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Experience each city's must-see landmarks and iconic sites through shore excursions that ensure you check the most important items off your bucket list. Buck Island Reef is officially a national monument, and the 19,015 acres of land and sea lie just off the north shore of St. Croix. A typical shore excursion features a 45-minute bus ride across the island, followed by a 40-minute scenic powerboat cruise out to the reef.
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How do I get the most from my cruise shore excursion?
Our favorite option is snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles in the protected waters of Akumal Beach. Costa Maya is a laid-back Mexican tourism village carved out of Yucatan jungle featuring bars, restaurants, shops and pools. Most ships have a shore excursion team through which you can get detailed information about the available tours and purchase excursions. However, in some destinations, a shore excursion, or independently operated guided tour, is highly encouraged. This could be in places where it's difficult to navigate as a foreigner who can't speak the language or understand street signs or where the tourism infrastructure is not yet fully developed. In most cases, you don't need to book a shore excursion to explore a port of call.
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If you need a break from beach-bumming, a popular alternative in Barbados is a tour of Harrison's Cave. This crystallized limestone cavern comes teeming with streams, pools, stalactites and stalagmites. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Cruise itineraries visiting St. Vincent are few and far between, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to discover in this small island nation. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A.
Do I need to tip my shore excursion guide?
As one of the most common cruise ports in the Caribbean, there is no shortage of things to do in Costa Maya. Instead of offering just one “best” shore excursion in this Mexican port, we have three, one of which is sure to fit your cruising style. If you’re cruising to the Caribbean, you’ll find a wide range of tours from beach days to catamaran cruises, zip line adventures, ATV excursions, and much more. Sometimes, going off on your own is better than pre-booking an excursion, whether it is through the cruise line or another vendor. In the Caribbean and Bahamas, for instance, there are tons of beaches within a short drive of just about every port, and cruise lines will overcharge you for transportation.
Costa Maya: Beaches and Restaurants in Mahahual Town
And if you feel like staying on board one day while your ship is docked in a port that doesn't interest you, that's okay, too. The benefits to a cruise line's shore excursions are that they depart from and return to the ship; you don't need to figure out where to meet a guide in a port you've never visited. Better still, should an unexpected problem (traffic, a medical emergency) occur during your outing, the ship will not leave port until all of its own tours have returned. Because you won’t find many cruises visiting Martinique, we recommend making the most of your time on the island through an island tour. Booking an island tour means you can see multiple of the island’s highlights, from beaches to markets and historic ruins, in one day.
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If you're feeling more adventurous, head to Grand Etang for the Seven Sisters Waterfalls hike; the tour is often combined with a visit to spice or rum factories. While the Caribbean is most well-known for sun and sand, there's lots of history on offer as well. In St. John's, Antigua, the historical highlights are Nelson's Dockyard and Shirley Heights, both of which are remnants of the island's British military past. You'll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours — consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience.
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You are in a new place--you might as well explore something, even if that means just grabbing lunch off of the ship. It is customary to tip your guide, as well as the driver, at the end of your excursion. While there is no set amount, you should plan on tipping more for full-day excursions. Moreover, it is important to read into the cancellation policy of the provider you are considering booking with.
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The beach offers excellent swimming as well as the opportunity to snorkel or rent water sport equipment. Instead, you will need to make sure that you have cash (and/or the local currency), any debit or credit cards that you wish to carry, and your photo I.D. Depending on where you are going and what tours are being offered, there might be a small capacity, meaning that it has the capability of selling out faster. This is also true if you want to book a specific time, as some time frames are more desirable than others.
PRIVATE JOURNEYS
Finally, those interested in exploring more of Costa Maya’s culture may want to make the short trip to the nearby town of Mahahual. This small town has plenty of local businesses, restaurants, and day passes to beach clubs to enjoy. The most famous beach on the island is Eagle Beach, a wide stretch of sand with pristine turquoise waters.
Some cruise lines charge penalty fees for canceling shore excursions onboard or within 24 to 48 hours of the port call, so you might want to wait to see how the weather is before booking. You may also get some good word-of-mouth tips on board the ship that change your mind about what tour you'd like to do. Don't forget to come up with a Plan B, in case your desired tour gets canceled or is sold out. Another option for shore excursions are intimate tours that are limited to 25 or so passengers. Many lines offer these boutique-sized excursions, which could be cooking classes at a renowned French cooking school or visits to Native American villages in Alaska.
However, if you're a novice traveler, you might want to book ship tours exclusively because they're the simplest, easiest and most convenient options. This tour takes guests on a 10-mile bike ride along St. Croix’s coastline, through sugar plantations, and in the port city of Frederiksted. It includes commentary from a local guide, as well, meaning you’ll not only take in the sights, but also the culture and history of this Caribbean island.
If your ship cannot dock or there is inclement weather that prevents the tour from operating as scheduled, you should know whether you are entitled to a refund or not. Help preserve the destination and support the local community on tours that emphasize local history, culture and environment. Explore the best in every port with a select group of like-minded adventurers.
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