Can you get off a Marella cruise ship without an excursion?
As it stands and the moment, you will not able to get off the ship in port unless you are on a Marella organised Shore excursion. Yes we know it's a way for TUI to make some much needed money back, but it's to identify ship bubbles.
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You absolutely do not have to do shore excursions on a cruise. You are free to come and go at will from most cruise ships while they are in ports of call. Shore excursions are simply one means to explore the areas visited by the ship and to participate in available activities off the ship.
Are shore excursions included on a cruise? While luxury lines, river cruises, small coastal ships, expedition ships and even some premium cruise lines include some shore excursions in their fares. Other tours on those lines and all excursions offered by mainstream cruise lines must be purchased.
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.
There are two main ways that cruise ships transfer their passengers to land: docking and tendering. Below we compare the two methods of debarkation and tell you how being docked versus tendered can affect your cruise experience.
Taking Your PassportShould 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.
You might think you are done with your keycard when you vacate your cabin, but you will need to tap it once more when you get off the ship. You'll need to show your passport or other official identification to customs officials at the cruise terminal.
Assuming a ship remains punctual, the time at which passengers can disembark depends on how long it takes for local authorities to clear the vessel. Most cruise ships are cleared for passengers to debark between 7 and 9 a.m., depending on their arrival time.
In fact, cruises are the best way to see as many beaches as you like on the one trip — and they can take you to some of the most breathtaking beaches on the planet. With so much beach to offer, it can be hard to know how to choose.
The best time to board a cruise ship is obviously when there are few lines and short waits. The trick is knowing when that will be. Unfortunately, it can vary from port to port and ship to ship, but I prefer arriving in the early afternoon, usually around 1 or 2 p.m.