How Can I Arrange a Tour When I Don't Know How Long It Will Take to Get to Shore

[jtwind]

I'm looking at tours in Belize, and the ones I want leave at 8:30 or 9.  The ship arrives at 8.  Without suite level priority or a cruise company excursion, how can I possibly arrange an independent shore excursion?  I'l really have no idea when I can get ashore.

[merinski]

There are no guarantee's. Also depending on how many ships are near port that day. We just got back and there were 4 ships that day. The tenders were a real problem. We made it to our tour, partly because they try to wait for you, but it took so long to leave the ship and get on a tender and then coming back we stood an hour & a half in the heat to get back on a tender to get back to the ship! I hate to say it, but if it is not a ship excursion and if there are a lot of ships, I would not got to shore! JMHO 

[ABQrobin]

On 1/29/2024 at 11:16 AM, jtwind said:

I'm looking at tours in Belize, and the ones I want leave at 8:30 or 9.  The ship arrives at 8.  Without suite level priority or a cruise company excursion, how can I possibly arrange an independent shore excursion?  I'l really have no idea when I can get ashore.

Most independent tour operators know the ships schedules and account for the tender times.  They would be stupid not to as their whole business is from the cruise ships.  When you book an independent tour in Belize, they usually ask what ship you are on, then they can tell you yes or no for the time you arrive.  But if it worries you that much, then just go with a ship's excursion to get the guarantee.