Sold Out Excursions

[Plato123]

Our cruise is a month away and many excursions are already listed as sold out.  How likely is Celebrity to add additional capacity for excursions or would we be better off with a third party excursion?  More specifically we are interested in excursions in Ponto Delgada and Porto.

We have a large OBC and hoped to use it on excursions.

[cruisestitch]

No one knows what might happen.  You can wait until you get on the ship and asked to be put on a waiting list but by then it might be too late to book a third-party excursion. There’s just no way to know.

[gold1953]

They usually do not add excursions so best to look elsewhere. Add your name to the cancellation list as soon as you board

[Arizona Wildcat]

34 minutes ago, Plato123 said:

Our cruise is a month away and many excursions are already listed as sold out.  How likely is Celebrity to add additional capacity for excursions or would we be better off with a third party excursion?  More specifically we are interested in excursions in Ponto Delgada and Porto.

We have a large OBC and hoped to use it on excursions.

Excursions start being posted months ahead.  If your cruise departs in early April not likely additional space will be added.  Operators are not fully ramped up.   You are likely to see cancellations open up space in the coming weeks.

You indicate lots of OBC.  Is some of it from a TA and thus OBCR (refundable) or from Celebrity. 

I personally would be looking at my roll call and the internet for tours.

[Cruise till you drop]

You may want to go to Ports of Call section of Cruise Critic and explore private non-ship excursions.  They should have more content and also be less expensive 

Edited March 7 by Cruise till you drop

[newfiegirl4]

On 3/7/2024 at 12:32 PM, Plato123 said:

Our cruise is a month away and many excursions are already listed as sold out.  How likely is Celebrity to add additional capacity for excursions or would we be better off with a third party excursion?  More specifically we are interested in excursions in Ponto Delgada and Porto.

We have a large OBC and hoped to use it on excursions.

Keep checking often as some people cancel and then openings reopen.This happened to us for our upcoming cruise next month for Tobago!

[SbbquilterUT]

If you are looking to whale watch in Ponta Delgado there were boats at the dock to buy tickets for, even listing the whales that had been spotted that week.  We found it easy to walk around, particularly the large public gardens.  Then found a grocery store with cafe and had amazing custard tarts.  

[george_sf]

If you are in The Retreat, ask the shore side Retreat Host. We've had good luck asking for added seats on Shore Excursions (twice) before the cruise starts. 

[D. B.]

20 hours ago, george_sf said:

If you are in The Retreat, ask the shore side Retreat Host. We've had good luck asking for added seats on Shore Excursions (twice) before the cruise starts. 

I have had the same experience with the Concierge lounge /desk person when staying in a concierge cabin.

 Also when a shore excursion is sold out pre cruise sometimes the ship will ask the SE provider if they can add extra guests should the SE provider be able to provide extra busses/guides.

 The real advantage to booking SE's pre cruise is that they are always more expensive when booked onboard.

  We often use our own tours booked pre cruise but we never book Any that have a return to the ship time of less than 3 hours before sail time.

[love2crews.]

Most excursions need to be cancelled 48 hours before the activity to avoid cancellation fees.  Keep checking as it gets closer to your sailing. 👍