This Week’s Travel Blog Post
Mike, I’d move back to cruising this week with a topic that can attract people who are actually getting close to booking a cruise:
Cruise Line Excursions vs. Independent Tours: Which Should You Choose?
You’ve booked the cruise. You’ve picked your cabin. Now comes another decision that can be almost as confusing:
What should you do when the ship gets into port?
Cruise lines offer dozens of shore excursions, but you’ll also find independent tour companies offering what appears to be the same experience—sometimes for considerably less money.
So which is better?
Like many things in travel, there isn’t one answer that’s right for everyone.
I’ve taken the approach that a shore excursion shouldn’t simply be judged by price. You also need to consider convenience, group size, flexibility, timing and your own comfort level.
Let’s look at both choices.
What Is a Cruise Line Shore Excursion?
A cruise line excursion is a tour you purchase through your cruise line.
Depending on the destination, that might include sightseeing tours, beach trips, food tours, snorkeling, historical attractions, transportation or full-day adventures.
The cruise line usually handles the organization for you. You receive instructions telling you when and where to meet, and transportation is normally arranged as part of the excursion.
For someone taking a first cruise, there’s a lot to like about that simplicity.
You get off the ship, meet your group and go.
The Biggest Advantage: Peace of Mind
This is probably the biggest reason I would consider a cruise line excursion in certain ports.
When you’re exploring independently, you are responsible for getting yourself back to the ship on time.
And that ship has a schedule.
If an independent tour encounters a major traffic problem, transportation breakdown or some other delay, you could find yourself watching the clock and wondering whether you’re going to make it back.
Cruise-line-sponsored excursions generally provide more coordination with the ship when something disrupts the tour, although the exact policies and protections vary by cruise line.
That’s worth something.
I wouldn’t assume that the cheapest excursion is automatically the best value when missing the ship could turn into a very expensive problem.
When I Like Cruise Line Excursions
There are certain situations where I’d lean toward booking through the cruise line.
One is when the attraction is a long distance from the port.
If the excursion involves a two-hour drive each way, I’m going to be much more concerned about transportation and timing.
Another is when the port visit is relatively short.
If the ship is only there for six or seven hours, I don’t want to spend my day worrying about whether I’ll get back before departure.
Cruise line excursions can also make sense for complicated activities involving several forms of transportation.
Sometimes convenience is worth paying for.
But Independent Tours Have Some Big Advantages
Now let’s look at the other side.
Independent excursions can be excellent.
One of their biggest advantages is often smaller groups.
Instead of boarding a large motorcoach with dozens of other passengers, you might have eight, ten or even fewer people.
That can completely change the experience.
A smaller group can sometimes move more quickly, spend more time at interesting places and provide more interaction with the guide.
Private tours can take that even further.
Imagine arriving in Rome and having a driver and guide specifically for your party rather than following a large group through the city.
That’s a very different experience.
Independent Doesn’t Always Mean Risky
I don’t want to give the impression that booking outside the cruise line is automatically dangerous or unreliable.
It isn’t.
There are established tour operators around the world that work with cruise passengers every day.
They know when ships arrive.
They know when ships leave.
And their reputation depends on getting customers back to the port.
But I would do my homework.
Look at recent reviews. Check how long the company has been operating. Understand its cancellation policy. Find out exactly where you’ll meet the guide and how transportation works.
Most importantly, ask about the planned return time.
If the ship leaves at 5:00, I wouldn’t want an independent tour promising to have me standing at the pier at 4:55.
I like breathing room.
Don’t Forget About the Third Option
Here’s something many first-time cruisers don’t realize:
You don’t have to take an excursion at every port.
Sometimes the best day is simply getting off the ship and exploring on your own.
Some ports make this very easy.
You might walk through the historic center, find a local restaurant, do a little shopping and enjoy the atmosphere without having an organized schedule.
Other ports aren’t nearly as convenient, and the attractions you really want to see may be an hour or more away.
That’s why I wouldn’t use the same strategy for every stop on the itinerary.
Don’t Book an Excursion Just Because Everyone Else Is
This is one of my favorite pieces of cruise advice.
You don’t need to fill every minute of every port day.
Suppose you’re on a seven-night cruise with four ports.
If you book an eight-hour excursion at every stop, you might return home needing a vacation from your vacation.
Choose the experiences that really matter to you.
Maybe you want a full-day tour in Rome but a relaxed lunch and walk around town at your next port.
That’s perfectly fine.
A cruise is supposed to be enjoyable—not an endurance contest.
Compare the Entire Experience, Not Just the Price
Let’s say the cruise line charges $175 for an excursion and an independent operator charges $125.
It’s easy to say:
“I’ll save $50.”
But look deeper.
How many people are on each tour?
Are entrance fees included?
Does lunch come with it?
How much transportation is involved?
How much actual sightseeing time do you get?
What happens if the ship changes its itinerary?
What is the cancellation policy?
And how much time is built in for returning to the ship?
Sometimes the $125 excursion is clearly the better choice.
Sometimes paying the extra $50 makes perfect sense.
Price is only one part of value.
My Simple Rule for Choosing a Shore Excursion
Here’s how I would approach it.
If the attraction is far from the ship, the port time is short, transportation is complicated or getting back on time concerns me, I would give the cruise line excursion serious consideration.
If I’m in a port with plenty of time and I find a highly rated independent company offering a smaller, more personal experience, I would certainly consider that too.
And if the port is easy to explore on foot?
I may not book an excursion at all.
The goal isn’t to always choose the cruise line.
The goal isn’t to always save money.
The goal is to choose the experience that gives you the best day without creating unnecessary stress.
A Little Planning Makes a Big Difference
One of the reasons cruising is so appealing is that your ship can take you to several destinations on one vacation.
But the ship is only part of the experience.
Those days in port can become some of the memories you talk about for years.
The trick is choosing wisely.
Do a little research before you leave home. Know what you really want to see. Understand how far it is from the port. Give yourself plenty of time to return to the ship.
Then go enjoy yourself.
That’s what the vacation is for.
Planning Your Next Cruise?
Choosing the ship is only the beginning.
There’s the itinerary, cabin location, flights, hotels, travel insurance, excursions and all those little details that can make the difference between a stressful trip and a great one.
At Traveling With Mike Gray, I help travelers sort through those choices and put together a vacation that works for them.
If you’re thinking about your next cruise, I’d be glad to help.
Travel smarter. Travel better.
Visit MikeGray.CruiseBrothers.com/cb to start planning your next vacation.
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