![]() Related: The ultimate TPG guide to shore excursions Buying a drinks package (if you’re not a big drinker)ĭrinks packages on ships often are quite pricey, and they generally only make sense if you’re a big spender on drinks - a really big spender. But don’t book one of the official cruise line excursions until you’ve researched whether it’s just as easy to do the top attractions on your own or through an independent tour company. Pro tip: Use the excursion list from your cruise line as a guide to the possible tours and top attractions in each port. ![]() Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay. If your group is big enough, you might be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator, which can be heavenly. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. ![]() They might go to the same site but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through cruise lines. In many cases, you can save a lot of money - and get a better touring experience - by booking shore excursions through independent tour operators in ports or a tour booking service such as Viator or ToursByLocals. But booking tours through your line isn’t the only option, and it’s not always the best option. You just check a box on an online form before sailing or while on board, and - poof - it’s all arranged. Related: Is cruising right for you? Start by asking yourself these 7 questions Only buying excursions through your cruise lineīooking a shore excursion directly through your cruise line is easy. Compare those costs with the $90 or more per person you’ll pay for a typical four-hour cruise excursion to the basilica. Tickets to enter the basilica are 26 euros (about $26.60) for adults, less for students and seniors, and free for children under 11 (be sure to buy tickets in advance to ensure access). My favorite site in Barcelona, the Antoni Gaudi-designed Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, for instance, is easily reachable via the Barcelona metro for just a few dollars. This can be much less expensive than going with a group on an organized tour, and maybe more enjoyable, too. There are many big-name cruise destinations around the world - Barcelona, for example, or Venice - where it’s easy to visit the biggest attractions on your own, either on foot, by using public transportation or taking advantage of ride-hailing companies such as Uber. (If you’re not a member yet, we highly encourage you to join.) Buying too many shore excursionsĭespite what you’ll hear at onboard port talks, you don’t have to book a shore excursion in every port. The following is a list drawn not just from my own experience over 20-plus years of cruising but the observations of hundreds of cruising fans who shared their tips in a robust conversation on the topic at our TPG Lounge on Facebook. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line They get you on the ship at a low rate – then they blast you with spending opportunities.Īre you a newcomer to cruising looking to make sure you are spending your dollars wisely? Read on for our list of the 15 most common ways first-time cruisers waste money on ships. At some lines, the whole business model is built around getting you to spend more than you ever thought you could on board. (Don’t we all?)Īs anyone who cruises a lot knows, cruise lines are masters at the upsell. ![]() Even now, after sailing on more than 150 cruise vessels, I still make unforced errors from time to time when it comes to onboard spending. But it wasn’t the last time that I spent money on a ship in a way that I later regretted. I do remember the way I felt: duped.įor more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter. I can’t remember the dollar amount that he wrote down, but I recall it was sky-high. It turned out the sail-away drinks on this particular ship weren’t free. It was only then that the waiter whipped out an invoice pad from his back pocket. “Free sail-away cocktails!” I reached out to grab one. I had worked my way up to the Lido Deck to take in the view, and I was almost immediately confronted by a beaming waiter holding out a tray of colorful umbrella drinks. It came about 15 minutes after I stepped on board a ship for the first time. I can still remember my first rookie mistake on a cruise.
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