My husband and I are taking a 12-day Mediterranean cruise on RCCL's Brilliance of the Seas next summer. We would like to book shore excursions well ahead of time, to make sure we get them. I have ready a lot about doing many of the ports on your own, instead of through the cruise line. My question is: if we book excursions now, how late can we wait to cancel them should we decide to do the city on our own? Their website says nothing about this, as far as I can see! Thanks!!!

Shore Excursions, once booked, become non-refundable items with the cruise lines..The only time this is NOT true is when a cruise line has a problem with an excursion while you are on the cruise..then , they may let you cancel any other excursions you booked for a later time while on the cruise itself..

But, once purchased, they are yours...

In our experience, there is a deadline by which you cannot get your money back, but in advance, you can. One time, when my then 20 year old son decided last minute not to go on a shore excursion, Celebrity gave us our montey back anyway.

If there's a waiting list for the excursion, you may have better luck.

On RCCL - when you book excursions, you are charged for them right away. There is normally a deadline on the ship (24-48 hours) before the port time that you can cancel and receive a full refund.

Also, if you cancel before you get to the ship, you will receive a credit on your credit card.

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I prefer Princess' policy which allows you to book them before hand but you are not charged until you are on the ship.

Interesting info. Thanks everyone!