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Cruise 101

Shore excursions, explained

Book through the ship, book on your own, or just walk off and explore? How to choose, how much time you really have in port, and how to make sure you're back before the ship sails.

Your options

Three ways to spend a port day

There's no wrong answer. It depends on how far you're going and how much you want to plan.

Book through Royal Caribbean

Tours sold in the Royal Caribbean app and Cruise Planner. They usually cost more, but they come with the big advantage: if a ship excursion runs late, the ship waits for you. Everything is charged to your onboard account, and the tour meets you right at the pier.

Best for: first cruises, tours far from the port, boat and snorkel trips, and anything with a tight schedule.

Book an independent tour

Local tour companies often run the same trips for less, with smaller groups. The catch: you're responsible for getting back on time. If your tour is late, the ship can leave without you, and getting to the next port is on you.

Best for: experienced cruisers, well-reviewed companies that guarantee a return to the ship, and tours that end well before all aboard time.

Our pick: look for Worry-Free Shore Excursions on Viator. They guarantee to get you back to the ship in time, or help pay to get you to the next port if they don't. Book through our link and we can help manage your excursion bookings along with the rest of your trip. Browse tours on Viator →

Birdie Escapes is a Viator partner and may earn a commission when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

Explore on your own

Many ports have beaches, shops, and restaurants within walking distance or a short taxi ride. It costs the least and you set your own pace. Same rule as independent tours: the clock is yours to watch.

Best for: ports with a beach or town near the pier, and days when you'd rather relax than follow a schedule.

Timing

How much time do you really have?

The port times on your itinerary aren't the time you have to explore. Work backward from all aboard.

SHIP TIME is the only time that matters. Every time on the ship, in the app, and in the daily schedule is ship time. Your phone may switch to local time on its own in port, so don't trust it. Set your watch, or a second clock on your phone, to ship time and go by that all day.

  1. Arrival time

    Add time to get off the ship

    Docking, clearance, and the crowd at the gangway can take a while. In tender ports, where small boats shuttle you to shore, it can take longer.

  2. All aboard

    This is your real deadline

    All aboard is earlier than the departure time on your itinerary. Check the exact time in the app and the daily schedule, and plan to be back well before it.

  3. Ship time

    Only track ship time

    Some ports are in a different time zone than the ship, and your phone may quietly change to local time. All aboard is always in ship time. If you only remember one thing from this page, make it this.

Rule of thumb: for anything independent, plan to be back at the pier at least an hour before all aboard. Traffic, long lunches, and slow taxis are how people miss the ship.

Booking

When and how to book

  • Book popular tours early.Small-group tours, swim with dolphins, and anything with limited spots can sell out weeks before sailing.
  • Watch the price after you book.Like other Cruise Planner add-ons, excursions go on sale. If the price drops, you can cancel and rebook at the lower price.
  • Read the activity level.Each tour lists how much walking, climbing, or swimming is involved. Pick what fits everyone in your group.
  • Don't overbook.A tour every port day can be exhausting. Leave a port or two for the beach, the pool, or an empty ship.

Private island

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Many Bahamas and Caribbean sailings stop at Royal Caribbean's private island. It's one of the easiest port days there is.

Included

  • Beaches and the main pool
  • Food at the island's included restaurants
  • Water, lemonade, and iced tea
  • Walking right off the ship, no tender boats
  • Internet, if you bought a VOOM package for your cruise

Costs extra

  • Thrill Waterpark
  • Coco Beach Club and private cabanas
  • Hideaway Beach, the adults-only area
  • Alcohol and soda, unless you have a drink package

What to bring off the ship

  • Your SeaPass card and photo ID. You need both to get back onboard.
  • Your passport? Opinions are mixed. If you're ever left in port, you'll need the actual passport to get home, not a photo of it. We bring ours, zipped into a secure pocket that's hard to get into.
  • Small bills for taxis, tips, and souvenirs. US dollars work in most Caribbean ports.
  • Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and water
  • A waterproof phone pouch and a small dry bag for boat days
  • The ship's emergency contact and port agent information from the daily schedule

More in our packing list.

Want help planning your port days?

We'll tell you which ports are easy to explore on your own, which tours are worth it, and what to book before it sells out.

Start a Cruise Inquiry →

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