Anyone ever just wing it?

[Vanessa L]

I used to plan excursions until I had rotated through all the islands available on the Eastern/western/southern Caribbean cruises only because I was unfamiliar to the area and wanted to have a set plan rather than go in "blind". I discovered that many of the islands just don't need escorted tours. The Bahamas is an example. On other islands I've learned to research (the individual listings for each location on these boards are awesome for information) and book any tours I take independently of the ships. Like some noted here though, I usually just get off the ship and wing it (usually ending up on a beach somewhere) unless there is a tour I just can't do without. Also, as I've aged (I've been cruising since I was 21, now 42) I have gotten far more into rest and relaxation on a cruise vs. go, go, go. It's just too stressful. However, if I am cruising an area for the first time I will almost always book shore excursions just as an FYI to self for when I go back to that area, even to this day.

[kchesneylover]

Well, we normally book excursions when we board. I do tons of research beforehand, though.

 

In Nassau, we book the snorkeling excursion through Carnival. In St. Thomas, we are on our own to St. John. In St. Martin, I think we are booking the snorkeling excursion through the ship to Creole Rock.

 

I don't like winging it. If nothing is planned, then you may end up doing nothing but wasting time.

[LHP]

I usually do recommend folks book at ship excursion if they are going to allow any "worries" (getting back to the ship, safety etc) envade their vacation.

 

It really depends on the individual, but saving money isn't worth ruining a vacation over worry.

[seamama1]

Well, we normally book excursions when we board. I do tons of research beforehand, though.

 

In Nassau, we book the snorkeling excursion through Carnival. In St. Thomas, we are on our own to St. John. In St. Martin, I think we are booking the snorkeling excursion through the ship to Creole Rock.

 

I don't like winging it. If nothing is planned, then you may end up doing nothing but wasting time.

 

:p Wasting time is exactly why I cruise! I waste time sleeping, eating, watching the sea, sunning on my balcony, reading a really good book, spending a few bucks in the casino, napping, going ashore on my own and buying a couple of things I don't need, chatting with others onboard, watching the "show" that is always provided by my fellow passengers, enjoying the quietness of the pool when most everyone else is ashore.....

 

Woo-hoo! I know, shame on me!!:o

 

I guess we all travel at a different speed. :p

[crusinpsychRN]

I also believe it depends on ports. If you really want to see Mayan ruins it's sometimes easier to do excursion but they also might be crowded. If you decide last minute on board to book and can't do it on the TV, standing in line for excursions is very frustrating.

 

Some of our "winging" it worked out great because we knew a lot before we went. I couldn't believe myself but we played miniature gold in Cozumel at Sally's and had so much fun! In Costa Maya we got a golf cart and rode into town ourselves and had a blast.

 

Not knowing a port at all could be a real bust.

[nanuak]

Although this is our first cruise, I have been reading cruise critic and we are going to "wing-it" in Jamaica and Cozumel; and I booked directly through Captain Marvin's for Stingray City in Grand Caymen.

 

Since we were married in Jamaica, I am not too worried about being hassled by street vendors "been there, done that", but Sunset Beach sounds pretty promising.

 

I believe that if you do enough research before you go, you don't need to pay the high prices that Carnival wants to charge for their excursions.

 

This is just MHO.

[mlmagic]

On our last cruise we did both and it worked really well, DH and I decided to each choose ONE thing in port we did not want to miss, whatever port we liked, after really looking at all the excursions. Then the rest of the time we did what we wanted, cruised the town, got a cab, etc. We like cruising, because for us, the ship itself is a destination...we could care less if it ever slowed down and stopped, we just love to relax, eat, sleep and "hang out".

Kept the cost down and we each did something we really wanted to do. we are planning to do the same on the next trip!:)

mlmagic

[DqALEX]

I wing it all the time except for scuba, that I book from Carnival

[JudyKa]

I never book excursions... I guess if there was something I REALLY wanted to do, I would... I prefer to plan just a day at the beach, leisurely get off the ship and enjoy my day. Too much planning can take the fun out of cruising.

 

That's kind of our philosophy, Goin.....we are of the type of people that don't enjoy rushing around to catch this and that deadline or time to catch a shuttle or whatever on our vacations. We usually wait and see what looks interesting when we board ship; and don't stress out if nothing stands out to us. We kind of make our own fun otherwise in ports (in a safe manner that is) or on the ship.

[The4Cruisers]

The very first cruise / first port we were at, we awoke one morning to look out the stateroom window and see the cruise excursion (that we were scheduled to be on) leaving the pier area. Since then we decided to "wing it" and go with what's convenient to us after we're awake and ready to leave the ship.

 

Let me throw this out there too...Carnival gave us OBC for the missed excursion, even though it was our fault! We really appreciated that.

[VentureMan_2000]

I never pay for an excursion... we just walk around the port towns... pay for a taxi if needed. My goal is to relax... not to see how much I can pack in... or to see how much I can spend. The excursions can add up real quick.:eek:

 

I really don't want to be sitting on a tour bus.

[joelmarj]

We 'wing it' in most ports, but that doesn't mean I haven't read up on my options and local things to do. Just because I haven't booked anything, doesn't mean I don't know what is out there.

 

We do book excursions through the ship in Belize though, just because of the atmosphere of that port. Safety first!

 

I couldn't handle just going on a trip ANYWHERE without having some sort of plan. Whether or not it is set in stone is a whole other ballgame, but I am a bit of a control freak. :)

 

A little research and a little knowledge about what is available will go a long way in making the trip more fun!

 

This is exactly what I do. Last cruise I read all the forums on each island, read up on all the excursions and choices but booked nothing in advanced. When we got there, then each day we'd just look at the next day's itinerary and options to decide. Three of the ports we just grabbed cabs, headed to beachs and snorkeled or rented jet skis from there. One port had Ziplines, and I thought my kids would like so I booked that actually that morning. I was lucky, as there was space on the afternoon session, but if there wasn't I was prepared to not go. Definigely a wing-it type of trip.

[Third Coast Sailor]

"Winging it " is what we prefer . Generally get off ship, talk to a few cab driver's see who seems to fit our / my personallity and make a deal for the day .

In Martinique once the driver took us by his home to meet his family even . I asked him to take us to where he went out to eat lobster . We ended up in a grass shack on some beach and when I asked if the Lobster was fresh , the waiter went out in the surf , lifted up a Trap and had us pick which ones we wanted as he held them up .

I am not into organized excursions at all . I want to see the local color and flavor of the place .

Kinda just roll along with the waves and enjoy what is in front of me .;)

[looolooo]

HI! Aside from these boards, can any of you reccommend a SPECIFIC site you look at to research the ports? I, too, enjoy the ship and love sea days, but if I've never been to a certain port, I feel the need to explore. In St. Lucia, we hired a taxi and that was very nice. I would appreciate any tips you all can give. Thanks

[CruiseIsGood]

Winging it varies by location. I would NEVER wing it in Alaska. You'll end up with nothing, since there's nothing in the ports. The only people I've talked to that did not like Alaska were people who didn't get out of the tiny towns to the Real Alaska.

[tess2cruz]

HI! Aside from these boards, can any of you reccommend a SPECIFIC site you look at to research the ports? I, too, enjoy the ship and love sea days, but if I've never been to a certain port, I feel the need to explore. In St. Lucia, we hired a taxi and that was very nice. I would appreciate any tips you all can give. Thanks

 

I will google the island itself, and get infor from the websites for tourism. They will list all the best beaches & activities available. You can get info on taxi prices too. Also shortrips.com and godfrey's tours websites can give you a cheaper alternative to ship excursions.

[glrounds]

Anyone ever go on a cruise and not have any excursions planned? I'm sure there are people out there... how does that work out?

 

I'm starting to think that maybe I overplan? I don't know...

 

What are the pros and cons?

 

Out of necessity, I cruise SOLO and spur-of-the-moment, booking my cruises usually 3-5 days before sailing. With few exceptions, I never book ship's excursions preferring to go ashore and mix with the locals.

The last time I was in Cozumel, I just walked along the boulevard when everybody else was jumping in cabs. Long walk but halfway along this busy street I discovered a very unique bar/restaurant right on the beach. The sea coming right up to the bar, the kitchen for the bar was across the street :eek: (all orders had to be carried across this busy boulevarde to the tiny open bar on the beach), but the best fish tacos I ever have eaten. Fantastico ! ! Many divers returning from their diving coming into this sand-floored bar, slamming down Coronas and eating fish tacos. It was almost anti-climatic to walk the rest of the way into town and meet up with the "herd" drowning their brains in booze at Carlos'n'Charlies (at Stupid Gringo Prices). :rolleyes:

This is just one example of the things you can discover when you just "wing it" . . . :D

[jean0151]

depends on where ya going.... we've done it both ways.

[stephandjim1070]

jim and i do booth. depends. on ports .... cozumel carlos and charlies after we have snorkle the during the day... if i have never been to a port like i have never done eastern car. we are reserching things to do there and will book indepently. unless there is a short time in port. dont want to miss the ship....

 

steph

[tkportersat]

I have done both and I mostly like to wing it. Excursions are so timed and I feel like I am on a schedule and rushed. I have done research in areas that I know to have crime/drugs like Jamaica and find recommended places like Sunset Beach. I have to say that I have had more fun on my own just taking a cab to the beach.

[KrysyGT]

I did a "wing it" on my first cruise - Destiny 3/05.

 

We knew nothing about cruising. We attending the first meeting about excursions the first night on the ship. Chose our excursions in the room afterwards and booked them from day to day. 2 times we ran into booked excursions. That was the turtle encounter in Barbados and the Horseback riding in Aruba. We were warned by the cruise director those in particular could be booked fast or already booked the first day on the ship. We took it in stride as we weren't sure from day to day what we wanted to do or how much we wanted to spend. The only time we ran into a little trouble with stuff being booked was in Barbados.

 

We did book some things we knew we wanted to do 110% the very first chance we had. The rest was all a shot in the dark.

 

We had a blast, and I have not a single thing to complain about other than I wish it was longer and I want to go back to see the things I missed!

 

Don't over plan. I am starting to overplan for the Valor in December and find myself getting really worked up and worried over nothing or that I am going to miss something. You are going to miss something, there is just too much to do and too little time. That's why you go again :) I need to try to get back to the mentality I had the first time I went. Not a care in the world- just wanted to have fun!