With regard to leaving when you want, sure, you could do that, but you may incur extra costs for a taxi to take you back to the ship.

 

Read the excursion brochure, it should describe what is included.

[whataboutport]

If you are doing Orient Beach on St Maartin, you can just go yourself, but like posted above, you have to pay for chair rentals, transport there and back, and food/drinks if you want. You cannot just go there and lay your towel down on the sand. The beach there is like resort style, with each bar/restaurant owning the part of beach in front of it. You must be a patron of their establishment (or rent their chairs) to use that part of the beach. You can however just walk up and down the beach if you'd like, but I don't know where you'd put your stuff if you wanted to go in the water.

 

St Thomas we went to St John, took the excursion from the cruiseline. It was a very nice day, but the water visibility was not too great for snorkeling. But if you stay on St Thomas, Magen's Bay is very popular.

 

Nassau I believe there is a beach within walking distance from the ship so you don't have to pay for an excursion there.

[Langley Cruisers]

--No matter what excursions we book, can we just leave that activity when we want to get back on the ship? ...

 

Hi there -

 

This one puzzles me. As clarea said, yes you can leave the tour but it will cost you extra to get back to the ship, on top of what you've already paid (which includes transportation BACK to the pier). That's usually one of the reasons why people book excursions - so they know they have a ride back. BUT - yes, of course you can leave the tour but you have to tell your guide first. S/he is responsible for having as many people at the end as at the beginning, so do be sure to tell your guide.

 

The part that puzzles me, though, is why you feel you might want to leave the tour, frankly - what are you thinking will be not to your liking that you will want to leave early? Sincerely asking, not being mean. The excursions are described in detail on the cruise line's website, as well as the length of the tour. We tend to book early morning tours (private or ship) and seeing as that would be "x" number of hours, we know that we can shop in port when we get dropped off.

[laurac22]

Yes you can almost always get off the ship and get to a beach on your own. Some beaches are public beaches and free, with a charge for chairs or umbrellas. Others are more like a beach club and you pay a fee to get in, and use their equipment.Usually cheaper than the cruise line. However depending on where it is there may be a taxi fee to consider as well.

 

If you book an excursion through the cruise line, part of the cost involved is transportation. Leaving the excursion on your own would depend on the type of excursion it is. Even if you could leave the excursion on your own, doesn't make a lot of sense to then have to pay for your own transportation back if that is the case.

 

When in St Thomas, we always go over to St Johns, to Trunk Bay or Honeymoon beach. The last time we took the excursion through the cruise line that was to explore on your own. you get a ride over and a ride back, but while there your on your own. it was great. Although you can totally get there on your own, just make sure that you time it right.

 

Enjoy your Honeymoon and Congrats on your wedding!

[whataboutport]

Hi there -

 

This one puzzles me. As clarea said, yes you can leave the tour but it will cost you extra to get back to the ship, on top of what you've already paid (which includes transportation BACK to the pier). That's usually one of the reasons why people book excursions - so they know they have a ride back. BUT - yes, of course you can leave the tour but you have to tell your guide first. S/he is responsible for having as many people at the end as at the beginning, so do be sure to tell your guide.

 

The part that puzzles me, though, is why you feel you might want to leave the tour, frankly - what are you thinking will be not to your liking that you will want to leave early? Sincerely asking, not being mean. The excursions are described in detail on the cruise line's website, as well as the length of the tour. We tend to book early morning tours (private or ship) and seeing as that would be "x" number of hours, we know that we can shop in port when we get dropped off.

 

While not a ship sponsored tour, when we were on St Maartin, we were on Bernard's tour. We were not happy with the tour and really considered taking a taxi back to the ship. We stuck it out and it didn't get much better.

[julie_shannon]

We aren't necessarily going to leave an excursion early, but due to some medical issues it may be a possibility so we were just wondering. Also, if we wanted to spend some time on the ship while most people are in port, can we just leave the ship a little later? Or does everyone have to get off the same time? (This is more if we're just doing a beach day).

[brillohead]

We aren't necessarily going to leave an excursion early, but due to some medical issues it may be a possibility so we were just wondering. Also, if we wanted to spend some time on the ship while most people are in port, can we just leave the ship a little later? Or does everyone have to get off the same time? (This is more if we're just doing a beach day).

 

You can come and go as you please from the ship, just make sure you're back before the time specified.

[whataboutport]

Unless of course you have booked an excursion, then you must meet at the designated time. If you are late, they will go without you. It's happened to me.