Two tours in the same day?

[NillaB]

Did anyone do it and/or know of NCL-"rules"/guidelines for booking 2 tours in the same day?

 

It's possible to book it, but there's only a half hour between the tours. I'm thinking I would need to get back onboard in order to meet up with the group for the next excursion - right?

[Funky Fusion FoodsJ]

I've done it several times.  Just talk to them at the excursion desk and they'll let you know where to meet 2nd tour on the pier usually.

[NillaB]

32 minutes ago, Funky Fusion FoodsJ said:

I've done it several times.  Just talk to them at the excursion desk and they'll let you know where to meet 2nd tour on the pier usually.

Perfect - just the kind of advice I was hoping for!

[shof515]

i too have done it many times. give yourself a 1 to 2 hour buffer between the tours. do not book tours with a 1 hour or less gap

[kitkat343]

If you try the destination board or tripadvisor, you may find a private tour operator who can operate both excursions, which would probably be a lot more convenient for you since you won't need to return to the ship in between the two destinations.  

[NillaB]

2 minutes ago, kitkat343 said:

If you try the destination board or tripadvisor, you may find a private tour operator who can operate both excursions, which would probably be a lot more convenient for you since you won't need to return to the ship in between the two destinations.  

I have tried, but thank you 😊 

[julig22]

Done it many times.  For the most part, the meeting place for later excursions has been on the pier so no need to return to the ship.  There should be NCL reps on the pier that will direct you.

[MeHeartCruising]

Where excursions meet is entirely a factor of the port you are in.  While it is common in the Caribbean for an excursion to meet "on the pier", this is not very common at all on European cruises.  They usually meet on the ship and have an escort walk the group out to a waiting bus.  You would not know which bus to get on without going on to the ship and getting with the group before they left the meeting place.  Either way, 30 minutes SHOULD be enough time to get to the second meeting location, but it also could be tight.  If it were me, I'd risk it though and go for both of them.  I also would not hold the cruise line responsible if the timing didn't work out.  I've done 2 on the same day before, but I had more time in between the 2.

Edited March 14, 2023 by MeHeartCruising

[Ozmodiar]

I've done two tours through the ship multiple times. 30 minutes is the minimum, and an hour is better, as the gap between. Most recently I had 45 minutes, the first tour got back almost 50 minutes late, so I hopped on the next bus which was waiting just a few minutes for me. I assume they would have left without me if it was a much longer (as they should, no need to delay the other passengers), but also they may have been in communication with the shore excursion staff to know my ETA (they were holding the bus for me).

 

I haven't had to reboard the ship between tours, just find the shore excursion team staff members that are at the pier and they will direct you. About the only time this may be an issue is a tender port, if the tenders are not going to a single point on land, which becomes the de facto pier where the staff are, so you may need to return to the ship. 

 

I will also note, you get the $50 off per tour (or at least I have), so as a solo traveler it can be a great deal to do two half-day tours instead of a full-day. I also like it as you often get a different guide, so a different perspective during their spiel/overview, while on the bus.

[NillaB]

46 minutes ago, MeHeartCruising said:

Where excursions meet is entirely a factor of the port you are in.  While it is common in the Caribbean for an excursion to meet "on the pier", this is not very common at all on European cruises.  They usually meet on the ship and have an escort walk the group out to a waiting bus.  You would not know which bus to get on without going on to the ship and getting with the group before they left the meeting place.  Either way, 30 minutes SHOULD be enough time to get to the second meeting location, but it also could be tight.  If it were me, I'd risk it though and go for both of them.  I also would not hold the cruise line responsible if the timing didn't work out.  I've done 2 on the same day before, but I had more time in between the 2.

That's pretty much what I'm thinking also.

[julig22]

39 minutes ago, MeHeartCruising said:

Where excursions meet is entirely a factor of the port you are in.  While it is common in the Caribbean for an excursion to meet "on the pier", this is not very common at all on European cruises.  They usually meet on the ship and have an escort walk the group out to a waiting bus.  You would not know which bus to get on without going on to the ship and getting with the group before they left the meeting place.

Early excursions normally meet on the ship. Excursions later in the day do not normally meet on the ship in my experience, regardless of the location.  No need, there are NCL reps on the pier that form the groups, hand out bus stickers, etc. Done it many times, including Europe.

[yankprintster]

I've done it once before, but I felt it spoils the first excursion because I was constantly looking at my watch making sure we weren't running too far behind.

[julig22]

4 minutes ago, yankprintster said:

I've done it once before, but I felt it spoils the first excursion because I was constantly looking at my watch making sure we weren't running too far behind.

I hear you on that one.  I did miss one once, totally the fault of the tour guide.  She totally ignored me when I reminded her when we were supposed to return.  She wanted a coffee break and proceeded to to make an unscheduled 45 minute stop, on top of already being late.  But otherwise they've all worked out.