Nassau,St.Thomas,San Juan, Labadee. Can I book excursions w/o RCCL for cheaper?

[squeen]

My husband and I are going on the Navigator on April 26 (our first cruise). For all of the excursions that we want to do, it will cost us $539 thru RCCL. I really don't want to pay that much! Where can I find better prices, and not have to worry about an excurion selling out? We want to do these excursions:

If anyone has any comments about these, or can recommend something else, let me know.

Nassau

Historic Harbor Cruise & Discover Atlantis

Approximate Duration: 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Adult: 42.00 (USD) | Child: 31.00 (USD)

This relaxing and informative harbor cruise allows you the unique opportunity to view Nassau from the water while your Bahamian host explains the sites and history of the island. Along the way, see historical forts, privately owned cays, pirate lookouts, famous private homes and more. Afterwards, you will be dropped off at the Paradise Island Ferry Terminal for your tour at the Atlantis Resort. This narrated, guided tour, incorporates Ruins Lagoon, a recreation of the sunken streets of mythical Atlantis, The Dig, a replica of an archeological excavation site and Predator Lagoon, where you will view sharks, barracuda and many other creatures from the deep. At the conclusion of the tour, you may tour the hotel's grand lobby, dine at one of the many restaurants or return by ferry to the ship.


St Thomas

BOB Underwater Adventure

Approximate Duration: 3 Hours 30 Minutes
Adult: 99.00 (USD) | Child: 99.00 (USD)

Experience the thrill of a lifetime with your own underwater motor scooter. BOB, the Breathing Observation Bubble, allows you to view the marvels of the sea and no diving experience is necessary! This one-of-a-kind excursion will last approximately 3 hours and begins when you board a 60-foot custom dive yacht for a cruise along the scenic coast line before arriving at a beautiful selected site to begin the BOB Excursion. Featured on the Discovery Channel and similar to an underwater motor scooter, BOB allows you to enjoy a guided underwater tour with the beautiful tropical reefs and colorful fish of the Caribbean. The tour also features some snorkeling adventures, an array of water toys and spacious sun decks so there's something for everyone. You will also be provided with snacks, refreshments, bathrooms, freshwater showers, and complimentary rum punch at the close of the water sports activities. Join the friendly, certified staff for the Aqua Adventures BOB Excursion and start making the memories of a lifetime!


San Juan

We plan on walking around on our own.


Labadee

SeaTrek Waverunner Experience

Approximate Duration: 50 Minutes
Adult: 99.00 (USD) | Child: 99.00 (USD)

Guided by a SeaTrek instructor, the 50-minute adventure takes you zooming along Labadee's coast for the ride of a lifetime! Minimum age to drive is 16 years with a valid drivers license. All riders between the ages of 10-15 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The maximum combined weight must not exceed 375 lbs. This is an adventure you don't want to miss! Waverunner price includes the driver and 1 passenger. Reserve 1 waverunner for each driver only. NOTE: MINIMUM AGE TO DRIVE IS 16 YEARS WITH A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE. IF UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE, YOU MUST SHOW PROOF OF LICENSE. Minimum age to participate is 10 years of age

AND

SeaTrek Parasailing

Approximate Duration: 1 Hour
Adult: 79.00 (USD) | Child: 79.00 (USD)

Come fly the skies of Labadee. This tour will take you up 400-feet above Labadee for a breathtaking and memorable flight. Enjoy the panoramic scenery of Labadee and the surrounding islands from a birds eye view. Guests between the ages of 12-15 must fly with a parent or guardian.



Post Edited (04-04-03 08:54)

 

[jlynd53]

I can help you with some of this. The tour of Atlantis costs $25 if you want to pay for your own transportation to get there.

Labadee is RCI's private area. You can not do anything there that is not booked through RCI.

I hope this helps!

 

[paljoeysmom]

You can book everything cheaper on your own. Labadee is absolutely georgous, you can go snorkeling and enjoy the beach on your own.

St. Thomas take a taxi to Sapphire Beach, where you can rent snorkeling equipment for $5 each, and beach chairs and wave runner for cheap. Then go around the island in a cab at a cost of around $27 a COUPLE.

San Juan, walking around is good.

The best thing to do is click on reviews at the VERY TOP OF THIS PAGE on the left side. Click read Cruise reviews. Input option 4 then input one island at a times name and a whole bunch of reviews will come up. Read each review and determine what you want to do. That's what I have done in the past and it has been great. BTW, the ships excursions are ALWAYS OVERPRICED, ALONG WITH THE AIRFARE. You are paying for convience. Best of luck. May you have sunny days and calm seas.

Bon Voyage!

 

[Sabina]

I agree with the overpriced bit! You can do much better on your own, for sure.

Saphire Beach is wonderful. We were just there a couple of weeks ago and would highly reccomend it. The cost getting there was only $8pp each way. Snorkle equipment, lounge chairs, and water sports activities can all be rented there.

For Atlantis we took a taxi over for $4pp each way. This is a regular taxi, not a water taxi. The taxi will take you right up to the front door without the walk you'll have in the heat with a water taxi. There was a lot to see for free. However, you can pay $25pp (I believe that's the price) to see more of the resort. I'm not sure if that includes beach access or not.

I hope that helps

 

[ARTprof]

Good Morning:

Yes, you can always find cheaper tours that go to basicaly, the same places as the ship's shore excursions. However, please keep in mind:

1. The excursions you might pick online or at the pier are sometimes risky. In some instances, they are really "shoe-string" operations and may be great or very poor.
2. Our experiences have been that when we have booked excursions outside that there are often "tacked on" extra charges. Not so with ship excursions.
3. If you book a ship excurion and the excursion lasts too long and you'll be late getting back to the ship, the ship will wait for you. If you book on your own, the ship will depart!

I guess you have to make your own choices, but, a general rule is that if you have been in the port before, you'll know it a bit better and can make clearer choices. If it is a new port for you, take the ships excursion.

Have fun.

Regards,

Carl

 

[ginny]

Here's a coupon for bob if you choose to do it on your own.

<http://www.rummi.com/coupons/cb-aquaadventures.htm>