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How necessary is it to book a shore excursion in advance? Do they sell out quick?

Kattycake

By Kattycake,
in Royal Caribbean International

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Kattycake

Kattycake

Posted
Posted

Hubby and I are going on our first cruise for our 21st bdays.

 

We heard that shore excursions can sell out, but how fast?

It is Sep 15, roughly 2 weeks, for Nassau's Atlantis Aquaventure and also kayak/snorkeling package.

 

Should we book today or wait until Friday when we get our paychecks (will it still be avaliable then?)

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novicetraveller

novicetraveller

Posted
Posted
Hubby and I are going on our first cruise for our 21st bdays.

 

We heard that shore excursions can sell out, but how fast?

It is Sep 15, roughly 2 weeks, for Nassau's Atlantis Aquaventure and also kayak/snorkeling package.

 

Should we book today or wait until Friday when we get our paychecks (will it still be avaliable then?)

 

It depends on the ship you are on. I would book in advance as on occasion, if you want to ask questions of the Shore Excursion specialists, you might wait a long time to be seen, and there is a risk the excursion you want to do may end up being sold up, and the lost time could have been used doing something else. Just my 2 cents worth.

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edjny

edjny

Posted
Posted
Hubby and I are going on our first cruise for our 21st bdays.

 

We heard that shore excursions can sell out, but how fast?

It is Sep 15, roughly 2 weeks, for Nassau's Atlantis Aquaventure and also kayak/snorkeling package.

 

Should we book today or wait until Friday when we get our paychecks (will it still be avaliable then?)

 

I take the view that if I really want a particuliar excursion, I book it NOW. Usually, there are still openings when you get on the ship, but not always. BTW, you pay for the excursion when you book it, but you pay with a credit card. You don't actually pay for it till the next credit card billing cycle which could be 6-7 weeks away.

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dacsmom

dacsmom

Posted
Posted
I take the view that if I really want a particuliar excursion, I book it NOW. Usually, there are still openings when you get on the ship, but not always. BTW, you pay for the excursion when you book it, but you pay with a credit card. You don't actually pay for it till the next credit card billing cycle which could be 6-7 weeks away.

 

Some people use debit cards and they are charged right away.

I also like to book an excursion ahead of time just in case the really popular ones are sold out.

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Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
Hi, just to confirm as I didn't know this...if I book my shore excursions before departure, I would have to use a credit/debit card and would not be able to use my OBC? If I wanted to use my OBC, I would need to wait to book my excursions when I am onboard?

Correct, you must book onboard to use onboard credit.

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could travel all the time

could travel all the time

Posted
Posted
Correct, you must book onboard to use onboard credit.

 

Wow, good to know. We never book cruiseline shore excursions (have always gone private) so had no idea. Thanks!!

If I can ask another question....can you speak a little about the cancellation policy of these excursions? Terms and conditions speak about a deadline to cancel but that that deadline is posted onboard?? Not very clear about all that...

 

(btw, Bob I have been lurking for sometime, and you are always so informative and best of all so respectful and polite!! Thank you very much :))

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Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
Wow, good to know. We never book cruiseline shore excursions (have always gone private) so had no idea. Thanks!!

If I can ask another question....can you speak a little about the cancellation policy of these excursions? Terms and conditions speak about a deadline to cancel but that that deadline is posted onboard?? Not very clear about all that...

 

(btw, Bob I have been lurking for sometime, and you are always so informative and best of all so respectful and polite!! Thank you very much :))

I believe if you book onboard, you have to cancel at least 24 hours before the excursion. They will credit your onboard account.

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Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
How about if you book before departure? (I am worried that the excursion might book up)

If you book online and want to cancel, I believe you have to cancel at least 3 days before the start of the cruise to get a credit to your credit card. After that, you can only cancel onboard, and then only 24 hours before the excursion.

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knittinggirl

knittinggirl

Posted
Posted
Hi, just to confirm as I didn't know this...if I book my shore excursions before departure, I would have to use a credit/debit card and would not be able to use my OBC? If I wanted to use my OBC, I would need to wait to book my excursions when I am onboard?

 

Correct, but you can still use OBC towards gratuities, if you didn't prepay them. Depending on the amount of OBC, we save an excursion or two for booking onboard.

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could travel all the time

could travel all the time

Posted
Posted
Most will not sell out...some things are easy and cheaper to do on your own! Research is the key...get a guidebook on your ports!

 

In our case, we are considering a cruiseline excursion because the port day is on Christmas Day. We always go it alone, but in this case, I am thinking there might not be as many independent tour companies operating on Christmas...

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MrsPete

MrsPete

Posted
Posted

If you absolutely want THIS EXCURSION, go ahead and book it now. The more popular excursions (and the more popular timeslots -- usually mornings because most people would rather go do their activity, then have time to eat or shop ashore, all without pushing themselves to get back to the ship on time) DO fill up.

 

On the other hand, if you prefer this excursion -- but a couple others sound good too, and you'd be just as happy with them -- wait.

 

Since you can always cancel your excursion, you have nothing to risk by booking now.

 

I definitely suggest that you look into private excursions. Not only are they less expensive, they're smaller groups and a better experience.

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Lionesss "Live from...." Rare

Lionesss

Posted
Posted

Frequently cruise ships hold back some bookings for those that want to book in person.

Look at the excursion desk line when you board and You will see what I mean.

 

You probably will get the excursion you want if you hurry there to book,

but if it is offerred multiple times, you may not get the exact time you want.

(ie. zipline, ski jets, snorkel excursion am. or pm).

 

Why take a chance when in doubt book it now.

 

Sea Ya

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agentcorona

agentcorona

Posted
Posted
Hubby and I are going on our first cruise for our 21st bdays.

 

We heard that shore excursions can sell out, but how fast?

It is Sep 15, roughly 2 weeks, for Nassau's Atlantis Aquaventure and also kayak/snorkeling package.

 

Should we book today or wait until Friday when we get our paychecks (will it still be avaliable then?)

 

I'd purchase the one(s) you really have your heart set on prior to cruising. The last cruise I was on had the one excursion DH and I wanted to do sold out. We went to book as soon as we boarded the ship too. It may be because the Lakers and a bachelor party were on the same cruise, but I wouldn't chance it.

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Folk Singer

Folk Singer

Posted
Posted
Hubby and I are going on our first cruise for our 21st bdays.

 

We heard that shore excursions can sell out, but how fast?

It is Sep 15, roughly 2 weeks, for Nassau's Atlantis Aquaventure and also kayak/snorkeling package.

 

Should we book today or wait until Friday when we get our paychecks (will it still be avaliable then?)

 

We always book prior to boarding and then know that we have that booked. To spend more time doing nothing and enjoy the holiday.

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