Buckimion Posted August 19, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Can I buy excursions once on board? I'm hesitant to pay in advance and tie up funds beforehand, see the weather report for our cruise, see if we really feel like it, ect.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmetz34 Posted August 19, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Yup! As long as they're not sold out. And even then you can waitlist. They even give some away at the excursions presentation if you attend. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudyard Posted August 19, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Yes. There's an excursions desk on the ship with someone that can help you with that. They also have brochures available advertising the various excursions. You can grab a few of these after you board the ship to look through before making a decision. Some popular excursions that are limited to a certain number of people can sell out quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted August 19, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 19, 2017 There are some ports with popular excursions that may be sold out when you are onboard. The Roll Call is also a good source of this information, and other privately organized excursion. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger0613 Posted August 19, 2017 #5 Share Posted August 19, 2017 There is usually a copy of the shore excursion booklet(Fun Ashore) in your cabin. It has all of the possible excursions for your itinerary. As for the weather and tying up money, read the answer to question 16 on this page. The refund policy is question 31. https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2866/~/shore-excursion-faqs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshhawk Posted August 19, 2017 #6 Share Posted August 19, 2017 We have booked an excursion on the ship, sometimes it is a good way to see what is available if you haven't done any research, and you attend the excursion talk and something really grabs you. If you are going to Alaska, book your excursions in advance, rain, snow, sleet, sun, they wont be cancelled due to weather. If you are cruising the western Caribbean or the Bahamas, you can usually book one last minute on the ship, or create your own easily. Research, research research your ports before you leave if getting off the ship is important to you Have a great cruise.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Seas Texan Posted August 19, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I always book once on board. For me, I have never had an excursion sell out and be turned down. I guess it is just my taste, I have had excursions cancelled because not enough people sign up for them. Aside from that, my personal ritual is to board the ship and settle down on the Lido deck with my lunch and look through the brochure advertising all the options and select what I might want to do, then go to the desk and make the purchase. Oh, and I usually do this while enjoying Tuna Salad Sandwich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandbob Posted August 19, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I actually wonder if ship excursions really sell out, or if that is just to scare folks into buying them early? I often hear the CD shilling for excursions the night before the ship hits that port. Many excursions can just add another bus, driver and guide if demand warrants it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted August 19, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I actually wonder if ship excursions really sell out, or if that is just to scare folks into buying them early? I often hear the CD shilling for excursions the night before the ship hits that port. Many excursions can just add another bus, driver and guide if demand warrants it. In general think you are correct. Have even heard them shilling for excursions as we are about to dock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachbum53 Posted August 19, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Can I buy excursions once on board? I'm hesitant to pay in advance and tie up funds beforehand, see the weather report for our cruise, see if we really feel like it, ect.. If you do opt to wait until you are on board, I would strongly recommend that you go to the Excursions Desk as soon as it opens on Embarkation Day. There are some excursions that have limited availability and tend to sell out very quickly. Some things, such as renting a cabana at HMC or Grand Turk are very limited, and are typically all rented long before the cruise is scheduled to sail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckimion Posted August 19, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Some things, such as renting a cabana at HMC or Grand Turk are very limited, and are typically all rented long before the cruise is scheduled to sail. Lol, yes. ;p Those are some of the few I wouldn't mess around with. I'm primarily talking about most of Cozumel and Progreso though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted August 19, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Unless there is an excursion we absolutely want to take, we wait to book once on the ship. The most popular ones do sell out quickly. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cthrn27 Posted August 19, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 19, 2017 (edited) I actually wonder if ship excursions really sell out, or if that is just to scare folks into buying them early? I often hear the CD shilling for excursions the night before the ship hits that port. Many excursions can just add another bus, driver and guide if demand warrants it. We sailed conquest in July and our excursion of choice was booked up. Excursion desk turned us down day before. Luckily there are lots of choices. We were pleased and pleasantly surprised at the turtle farm Edited August 19, 2017 by cthrn27 Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summersigh Posted August 19, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I make my decision when to buy excursions based on how many ships are going to be in port on the day we are. If there are a lot (and especially with the RCCL giants) I book early - if there are only one or 2 ships I wait until the last minute on even on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted August 19, 2017 #15 Share Posted August 19, 2017 We have booked an excursion on the ship, sometimes it is a good way to see what is available if you haven't done any research, and you attend the excursion talk and something really grabs you. If you are going to Alaska, book your excursions in advance, rain, snow, sleet, sun, they wont be cancelled due to weather. If you are cruising the western Caribbean or the Bahamas, you can usually book one last minute on the ship, or create your own easily. Research, research research your ports before you leave if getting off the ship is important to you Have a great cruise.. that's odd, I had 2 of my Alaska excursions cancelled, both due to fog. we were scheduled for a helicopter tour, no go. we also booked a fly fishing trip on a small plane, no go again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPlayWithString Posted August 20, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Unless there is an excursion we absolutely want to take, we wait to book once on the ship. The most popular ones do sell out quickly. ;) That's what we do too most of the time. We grab a booklet from Shore Ex and sit down and talk about it. My son has autism so there are some things that even though WE think they look great, he might not be able to tolerate because of his particular issues. On our last cruise, we chose to do a ziplining/river tubing excursion in Mo'Bay that almost turned into a disaster because it was overbooked (IMO) and turned into a lot of "Hurry the heck up and stand there and wait" which my son doesn't do very well with. Between that and the bugs (we forgot bugspray. :( ) he almost had a complete meltdown a few times throughout the day. He got upset that we were so rushed on the way back, we didn't have time to shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdisney Posted August 20, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Does Carnival ever offer discounts on booking excursions before sailing? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted August 20, 2017 #18 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Does Carnival ever offer discounts on booking excursions before sailing? Sent from my iPhone using Forums :D:D:D that's laughing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdisney Posted August 20, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 20, 2017 :D:D:D that's laughing Well ive seen it on princess, which is owned by carnival. That's why I asked :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPlayWithString Posted August 20, 2017 #20 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Does Carnival ever offer discounts on booking excursions before sailing? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Just perusing the excursions, I've seen some that had discounts, though I couldn't begin to fathom WHY they were discounted.:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordanaire Posted August 21, 2017 #21 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Can I buy excursions once on board? I'm hesitant to pay in advance and tie up funds beforehand, see the weather report for our cruise, see if we really feel like it, ect.. Yes you can buy excursions on the ship. But you need to do it asap as most excursions sell out fast. And keep in mind...buying a Carnival-backed excursion protects you from the ship leaving you behind if your excursion is late returning to the ship. Sent from my LG-LS993 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted August 21, 2017 #22 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Even private excursions are never late for the ship. They are the same companies taking different ships passengers. This is what they do for a living and one late arrival could put them out of business. As mentioned before, this is Carnival's little fear factor to get you to book with them for a higher price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger0613 Posted August 21, 2017 #23 Share Posted August 21, 2017 Does Carnival ever offer discounts on booking excursions before sailing? Sent from my iPhone using Forums They will give you a discount if you book three(?) excursions within 48 hours(?) of booking the cruise. Also, John Heald occasionally has a 5% off code(not good on FTTF or Alaska excursions). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaShelle2 Posted August 22, 2017 #24 Share Posted August 22, 2017 One advantage of booking in advance is the low price guarantee. Carnival will refund 110% of the difference in OBC if you find the same excursion offered by a private tour company for a lower price. I was successful in finding the exact same beach break in Progreso, MX with a private company. This resulted in $38 ea OBC refunded for all 6 in our party. It's a win win situation, since you have the security of booking directly with the ship and get the lower price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badfinger Posted August 22, 2017 #25 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Can I buy excursions once on board? I'm hesitant to pay in advance and tie up funds beforehand, see the weather report for our cruise, see if we really feel like it, ect.. Some of the adventure types excursions, such as wave runners and ATV's will sell out. But more often, if they offer the same excursion at different times, the earlier departure will sell out. No need to go to the excursion desk. Download the FunHub app and buy them via the App. Your tickets will be delivered the evening prior to the excursions. That is what we just did on the Breeze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now