Though cruise ships are destinations in and of themselves, many travelers book cruises to explore different ports of call across the globe, from the tropical Caribbean to the culturally rich Mediterranean.
Unless cruising with an ultra-luxury line like Regent Seven Seas, excursions come with additional costs that can add up quickly. Moreover, with some tours costing hundreds of dollars per person, you want to make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck.
As someone who cruises a handful of times per year, I've taken tours around the world, from the Caribbean to Alaska and Europe. I've had great experiences on most of my excursions; however, I've been disappointed by a few, too.
When booking excursions, you can reserve directly through your cruise line for convenience or turn to third-party operators for more variety and typically lower prices. How do you know if you're making the right decision, though?
Regardless of how you book, you want to carefully evaluate your options before making a decision. Here are 5 signs your chosen excursion is a bad idea.
Expensive beach transfers with nothing included
The Bahamas and Caribbean are full of stunning beaches. Cruisers, however, should be wary of expensive beach transfers that often come with little to no added value, particularly through cruise lines.
For example, on my upcoming cruise onboard Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean charges $79/adult for transfers to Magens Bay Beach. Not only is that pricey for a shared shuttle, but it doesn't include anything once there, including lounge chairs, umbrellas, or food.
Instead, a way to have more flexibility and save money would be to take a taxi from the cruise port, which runs roughly $30 per person, round-trip. Once at the beach, you can enjoy more than the 2.5 hours allotted by Royal Caribbean, soaking up the tropical sun, white sand beach, and turquoise waters.
With the savings on transportation, splurging on chair and umbrella rentals from Magens Point Bar and Grill is easily justifiable with two chairs and an umbrella costing around $50. While not necessary to enjoy your morning and afternoon on the beach, having a comfortable spot to relax makes all the difference, especially with younger children. Plus, with food and drinks available nearby, you can enjoy lunch without straying too far from your setup.
Of course, when exploring ports of call on your own, it's essential to be mindful of the all-aboard time, as the cruise ship won't wait for stragglers. If you need to be back onboard by 4:30pm, start packing up around 2:30pm to account for any potential delays.
Read more: I watched two people get left behind on a cruise. Here’s how it played out by the minute
More time spent traveling there than being there
Sometimes, excursions with long transportation times are unavoidable, such as if you want to visit Rome and are docked in Civitavecchia or Paris if your ship is in Le Havre. In some ports, however, you can choose closer attractions that offer memorable experiences without the hassle of lengthy travel.
A few years ago, for example, I went on Royal Caribbean's "Discover Curaçao" tour. After being loaded onto a large tour bus at the end of the pier, we were first shuttled to the Curaçao Museum before visiting Hato Caves and the Curaçao Liqueur Distillery. Though I enjoyed the overview of the island, I wish I had chosen one highlight to see, as most of the day was spent on a bus and trying to listen to our guide amongst the chatter of other large groups.
Additionally, instead of visiting Walt Disney World while docked in Port Canaveral, consider exploring the Kennedy Space Center! With Disney being about an hour from the cruise port, you won't have as much time to soak up the magic of the parks as you might think.
Read more: Viral TikTok shares three worst shore excursions to avoid on a Caribbean cruise
Poor communication from the tour company
If you book with a third party and don't receive clear meeting instructions, it can lead to confusion and frustration on the day of your tour. Not only that, but poor communication can make it difficult to know what to expect in terms of timing, amenities, and potential cancellations.
Before booking, confirm your tour details with the provider. If you have a bad feeling about the legitimacy of the company, trust your gut. A reliable tour operator will prioritize transparency and customer satisfaction—they won't leave you in the dark.
Read more: 11 common cruise shore excursion mistakes to avoid
You can't find any reviews
Don't wait until the day you dock in port to find a tour. Though many ports—namely in The Bahamas and Caribbean—will have a slew of people willing to take you on an island tour, you won't have time to conduct research and read reviews.
By planning in advance, you can find reputable tour companies and read reviews from previous travelers, allowing you to compare options and understand what each tour offers. It's a huge red flag if you cannot find any reviews or if the company has consistently negative feedback, as this could indicate safety concerns or unreliable service.
Even if you are booking through your cruise line, you can often read reviews from past sailors. When browsing excursions offered by Carnival, for example, they list the overall star rating and how many cruisers have rated each tour.
Read more: 10 tips for getting the best cruise shore excursion values
No refund policy
One advantage of booking excursions through your cruise line is that if you cannot dock (whether it's because of inclement weather, political unrest, or a technical issue), you will receive a full refund.
Most third parties, however, don't have the same rule. Before booking a tour with an independent operator, read the terms and conditions to see if you'd be eligible for a refund if your ship does not dock. Many may have rules that allow for cancelations up to 24 hours in advance; however, you likely won't know if you're missing a port until the morning of.
Note that if your ship does dock and you decide not to attend your excursion because of poor weather, regardless of who you booked through, you typically are out of luck and won't be reimbursed.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
