Can I book my own shore excursions?

Can I book a shore excursion on my own instead of through my cruise line? Yes. I use many factors to decide whether to take a ship's tour, an independent excursion or just explore on my own in port.



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For the most part, cruise lines do charge more than non-cruise-related tour operators for the same (or similar) outing. If you trust the company and feel confident that you won't miss the ship, it certainly makes sense to pay less by booking an excursion independently that could cost you more onboard.

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Taking Your Passport Should you take your passport with you on shore excursions? No, you shouldn't bring your passport, unless your tour requires it. We recommend bringing your driver's license as a form of ID instead. You don't want to risk losing your passport ashore.

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Book must-do tours as early as possible The most popular excursions and limited-participant tours will sell out — often before you even board your cruise ship. You'll want to book these online as early as you can.

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Cruise excursions are one area where you enjoy the experiences at a reduced rate.
  1. 8 Great Ways to Save Money on Cruise Excursions. ...
  2. Skip Cruise Excursions. ...
  3. Explore On Your Own. ...
  4. Take a Public Bus. ...
  5. Hire a Private Guide. ...
  6. Book Independent Cruise Excursions. ...
  7. Check Email. ...
  8. Be Flexible and See What Happens.


MORE DETAILS

Cruise excursions are one area where you enjoy the experiences at a reduced rate.
  1. 8 Great Ways to Save Money on Cruise Excursions. ...
  2. Skip Cruise Excursions. ...
  3. Explore On Your Own. ...
  4. Take a Public Bus. ...
  5. Hire a Private Guide. ...
  6. Book Independent Cruise Excursions. ...
  7. Check Email. ...
  8. Be Flexible and See What Happens.


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Because most cruise ship staterooms are meant to hold at least two people, booking a room by yourself often means still paying higher prices that are equivalent to two people. According to Cruise Critic, some cruise ships have solo cabins that are meant for just one person, but it's not common.

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A few cruise lines feature a limited number of cabins designated for single occupancy sparing the solo cruiser from having to pay double. While cruise lines advertise these single cabins as having no supplement, the single rate is usually slightly higher than the per-person rate of comparable double occupancy cabins.

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Since the excursion is supposed to only take place within the allotted port time, the ship will wait for passengers coming from a cruise line excursion that's running late. However, if you've spent the day independently on your own, there are certain steps you must take to make sure you're not left stranded.

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In short, last-minute cruise bookings could offer significant savings. While booking a cruise last-minute isn't the best option for everyone, it can be a win for your wallet if you're flexible and spontaneous.

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After the online Pre-Sail, the remaining inventory will be available on the departure day onboard the ship. Due to availability, it is strongly suggested that guests take advantage of ordering their shore excursions in advance, online, in order to avoid disappointment once on board.

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The most popular and obvious avenue for purchasing a shore excursion is through the cruise line itself. You can either book ahead of time on the lines' website or over the phone, or onboard the ship at the shore excursions desk.

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The choice is totally yours. You can go ashore on a tour, explore the cruise port on your own or stay onboard and relax by the pool, book a (usually discounted on port days) spa treatment or take advantage of other activities on your ship during the day.

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Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

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