If you're having trouble, you can complete our e-mail form and one of our representatives will contact you. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. because when you book a Shore Excursion you have priority. If you read the fine print, youll find that many of these mistakes (transportation logistics, cancellation policies, etc.) Independent tours, however, can have varying cancellation policies depending on the tour operator. Alternatively, you can wait until youre on the ship and book your excursion in person at the shore excursions desk. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Be sure to consider your fitness level (and the fitness levels of others in your group) before booking an excursion to ensure you will be able to complete the tour successfully and without too much struggle. On top of being overly expensive when booked through a cruise line, its hard to really immerse yourself in a city and experience the tour when youre more concerned about maneuvering and avoiding potholes in the sidewalk. But no reply from them yet either over a week! 2019-2020. , Yes I think thats true - its me being impatient I think , You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By And after you see on the cruise lines website that the ship will arrange transportation to the beach it seems like a winner. No matter what your ideal adventure involves, Shore Excursions make it easy to immerse yourself in each vibrant destination you visit. Still need help? Download a Shore Excursions Brochure. All rights reserved. Onboard Experience; Ports; Air & Ground Transportation; Shore Excursions; Order a Brochure; Extend Your Vacation; Groups; CRUISE DEALS. There are two primary means of booking a shore excursion: online via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site, or onboard the ship at the shore excursion desk or via the app. AU. The fine print may also mention what to wear and what to bring on an excursion. Whether you dream of trailblazing through the Alaskan tundra, learning how to whip up traditional Mediterranean dishes on the Greek isles, or sampling rum at centuries-old distilleries in the Caribbean, youll find the world is brimming with full day adventures and nobody takes you deeper than Shore Excursions. Swim with turtles and manta rays, float over vibrant reefs and explore colorful coral forests on a snorkelling excursion designed to bring you up close with the oceans most beautiful natural treasures. Company changes 2023 Depending on the excursion, transportation time can vary from ~5 minutes to over two hours! Just like the beach, the pool was well-maintained and it looked as good as it felt. Tip non-guide drivers roughly $2 per person in your party. Ready to revisit that bucket list? All rights reserved. that you are the first off the ship in order to maximize your
The best reason to book your shore excursion with Royal Caribbean is the convenience and reliability the cruise line provides. beaches and delight *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions. Caribbean Europe Getaways (3-6 Days) . 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. I find that the more I cruise, the less I take ship-sponsored shore excursions because they dont offer exactly what I want. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. You have entered an incorrect email address! Not every horseback riding experience is the same. When should I book my Alaska shore excursion? There is a dedicated shore excursion desk onboard the ship (usually near Guest Services), where you can speak with staff members, view pamphlets of available options and ask questions. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Guests of Royal Caribbean wishing to tour with the cruise line's excursions should contact the cruise line directly. The etched glass made it hard to see the vibrancy of color that you would see if you were snorkeling in the same waters. Our last mistake many cruisers make when booking a shore excursion is not reading the fine print. . No matter what kind of vacation experience youre after, youll find new and exciting ways to make memories on your next getaway with a Shore Excursion. are listed in the fine print. After all, your cruise ship will take you to different ports of call toexplore on your own and you do not want to miss out all that you can do while in the area. I was able to do so a couple of weeks ago for sailings in September and December, but now when I try I get a message that it can't find any sailings for my ship/dates. Most Royal Caribbean shore excursions can be cancelled up to 48 hours before arrival in port without penalty, and full refunds will be provided to guests. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. convenient, it's a one stop-shop for all your planning. Once youre sure you want to book a particular excursion, its best to book the tour as soon as possible to lock in the best price and ensure the tour does not sell out. Some excursions may include lunch while others may not, so you might want to pack snacks or plan to enjoy lunch in port after the tour. The main benefit of booking right away, though, is to ensure a tour doesnt sell out. Do a once in a lifetime dive and witness beautiful coral reefs, marine life, and shipwrecks. Or maybe you want to add a few to the list, knock yourself out. Just realize that might be the only activity you can enjoy in port. The forthcoming Icon of the Seas is poised to be its greatest creation yet promising bolder-than-ever onboard . What you can do if your cruise cancels port calls? expansive variety with excursions for every type of traveler. The benefits to a cruise line's shore excursions are that they depart from and return to the ship; you dont need to figure out where to meet a guide in a port youve never visited before. Guests are able to create and download a shore excursion brochure using their ship and sail date. . Six Secret Finds During Your Weekend Cruise. We use luxury vans. Adult From: $ 99 00. You get to see all kinds of marine wild-life from the comfort of a boat. Download our cruise ship brochures. Symphony of the Seas itineraries and information. Select your itinerary below to see shore excursions for that cruise sailing, or call: 1-866-578-7508 or 1-954-449-6309 between 9-5 Eastern time for expert advice to help select the best excursions for you. Jon can be reached at. Two brothers started Cruise Fever in 2011 when they decided they couldn't stop cruising so they might as well write about it. . The main benefit of booking right away, though . While reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt, if you notice any major red flags, its probably best to search for another excursion. Ready to follow where adventure leads you? If you do some research on a port of call and find a museum you want to see, go see it! Anybody else experience this? Jon lives in the foothills of North Carolina and wishes there were a cruise port that far inland. Outside of these tips, make sure you read the fine print to check what is and is not included on a tour. Learn more. Some cruise lines, such as Viking and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, include the cost of basic shore excursions in their cruise fares. Select your ship below to see shore excursions for that ship, or call: 1-866-578-7508 or 1-954-449-6309 between 9-5 Eastern time for expert advice to help select the best excursions for you. Cruise lines make a few extra dollars when passengers sign up for these tours, but they are very much overrated in my experience. Instead of booking multiple tours, consider booking a tour in the morning and exploring the port freely in the afternoon. In the weeks and months leading up to your cruise, you and your Private Journeys representative will custom craft a tour for you and your family. Related: Guide to picking the perfect Royal Caribbean shore excursion. The pictures and description of the activity might look amazing, but in reality it could leave you wanting more. Or you may search this site for more information. Need help? Some people dont realize that most of the beaches in the Bahamas and Caribbean are free to the public, so you dont have to actually pay for access. Sometimes these tour groups also are smaller than the large cruise ship tours which can carry 30 to 60 people in a bus so you will spend less time waiting for everyone. ShoreTrips is not affiliated with nor operates in conjunction with Royal Caribbean. Whether youre on a cruise line sponsored or independent shore excursion, a best practice is to tip your tour guides at the end of the tour. And sure that can be a fun experience as well. Theyre not going to sell many excursions that way! For anyone else just wanting to read through it like me - the excursions brochure is available as a PDF file (there is a little icon on the page - just click on it ) , I downloaded the brochure, (pretty . Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Guests . Be careful putting a lot of faith into a previous excursion catalog. Let us know with a comment below so you can save us from the same mistake. Just tried to go on to the Royal Caribbean main site and got the "Access Denied" message so I would say chalk it up to the funky IT that seems to plague Royal. The only advantage of booking a beach escape through the ship is that they will actually wait for you if something happens. Worldwide 2018 - 2019. Thanks in advance! For example, on an upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise, the line has been advertising up to 30% off select tours reserved ahead of the sailing. A. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. It may take some time to rebuild a complete shore excursion portfolio once cruising resumes. Explore every shore your way with excursions and guided shore trips designed to thrill all kinds of traveller, from couples craving a little extra romance to families looking to bond over bucket list moments. We hate spam as much as lounge chair hogs. The local residents of any cruise port want you to shop in their city. As a side note, many cities have free museums you can enjoy as well if youre cruising on a budget. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Take a look at local tour companies in your port of call to see which excursions are offered and if theyre available at a lower cost. Simply log into Royal Caribbean's site, find your cruise booking and purchase your tour before the sailing begins. While on paper this may seem like a good idea as it gives you the chance to explore more of port, its not always the best idea for a few reasons. We guarantee we will always get you back to your ship on-time. You may cancel purchase(s) made via Cruise Planner up to forty-eight hours prior to the cruise departure date. This is the best route if theres a ships tour you absolutely want to take and you don't want to risk it selling out. I need to call my TA tomorrow and get my booking number and try to get into the purchase shore excursions page and see if that helps. Is there a brochure where I can view shore excursions for my cruise? *Please see all applicable Terms & Conditions for Promotions, The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level from locally taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline-amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. The problem with this one is that you wont always realize the tour will be spent mostly on the bus. In Spain, learn how to prepare tapas like a true Malagan, then savour every single bite. Some shore excursions might be totally worth the long drive. Related: What to do if Royal Caribbeans shore excursions are sold out. Related: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own. 1 Book early to maximise your chance of securing a spot . We have tried Private Journeys twice (in Belize and Curacao), and think it is a great choice for anyone that wants to tour at their own pace, and like the benefits of what Royal Caribbean provides. This rule has a few exceptions. And if youve never ridden a horse before this could a gentle way to break you in. We are an office of knowledgeable travelers who know our product well. I booked the tour from a local operator when I arrived in port, and the tour looked awesome from the brochure and photos available. Some cruise ship shore excursions just dont live up to the hype. Theres nothing like the feeling of flying high above the beach on a parasailing excursion. What if the computer I'm using does not have a "Print to PDF" option? Promotional. The Shore & Land Excursion brochure is in PDF file format only by specific ship and sail date. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. . In my case I explained that I'm not booking an Oct 21 UK cruise unless I can see the excursions 1st as they currently won't allow kids off in port if not on an excursion. You can customize an existing tour that catches your eye, or work with an Insider to create anexclusive tourexperience thats completely unique to youor a small group. Recently I was browsing Royal Caribbean shore excursions for my upcoming Alaska cruise. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Search Multiple Sites at Once There is plenty of seating by the pool, but very little shade to be found. Barefoot Beach Cabanas on Royal Caribbean's Labadee, Why booking my cruise shore excursions in Europe with the cruise line was the best decision. Dive deep below the surface of the sea with a certified expert and weave through brilliant coral colonies, scour centuries-old shipwrecks and come face-to-face with exotic aquatic critters. Shore Excursions must be purchased in the same currency as your cruise reservation. In Sicily, you can bike across the rim of Mount Etna, which the ancient Greeks believed was home to the legendary Cyclops. Just let us know the ship and sail date you're interested in and the brochure will include detailed information about all of the excursions that are available. Read through the fine print when booking a tour independently to ensure you dont end up disappointed if you want to cancel the tour later on. Please contact our Access Department at 866-592-7225 for additional information. Most people organize these ahead of time through a tour operator or travel agent. At ShoreTrips we are committed to enhancing your shore excursions with small, creative and personal day tours and adventures. I did not ask any questions about transportation logistics before purchasing the tour, though, so you can imagine my surprise when we boarded a bus instead of a boat! Sharing with family and friends is easy, so you can get ready to sail! As of 2020, RCI ships visit a total of 322 call ports worldwide, offering 4500+ shore excursions through local tour companies. Private Journeys are at your service. where I can find laundry services on the ship? Planning a cruise? CC Help Jenn I think Im just too eager! While you may want to book a walking tour of historic sites in port, this might not be the best option with energetic kids who want to simply run around and have fun. LOOKING FOR AN ACCESSIBLE SHORE EXCURSION? If you dont care to do any specialty tours, you might be able to get all your port activities for free. Sometimes you also need an expert guide, such as in Pompeii, to know what youre seeing. Some of the best shore excursions you will see on a cruise lines website or app may be quite a distance from the port. . Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Do you know about when you'd like to sail? Is anyone able to post a link to the excursion brochure for Anthem of the Seas, 15th May 2022, Norwegian Fjords from Southampton? Get Cruise Savvy with our FREE Newsletter! If you're interested in a more in-depth sightseeing experience with a guide, this is probably not the best choice for you. One of the most important things to do before booking a shore excursion is to research how much transportation is required to reach the destination from the ship. Guests who wish to sightsee independently or sightsee outside of Royal Caribbean shore excursion hours must obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa before leaving home. Begin by selecting your cruise information. World's Best Shore Excursions - Perfect for Cruise and Land-Based Travelers, PISA, GUIDED FLORENCE & A TASTE OF CHIANTIa PREMIUM Shared Van Tour, View All ALASKA & PACIFIC NORTHWEST Excursions, PRIVATE: TOUR THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO, View All UNITED STATES LOWER FORTY-EIGHT Excursions. When planning a shore excursion on a cruise always account for your travels to and from a destination. Its a combination of a thrill ride and chill ride. I was interested in taking the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway in Juneau, and found that the cost for the exact same experience was $59.99 when offered by Royal Caribbean and $45 to book directly on the Goldbelt Trams website! Prefer a nice relaxing walking tour? Considering others in your group is extra important if youre traveling with young kids. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 7 things worth checking again on a Royal Caribbean cruise, Royal Caribbean announces 1,400 sustainable shore excursion options, Excursion Review: Jaime's at the Blue Reef all-inclusive day pass in Costa Maya, Royal Caribbean launches new shore excursions for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Guide to visiting St. John on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Youll be able to ask the staff there any questions you have about the tours, and the charges will be added to your final cruise bill. By Onboard Brilliance of the Seas. adventure time. What shore excursion have you taken that you would call overrated? You can browse each individual excursion category or check out ourshore excursion brochurefor more information. You just dont need to book an excursion to shop there. Because guides are locally based, youll get an authentic experience from an expert in a safe, trusted environment. While everyone makes mistakes, its easy to be better prepared and have a stress-free day in port by avoiding these 10 common pitfalls when booking a shore excursion! Royal Caribbean shore excursions involving flights, trains, overnight stays, special events, and Private Journeys must be cancelled at least 30 days prior to sail date. Believe me, its not hard to find the hot shopping spots when youre in port. Royal Caribbean allows guests to book their excursions up to a few prior to the beginning of the sailing. They can also be purchased through independent operators or third-party tour sellers. Better still, should an unexpected problem occur (traffic, a medical emergency), the ship will not leave port until all of its own tours have returned. Related: Is it better to book excursions through the cruise ship? The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Brave the depths and venture down to the ocean floor, or scope out the reefs as you snorkel along the surface of the sea. Gourmet Lunching: El Gaucho, Aruba's best Argentinean restaurant, is located in an atmospheric old-town house on the east end of Oranjestad (open daily for lunch and dinner from 11:30 a.m .