mbw220

We have booked a 30 day Cape Town to Singapore cruise. We don't want to use the ship's excursions. We prefer smaller, faster better priced excursions. Anyone have any experience with using local guides or independent tour operators? Would be delighted if anyone can help.

mbw220

Looks like I need help spelling too! Sorry for the misspell, couldn't read the subject line when I was previewing, Ouch!

thursdaysd

Have you checked the roll call for your cruise at cruisecritic.com?

jacketwatch

I don't know what your ports are but chances are at least some are self doable.

If your cruise ends in Singapore I hope you can stay there a few days. Its a very nice place to see.

Roll call is often used on cc though I have never used it myself but others have.

I do use the port boards there to glean info about private tour guides or simply ask for suggestions. I then google them for as much info as I can and that has been very successful for me.

Alternatively you can google "private guides" in your port and you should be able to get a lot of links to them.

You can also use trip advisor. I just put in private guides in Sinagpore for example:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Search?g...e&searchNearby

jan47ete

cruiseportinsider.com might help.

mbw220

Thanks for cruiseportinsider.com. Looks to have great information. None of the ports we are stopping in are included.

RoamsAround

FWIW we've done numerous cruises in many countries throughout the US, Europe, Asia and South America. At just about every Port of Call there have always been local tour operators offering all kinds of different tour in multiple price ranges that many times are less expensive than the tours you book through your cruise line..

Simply walk off the ship and check the different options available and choose the tour that peaks your interest and meets your budget and time requirements.

Unless you want a specialized private tour there's no need to set up anything in advance as those will likely cost you about the same or more than the cruise line's tours.

One option we found works well for us is to hire a local taxi drive/guide for a private tour. There are always plenty of taxis waiting just outside the port complex. Cost is more than the local group tours but we move at our own pace and can spend as much or as little time as we want doing the tour.

jacketwatch

I agree with RoamsAround! We also do what is suggested and that has usually been fine and less money too.