Save some money on Excursions

If they follow the Italian plan that's true. It may be necessary to satisfy the CDC. Who really knows?

I think the new back to sailing rules will require passengers to sign onto cruise line sponsored excursions (which tend to be more expensive) to live within a "protective bubble". I see the second party opportunities will probably be highly discouraged by cruise lines when things start moving again.

We rarely take shore excursions, but when we do we book in advance through the ship's app. Yes, it absolutely costs more, but we are willing to pay the extra to make sure we are on the list before it sells out. If we wait until we are onboard, the really good excursions will be sold out. Just our two cents.

I would purchase them at home. Last time I tried to book while on the ship, the excursion I really wanted was sold out and while the excursion I booked instead was great, it wasn't what I was expecting at all.

I assume you were kidding. But if you weren't, "embankment" is the English (and sometimes European) way of referring to port areas next to piers or a river. When we were in LONDON for an extended period about a thousand years ago, I not only had a hard time learning to drive all over again, but that "common language" isn't always so common. Some of the trendiest places I visited were on "the embankment". Most folks who post in here are Americans, posting FROM America. Sometimes not.

“ purchase at the embankment “ ? you mean someone is selling excursions at a mound of dirt outside the terminal ?

I agree on 100%. We did tens non-ship excursions (usually for something like half of ship price). Partially we joined someone's group, partially I organized groups by myself through roll calls. Definitely you should do your research before it and to see ratings and recommendations for tour operator. But we never were even close to be late. I agree, that you need always leave enough buffer time between tour end and ship leaving.

I personally have never booked an excursion through the cruise line. We always find one at the port. I sometimes feel that the "the ship will leave without you" statement can SOMETIMES be used as a scare tactic to push you in to buying over priced ship sponsored excursions. Now, with that being said, I know that you do not get the "we will wait for you" guarantee with unsponsored guides. However, I think it must be noted that these companies also will get you back to the ship on time, it is their job as well. They are not out to ruin your day and strand you in their country. They want you to tell your friends about "Willie's Taxi". They will do all in their power to get you back. If you are being laze about shopping and sunning yourself and are late, it is not their fault. I have done everything on the cruise lines sponsored excursions for a fraction of the price every time I've been in port. Never have we been in danger of missing the ship. Now that I have said that, I want to say this. If the bus they are attempting to herd you on looks like something out of a serial killer's dream, DON'T GO! A little common sense goes a very long way.

Thats called being conservative and at least recognizing the risks inherent in booking with a non-cruise line approved tour "operator." Especially the ones with the garage-made signs who stand around at virtually every port everywhere. Let one of THEIR buses break down in the back of beyond somewhere as ships departure time approaches, and see how saving that buck three eighty feels. no thankyou.

We've done excursions not with the cruise line, but never one that takes up the whole time at port. We always make sure there is time (usually 1-2hours depending on how far away from port the excursion is) between the end of the tour and when we have to be back on a ship. We actually had RC cancel one of our excursions (and a few others for weather) the morning of and all their others were full so we did a tour we found at the port - one of our favorites of the trip! Just give yourself time and it shouldn't be an issue.