Paying for Shore Excursions

[gooch47]

We were surprised that RCI wanted a credit card number when we tried to book a shore excursion on the internet. Is this the normal practice, or might it be because I won this cruise at a casino?

 

We normally cruise with Princess and shore excursions just show up on your final bill.

[ondeckatsea]

It's normal if you book beforehand online. Anything booked while you are on the ship will be on your seapass and then show up on your final bill. We've found that booking online before the cruise, and using our cruiseline Visa, gives us double points and also assures us that if it is a tour we really have our hearts on, we will not be disappointed by having it already filled when we get onboard. This is the way it works on RCI and Celebrity anyway, I can't speak for the other lines.

[Sue L]

Even though you pay ahead it is very easy to cancel if you need to or change your mind. The tours can be changed or canceled up to 10 days before online and then the credit would go straight back to your credit card. After that point you would have to wait until you board to cancel them and then the credit will go on your seapass account.

[cruzingagain]

FYI. I have found that some shore excursions you can book directly with the excursion company and it is cheaper! I just did this on my last cruise. Booked directly with the Pirate Ship excursion in Puerto Vallarta and saved 20.00 per person!

[Crosboro]

Just RCI's method of making more money off the customer. They bill as soon as you sign up. Princess doesn't bill until you are on board and go on the excursion.

[mochuck]

Just RCI's method of making more money off the customer. They bill as soon as you sign up. Princess doesn't bill until you are on board and go on the excursion.

I prefer to pay in advance and know that I have the spot booked on the tour.

[KelJ]

I prefer to pay in advance and know that I have the spot booked on the tour.

 

I like booking excursions ahead of time and having them paid off before I cruise. If they didn't bill at the time of booking the excursion, I bet a lot of people would book several and then wait until the last minute to cancel what they don't want, making it difficult for others to book.

[gooch47]

We book our Princess tours as soon as they become available on line. I'm sure you are right that some people might abuse it, though.

[ehfl]

Yes, it's normal....you have to pay when you book (since you can book, even after the cruise is 100% paid for).

 

Also, sometimes one party may want to book the excursion as a gift for another party...so you have more flexibility in the credit card payments.

[StaySea]

I find it easier to book before hand that way we know our schedule & are paid in full, no worries !!

[negc]

I have no problem with RCI's system. It helps the cruiseline know that people are serious about the excursion and, as others have said, it doesn't prevent you from changing your mind and cancelling. It also gives them a good indication of how many people are interested in the excursion and if there is a great amount of interest in a particular tour, they might be able to make arrangements to accommodate more guests.

If anyone objects to paying for the excursion when they book it, they are certainly free to wait until they board and hope that there are still spaces available.:)

[bplazo]

I also like paying for my excursions ahead of time. It is so depressing to come home and have to pay for an excursion that you have already taken.