When can I book excursions

[ChbyMnky]

When do bookings for excursions open? I've read on the website approximately 15 weeks before, but I've also read it is based on when the reservation is paid in full.  If I pay 6 months before sailing, can I book excursions at that point, or do they open for everyone at the same time about 3 months out?

 

Thank you!

[seachelt]

In my experience, if you are paying cash you can book your excursions any time after you book the cruise. Go ahead and try it.

Enjoy your cruise!

seachelt

[caribill]

You can book (and pay for when booking) Princess shore excursions once they are set up for your cruise.

 

Sometimes they are set up a year or more in advance and sometimes six or less months before the cruise.

 

It does not matter when you make final payment for the cruise. If excursions are available at the time you initially book the cruise, you can reserve them at that time.

[david63]

On a personal note - I would never book any excursions that I had to pay for until I had paid the final balance. It saves all the hassle of cancelling and getting refunds if, for some reason, I do not go ahead with that cruise.

[caribill]

3 minutes ago, david63 said:

On a personal note - I would never book any excursions that I had to pay for until I had paid the final balance. It saves all the hassle of cancelling and getting refunds if, for some reason, I do not go ahead with that cruise.

 

Sometimes it is better to book excursions before final payment:

a) Popular excursions or those with limited spaces may be sold out by the time you make final payment.

b) Often the cost of excursions increases as the time to embarkation gets closer.

[david63]

3 minutes ago, caribill said:

Popular excursions or those with limited spaces may be sold out

That is a chance that I am prepared to take. Also if an excursion is that popular at most ports either an additional excursion will be added or there are local alternatives that I can do. In over40 years of cruising I cannot recall not being able to go on an excursion that I wanted to go on.

 

6 minutes ago, caribill said:

Often the cost of excursions increases as the time to embarkation gets closer.

Never noticed that, but then again I don't monitor the price of excursions.

 

Also bear in mind that I am in the UK and excursions are charged in USD so I have exchange rates to contend with and more often than not when anything is cancelled and a refund given I lose out.

[BamaVol]

9 hours ago, david63 said:

That is a chance that I am prepared to take. Also if an excursion is that popular at most ports either an additional excursion will be added or there are local alternatives that I can do. In over40 years of cruising I cannot recall not being able to go on an excursion that I wanted to go on.

 

Never noticed that, but then again I don't monitor the price of excursions.

 

Also bear in mind that I am in the UK and excursions are charged in USD so I have exchange rates to contend with and more often than not when anything is cancelled and a refund given I lose out.

We definitely missed out on excursions on on Panama Canal sailing.  Some showed waitlist but slots never opened. Some were simply sold out.  In no instance were additional excursions added.  These were small companies with limited resources.  
 

As far as exchange differences, it’s probably 50/50 whether the pound to dollar is higher or lower when you cancel.  Far from a sure bet either way, but odds you wouldn’t hesitate to take in the casino.

Edited May 3, 2023 by BamaVol

[david63]

19 minutes ago, BamaVol said:

odds you wouldn’t hesitate to take in the casino.

There is no way that I would ever go into the casino

[Rick&Jeannie]

 

They definitely DO increase on occasion.  We have experienced it on several cruises.  Primarily when we have booked and traveling companions have put it off...and they get stuck with a higher rate.

[EricaAH]

1 hour ago, BamaVol said:

As far as exchange differences, it’s probably 50/50 whether the pound to dollar is higher or lower when you cancel.  Far from a sure bet either way, but odds you wouldn’t hesitate to take in the casino.

 

I'm Canadian, so not exactly the same, but I lost quite a bit when I hand to cancel and rebook. My excursions were refunded in full by Princess, but my credit card had charged a premium on the exchange that wasn't refunded. I will have to look into getting a USD card if I travel again.

 

[BobAnne]

On 5/3/2023 at 2:45 AM, caribill said:

Sometimes they are set up a year or more in advance and sometimes six or less months before the cruise.

 

I am now just under a year out and still waiting for excursions. I swear Princess is going to post them just to get me to stop checking back two or three times a day. LOL

 

Seriously though, do they notify travellers when the excursions are finally posted or is my booking stalking the best method?

[caribill]

1 hour ago, BobAnne said:

 

I am now just under a year out and still waiting for excursions. I swear Princess is going to post them just to get me to stop checking back two or three times a day. LOL

 

Seriously though, do they notify travellers when the excursions are finally posted or is my booking stalking the best method?

 

Any notification by Princess is not timely.

 

And sometimes not all for a port are released at the same time.