shore excursions reviews?

[GirlInADaydream]

You know, my Fiance had a good idea... if there is not a place out there that has reviews of shore excursions, wouldnt it be great to have some place where people could post about shore excusrions just like they post reviews of ships?

I mean, i know there is a place on here that has info on all the ports, but i think it would be better to have a single place where people could say if a shore excursion was worth it or not...

is there a magic cruise shore excursion review place someplace on the web?

I know there is a port-review.com though!

[elmorejj]

I personally don`t know of any web site for excursion reviews, but I think its a great idea. Have you done a google search for one?....jean :cool:

[bepsf]

Ahhhh....
Very Wise, Young Grasshopper!;)

Hopefully, our kind hosts will help us out with this one!!!

[GirlInADaydream]

i just really thought that instead of poeple having to ask time and time again about what shore excursions are good, why not have some place for people to write about whichs ones are good and which ones are not worth it.

I mean, lets face it... they are not cheap and if a family of four does one excursion on each island with an average of 3 ports, lets say the average price is 50$ pp, thats 600$ on average just for excurisons!!

i think it would be great to have and hopefully it would save some people some money and give everyone a chance to help other CC's with a knowledge of whats out there!

Sure, i am one that really does not want to skimp on things, expecially on vacation, but i also want to get my best bang for the buck!

[bkreader]

You're brilliant!

I have spent so much time researching and worrying about shore excursions. Let's hope someone can follow up. - Jane

[iluvcruzin]

Many people post their shore excursion experience in the port-of-call threads. Unfortunately many cruisers forget that section of Cruise Critic unless they are looking up information. Maybe it would be a good idea as a reminder to those returning from a cruise to drop a line in that area. Especially if it's a positive experiance.

[HeatherInFlorida]

GirlInADayDream, I think you're really onto something. When we booked our cruise I posted so many questions about various HAL shore excursions. I agree it's a lot of money to put out knowing nothing about them. Being able to read reviews would be a wonderful help!

It was OCruisers that led me to the Virgin Islands Sailaway and that really paid off for us! So I immediately posted my feelings about it when we returned and I noticed a lot of people showed a lot of interest in that thread. So clearly there's a call for such a thing.

The problem with the Ports of Call forum is that it's for all cruiselines. The shore excursion section should be divided up by cruiselines.

I think it's a fantastic idea. Who should we tell? Walt? He's always wonderfully accommodating. Walt, are you out there? What do you think?

[dakrewser]

The problem with the Ports of Call forum is that it's for all cruiselines. The shore excursion section should be divided up by cruiselines.
Oh, I'd imagine that 80-90% of the ShorEx were the same for most cruise lines, Heather. Especially, for example, all of the Carnival nameplates.....

-dave

[Ziggy7]

I agree, we need a place to review shore excursions :) hint hint :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I like the idea as well.

We all spend a lot of time reading through people's ships reviews and trying to pay attention to what shore excursions they went on and if they were worth it. Then when we are ready to go on a cruise - bingo we can't find that review anymore.

[Orcrone]

That is one of the best ideas I've heard.

I think we should immediately elevate girlinadaydream to Blue Ribbon Cruiser status. What do you all think?:)

[stanjj111]

This is a great idea. Also, it may be helpful to post shore excursions that are ship based as well as other deals that people get on line.

[GirlInADaydream]

This is a great idea. Also, it may be helpful to post shore excursions that are ship based as well as other deals that people get on line.
Thanks for all the support. I really do feel this would be extremely benifitial to all that use the forums.

I was even thinking of ways to make up my own website to do this, but alas, i am not that technologically advanced and i was advised that it would be way more time than i can handle.

I also tried e-mailing CC.com and i could not get through, so if anyone has any other ideas as to how we could possibly try something like this or just try to get it started, that would be great!

I know many visitors on this website have been extremely helpful to others in posting in depth reviews and i think this would just be another great spot for people to give honest reviews about an imprortant part of cruising!!

[elmorejj]

Maybe we could start it small in the meantime by having a thread on this board entitled something like Excursion reviews....everyone contribute what you know about a certain tour. One other thing, do not let commentary be part of it, keep it strictly to reviews. You could post questions about the reviews somewhere else......jean :cool:

[bkreader]

Maybe we could start it small in the meantime by having a thread on this board entitled something like Excursion reviews....everyone contribute what you know about a certain tour. One other thing, do not let commentary be part of it, keep it strictly to reviews. You could post questions about the reviews somewhere else......jean :cool:
Jean,

Should the thread be strictly for HAL excursions or could you review excursions you booked independently? - Jane ;)

[AnneBrand]

I would love to know about the new excursions at half-moon cay. Please report if anyone does in particular the horse back riding. I don't think the string ray excursion is up yet, want to know about that too.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Thanks for all the support. I really do feel this would be extremely benifitial to all that use the forums.

I was even thinking of ways to make up my own website to do this, but alas, i am not that technologically advanced and i was advised that it would be way more time than i can handle.

I also tried e-mailing CC.com and i could not get through, so if anyone has any other ideas as to how we could possibly try something like this or just try to get it started, that would be great!

I know many visitors on this website have been extremely helpful to others in posting in depth reviews and i think this would just be another great spot for people to give honest reviews about an imprortant part of cruising!!
Since this is your idea, why don't you send it to Walt. See what he says. He's always been very good responding to me. His address is Host-Walt@earthlink.net

[the2ofus]

I think a Shore Ex section similar to the Roll Call section of the Board, divided up by cruise line, would be helpful to a lot of people.

AnneBrand - I have signed up for the horseback riding at HMC. Will be there on the Westerdam Dec. 18th. I have never ridden but have wanted to for years. A first time rider and a new shore ex. :eek: I'll let you know how it goes.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I think a Shore Ex section similar to the Roll Call section of the Board, divided up by cruise line, would be helpful to a lot of people.

AnneBrand - I have signed up for the horseback riding at HMC. Will be there on the Westerdam Dec. 18th. I have never ridden but have wanted to for years. A first time rider and a new shore ex. :eek: I'll let you know how it goes.
Last week at HMC we could see the riders way down the beach. It looked like it would be fabulous. They were riding into the water. Lucky you! Should be amazing. Have a great time!

[super_grover]

I absolutely can't wait for someone to come back and tell us all how the horseback riding went! I'm a bit excited. The2ofus, I am sure that they have all kinds of safety stuff and trail rides such as these are pretty safe :)
Uh, I don't know if anyone will, but if anyone has general horseback riding questions, I'm your gal.

[the2ofus]

Super_grover, any tips will be appreciated. I seem to get along well with animals (at least the ones smaller than I am), and I am fairly fit and flexible due to my exercise classes and Yoga. Hopefully, I will return in one piece. I've just been wanting to do this type of ride ever since I first saw it described in a travel magazine several years ago.

[Pudgesmom]

the2ofus,

According to the flyer in our cabin on the oosterdam last week, there would be a beach ride first with saddle, stirrups, etc. and then the horses would be "redressed" for the ocean swim. Swimming in regular tack would ruin the leather of the saddle, cinch, stirrups, etc., so the horses are probably fitted with just a pad on their backs. This means for the water portion of the ride you would not have stirrups for your feet. The pad is there to keep you from sliding off and to keep your fanny clean.

My recommendation for riding bareback this way is to grab a huge chunk of your horse's mane with at least one hand -you can't hurt him this way. Then, you will be sure to go whereever he goes;) Relax your body and enjoy the ride. Horses are very powerful swimmers.

I did not take this shore excursion, but I have been swimming with my own horse. It is extremely fun.

Beth

[bkreader]

the2ofus,


I did not take this shore excursion, but I have been swimming with my own horse. It is extremely fun.

Beth
Lucky you!! I used to ride quite a lot waaaaaay back in my 20's, but haven't been too many times since then. I am hoping to be able to pick it right up again, but my body has .... let's say...."changed" over the years.:D - Jane

[Pudgesmom]

Lucky you!! I used to ride quite a lot waaaaaay back in my 20's, but haven't been too many times since then. I am hoping to be able to pick it right up again, but my body has .... let's say...."changed" over the years.:D - Jane
bkreader-

This is exactly why I own a horse named "Pudge!";) :p

Beth

[Cruising Jake]

So is that the origin of the name "pudgesmom"?

[Pudgesmom]

BINGO!

Pudge is actually named after the former Texas Ranger's catcher, Pudge Rodriguez, who was a little stout, but very fast.

Beth:D

[AnneBrand]

I really want to do the horseback riding excusion but I can't swim, Can I still do it or do I need to know how to swim? I don't even think I know how to float. :confused:

[Pudgesmom]

While I'm sure the horses at Half Moon Cay are very tame, they are, nevertheless, horses. Anything can happen on a ride, including sliding off without a saddle. Maybe you should consider riding only on the beach.

Beth

[the2ofus]

The HAL excursion web-site says something about wearing sneakers for the ride. I'd hate to wear my part-leather sneakers in salt water. In fact I was planning on not even taking sneakers with me on the cruise. Would water shoes work all right, or do you just need sneakers for the land portion of the ride? Is this a dumb question or what! :confused: :confused:

[Pudgesmom]

The average horse weighs around 1200 pounds. If he steps on your foot, you will know it! :mad: Wear a sturdy shoe. This will also help keep your foot in the stirrup.:)

Beth

[super_grover]

When dealing with horses I would do what they recomend, especially the shoe part. Have broken a few toes this way myself. I read in the literature somewhere that there is a floatation belt provided for the water portion. Depending on your tollerance for adventure, a "hang on" attitude could serve you well. Alternatively, when does your cruise leave? A qualified teacher should be able to teach you the basics of swimming in about six weeks.....

[Pudgesmom]

Alternatively, when does your cruise leave? A qualified teacher should be able to teach you the basics of swimming in about six weeks.....

...... or the basics of riding!;)

Beth