Booked all excursions thru X ,so ship would wait for us

[sippican]

2 hours ago, ScubesDad said:

Everyone has a different tolerance for risk.  Some feel very comfortable with ship excursions andcare willing to pay a premium for that security.  Others are more aggressive and are willing to accept the risk assoviated with third party tours for the (sometimes) lower cost of the tour. Neither option is better than the other; just different.

 

However, something to think about......often people quote reputational risk as a point of comfort in their decision, what if a tour does miss the return time cut off to the ship...and the ship does sail leaving 20 people on the dock.  Would it be all that difficult for business "A" to shut down and reopen as business "B" to avoid the stigma of missing the ship.  ??????

 

 

 You bring up a valid point.'

Of course Business "A" could reopen as Business "B". As a new business "B" would have no client base for reviews or credibility, which would make me count them out immediately, and move on to other reputable companies.

 

It's also worth mentioning that there are times the ship will wait for private tours, if possible, and they are made aware of a late arrival. We were told this by a well-respected tour company guide. We've also witnessed vans and taxis roaring onto the dock past sailaway time while crew frantically waves them on.

 

It's just not something I worry about if I've done due diligence in booking. But I perfectly understand that there are many who prefer the safety and convenience of ships' tours, and are willing to pay  premium for that. 

I'll certainly change my tune if I ever get left standing on the dock as the ship sails away! 😳

 

Edited May 5, 2019 by sippican

[keesar]

We have been turned off by some of our experiences using ship excursions.  Several have been oversold which place a burden on the tour operator.  One operator told me that their limit was 40 and the ship booked 49 which affected the amount of food, drinks, etc.  

 

We routinely book private excursions with a long history of great reviews.  We have never had a problem and I think the very small risk is worth the quality we have experienced.  

[Muffinz]

on our cruise last year (1st ever cruise) we used our OBC to book 2 tours and both were only 1/2 day tours, but someone on our roll call posted a few months before the cruise that they were organising a private tour and needed 2 more people, so we jumped at the chance... I think the ship was departing at 4:30 or 5pm and the private tour operator got us back to the pier by 3:30pm

[baggal]

On 5/3/2019 at 1:52 AM, wwcruisers said:

While I agree that the question of 'to wait or not to wait' is entirely up to the Captain, I can tell you that I have been on a tardy ship's tour where the ship DID wait for us. It was on Equinox, several years ago. We had a port day in Tortuga (BVI) and we took the ship's tour over to Jost Van Dyke. There was some sort of time mix-up between the ship and the tour-boat crew, and we ended up returning nearly an hour late. The folks from the Shorex Desk were waiting on the pier, when we docked. They escorted us directly onboard the ship -- pulling the gang-way up, behind us.

 

So yeah -- I do book my own shore excursions, for the most part. But if a tour involves taking a bus into the middle of the jungle, or taking a boat to another island -- I'm definitely going with the ship's tours.

 

Actually, in most cases, its up to the Harbormaster and not the Captain if  the ship can wait for you, regardless of whether you're on a ship's tour or private excursion.  Especially if the ship is docked at an active commercial port. And then there's the tides and impending weather. 

 

Over the years I have read a few threads here on CC about ships having to leave the port in a HURRY before the excursions got back to the dock.  One that comes to mind was a ship in the Med which had to leave in hurry  due to high winds, etc. from a storm coming across the Med.  Of course, the ship made arrangements for the passengers to be transferred to the next port to meet the ship.  But yes, it can and does happen. There is no absolute guarantee that the ship will wait for anyone.

 

 

 

[Hlitner]

Thought we would post some info about our extensive DIY port days when we sometimes go more than 100 miles from the ship (mostly in Europe).   Part of DIY planning is having a "Plan B" if things go wrong.  We usually have a plan in mind on how we can catch up to the ship at the next port (often not difficult if in Europe).  If that is not possible then we plan accordingly and minimize our risk of missing the ship.  In Europe a couple can easily save hundreds of dollars a day by NOT taking overpriced cruise line excursions.  As a simple example, taking a Rome on your own tour from Civitavecchia will cost a couple well over $200 (the price varies depending on the cruise line).  But taking the train costs less than $15 per person (for a BIRG ticket) which includes round trip regional train and all days use of Rome's Metro and bus systems.  And the train will likely get you to Rome before the cruise line excursion.  And that is just a single day.  Multiply that times 7 or 8 ports and we are talking real money.  The other advantage to doing things on our own is that we are on our own...and not stuck with a large group.  If we want to enjoy a long lunch at a decent restaurant it is not a problem.  And we never have to wait around for other late passengers or for 40 folks to take their turn in a rest room.  Being on your own also allows you to do what you want, when you want, with who you want.   If DIY is not practical we will usually join with a few others on a private excursion.  For us, being stuck in a large tour bus with 50+ other cruisers is akin to torture...  :).  There are a few times when a cruise excursion is the only reasonable option (such as in Murmansk) but those times are few and far between.

 

Hank

[shofer]

We do all private tours but I check on TripAdvisor for recommendations and have never had a problem in Europe or anywhere else.  The tour operator always asks what time we have to be back on the ship.

Been cruising for 25 years and have covered the Caribbean from end to end so now we cruise that area for the ship not the destination.   

On a Princess cruise,  DH lost his key card not once but twice.  He "keyed" out for an excursion and when we came back.   For some reason the computer did not recognize his card.   During dinner and about 2 hours after we left port, I heard his name over the P.A. asking him to call security where they wanted to verify that he was onboard.

if they were so concerned that he wasn't on the ship why did they wait so long?  No one called the room to see if he was there.   We had a good laugh over it but I was really miffed that they waited so long.

[DENIE]

My wife and I take advantage of both.  Some of our best experiences have been on private tours.  After befriending another CC couple a few years ago and joining them on a couple of private tours, I learned from them and became more comfortable booking our own.  We've not been disappointed.  Of course, due diligence (checking TripAdvisor, etc.) is warranted.  But by sticking with highly rated tours with lots of recent reviews, everything has gone exactly as planned.  The tour operators were very observant about when we needed to be back, and our preference is to be back 2-3 hours before leaving port. If you think about it, a few "late" excursions and it would bring financial ruin to many reputable operators whose livelihood depends on it!

 

That said, we have done ships tours where we were traveling a great distance from the port.  On in particular was a partial transit of the Panama Canal (from Colon).  We took the buses to Lake Gatun, boarded a comfortable ferry, and went through the rest of the locks and into Panama City, where the buses picked us up and brought us back to Colon....probably would not want to book an independent excursion for that.  On our upcoming cruise to the Mediterranean (Italy, Croatia, Malta) in 11/2019, we are doing a couple long excursions to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, and to Mt. Etna in Sicily.  Didn't want to take a chance on being late for those.  The remainder of our stops, however, are with local guides.

 

Dale

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, DENIE said:

My wife and I take advantage of both.  Some of our best experiences have been on private tours.  After befriending another CC couple a few years ago and joining them on a couple of private tours, I learned from them and became more comfortable booking our own.  We've not been disappointed.  Of course, due diligence (checking TripAdvisor, etc.) is warranted.  But by sticking with highly rated tours with lots of recent reviews, everything has gone exactly as planned.  The tour operators were very observant about when we needed to be back, and our preference is to be back 2-3 hours before leaving port. If you think about it, a few "late" excursions and it would bring financial ruin to many reputable operators whose livelihood depends on it!

 

That said, we have done ships tours where we were traveling a great distance from the port.  On in particular was a partial transit of the Panama Canal (from Colon).  We took the buses to Lake Gatun, boarded a comfortable ferry, and went through the rest of the locks and into Panama City, where the buses picked us up and brought us back to Colon....probably would not want to book an independent excursion for that.  On our upcoming cruise to the Mediterranean (Italy, Croatia, Malta) in 11/2019, we are doing a couple long excursions to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, and to Mt. Etna in Sicily.  Didn't want to take a chance on being late for those.  The remainder of our stops, however, are with local guides.

 

Dale

Dale,  Just a heads up about cruise line excursions to the Amalfi Coast.  Most excursions use large tour buses which will take you along the Amalfi Drive (a 2 lane windy road).  One of the highlights of the Amalfi Coast is the city of Positano, but tour buses are not permitted to enter into the city.  So you will get to see Positano from the road (above) but will not get to experience walking, browsing shops, eating, etc.  in Positano.  To go into the city you either need to be in a small vehicle (rental car, private tour, etc) or arrive via a ferry that docks at the lower part of the city.

 

Hank

[cricketgirl]

On 5/5/2019 at 1:04 PM, ScubesDad said:

Everyone has a different tolerance for risk.  Some feel very comfortable with ship excursions and are willing to pay a premium for that security.  Others are more aggressive and are willing to accept the risk associated with third party tours for the (sometimes) lower cost of the tour. Neither option is better than the other; just different.

 

Agree wholeheartedly.  We do both, depending on the options and prices.  More often than not we choose a private tour because of size and flexibility.  We do tend to lean more towards ship excursions for ports where we are tendered through, as the cruise excursions have tender priority and I don't like to have to stress about catching an early tender to meet the guide on time.

[DENIE]

20 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Dale,  Just a heads up about cruise line excursions to the Amalfi Coast.  Most excursions use large tour buses which will take you along the Amalfi Drive (a 2 lane windy road).  One of the highlights of the Amalfi Coast is the city of Positano, but tour buses are not permitted to enter into the city.  So you will get to see Positano from the road (above) but will not get to experience walking, browsing shops, eating, etc.  in Positano.  To go into the city you either need to be in a small vehicle (rental car, private tour, etc) or arrive via a ferry that docks at the lower part of the city.

 

Hank 

Thanks Hank.  Actually the tour is going to stop at a farm outside of Sorrento, for a taste of local cheese, produce and wine.  Then in to Sorrento for some shopping/walking time. After that, it is on to Pompeii...  Agree, would like to have to time to book a private tour, but this one is about 7 hours.

[Hlitner]

23 minutes ago, DENIE said:

Thanks Hank.  Actually the tour is going to stop at a farm outside of Sorrento, for a taste of local cheese, produce and wine.  Then in to Sorrento for some shopping/walking time. After that, it is on to Pompeii...  Agree, would like to have to time to book a private tour, but this one is about 7 hours.

Just so you understand that Sorrento is not even on the Amalfi Coast.   Cruise lines have long played a bit fast and loose with what they Name tours and how they are described.  For many years all the cruise tours to the Amalfi Coast would say "you will see Positano" and they were correct.  Folks "saw" Positano"  from above :).  I think it might have been some of the posts here on CC that finally spurred them to put a little accuracy into the descriptions.  It is the same about Sorrento.  While the city is sometimes described as part of the Amalfi Coast it is not even close.  It is on the opposite side of the Sorrento Peninsula.   Pompeii is quite amazing and a great place to visit from Naples.  

[DENIE]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

Just so you understand that Sorrento is not even on the Amalfi Coast.   Cruise lines have long played a bit fast and loose with what they Name tours and how they are described.  For many years all the cruise tours to the Amalfi Coast would say "you will see Positano" and they were correct.  Folks "saw" Positano"  from above :).  I think it might have been some of the posts here on CC that finally spurred them to put a little accuracy into the descriptions.  It is the same about Sorrento.  While the city is sometimes described as part of the Amalfi Coast it is not even close.  It is on the opposite side of the Sorrento Peninsula.   Pompeii is quite amazing and a great place to visit from Naples.   

Have to say...I would not have known that!  Thanks!  We had some OBC to use, so that is what paid for this trip.  I know this trip will whet our appetite, so will definitely go back to experience the real Amalfi coast! 🙂