Shore Excurisons - morning or afternoon?

[World Traveller 2008]

We're sailing on Grand Princess in February (Caribbean Collection). If we take the ship's half-day tours (still undecided), should we opt for morning or afternoon? Husband isn't an early riser (though personally I'd like to get up early so I make the most of each day, lol!!), and thinks it will be chaotic with everyone disembarking at ports early morning, also he thinks the ship will be deserted in the morning so we'll be able to enjoy a leisurely time on the ship. I'm not sure - what are your thoughts or experiences? I ought to mention that the cruise is my idea and a present to myself to celebrate getting a "small" lump sum on my retirement (hubby only going on suference cos I'm paying for it, haha!!!). I'm sure he'll enjoy it but he's a bit of a sceptic.

[uppitycats]

I don't think of excursions as "either/or"! Depending on the scheduling, we do both! I've not been on a cruise line where they're exactly the same, morning and afternoon. There are always plenty of options..

including, yes, staying on the ship and enjoying the relative quiet. We're both "morning people" and so often do things in the morning and mid-day, then come back to the ship early afternoon, have a short nap, then get ready for the evening fun.

Since it's your cruise, I'd figure out what you want to do, then book it! Nothing says, by the way, that you have to go "in tandem". You can go by yourself if he really doesn't want to!

[Harry and Lucille]

I have always been an early riser. Coffee on the fantail and watch the sunrise. That being said, I find that the morning tours are more comfortable. Usually, the day gets hot and muggy. Long walking tours can be exhausting. Generally speaking also, if there is rain in the forcast, it is more likely to occur in the afternoon. Can be refreshing tho. Another plus for me is being to spend the afternoon relaxing before the evenings activities. I have to be at my best for Blackjack. Harry

[cb at sea]

Pick the time that's best for you...if it's a ship's excursion, they will get you back to the ship on time, so you don't have to worry about that!

[trish1c]

Neither time is better or worse catagorically. If you are not early risers & have to force yourselves to get up you might not have as much fun as if you had a more leisurely morning. But if you are rarin' to go, sitting around might not fit your style. It's really not an either or proposition. Pick what you like & what fits your style.

[grandmato4]

Since it's a ships tour either morning or afternoon would be fine because if there is a problem getting back to the ship at the end of the tour the ship will wait for you. IF you were doing a private tour I'd say do in the morning to give you a cushion in case there was any problems in getting back to the ship.

We do more private tours and always do those in the morning but we have done some ship excursions in the afternoon and enjoyed those too. When we've done that we always get off the ship in the morning and wander around the port, return to the ship and have some lunch and then go on our tour.

My suggestion would be to book most of your tours for the morning but pick one to do in the afternnoon to make DH happy Hope you enjoy your cruise!

[World Traveller 2008]

Originally Posted by grandmato4

Since it's a ships tour either morning or afternoon would be fine because if there is a problem getting back to the ship at the end of the tour the ship will wait for you. IF you were doing a private tour I'd say do in the morning to give you a cushion in case there was any problems in getting back to the ship.

We do more private tours and always do those in the morning but we have done some ship excursions in the afternoon and enjoyed those too. When we've done that we always get off the ship in the morning and wander around the port, return to the ship and have some lunch and then go on our tour.

My suggestion would be to book most of your tours for the morning but pick one to do in the afternnoon to make DH happy Hope you enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for the advice, your last suggestions definitely something I will think about.

[zstell]

We like to do morning "excursions" and have the afternoons to go with the flow. Sometimes we hang out in port or go to the beach and other times we go back to the ship for lunch and a nap. I can never seem to sleep in on vacation, so I like to get up and out. I also hate being rushed at the end of a great day, back to the ship and hurrying to dinner.

[startraveler]

I almost always prefer the morning, or soon thereafter excursions. Reason being, if it's a new port, you would want to walk around a bit, right? Doing the excursion sooner means you don't have to keep on looking at your watch, thinking, "I have to be back at port at X or I'll miss out on the excursion", meanwhile missing out as well on what the port offers.

[World Traveller 2008]

Thanks to all for your advice; I've amended all but one of our excursions to the morning!