NCL Shore Tours

[goeers]

Don't buy the shore trips from the cruise line unless you want an all day exotic tour. You can buy most local tours when you get to a destination and a lot cheaper. If you are with other people, you can get some pretty good deals on shore. Bargain with the drivers. You'll save 50% to 75% off the ship's prices.

[Ron Clark]

A great tip.

[Karen Knowlton]

Just make sure that you have a guaranteed way to get back to the ship by the time you have to be onboard (usually 1/2 hour before sailing time). If you are out on your own and get back late, the ship will NOT wait for you!

[Dave]

Savings of 50 to 75%? That is a bit optimistic in my experience. You can get tours for less than the cruise lines offer, but not always. For instance, on Carnival it is/was cheaper to buy a ticket for the Playa Sol Beach Break in Cozumel from the ship than it was to take a taxi to this beach and buy your own admission.

And more importantly, as Karen noted you put yourself in peril for missing the ship when taking private tours.

[LisaP]

It also depends upon the port of call. For instance, it would be a far riskier proposition to take a private tour to mainland Mexico (such as Tulum) from Cozumel than to take a taxi to a local beach.