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First-Timers' Guide to Shore Excursions

Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean Blog
🏅Authority
👁️ 26K views📅 7 years ago⏱️ 32:06
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🏅Authority Creator
Veteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

the shore excursions are vetted by Royal Caribbean so these are operators that cruise line is aware of has history with and can certainly speak for that they are reliable and reputable T operators

if you book an Excursion through the cruise line one of the really big benefits is the you will get back on board the ship

going on your own is the way to do that if you want to be able to see something that's you know again not offered by realy crian

private Journeys a really cool option to consider uh I've done it twice now through Royal Caribbean

Creator's Tips & Advice

Research your ports ahead of time using Royal Caribbean's website, message boards, and search engines.
Book shore excursions as soon as you can to lock in your spot, especially for high-demand areas.
Consider private Journeys for a customized itinerary with the benefits of booking through Royal Caribbean.
Check refund policies before booking, especially if your ship might not stop at the port.
Use a travel agent for booking your cruise, especially for first-timers.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Being left behind by the shipBook through the cruise line for peace of mind, as they guarantee you'll get back to the ship.
Not knowing what to do in portResearch ports ahead of time using online resources to avoid being unprepared.

Questions This Creator Answers

QHow do I choose between cruise line and independent shore excursions?
QWhat are the benefits of booking through the cruise line versus on your own?
QWhen should I book my shore excursions?
QHow can I research shore excursions for my ports?
QWhat is the best way to plan for first-time cruisers?

Topics Covered

Excursions2½ Happy BaconPort Destination2 Happy BaconBooking Process2 Happy BaconValue Pricing1½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Cozumel, Mexico2½ Happy Bacon
Top: Carnival Excursion to a beach club
KML (Cozumel, Mexico)2 Happy Bacon
Top: Chichen Itza
Bise (Bise? Likely Bise, but context unclear)3½ Happy Bacon
Top: Private Journey
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Snorkeling through coral reefs, exploring ancient Roman ruins, hiking on glaciers, shopping at local outdoor markets -- all of these shoreside activities are as much a part of the cruise experience as enjoying the onboard amenities of your ship. Indeed, half the fun of taking a cruise is exploring exciting new places -- tropical islands, bustling metropolises, exotic countries. To give you the skills to make the best decisions about your days in port, here is our best advice on what to expect from shore excursions and how to make the most of your time ashore. [Subscribe for more Royal Caribbean videos!] https://is.gd/p6dgx0 [Listen to our Podcast] https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast [Social Links] https://www.facebook.com/royalcaribbeanblog http://twitter.com/therclblog http://instagram.com/royalcaribbeanblog