Normal
If this is your first cruise you might be better off booking through the cruise line. Yes, each of your concerns are real. However, if you don't know the ins and outs of shore excursions you could find yourself in worse shape then simply sharing your excursion with 38 of your closest friends.For example, if a ship sponsored tour gets back late the ship will wait for you. If an independent tour gets back late, you are on your own - literally, since the ship will not be there. Another example, is there a difference between local time and ship's time? If so, and you are on a ship tour, no worries. If not, then you have to be the one to coordinate with the independent tour company. For example, the ship docks at 8:00am and your independent tour is at 9:00am. Plenty of of time - right? Not if the local time is one hour ahead of the ship's time, in which case you will miss your tour.
If this is your first cruise you might be better off booking through the cruise line. Yes, each of your concerns are real. However, if you don't know the ins and outs of shore excursions you could find yourself in worse shape then simply sharing your excursion with 38 of your closest friends.
For example, if a ship sponsored tour gets back late the ship will wait for you. If an independent tour gets back late, you are on your own - literally, since the ship will not be there. Another example, is there a difference between local time and ship's time? If so, and you are on a ship tour, no worries. If not, then you have to be the one to coordinate with the independent tour company. For example, the ship docks at 8:00am and your independent tour is at 9:00am. Plenty of of time - right? Not if the local time is one hour ahead of the ship's time, in which case you will miss your tour.
