When should you book cruise excursions?


When should you book cruise excursions? The simplest answer? As soon as you know you're going on a cruise! Every year we see guests wanting to book their shore excursions with us earlier and earlier. Oftentimes we're getting inquiries for the following year before the current season is even over!


When should I book excursions for Royal Caribbean cruise?

We recommend that you purchase all Shore Excursions as early as possible after reserving your cruise. A limited amount of space is reserved for sale onboard the ship.


Should you bring your passport on shore excursions?

Most of the time you will not need to show your passport when going ashore, however, it is still sensible to take some form of identification with you and I suggest bringing a photocopy of your original passport. You may be stopped by a police officer or need to show proof of I.D.


Can you do a cruise without excursions?

You won't be judged for not taking shore excursions. You'll find that most of the people who don't and just stay on the ship are older folks who either don't have the mobility or have cruised so much that they've already done them. You may have your own reasons, but I encourage you to book at least one or two.


Is it better to book cruise excursions in advance?

Yes. It's almost always cheaper to buy the excursions ahead of time. And even if price isn't a factor, the more popular ones are very likely to sell out. Book your excursions as early as you can after booking the cruise.


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.


Do cruise ships wait if you are late from an excursion?

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.


Can you do 2 shore excursions a day?

Yes, depending on the length of each applicable shore tour relative to the amount of time the ships stay in port. Make sure that you allow at least 30 minutes between each tour.


How to get cheap excursions on a cruise?

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.


Can you get off a cruise ship without booking an excursion?

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.


Where is the best affordable place to go on a cruise?

Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico in Fall Autumn is a bargain time for cruising in almost any region, but the lowest prices are for cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas.


What is the best amount of days for a cruise?

What's the ideal cruise length for a first-timer? A week or so is the sweet spot for most first-time cruisers, which will offer three to six ports. Three-day sampler itineraries won't allow you to explore more than one or two destinations, and you can't decompress as thoroughly, either.


Why do you have to book cruises so far in advance?

Booking a Cruise Early Many cruise lines come out with their best fares when itineraries first go on sale, and then raise the rates as the ships sell out. This is especially true with luxury cruises, new or popular mainstream ships and Disney cruises that tend to book up well in advance.


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 money should I take on a 7 day cruise?

Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.


What months to avoid for cruising the Caribbean?

Caribbean Seasons
Rain is more frequent in the wet season, but the temperatures are warmer. Wet season and dry season are both good times to cruise the Caribbean. The worst time for a Caribbean cruise weather-wise is August to September, as it is peak hurricane season.