Can shore excursions only be purchased on board the ship?

Can shore excursions only be purchased on board the ship? Can I book my excursions over the phone? At this time, shore excursions can only be purchased online prior to your cruise or once onboard. If you need assistance with how to book your shore excursions online, please contact our Online Support Desk.

How long before a cruise can you book shore excursions?

Shore excursions may be booked online prior to sailing up until the Pre-Sail cut-off time, 11:59pm ET, two days prior to the cruise departure. After the online Pre-Sail, the remaining inventory will be available on the departure day onboard the ship.

Is it cheaper to buy shore excursions on the ship?

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.

Do you take your passport on shore excursions?

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.

How to get the best deals on cruise excursions?

When should I book shore excursions?

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.

Is it best to pre book excursions?

Arranging tours and excursions with an agent ahead of time means you know exactly how much you're spending. Better yet, you can add it to what you're spreading out with Uplift Pay Monthly payments, including it in your total vacation package to distribute the cost over time.

Can you get off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship without an excursion?

Guests are not obligated to book a shore excursion and free to explore ports of call on their own.

Where is the best place to book excursions for cruises?

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.

What happens if you miss all aboard on a cruise?

Find a port agent. In cases when cruisers are late returning to the vessel, the ship's crew will often remove the passengers' essential items -- passports, cell phones and medication -- from the ship to leave with the port agents. These officials can help you with contacting your ship and making travel arrangements.

Do cruises get cheaper the closer you book?

Cruise lines often discount their prices a month or two before sailing to fill vacant cabins. However, it's worth noting that a last-minute cruise doesn't always offer the most savings to travelers. Those who plan far ahead may be able to save even more.

Is ocean view or balcony worth it on a cruise?

Whether you choose an oceanview or balcony cabin should come down to two primary considerations: price and itinerary. Can you afford the extra money you'll pay for a balcony? Or, even if you can afford it, would you prefer to spend that extra money on some other cruise experience (drinks, shore excursions, the spa)?

How much do you tip for shore excursions?

How much you tip on cruise excursions is entirely up to you, but a suggested starting price is $3 per person for a half-day tour and $6 per person for a full-day tour for the guide and $1 to $2 for the bus driver. You can, of course, increase that amount based on your experience on the excursion.