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You can skip the hassle of arranging your own onshore activities, you'll know the tour provider has been vetted by the cruise line and is licensed and reputable. The ship also won't leave until all of its tour buses have returned -- even the tardy ones. Out of the many southern Caribbean excursions available to you on your cruise, the Sailaway Snorkel & Beach Cruise in Aruba is an exclusive entrance to the most vivid sea life you can imagine. From a luxury catamaran, you’ll dive one of Aruba’s secluded reefs, getting a front row seat for coral and marine life so colorful, they’d put a box of crayons to shame.
Onboard Activities
To secure your preferred excursions, it’s advisable to book them as early as possible, ideally during the online check-in process or shortly after making your cruise reservation. If you're a first-time cruiser, it can be helpful to have a few hacks to make your shore excursion experience amazing. Guests sailing on a Carnival cruise who book a shore excursion through us can be completely confident they are getting the best price and best value with the introduction of a new shore excursion best price guarantee. The only guarantee of its kind in the cruise industry, the program is now available fleet wide for all Carnival Cruise Lines shore tours on ships sailing from North America.
Travel Documentation and Online Check-in
Let your excursions become the highlight of your trip as you create memories that will last a lifetime. By keeping these tips in mind, you can maximize your excursion experience, make the most of your time on shore, and create lasting memories on your Carnival cruise. By taking the time to research and consider these factors, you can ensure that you choose the right Carnival cruise excursions that align with your interests and expectations. Remember, the goal is to create unforgettable experiences and make the most of your time on shore. There are instances when you might be limited to excursions provided by the ship. These usually are cases where local restrictions simply do not allow cruise passengers to freely wander the streets.
bahamas fun
If you prefer to book your excursions in person rather than online, you can do so at the Shore Excursions desk on board. However, keep in mind that popular excursions may sell out quickly, so it’s still recommended to book in advance if possible. By following these steps and taking advantage of early booking, you can ensure that you secure your desired Carnival cruise excursions and avoid any last-minute disappointments. Each of our ships is a unique experience — check the features and find out which ship is right for you. At Stingray Cove in Half Moon Cay, gentle, mesmerizing stingrays congregate in crystal-clear, shallow waters.
Ships
If you've done your research and have decided that you want to do a specific excursion offered on your cruise, think carefully about whether to book in advance or onboard. It's best to book in advance for must-do tours and limited-availability excursions (like almost every excursion on an Alaskan cruise or flightseeing while docked on a cruise to Hawaii). The ship’s excursions get you to the markets, often with some city highlights along the way, then leave you with a few hours of shopping time. You are then free to make your way back to the ship or to a meeting point for the return trip as a group.
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How do shore excursions work on cruises?
The knowledge and efficiency of tour operators vary, and some tour offerings are simply duds. Ship-arranged excursions also tend to have broad appeal, so if you're interests in a given port are more specific or niche, you may want something outside of the cruise line's offerings. Arriving in multiple ports you are unfamiliar with and expecting to find the best things to do would be challenging at best and disastrous at worst. In most cases, shore excursions give you access to something that might otherwise be hard to arrange on your own.
In shallow water, you’ll hug, kiss, pose for pictures and swim hand-to-flipper with a dolphin, as well as get a dolphin-powered push on a boogey board. The remainder of the time on the island is yours to spend snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, playing at the aqua park and enjoying an included buffet lunch. Some take up all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or for journeys to destinations outside of the port city.
Onboard Communication
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The luxury 50-foot sailing yacht is manned by a friendly crew who’ll provide cool drinks and a freshly prepared lunch. There’s also a stop for swimming and snorkeling over a beautiful reef, and you’re welcome to help sail the yacht on the return leg of the voyage. As you embark on your Carnival cruise and participate in its excursions, embrace the opportunities for discovery, adventure, and connection with the world around you.
Booking Shore Excursions in Advance vs. Booking Onboard
However, if you prefer guides or easy transportation, a shore excursion is probably for you. To give you the skills to make the most of your days in port, read on for our advice on what to expect from shore excursions and maximize the fun on your cruise vacation. Researching and booking the right Carnival cruise excursions can greatly enhance your vacation experience.
It’s also wise to take along the information provided by the ship about their agent in each port and the contact information for the local consulate. Most travelers rely on carrying a copy of their passport in ports, leaving the originals locked away safely in their staterooms. There are some cruise lines that hold your passports for you throughout the cruise. For each port of call, Carnival Cruise Line offers fantastic shore excursions for each taste - whether you prefer visiting historic sights, doing sports or enjoying wildlife adventures. If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming with dolphins, book the VIP Dolphin Swim and Beach Day with Lunch excursion from Nassau and make that dream come true. The interactive experience with your favorite marine mammals takes place on Blue Lagoon Island, which you reach via ferry.
Your cruise line will advise you in advance if this might be the case in any of your scheduled ports of call. The fun continues when you reach your port — there’s a huge variety of shore excursions to choose from. The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we'll help you find what you’re looking for. Once on board, managing your excursions effectively ensures a smooth experience.
Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned veteran, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the process and make informed decisions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of researching, booking, and managing Carnival cruise excursions, as well as provide some insider tips to help you make the most of your excursion experience. Not all shore excursions involve busloads of tourists dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders. However, some tours simply bring you to a destination where you're free to explore until it's time to meet the bus to go home. Your cruise director or the daily newsletter will usually inform you if it's necessary to take your passport with you on a shore excursion.
Additionally, only guests included in this cruise booking are eligible to participate in the group shore excursion together. On a cruise to The Bahamas, you have countless options for excursions and activities. You might want to do little more than lounge on a sunny beach, or you might want a day packed full of high-adrenaline adventures. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of Bahamian cruise excursions available to make it all possible. Departing Freeport on the VIP Luxury Sail excursion, you’ll cross the sparkling Caribbean Sea, take in views of the beach-lined coast of Grand Bahama and feel the warm sun on your skin as you sail.
The ports of call featured on the best Bahamas cruises offer their own charms, from Nassau’s swashbuckling pirate heritage to Freeport’s nature-rich national parks. Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay both promise the VIP vibe of a private island, and both offer a huge variety of fun activities. Browse Bahamas shore excursions before you set sail, and consider the following 8 great options.
It’s a fantastic opportunity that you can only experience through one of our many excursions while on your cruise vacation. As exciting as your time aboard a cruise to the Caribbean promises to be, an entire world of tropical wonders awaits you through the countless Caribbean shore excursions available. If rumbling along rugged back-country roads to remote beaches and crumbling old ruins sounds appealing, opt for the Dune Buggy Heritage Adventure Tour from Princess Cays. Drive a dune buggy away from the island’s tourist areas, getting dusty and muddy as you follow your guide to a secluded beach where you have time to enjoy the sand and sea.
For shore excursions that are not included in your cruise fare, budget a minimum of $50 per adult per excursion. There is no real upper limit as exclusive tours could cost thousands of dollars. The pre-purchase window for certain products and activities closes between one and three days prior to the sail date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us once you're on board — we'll help you find what you’re looking for. The Freeport Kayak and Nature Experience is six hours of serenity amid the natural side of The Bahamas. You’ll explore Lucayan National Park, an unspoiled land of creeks and mangrove forests, ancient trails and shady beaches.
