| Author |
Message |
    
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4935
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 - 10:39 pm: | 
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We will soon be on a family cruise and there are a few excursions we'd like to do. Usually, we just wander on our own, but in Port Canaveral I'd like to try and take the kids to Universal Studios for a few hours, and in Mexico we'd like to see the architectural ruins. I know on the boat they charge a premium, with 5 people that adds up. Has anyone had luck just hopping on a tour bus at the port?
I'd love to hear your helpful advice. Thanks! |
Yossarian
Citizen
Username: Yossarian
Post Number: 357
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 8:40 am: |
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Try these boards:
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5
you'll find good advice on destinations and excursions. And the other boards on that site are equally useful. Poke around and you'll find a bunch of good stuff. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2449
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
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I was irritated by the fact that the people who paid for Excursions were the first people allowed to be tendered off the boat. If your boat isn't docked at a port but rather docked out in the water beyond the port, then they use small boats to tender you across to shore. With a huge cruise ship getting that many people across takes A VERY LONG TIME. So they devise a system to make it seem fair about who gets to leave first. Excusions first (because well they are on a schedule) and then they call the different floors one at a time. Yeah, real fair. There is a still alot of standing around waiting even with the system. There were a few times when it seemed to take a couple of hours to get to shore. Also keep in mind that you don't really get that many hours on shore most of the time. So losing a few hours is DRAMATIC. Point being. There are added benefits to being rich and buying excusions. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4938
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 2:18 pm: |
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Thanks both. The most time sensitive excursion would be to Universal, as I'm sure the port is a hike to the park, and we're only there from 6am-5pm. I will check into that site. |
oots
Citizen
Username: Oots
Post Number: 453
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 4:56 pm: |
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vig
I believe it is about 1-1.5 hrs by bus to orlando from p canaveral. we did not feel the "outrageous!" bus fare plus the admission fees were worth it for only being able to spend about 4-5 hours there. if ave wait for a ride is 20 min you don't get to do a lot.
we stayed on the boat in port canaveral.
oots |
connied76
Citizen
Username: Connied76
Post Number: 63
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 5:00 pm: |
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When you are on a time crunch, booking through the cruise line is best. 1) because as said above, you get priority in getting off the ship and 2) if there is a delay, they will wait for you. If it is a long stop and you know what you want to do won't take that long, I would try to do it on my own. For example, just take a taxi to the ruins in Mexico or a local beach. It is usually considerably cheaper to do it on your own. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4942
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 7:32 pm: |
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Oots, my husband agrees staying on the boat is better when everyone else leaves. Thanks for the info and advice all. |
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