This sounds crazy - We have cruised many times and have always been told to sign up for the excursions that are disscussed by the cruise director the day before each port. They did state that they discouraged passengers from going off on excursions not backed, sanctioned or authorized by carnival, because these are run by locals and who knows if the equipment has ever been inspected. Also you take a  chance not getting back to your ship in time.

Many locals stake their reputation on their service.  There are many reputable vendors out there - you just have to do your homework.  They count on referals and are not going to do anything to jeapordize their livelyhood but doing something that would cause them to go out of business.  As I said - Do your homework,

If you book through Carnival they will wait on you if you run late, if not they will leave you and it is at your expense to get to the next port.Think about it a flat tire$ 40.00,a flight to the next port $$$$$$$$$$$.

I agree. A taxi ride to a local beach is one thing - but an excursion with locals is a risk. In Jamaica, my husband and I took a taxi to Dunns River Falls. The driver was very nice and agreed to pick us up at a scheduled time - he was about 20-min. late. Then we hadd to find a bank in town with an atm that also gave American curency to  pay the driver. We made it back to the ship on time but had to hustle. Yes, it would have been more expensive to purchase this excursion on the ship - but free of the hastle.

In 8 cruises I've only done 2 excursions through the ship and that was because they involved great distance of travel and varying types of transportation.  I have done MANY things on my own.  I plan wisely - not doing anything that would risk me getting back to port in time, going early in the day rather then later.

Example: Grand Caymen stingrays.  We booked through Captain Marvins.  It is right off the tenders and to the left.  Booked an early tour to the sandbar.  Had a great time at the sandbar and snorkeling.  There was a boat (not ours) that had engine trouble but everyone was helpful in getting them going again.  We had about 15 people on our boat.  On the other end of the sandbar was the cruiseline excursion.  Large double decker bus with about 150 on the board.  By the time they got everyone off it was time for everyone to get back on.  We had a great time with our little group - lots of time to interact with the stingrays.  They paid about 2.5 times more then I did. 

So while yes - anything could happen - if it did they are many people around to assist.  These folks make their livelyhood through these tours.  They are not going to risk their reputation by having a boat load of people miss their ship.  They are aware of the ship schedules and go out of their way to make sure they get you back on time.

I've only been on 1 cruise before, but we did excursions.  Beth last time and this time when booking the cruise the vacation planner urged to book excursions.  When you book excursions through Carnival you don't have to worry about being left.  The ship won't leave without you.  I hae used locals as well and never had a problem.  Just use your judgement when using locals, because they have to understand that you need to get back to the ship on time.

My son and I did the same thing when we were in Jamaica. We went right after breakfast. The cab driver was on time picking us up at Dunn River Falls, but there was a traffic jam in the parking lot that slowed things down a few minutes. However, he got us back to the shopping village near the Port with time to spare for shopping and browsing. We walked back to the ship and enjoyed a late lunch on the Lido deck.

I've also done the excursions booked through Carnival. I felt much better (timewise) with these excursions. The tour guides are adament about time spent to assure everyone getting back to the ship or shopping areas in ample time. Peace of mind is well worth the price.

The Cruise Director will always have an Island Talk a day or so before you reach your first port of call. They go over every excursion offered, complete with video. You'll be informed of what it consists of and what to expect. You're then given the opportunity to sign up for your choice(s) right then. Or you can sign up at the Pursor's Office. Even better, you can sign up in the comfort of your own room through Carnival's television station. Your tickets will be delivered to your cabin the day before your excursion.

I highly recommend doing it through Carnival.

Bon Voyage.

Hi TCamper,

In the 6 cruises I've done, I've only done 1 shore excursion through Carnival. Personally, I've always found that the local vendors are a whole lot cheaper and less crowded and they bend over backwards to make your tour a good one. With that being said, I agree with seauonboard that you MUST do your research ahead of time. Don't just expect to get off the ship and pick a tour. Also, plan wisely. Make sure you know the price, make sure you speak to the driver about when you have to be back (especially if he is dropping you off and then picking you back up), make sure you are on the same time as the ship and so is the vendor. Most times, I tell them I won't pay them until they get me back to the ship and this is not usually a problem. Most vendors know when the ships come in and go out and are great about getting you back to the ship in plenty of time. I'm going on my 7th cruise in September and I've already booked my excursions and none of them are through Carnival. It's personal choice, being your first time, you might feel more comfortable booking through Carnival. Either way, you are going to have a great time on you cruise!

The Girlfriends:

My son and I did the same thing when we were in Jamaica. We went right after breakfast. The cab driver was on time picking us up at Dunn River Falls, but there was a traffic jam in the parking lot that slowed things down a few minutes. However, he got us back to the shopping village near the Port with time to spare for shopping and browsing. We walked back to the ship and enjoyed a late lunch on the Lido deck.

I've also done the excursions booked through Carnival. I felt much better (timewise) with these excursions. The tour guides are adament about time spent to assure everyone getting back to the ship or shopping areas in ample time. Peace of mind is well worth the price.

The Cruise Director will always have an Island Talk a day or so before you reach your first port of call. They go over every excursion offered, complete with video. You'll be informed of what it consists of and what to expect. You're then given the opportunity to sign up for your choice(s) right then. Or you can sign up at the Pursor's Office. Even better, you can sign up in the comfort of your own room through Carnival's television station. Your tickets will be delivered to your cabin the day before your excursion.

I highly recommend doing it through Carnival.

Bon Voyage.

Have a great time on Destiny. I just sailed her and had a blast with my sister. I don't know what your itinerary is but if you end up in St. Lucia, you should definitely tour with Cosol tours.

Thanks, Linda. We're doing the 5-day Western Caribbean (Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman). 

I recently cruised on Miracle (November 2007)(Southern Caribbean, 8-day) and we went to St. Lucia. I took the Beach/Shopping excursion. It was so relaxing. I'm on the last of three bottles of banana ketcup that I purchased on the island.

How did you find the crew and service on Destiny? Was it hard to negotiate your way around the ship? I know it's a big ship. I was so used to the 77,000 ton ships like Paradise and Imagination that Miracle had me turned around for awhile.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Since posting I have continued to research the Excursion situation…and now feel a lot better.

We are going forward with booking our excursions.

I would also prefer to book trips with locals.  Are there vendors on site at each port or should I book before I leave?

 ~Lisa

Every port we've been to there is ALWAYS someone there trying to sell you something.  Personally I like to know who I'm booking with so I do my research before I leave home (anyone can have a sign printed up and be standing there selling tours).  Besides if it's something you REALLY want to do then don't risk getting there and finding out there's no room left for you to go.

That is crazy. I am a travel agent and I would always reccommend booking the excursions with the cruise line. Mainly because if you are running late the ship will wait for you since you booked it with Carnival. You can always book outside vendors but some of them can be shady. Also if you do this they will not wait for you if it was running late.

I have only booked 1 excursion from a outside company. This was in Mazatlan with Randi's Happy Horses. The nice thing about this was you didnt pay until after your ride. So if you where not feeling well you dont loose out on your money. I would reccommend this to anyone who wants to ride a horse on the beach.

This is my first time on Carnival and I have already booked the deep water dolphin swim at Atlantis for my cruise in dec.

Kari