Zuiderdam Oct 2- 1st cruise-cruise rules?

[RogerandMary]

We are going on our first cruise on October 2nd. We are reading the boards like crazy trying to learn everything we can. Our questions for now are, is it best to book activities with the ship, or to go to websites and book them privately? Are there any "cruise rules" that regular cruisers know about, that we should be aware of?

[jhannah]

Rule Number One: HAVE FUN!!!

Rule Number Two: Don't sweat the small stuff.

 

There are pros and cons regarding private shore excursions vs. those from the ship. You can generally get a better tour cheaper per person (or very close) if you go privately. Less "hearding of cattle" like on a 40-passenger bus. More personalized service at sites of interest. You can go where YOU want, and not just where the tour goes on a fixed itinerary. You want to leave more quickly from a stop or stay longer? The private driver will accommodate that.

 

The downside is that if something happens and your private tour can't get back to the ship in time, the ship will leave without you and you will be responsible financially and logistically to get to the next port of call. This could happen if there's an accident and ensuing traffic jam on your way back to port or the tour vehicle breaks down. The farther from the pier you go, the more concern this should be.

 

The upside to a ship's shore ex is that you don't have to do any work. You pay the fare, sit back and let them do all the planning and work out all the logistics. If the bus is late, the captain will almost always hold the ship until you return. If they can't do that, the ship will be responsible for getting you to the next port of call.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

 

Since this is your first cruise you might consider doing the ship's tours to get acquainted with the ports. Then the next time you go back to those ports, you can go on your own like so many of us do.

CRUISE RULES: relax, have fun, meet some people, and above all else - ENJOY!

:)

[hdawson]

Roger and Mary. You're on my cruise. I never use the ship's excursions. Usually you are a part of a herd, pay more and independents seem to provide more personal service. On Grand Cayman for Sting Ray City I use Capt Bryan.

On Cozumel I usually rent a jeep and see the beautiful shoreline stopping at some beach clubs such as Mr Sancho's and Coconuts. Then back into San Miguel and have lunch at Pancho's Backyard. Very good food and Margueritas to die for. We have a roll call started on the HAL Roll Call board. Pls sign up with us. Maybe we can all do sail away together.

 

 

http://www.cayman.org/captainbryan/

http://www.mrsanchos.com

http://www.islacozumel.net/food/coconuts/

http://www.loscincosoles.com/home.htm This is a very good store for gifts and vanilla. Prices are fixed and a very helpful staff that's not at all pushy.

Pancho's is a very pretty courtyard restaurant in the back.

 

Look for coupons on the websites.