elaine123

My mom would like to wait to book her shore excursions when she gets to the ship. Is this the way it works? What's the best way and/or what is the best way?
Thanks

maryann

You don't state where mom is going to be. but this general rule works for me :

If you at a port where there are many ships in at the same time , e.g. Alaska, St. Thomas, etc. then we would pre order the tours. The resources at the location will be limited if alot of ships are in port. By waiting for the 'last minute' you would take a chance the tour would be full.

On the other hand - if you are the only ship or just another in port - it wouldn't hurt to wait.

Others wait until they dock to make a deal with a cab, etc.

elaine123

maryann, thanks for the info. She's going in Feb. of this year! HOw would she be able to tell if there were going to be several other ships docked at the same time as hers?

sceneisle

Elaine - We just returned from a cruise in French Polynesia. Our ship (650 passengers) was the only one in the ports, and still a vast majority of the tours were full before the ship sailed! If there is a tour that you really want to go on, I'd book it in advance.

Cruiser

elaine123:
Try cruisecal.com to see what ships will be in the ports!!

jacketwatch

Sceneisle: Did you cruise on the Tahitian Princess by any chance? We are booked on that one for the summer. Clever handle BYW

sceneisle

Jacketwatch - Yes, we did the T.P. to the Marquesas/Tuomotu/Society Archipelagos......same for you or are you doing the Cook Island itinerary?

jacketwatch

Thank you. We are doing the Cooks and the Tahitian islands. How did you like the ship?

Theresa

jacketwatch - I am also contemplating the TP for July...

jacketwatch

Seems like a good choice to me. Actually that time of yr. in the So. Pac. should be good weather wise. I looked it up and its temperate and relatively dry as it is their winter. The ship on crusie critic is very well rated as well. Also from what I can gather the TP is the only ship in port in Papeete, Raiatea, Moorea and BB for the Aug. dates for our itinerary and I think its the same for July as well.

maryann

Just looked up cruisecal.com and it worked like a charm ! Try it

sceneisle

Jacketwatch - We thought the T.P. was great. Small by today's standards (650 passengers on our sailing) but plenty of deck space. Not real fancy (no atriums, glass elevators, etc.), but very easy to navigate around. Food and service was typical Princess....very good. Our balcony stateroom was about average size. Casino was small and the entertainment was so-so. If interested, here's a link to our vacation photos......the first dozen or so are of the Tahitian Princess:
http://sceneisle.myphotoalbum.com

jacketwatch

Sceneisle: Thank you. We are looking forward to the "small ship feel" actually and I looked at all of your pics. I must say the scenery is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Too bad Aug. is so far off. Larry

jagoffee

You are in for a vacation of a life time. I have done it twice and I think Bora Bora and Moorea must be two of the most beautiful places on earth.
I have been on the same ship twice (two different cruise lines). It is a very nice size, but the F.P. is the highlight.

jacketwatch

Thank you. If Aug. weren't so far away.