Can someone please explain to me the difference in booking our excursions though our cruise line Carnival or booking our excursions though the company directly. We are intested in going cave tubing. There is an option to book that through carnival or to go to www.cave-tubing.com and booking it. Is it safe to go though a company itself?
I rarely book through the cruise line because you are herded like cattle.
There can be safety concerns even on cruise-line affiliated excursions. Last year, a Carnival excursion in MB Jamaica was robbed.
To ensure that you make it back to the ship on time, book early in the day.
And, check out the "ports of call" board on Cruise Critic. Someone has taken the excursion you are considering and will be more than happy to tell you about it.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:07 am
1. The cost – It’s generally cheaper if you book an excursion directly with the company rather then as a shore excursion with the cruise line. You are also free to go and come as you please.
A draw back to doing any shore excursion on your own is that if you get delayed for any reason the cruise line WILL NOT wait for you. Cruise lines only guarantee to delay departure if one of there onboard excursions they offered (and approved) is delayed.
The other drawback (especially on some Islands) is safety. Do you want to trust your money and life to some unknown driver/tour guide?
References :
experience….came within 5 minutes of getting left behind in Aruba when the taxi I hired to take me sightseeing broke down.
Ran into anti-American sentiment on Granada in an area I should not have gone to…also on a do it yourself trip.
October 1st, 2009 at 5:15 am
I rarely book through the cruise line because you are herded like cattle.
There can be safety concerns even on cruise-line affiliated excursions. Last year, a Carnival excursion in MB Jamaica was robbed.
To ensure that you make it back to the ship on time, book early in the day.
And, check out the "ports of call" board on Cruise Critic. Someone has taken the excursion you are considering and will be more than happy to tell you about it.
References :
http://www.travelblog.org/Forum/Threads/5764-1.html
http://boards.cruisecritic.com