? for Panama Canal cruisers re shore excursions.

[macpiper]

Did you find that RCI shore excursions were fully booked before you were on board? Specifically in Cartagena, Puntarenas, Acapulco, and Cabo San Lucas.

 

We have a significant amount of OBC that we intend to use for shore excursions. We would prefer not to book those excursions before we are on board and have to pay in advance thus wasting our OBC.

 

Thanks for telling us about your experience.:)

[cb at sea]

RCI holds back a number of spaces on each excursion for those who wait until they are on the ship to book.

Of course, if there is an excursion you MUST do, or your entire vacation will be a waste, in your opinion, you should book it now! Otherwise, there should be plenty of space avail. Just decide fairly quickly, once you get on the ship!

[cruiseguy1016]

Know what excursions you want and have a list ahead of time so you can book them right away. As soon as you board, go to the excursion desk and book the ones you want.

[macpiper]

RCI holds back a number of spaces on each excursion for those who wait until they are on the ship to book.

Of course, if there is an excursion you MUST do, or your entire vacation will be a waste, in your opinion, you should book it now! Otherwise, there should be plenty of space avail. Just decide fairly quickly, once you get on the ship!

 

Know what excursions you want and have a list ahead of time so you can book them right away. As soon as you board, go to the excursion desk and book the ones you want.

 

These are both excellent suggestions that we have used several times in the past for shore excursions in general.

 

We are looking more for cruisers who have been to these specific ports and what their experience has been with the availability of the RCI excursions once they are on board the ship.

 

Thanks again!

[Sue L]

What excursions are you specifically looking at? It really doesn't matter where the excursion are but what kind of excursions. Sightseeing type tours are usually pretty unlimited as they just get additional buses. Things like white water rafting or such are more limited.

 

The cruise line leaves 30% of the tickets available for booking on board.

[Oville]

I'd book them now. You get a credit to your credit card on any unused OBCs at trips end. We just go over $200 of OBCs back on our Panama Canal cruise. We did miss out on 1 excursion we wanted. I went to the Explorer desk the first day and was told both morning and afternoon were sold out. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[macpiper]

I'd book them now. You get a credit to your credit card on any unused OBCs at trips end. We just go over $200 of OBCs back on our Panama Canal cruise. We did miss out on 1 excursion we wanted. I went to the Explorer desk the first day and was told both morning and afternoon were sold out. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Hey, thanks for the response. Sounds like we'll go ahead and book our excursions now. Good to hear about your Panama Canal trip experience with OBC.

 

Thanks again,

[polodad]

Hi Russ:

 

We're in the same boat both literally & figuratively. Eileen & I have substial OBC from the TA & RCI & would like to use it on excursions, but don't want to wait. My understanding is that you can always discretely "wash" the unused credit thru the casino cashier & walk away with cash.

 

Sorry you weren't able to attend the Sat shindig at the Wharf. It was fun!

[macpiper]

Hi Russ:

 

We're in the same boat both literally & figuratively. Eileen & I have substial OBC from the TA & RCI & would like to use it on excursions, but don't want to wait. My understanding is that you can always discretely "wash" the unused credit thru the casino cashier & walk away with cash.

 

Sorry you weren't able to attend the Sat shindig at the Wharf. It was fun!

Yes we thought about that option but we're concerned that with the month long drydock that Serenade is going through at the end of this month that they may change to a totally paper system for slots and chips for the tables leaving no reason for the casino to give you cash!:eek:

 

We checked with our TA (a nationally known, warehouse store not affliated with Walmart ;) ) and confirmed that we will get credit and/or check at the end of the cruise for any unused OBC. We are going to book our excursions now and if RCI is willing to cancel then rebook those excursions using our OBC when we are on board that would be great. Otherwise we'll just "cash out" at the end of the cruise.

 

Glad to hear everyone had such a good time!

 

See ya soon!

[Sue L]

Yes we thought about that option but we're concerned that with the month long drydock that Serenade is going through at the end of this month that they may change to a totally paper system for slots and chips for the tables leaving no reason for the casino to give you cash!:eek:

 

We checked with our TA (a nationally known, warehouse store not affliated with Walmart ;) ) and confirmed that we will get credit and/or check at the end of the cruise for any unused OBC. We are going to book our excursions now and if RCI is willing to cancel then rebook those excursions using our OBC when we are on board that would be great. Otherwise we'll just "cash out" at the end of the cruise.

 

Glad to hear everyone had such a good time!

 

See ya soon!

 

 

they were on the paper system for the slots but you still you cash to put the money in, it is just paper coming out.