Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo
Trip Bacon

CRUISE EXCURSIONS: Pros & Cons of Cruise VS Private Excursions (my exact planning process)

Life Well Cruised
Life Well Cruised
🏅Authority
👁️ 37K views📅 4 years ago⏱️ 11:45
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🏅Authority Creator
👶 Best for Family (Young Kids)CaribbeanVeteran Cruiser

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

Creator's Key Takeaways

the pro of booking with cruise line is that it is easier generally to plan

oftentimes those private excursions are going to have smaller groups that in my opinion is one of the best things

i had a problem a few years ago on a private excursion and i definitely want to let you know so that you don't have that same thing

i felt that at that point i realized that sometimes maybe when you're booking with a private excursion sometimes maybe safety is sometimes a little bit cut

Creator's Tips & Advice

Research your cruise port using the cruise line website for an overview
Book private excursions with a small deposit rather than paying in advance
Screenshot meeting details and port agent contact information
Ask about ship time vs. island time for meeting places
Take a port guide off the cruise ship for reference

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Safety of private excursionsAsk questions about safety, check weather conditions, and be cautious with water-based or distant excursions
How to choose between cruise line and private excursionsResearch ports, compare pros and cons, and consider group size, cost, and convenience

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat's better: booking a shore excursion with the cruise line or on your own?
QHow to avoid mistakes when booking excursions?
QHow to find reputable private tour companies?
QWhen to book private tours and how to do it safely?

Topics Covered

Excursions1½ Happy BaconPort Destination1½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Grand Cayman2½ Sad Bacon
Top: Stingray excursion
St. Lucia2 Happy Bacon
Top: St. Lucia mix of cruise ports
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

Going on a cruise and planning your shore excursions? Avoid these mistakes when booking excursions with the cruise line, private excursions or even going on your own! In this video you'll find out how and when to book private tours, and how to do this safely. I will also tell you about my WORST Excursion ever!! Many new cruisers have questions about how to book cruise shore excursions. As well, many of you have asked me how to find good and reputable private tour companies. In this video I share my exact process for how I plan and book my excursions. You'll find out the pros and cons of booking shore excursions with the cruise line or booking with a private excursion, learn how to save money, use the best resources and make the best decision for you on your cruise vacation. VIDEOS I mentioned - Shore Excursions & Tours We Have Done St. Lucia Island Tour Excursion https://youtu.be/34uLNPPkUq0 ********************* PLANNING A CRUISE? Check out the Life Well Cruised ULTIMATE CRUISE PLANNER ($10 off for a limited time). It's 47 pages of checklists, packing lists & more! Details here: https://lifewellcruised.com/ultimate-... ********************* *RESOURCES I RECOMMEND* Please note that this video is not sponsored. The links in this description are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. As Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. What I'm wearing: Gold hoop earrings - https://amzn.to/3h3rDG3 *USEFUL CRUISE ESSENTIALS * (Most as shown in video) Dress shoes: https://amzn.to/35MtQQP Evening bag: https://amzn.to/3wW6ynB Striped beach bag: https://amzn.to/3eTC5P9 Travelpro Carry On luggage: https://amzn.to/3nN0Mkz Cruise tote bag: https://amzn.to/3vFJQPy Travel jewelry bag: https://amzn.to/2SY190s Hanging toiletry bag: https://amzn.to/3vQ0r2P Cover up: https://amzn.to/3gO5T1Z Sunhat: https://amzn.to/3gP4yb6 Kindle: https://amzn.to/3gO4N6e Power bar (cruise-approved) non-surge protected: https://amzn.to/3soKAX8 Portable phone charger: https://amzn.to/3d90BvM Packing Cubes: https://amzn.to/35746ym Reusable luggage tag holders: https://amzn.to/3wX7x7n Magnet hooks: https://amzn.to/3cQS5lf Magnet clips: https://amzn.to/3uyoL9q Over the door organizer: https://amzn.to/33eWw3V Hanging toiletry bag (men/unisex): https://amzn.to/3h2FLRr Night light (motion sensor): https://amzn.to/33eMEqP Portable fan: https://amzn.to/3xNnbCG Towel clips: https://amzn.to/3b4cj9V Towel bands: https://amzn.to/3b44EIR Cruise Lanyards: https://amzn.to/3xRLz5B Waterproof phone cases & lanyards: https://amzn.to/3simU73 Pop up laundry bags: https://amzn.to/3usmTzm Poo-Pourri bathroom spray: https://amzn.to/3vJCaM8 Tide to Go travel size stain remover: https://amzn.to/3vIc9wL Downy Wrinkle release: https://amzn.to/2QZoBJI Seabands: https://amzn.to/3fRzQxZ Bonine seasickness med: https://amzn.to/3um2XgS Ginger candies: https://amzn.to/2PTCed6 First aid kit: https://amzn.to/3uqRn4c Babyliss Travel hairdryer: https://amzn.to/3xOxndy Revlon One Step Dryer Volumizer: https://amzn.to/3zVMgMP Refillable (and collapsible) water bottles: https://amzn.to/3b78mkG Mini soap paper sheets (4 pack): https://amzn.to/3fQpxKy Travel luggage scale: https://amzn.to/3ekpZzB Travel Corkscrew: https://amzn.to/3tll1Xy Snorkel Set (anti-fog): https://amzn.to/3wrcBjz Bluetooth Selfie Stick/Tripod: https://amzn.to/3pMcjl8 Thermal Mug: https://amzn.to/342csqk More Items we LOVE @ Life Well Cruised Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/lifewellcruised _____________________________________________ *Emma Cruises Cruise Academy* Want to know more about cruising and spending less? Check out this course by my friend and cruise blogger, Emma from Emma Cruises. The cost of the course will likely be made up with one cruise booking. You can check out the course here: https://cruising-isn-t-just-for-old-p...... _______________________________________________ FTC LEGAL DISCLOSURE - Some links found in the description box of my videos are affiliate links, meaning that I will make a commission on purchases you make through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I personally use, like and trust. ____________________________________________ *Business inquiries: please contact Ilana at lifewellcruised@gmail.com Please note that I do not sell cruises on Life Well Cruised. This and all other videos are for entertainment purposes only. I share my own opinions, personal experiences and information with other cruise travelers, which I hope can be helpful. Please contact your travel agent or the cruise line directly for advice and any information specific to your booking. Photos and Videos courtesy of: Royal Caribbean Cruise Corp Princess Cruise Line NCLHC Celebrity Cruises Music Credit: Surf Time by Lux-Inspira https://artlist.io/song/33257/surfing......