April 19, 2002, Newsletter Issue #71: Planning Your Port Activities While Cruising

Tip of the Week

I`ve chosen Carnival as my example; other cruise lines have similar systems and options.

When you receive your cruise tickets after you`ve paid in full, you may find a Shore Excursion booklet included in your documents. If tour options are not included, ask the cruise line or your travel agent to get a copy of the tours offered for your itinerary so that you can do some advance planning...both time and money planning!

Excursions/tour options are usually (verify with your cruise line) purchasable on board, not before the day of sailing.

Many cruise lines consider paid tours nonrefundable. Carnival allows you to cancel more than 24 hours ahead of time with a 25% cancel fee; within 24 hours monies are nonrefundable. If you are certain of your desire to participate, buy a tour on the day you board the ship- don`t wait- most excursions have maximum capacities and you`re usually in any port for just one day.

If the cruise line cancels the tour for lack of interest/weather/transportation reasons...they will refund your money.

Carnival has handy symbols to denote three levels of activity/fitness required to enjoy a tour, as well as icons designating whether a tour is wheelchair accessible, or recommended as activities suited for children.

Be sure to pack appropriate items for a tour: sunglasses, sun screen, bathing suit, comfortable shoes, bug spray, camera.

Cruise lines protect themselves well with liability waivers, so make sure you`re up to the rafting/riding/climbing/party cruise/snorkeling that you sign up for!

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