NCL Sea July 3, 2004

J

justineastman

Guest
First time cruise for both my girlfriend (28) and I (29). Anyone else on this one? Would love to chat with someone who has gone on this cruise before about ship-planned excursions vs. "winging" it as well as what kind of costs to expect for on-ship and off-ship expenses.
 
K

kadao

Guest
Justineastman - we just got off the SEA last week. What a great cruise and itinerary! There is so much to say, but briefly - ship vs winging it: Ship excursions are more expensive but less risky - you won't miss the ship if anything happens (I'm surprised at how many people DO miss the ship - several each cruise we've been on) Booking it your own saves a lot of money and is very doable as long as you give yourself plenty of time. I usually don't book anything on-line unless it is something that is very popular and fills up fast. (Like cave tubing in Belize or swimming with the dolphins in Cozumel). I do alot of on-line research before I leave to know what I want, then at the pier there are plenty of excursions with tour guides anxious for your money! Be sure you bargain the price. I would recommend the Altun Ha Mayan ruins in Belize, which we booked through the ship. Also, if you don't book through the ship in Belize and Cancun, you miss risking your tour because of the time it takes to tender in. This has happened to many people.

Costs for on-ship expenses: The extra things you have to pay for are the spa, internet usage, alcohalic beverages and one of the alternative restaurants. These are all optional things to do. Also added to your shipboard account at the end of your cruise is a $10.00 per day per person gratiuty charge. This is also an optional charge. Before you leave the ship you can increase it if you feel the service was exceptional, or you can decrease it if feel you had bad service. We've always had GREAT service, so it wasn't an issue with us, but it is an option. Oh yeah, a gratuity is automatically add to each drink you buy.

Here is a list of sites you can check out:
BELIZE:
http://www.belizeexplorer.com/
http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/Belize.htm
http://belizecruiseexcursions.com/BelizeExcursions.htm
CANCUN:
http://www.caribbeanportreviews.com/CancunMexico.htm
http://www.bookexcursions.com/cancun_mexico_shore_excursions_tours.htm
COZUMEL:
http://www.cozumelinsider.com/
http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/links/todoreviews/beaches.html
http://www.dolphindiscovery.com/cozumel.htm
http://www.shop.viator.com/brochure/featured/CITY/COZUMEL/02
ROATAN:
http://www.fostersroatan.com/shoreexcursion.html
http://www.roatanonline.com/
http://www.7blueseas.com/destinations/port.asp?pid=214&rid=25
http://csiroatan.org/missionaries.htm
There are a lot more, but here is a start!
 
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