Almost every cruise line offers shore excursions before, after, and during the cruise at each port.  Why? Because the traveler wants to get the most out of the trip and have the most amount of fun possible while on vacation.

There are several things to consider when choosing your excursions.  Most people consider their budget first.  The problem with that is that they often miss out on some of the most fun available on the trip.  I think you should think about what you want to see and do first, then create a budget to cover everything you want to do.  Next, you start saving your money.  You don’t want to come home from your trip and regret not having done the things you wanted to do because you could not afford them. Think about how much you spent to get there. Make sure you get to do what you went there to see and do.

Also, when thinking about the trip, don’t just think about the dollars.  If you read some blogs and magazines, they will suggest that you will save money by just getting off the ship and picking one of the port side vendors to provide the excursion.  You will, of course, save money. But at what real cost to you? Is that vendor safe and reliable?  How about the vehicle they are providing?  Will it break down and cause you to miss the ship when it leaves port later in the day?  Will that vendor fly you to the next port at their expense? I very much doubt that they will do that!

Sometimes, saving a couple of bucks on an excursion can end up being very costly. Of course, there is a profit margin in the excursion that the cruise line recommends. But, they have also checked out the provider. They are in business and they want you and I to have a great experience.  They want us to come back next year.   They generally have much more experience than we do in dealing with port side vendors. And, if things go awry, the cruise line will make sure to get you to the next port, and they will do it on their dime, not yours; they won’t leave you stranded in some port. If you booked the excursion through the cruise line, they will stand behind their choice of vendor.

Isn’t that what real value is? Getting the most for your dollar?

As for reservations, yes, it is a very good idea.  In fact, some excursions can sell out before you even get on the ship, so plan ahead. The bigger and more important the excursion is to you, the more important it is to get reservations. Also, the more popular the excursion, such as the Vatican in Rome, the more you need reservations.

When you talk with your travel agent, ask about the excursions.  Tell your agent what you really want to see and do while on this trip. They can give you advice based upon their personal experience as well as advice from their customers who have enjoyed other excursions. If you do decide to book an excursion on your own, at least make sure to use a reliable vendor. When we set up our personal tours, those not included or made available by the cruise ship, we always use Viator for our excursions because of some issues with vendors that we have used in the past.

For example, we just came home from a trip to both Kauai and Oahu.  While on Kauai we enjoyed several great excursions.  For example, we went to the Smith Family Luau for great food and entertainment.  We also had a great boat excursion to see the Napali Coast.  Our son Joshua had fun ziplining near Princeville.

We took the Blue Dolphin tour out of Port Alan on the south side of the island. We traveled around the west side of the island, through the Kaulakahi Channel, passing the forbidden island of Niihau.

Check out this video clip of dolphins riding the bow wave on our trip!!!

We also drove to the the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  Great excursions!

Excursions just like these are available when you visit Kauai on your cruise ship or take a timeshare or hotel vacation there.

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Turning Dreams into Memories,
One Vacation at a Time.
Bon Voyage!!!

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our travels as well as from other travelers. I hope it has been of value to you.  Check out the important links below.

• Packing Checklist
• Parent Authorization Letter For Unaccompanied Minors
• Medical Treatment Authorization Letter
• Travel With Minors – Permission Letter

Don’t hesitate to email us when you return from your trip with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow travelers!

You may also want to visit our Facebook page, www.Facebook.com/TeamEdwardsTravel