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5 Reasons I NEVER Book Shore Excursions

Optimal Cruising
Optimal Cruising
✨Casual
👁️ 6K views📅 5 months ago⏱️ 1:15
What This Creator Said
Creator Warns AgainstTips & Advice✨Casual Creator
Veteran Cruiser

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

Creator's Key Takeaways

In my experience, if you book directly with the cruise line, you're still being pawned off to a third party who contracts with the cruise line, and they're trying to upsell you on other stuff, beg you for tips, and other things that are rather annoying.

cruise line shore excursions are exceedingly expensive.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Book shore excursions with private companies instead of directly with the cruise line.
✓Find your own excursions to get more options than what the cruise line offers.
✓Book with companies that guarantee you won't miss your ship.
✓Use Viator for cheaper and better shore excursions.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Missing the ship — Book with companies that guarantee you won't miss your ship.
Overpaying — Book directly with private companies to avoid the cruise line markup.
Being rushed or limited — Book independently to have more flexibility and options.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhy shouldn't I book shore excursions directly with the cruise line?
QWhat are the downsides of cruise line shore excursions?
QAre there better alternatives to booking excursions through the cruise line?

Topics Covered

Excursions4 Sad BaconValue Pricing4½ Sad Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
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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↓

Cruise ship shore excursions too often are overpriced and under deliver. There are 5 reasons not to book these and some alternative ways to do shore excursions for a better time. 🌴 Plan Your Cruise Like a Pro: 🧭 Book with My Recommended Cruise Travel Agent ➡️ https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101449107-11926423 🛳️ Shore Excursions Cheaper and Better with Viator ➡️ http://vi.me/xqeDJ 🛳️ Shore Excursions Group GUARANTEES You Won't Miss Your Ship ➡️ http://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1806165&data=garynancyward@gmail.com 🛡️ Travel Insurance I Personally Recommend ➡️ https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101449107-11454010 ⚠️ These are affiliate links, which help support the channel at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I’ve used or truly believe in! 👍 SUBSCRIBE for weekly cruise vlogs, tips, secrets, savings, and reviews from our cruising family. 🎥 Watch more videos from @OptimalCruising — we’re here to help you cruise smarter, save money, and have more fun at sea! 🔍 Hashtags: #shoreexcursion #cruisetips #FirstCruise #CruiseVlog #CruiseTips #CruiseShipLife #DayInTheLife #CruisingForBeginners #CruiseVacation #CruiseLife2025 #CruiseHacks #CruiseNews 🎶 Music Credit: Music by Gary Ward @GaryWardMusic 📢 Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the channel!