Cancelled shore excursions

[whylion]

We just got back from the Shadow cruise from Barbados to Ft Lauderdale. Most of the shore excursions were cancelled, leaving only a bus tour in most of the ports (except Grand Turk where they all went for some reason). It wasn't a big deal for us because we just took a taxi to the beach and back and were quite happy. But I was wondering is this is typical on the Silversea cruises, and if its even worse on the smaller ships?

We are booked on the Black Sea cruise at the end of August and we are really looking forward to some of the excursions, and many would be difficult to arrange on our own.

Is this experience common?

Thanks.

[CASHIPman]

I can't recall ever having a shore excursion canceled on any of my Silversea trips. Were there any explanations offered? Many tours (if not all?) require a minimum number of participants to run. Was the ship full?

[whylion]

Yes, I'm pretty sure the ship was full. I guess they didn't get enough people to sign up. It was an older crowd so I thought maybe they weren't up for snorkeling or kayaking!

[wripro]

Sounds like the excursions you booked were more action oriented that sightseeing and as CAshipman pointed out those usually require a minimum of participants to take place.

[whylion]

Right-- my question is whether in your experience the minimum participation for this kind of tour is usually achieved or not?

[TheFerret]

Every Silversea shore excursion I've been on has been very well run. (Norway, New Zealand, Australia)

 

I'd be confident that your Black Sea excursions will be wonderful.

[TheFerret]

And to answer your question, they've only had to add extra buses, never cancel, in my experience.

 

They are very flexible about letting you change once you're booked, as long as it's within the reasonable window.

[RosseauGirl]

We had an excursion cancelled just about as soon as we booked it - not sure why, but they gave us plenty of time to rebook something else. Outside of that, all went ahead as planned.

 

Michele

[Wellseasoned]

:( We've had a number of shore excursions cancelled on various Silversea cruises, in all but one case because too few people booked the excursion. Some of these cancellations were real disappointments, but I suppose they really need a certain minimum number. The exception was because of severe weather.