On cruises do you have to go on shore excursions or can you just hang out at the beach?

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gojenni714

You can do whatever you want to do. You are free to spend your time as you like.

One word of advice though...if you do decide to do some type of tour/activity, I suggest booking it through the cruiseline.

Yes, you can save a lot of money booking with a group that is not affliated with the cruiseline, BUT, the group cannot offer you any assurance, in the event that something might go wrong.

If you book a tour through an indiviual tour group and they are late getting you back to the ship, you are going to miss the boat. THE SHIP WILL NOT WAIT FOR YOUR RETURN.

If you book a tour through the cruiseline and something goes wrong, THE SHIP WILL WAIT. This happened on one cruise I was on. A tour group's bus brokedown and the cruiseship stayed at port until the passengers were returned. We ended up leaving port about an hour late.

That little bit extra you pay by booking through the cruiseline might very well be worth the insurance!

Whatever you choose to do, keep that in mind. And have a fantastic time. Cruising is the only way to go!

Mark

You can do what you want. Most of the shore excursion cost extra and all of that information is given to you before you sail. You can leave the ship on your own for free and do what you want, just be sure to make it back before the ship leaves, they will not wait for you if you are not on one of their tours.

BusyMom

You can do whatever you want to do when you are on a cruise. You can stay on the ship and relax by the pool, go ashore and explore on your own, or take an excursion. It's your choice on how you want to spend your time!

rick d

On a cruise shore excursions are offered to guests to see more of the places they visit. You are free to go or stay or just walk around in each port until the ship is ready to leave.

williamsv

you can hang out at the beach or stay on ship its your vacation do as you wish but isn't it great to have that choice on a cruise you can do as you please with in limits

mark747

You can get detailed itinerary info at www.ytb.com/awitravel This company that I use won Carnival Cruise's top award recently, and they have so many cruise line options

wanna_help_u

You don't have to go on those excursions, I will only do them if I know it is a point of interest tat I really want to see or if its free & it sounds like it could be fun. I always ask some of the crew members what they think about.
Personally I like to go an wonder about the beach andlocal markets, I do a good research on line ahead of time and that way I know I have the right info and I feel safe tat I'm not wondering into not so good areas. I don't like that feeling of schedule, you have to follow all the same line kind of thing when I'm on vacation.

Carrie Lynn A

You do not have to go on the shore excursions but I would look into them... The best thing to do is research what is on each of the islands that you are going to be going to that would interest you. Then you can look and see what the shore excursions are. You might be surprised on the price and how much fun you would have in a structured activity like what the cruiseline has...

waterlily3422

Yes, you can! Cruises are fun because there is unlimited possibility!!!! :) You will stay on the cruise ship during the night (in the cabin, your room) during the day you can (if you are near land) go off and EXPLORE! There are different (and extremely neat) plans on which you can do when you dock (are at the place, or on land). See a travel agent, I RECOMMEND AAA. If you do not know if there a a AAA agency near your area, search the Internet for the closest on in your area. GOOD LUCK!!

pudintain

i have been on many cruises it does not cost any thing to get off the ship and you do have to pay money to go kiaking or something else but you can hang out on the beach.

Bill in Kansas

Shore excurisons are only suggested activites that the cruise ships sell.

You can do whatever you want in every port. You can even just stay on the ship and lay by the pool if you want to.

If you decide you do want to try the excurisions, don't buy them from the cruise line. You can get the same thing for half the price from local vendors once you are in port.

going on my 12th cruise this August

Terri

You can do either/or.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both though.

With just hanging out at the beach, you don't have to spend too much money and are on your own. BUT the boat will not wait for you if you are running late so you NEED to keep track of time.

With shore excursions, you are with a tour guide. You still need to keep track of time but the tour guide will wait for everyone to get back on board the bus... our tour bus waited for two people when we should have left 15 minutes before they finally showed up. Our tour guide said "we wouldn't leave without you". Sucks for those who kept track of time but good for those who lose track of time or procrastinate.

Christy

You are paying th cruise to do what YOU want, so if you want to go to the shore and just chill there....its only up to YOU, but enjoy it as much as you can!!!!

H.B.K. 2

Feel free to hang at the beach, there is no pressure or expectation of going on excursions

You can:

- Go on shore excursions book through the cruise line or on the ship

- Go on shore excursions by yourself or through a 3rd party agency

- Hang out on any of the beaches by either walking to them if they are close or paying for a taxi ride to them

- Don't even get off the ship and just hang around the deck or in your room (can't gamble through because they close the casinos when in port)

- Do whatever you want to do! You're on vacation!

copestir

I have done both. I have even gone on shore excursions to the best beaches around and PARTY!

tashrash

SHORE EXCURSIONS LETS U SEE MORE OF THE PLACE YOU VISIT. IT ALSO MEANS PAYING EXTRA. THE MORE YOU JOIN, THE MORE YOU SPEND. IT'S YOUR CHOICE. ITS YOUR HOLIDAY. U CAN EVEN JUST STAY AT THE SHIP N EAT TILL YOU DROP

lindbert

its your holiday you do what the hell you like!!! i think you have to pay to go on the excursions or even to leave the ship, check it out before booking anything

On cruises do you have to go on shore excursions or can you just hang out at the beach? pic 1
On cruises do you have to go on shore excursions or can you just hang out at the beach? pic 2

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