shore excursions

[2family]

We are going on a cruise the last week of Jan. 2009, and heard that the shore excursions booked through the ship (Dawn) are very expensive...and that is cheaper if you book through a private shore excursion. Does anyone have any information on that? We are doing an eastern caribbean cruise.

[kkontny]

I, for the first time, booked an "off ship" shore excursion last week on our Western Caribbean cruise. Always have been nervous about doing so, but after doing a decent amount of research and from recommendations on this forum, I decided to go off ship. Very glad we did. Had no problems and spent HALF of what we would've had we gone through the cruise line. I can say that we will probably never book through the lines again. Just do your research and listen to the suggestions on here! And I unfortunately, have no suggestions for the Eastern Caribbean. But many will!!!

[LisaP]

Hi 2family, and welcome to cruise-chat.

I see from the NCL site that your ports of call are Samana, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay. What types of excursions interest you? For the most part, I've found the Eastern Caribbean to be pretty easy to do on one's own, so long as you've done some research, as Keith suggested above. Samana will be most difficult as it is a newer port. Great Stirrup Cay is easiest as it is NCL's private island and you don't really have to do a thing but enjoy the beach.

You can also check out our Caribbean Port Chat board, located here for some ideas.

[2family]

Thanks for your information. Do you have any websites or any other areas where I could do some research on private shore excursions, and safety issues.

[Berick1234]

I book thru the ship most of the time...To me, it's like an insurance policy...If something happens and you get back late...the ship is waiting for you...If you book it on your own, the ship doesn't wait....Booking your own excursion is cheaper...and really not all that much, but if you do book it yourself, do the research, get recommendations, read the postings here, and as always, have a great cruise...

Bob E