Hi all-

Pros/Cons of booking through the cruise company on-shore excusions? We just booked our November cruise today- can't wait!

Thanks!

Pro: if the shore excursion gets delayed returning to the ship, they won't sail without you

Cons: getting herded around with 30-40 people, waiting for everyone to get on/off the bus, use the restroom, not being able to decide what to see and how long to spend at each spot, higher cost

You will also save a little (though not a lot) of money by planning your own time ashore. Frankly, if you just want to go to a beach and lie in the sun, you'd be wasting your money (in my opinion) by not simply taking a taxi there on your own. If you want to save, then band together with another couple and split the costs. You might have to pay a small fee to the resort (more than small if it's an all-inclusive) to use their chairs and beach, but it's worth it to get away from the crowds.

Most activities in the Caribbean can be arranged on your own with ease. A few activities (especially if they involve traveling to a different island) may be more easily arranged as shore excursions from your ship. But there's just no hard and fast rule. Some people prefer the idea that they have everything arranged for them.

Let us know your ports and we can be a of a lot more help. We have cruised a LOT and never take the ship's tours anymore. If we know where you're going we can tell you more about what tours to take! You can also go to cruisecritic.com and look up the ports and what's available in each one.

Thanks for the answers. Our ports are:
GRAND CAYMAN, CAYMAN ISLANDS
ISLA ROATAN
BELIZE
COZUMEL, MEXICO

Most of the things we'll want to do are water based. I want to zip line, but I won't be able to since I'm pregnant- not far enough along for the cruise to deny me boaring, but far enough along to not want to zip line.

Oh and besides water stuff like snorkeling, we'd like to do some hikes.

Grand Cayman - the main thing to do is Sting Ray City. I know, it sounds hokey, and is - but also memorable in a positive way. They take you on a boat to a sandbar where you walk around in chest-deep water where people-acclimated giant sting rays (wing-span of about 6 feet) swim around you. You can touch them and let them suck squid pieces off your hand (I know, like a petting zoo). There are always the guys on the boat wanting to take photos to sell you. Often this excursion - either ship or privately arranged - includes a snorkeling stop and/or a beach stop.

Silly, touristy thing to do, but also great fun. The sting rays don't seem to mind. Cruiseline will have this listed as an excursion but also many land-based operators offer as well.