8 Tips for Planning Your Cruise Port Excursions

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As you probably know by now, I love cruising.  It really suits my personality and works with my “issues”.  Don’t we all have issues?  Ok… more on my issues later, back to cruise port excursions!

Once I have picked a cruise itinerary that works for us, I set out to research the options we have available for each port of call.

Here are 8 tips for planning your cruise port excursions.

Before I really get started I should clarify a bit.  I will use the term “cruise port excursions” a little loosely.  For me, I refer to any activity we plan at a cruise port of call as “cruise port excursions”.  This could mean taking an official tour booked through your cruise line, a third-party vendor or simply setting out on your own with a plan.

This topic is very top of mind for me right now. Brian and I are sailing the Southern Caribbean in a few months and it is a very port-intensive itinerary.  We have 5 port visits on a 7-day cruise.  Lots to plan!

Let’s get started!

1. Get Organized – My trusty velcro pocket folders

If you have read my countdown to cruise planning series you’ll remember this folder.  It works so well for ongoing planning and organization. I use my beloved label maker and create a folder for each of our travel adventures.  This is a pocket folder, secured with a velcro tab.

Within this folder are my cruise documents and a sheet of paper (sometimes two) for each cruise port of call.  Each port/island has its own sheet and I note every option that is up for consideration. I also number them in the order of our itinerary so I can easily see how back to back options might work out. See “balance” below.

2.  Cruise Line Planner

Because I’m an experienced cruiser, I look to the cruise planner more to see what the masses will be doing.  I like to see what the hot tickets are for each port of call and which are offered at multiple ports. It’s a great place to start and get some ideas.

Let me be clear – there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with booking your cruise port excursions through your cruise line.  You will hear people talk about how they are pricey, etc.  But, if you are a new cruiser, booking through the cruise line offers a peace of mind that cannot be denied. So always make decisions that are comfortable for you.

Anything you book through the cruise line is guaranteed. If you are off on a city tour and your bus breaks down, the ship will wait for you. Read your fine print.  The guarantee covers tour cancellation, but they typically reserve the right to change things as they deem necessary.  This is likely true for any tour provider.

If you book through a third party whether it be TripAdvisor or a local tour company website make sure that they have a ship return guarantee.  That is your most important requirement and get it in writing either on their site or via your confirmation email.

Companies offering that guarantee will do everything within their power to get your back for all aboard time. Their reputation depends on this so do your homework but don’t be afraid to book third party cruise excursions.

3. Pinterest is a Great Way to Research Cruise Port excursions

Pinterest is my favorite way to research cruise port excursions.  The images are super helpful and typically they are part of a written blog post that shares a ton of great information.

I start by creating a board specific to my upcoming cruise ship then start pinning some great resources for not only excursion ideas but general tourist information, maps, ship tips, etc.

For example, one of our upcoming ports is Barbados.  Once my board “Jewel of the Seas” has been created, I start researching and pinning for each port.

Here are just a few example searches:

• Must dos in Barbados
• Travel tips Barbados
• Best Barbados Cruise excursions

Everything is right where I need it when I’m ready to dig in and plan our days on dry land.

Shameless plug here…I have an extensive collection of Pinterest boards all geared toward travel.  

4.  Helpful Websites for Cruise Port Excursions -Youtube, Trip Advisor and Travel Blogs (like mine!)

Youtube is a fun way to research cruise excursions.  There is something comforting about recognizing a place that you are visiting because you’ve seen it in action on youtube.

Always check the published date of the video.  Just like with written blogs, things can change. Updates could have been made, storms could have damaged an area, etc.

Other fabulous online resources include Trip Advisor and Cruiseline.com which provide great information including reviews, costs, and more.

You can also check out blogs and forums such as RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com.  Head to the message boards and type in your question.  There are great recommendations for pre-cruise hotels, excursions and much more! Even if you aren’t sailing on RC, most of the information still applies.

5.  Traveling with a Group? Throw a Pre-Cruise Party!

Brian and I have traveled a lot together so there isn’t much guesswork if it’s just the two of us.  We both want beach time, we love anything involving a boat and we hate the idea of being stuck in the back of a minivan for a two-hour drive for any reason!

However, when we travel with extended family, we throw a pre-cruise planning party. I come up with a few options for each port, they all share their thoughts then I take it from there.

If you are planning cruise port excursions for a larger group you may need to consider dividing into more than one group and meeting back up at the ship or at a local beach after your activity.  Part of your group may want to go zip-lining while others prefer a low key city tour.

Know your audience people and make sure everyone has a buddy.  😉 

If you are lucky, you can find one spot that pleases everyone as we did. We had great multi-generational success on one of our cruise port excursions in Cozumel to Chankanaab Park.

6.  Finding the Perfect Balance

I can’t stress enough the importance of a good balance, especially on a port-intensive itinerary.  If you plan adventure excursions at every port, by number 3 you might be exhausted.   If you plan beach days at every port you may be sunburned or tired of the heat.  Lay your numbered day sheets out in order and create a good balance.  Think of all the things that you want to do than try and create a balance for your trip.

So many of the cruise port excursions within the Caribbean are available at multiple ports.  For example, within the cruise line options, there is always a “Beach Break”.  There is typically at least one snorkeling excursion. But, occasionally you will come across something that you can only do at one of your ports.

Next spring we will be in Honduras.  There you can go visit a sloth and monkey sanctuary and we haven’t seen that offered on any other island.  Ok, start there.  That is super exciting but not very physically taxing.  So, maybe the day before you plan for hiking, zip-lining or a walking tour. Start with a “must do” activity and build around it.

7.  Have a back pocket idea

Brian and I, because we have traveled and cruised together many times, rarely book formal excursions.  Occasionally we will want to have a sailing excursion or do something specific and we will pre-book that.  But, we also enjoy making our own plan using all of the resources noted above.

I usually have a plan A and a plan B for each island.  We may have planned to take the water taxi to the beach in St. Maarten and spend the day lounging in a chair sipping a rum punch.  But…we wake up and it’s raining.  Or, we wake up feeling a little sluggish from all of the cruise food and think a nice island walk is in order.  It’s good to have a plan…and a backup.

8. Cruise Port Excursions – My Must-Dos!

Once you have booked your excursion, always print off the confirmation or take a pic with your phone if you do not have access to a printer.  I have found this to be important even if you booked through your cruise line.

If you are booking through a third party vendor located on the island make sure you have their contact information.

Extra:  Add all of your information to this customizable cruise schedule (available to my awesome subscribers) so that you have everything for your cruise on one (or two) quick reference sheets.

Final thoughts for your cruise port excursions and your time in port.

• If you plan to just walk around and explore on your own, walk beyond the cruise port terminal.  When you get off the ship you will be bombarded with people offering tours and taxi rides.  Walk beyond this area to regroup and start your exploration.  If you have trouble later finding a cap, you can always walk back into this area.
• Because taxi drivers love to fill their vehicle…make a friend at the bar or on the pool deck and see if they want to share a taxi to the beach or another popular tourist destination.  Your taxing will leave more promptly and you’ll at least recognize the person sitting 3 inches from you.
• Carry a  backpack so that your hands are free to check google maps on your phone, have a cold drink or take pics.  Plus, in my experience, if you carry a tote, people will keep handing you stuff to carry for them.  You can read more tips for a great tourist day bag here.
• RELAX – You are on vacation.  I have seen grown adults throw absolute tantrums because something about an excursion didn’t go the way it was supposed to.  Friends, it’s just not worth it.  On our honeymoon, Brian and I booked a sunset catamaran sail in St. Thomas.  When we arrived at the dock, it started sprinkling.  A lady in our group said that she wanted her money back because it was raining.  She ended up getting so angry that she stormed back onto the ship.  We set sail and 5 minutes later the rain stopped and we had the most beautiful sunset.  To this day, it has been our favorite excursion.  And she missed it.  Two days later we saw her still complaining to guest services. When we are on vacation, I tell my group that we are entering the “complain free zone”.  

Life is so short friends.  Let a few raindrops fall because you just might see something truly beautiful because of it.

What great cruise port excursions have you experienced?  Let me know in the comments below.

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