Can you plan your own excursions on a cruise?
Can you plan your own excursions on a cruise? 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.
What do people do on cruises all day?
Hang Out By the Pools Sunbathing, of course! While every major cruise ship has the requisite pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, some take pool time to new heights. Many Royal Caribbean ships sport surf pools, interactive water parks for kids and zero-entry pools for wading.
Can you get off of cruise ship for excursion without passport?
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.
When should I buy cruise excursions?
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.
Can I use roam on a cruise ship?
If you plan to use your mobile phone on a cruise ship, it is important to know that once you sail away, your phone will go into roaming mode, which means you get higher rates and extra fees. When you're in port, your mobile signal will typically switch to a carrier from the country or island you're visiting.
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.
Can you have fun on a cruise without doing excursions?
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.
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.
Can you do your own thing on a cruise?
With few exceptions, you are free to walk off the cruise ship and do your own thing. However, if you prefer guides or easy transportation, a shore excursion is probably for you.
Can you drink your own alcohol on a cruise?
Guests are not allowed to bring beer or hard liquor onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages (beer, seltzer, or hard liquor) seized on embarkation day will be returned at the end of the voyage provided that they are in the original sealed package.
What do cruises do with all the leftover food?
The easiest way for ships to do this is to liquefy the leftover food in an industrial grinder. The food is blended with water until it's a smooth mixture and then either disposed of in port, incinerated, or pumped out to sea when the ship is deep water and away from the coastlines. Simple as that.
Is it expensive to go on a cruise by yourself?
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.
How much money do you need per day on a cruise?
Most guests bring $50-$120 cash per day to spend during the cruise. You will have many opportunities to purchase duty free goods, take exciting shore excursions, buy local souvenirs, play your chance in the casino, or enjoy some pampering in the spa.
How many days on a cruise is enough?
If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.
Is it better to take cash or card on a cruise?
We recommend paying for on shore purchases that are over $10 with a credit card to reduce the amount of cash you need to carry when off-ship and for a good record of your purchase, and use pocket change or local currency for the rest.