There are tons of things to do on shore while docked at a port. Royal Caribbean has a lot of Shore Excursions that you can choose from on the ship or online before your cruise even starts. Each port has different activities, cultures, food and fun to be experienced, which is one thing that makes cruising great.
Personally, I have not and do not plan to participate in any of the Royal Caribbean planned shore excursions. There are many reasons why I do not, but they are great for many others. In my opinion, the excursions are over priced, not as fun and more time consuming.
As an example, while in Grand Cayman, there is a shore excursion that costs $28 per person. It is for a chair, a drink and a sandwich at the beach. It does not include transportation (about $8 both ways for 2 people) however, and the excursion does not mention that it is a trip to a free public beach! I was able to get on a bus (with people who paid for this excursion) and ride to the beach for $2 per person. If I had wanted a chair (which I did not), I could rent them for $5 each. I ate at a Wendy’s across the street from the beach for about $5 a person. I do not drink, but there were several bars along the beach. We had a great time and only spent about $20 total as opposed to $56 to do the exact same thing.
The planned shore excursions are more time consuming also because you have to cater to the group instead of what you want to do. The last time we were in Ocho Rios, we could have taken a shore excursion with a big group to Dun River Falls, or to Bob Marley’s Mausoleum. Since we went on our own, we were able to do both and spent a TON less money. Most of all we did not wait around for others. We did what we wanted, when we wanted. Just remember though:
WATCH THE TIME
In my opinion that is the biggest advantage of the planned excursions. If a group from a planned excursion is late because of a bus breaking down or whatever, the ship will wait for you. If however, you are on your own and wreck a moped or just plain forget, you are on your own and the ship will sail without you.
Planned excursions seem to be good for families, but if you do not have kids, are responsible and safe, then try it on your own.
By the way, while in port, there may be advantages to staying on the ship. It is pretty empty and I found out the last time that there is still stuff going on. One thing that I know of is that they did show movies in the theater. I don’t know what else went on, but I will try to find out.
Personally, I have not and do not plan to participate in any of the Royal Caribbean planned shore excursions. There are many reasons why I do not, but they are great for many others. In my opinion, the excursions are over priced, not as fun and more time consuming.
As an example, while in Grand Cayman, there is a shore excursion that costs $28 per person. It is for a chair, a drink and a sandwich at the beach. It does not include transportation (about $8 both ways for 2 people) however, and the excursion does not mention that it is a trip to a free public beach! I was able to get on a bus (with people who paid for this excursion) and ride to the beach for $2 per person. If I had wanted a chair (which I did not), I could rent them for $5 each. I ate at a Wendy’s across the street from the beach for about $5 a person. I do not drink, but there were several bars along the beach. We had a great time and only spent about $20 total as opposed to $56 to do the exact same thing.
The planned shore excursions are more time consuming also because you have to cater to the group instead of what you want to do. The last time we were in Ocho Rios, we could have taken a shore excursion with a big group to Dun River Falls, or to Bob Marley’s Mausoleum. Since we went on our own, we were able to do both and spent a TON less money. Most of all we did not wait around for others. We did what we wanted, when we wanted. Just remember though:
WATCH THE TIME
In my opinion that is the biggest advantage of the planned excursions. If a group from a planned excursion is late because of a bus breaking down or whatever, the ship will wait for you. If however, you are on your own and wreck a moped or just plain forget, you are on your own and the ship will sail without you.
Planned excursions seem to be good for families, but if you do not have kids, are responsible and safe, then try it on your own.
By the way, while in port, there may be advantages to staying on the ship. It is pretty empty and I found out the last time that there is still stuff going on. One thing that I know of is that they did show movies in the theater. I don’t know what else went on, but I will try to find out.
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