David Bear: Weighing the options of shore excursions

04-09-2006

With all the effort that cruise lines put into peddling shore excursions -- from embarkation orientations to daily announcements -- they are obviously big business.

Prices can range from $50 per person for a two-hour city tour to hundreds of dollars for more elaborate adventures -- including quick dashes to inland attractions, flight-seeing trips, snorkeling and whale-watching -- and so shore excursions can easily be a cruise's most expensive add-on.

Although these excursions generate significant cash for the cruise lines, the actual arrangements are almost always provided by local operators who contract to provide transportation and guides. Apart from the convenience, these contractual relationships imply an expectation of professionalism, with activities and itineraries that have been vetted for safety; inspected, appropriate vehicles; qualified drivers or pilots; and licensed, English-speaking guides, not to mention close coordination with the ship's scheduled arrival and departure times.

In most ports there are alternatives to the excursions offered by the cruise line's sanctioned operator, ranging from other organized tour providers to local independent guides and taxi cab drivers.

Sometimes, these alternative tours can be arranged in advance, especially if you're with an affiliated group traveling together. It is possible to research the alternative possibilities and make arrangements ahead of time on Web sites (www.cruisecritic.com or www.shoretrips.com), but debarking passengers generally sign up on the pier. Those on the ship-sanctioned tours generally get preference when it comes to clearing security and getting off, no small advantage if thousands of other passengers are debarking.

Shore excursions offered through the cruise line provide advantages and assurances, but generally at a cost. They can be up to 50 percent more expensive than similar tours arranged independently. The ease and peace of mind of dealing with an entity known by the cruise line and the convenience of having charges tallied on your ship's bill contrast with negotiating with unfamiliar locals and paying on the spot with cash or credit card.

The bus accident last month in Chile that claimed the lives of 12 Celebrity Cruise passengers during an independently purchased shore tour into dangerous terrain was certainly tragic. While questions remain about whether the vehicle, driver and route were officially sanctioned, the incident might have as easily occurred on any trip on those roads.

Perhaps a ship-sponsored tour might have avoided the area altogether, but there is always some danger, and accidents can and do happen anywhere and any time. It is questionable whether the passengers, who probably didn't have much idea about the area, had been informed of possible risks or whether they realized when they boarded that bus that they were assuming more personal liability for any possible consequences.

Obviously, there is no single answer about what kind of shore excursion is right for every traveler and every situation. Many factors come into play when making a decision whether to go with the ship's tour or go independently. How experienced a traveler are you? How self-reliant? How adventurous? How physically capable?

Do you have any familiarity with the particular ports and places? Do you have specific ideas about what you want to see or do during your time ashore? If not, are you willing to research the options and possibilities before you leave home? Do you know the language? Will you be content to be herded around in a group on a prearranged schedule, or would you prefer establishing your own itinerary and pace?

Use common sense. It will probably be safer to tour with the cruise lines in such places as Vietnam, China, Africa or South America, while independent tours might be less of a risk in Alaska or the Caribbean.

Try to ignore the sales pitch, and critically evaluate the equipment and operator. Leave plenty of time for your return. It's far better to arrive back at the ship two hours early than to encounter an accident or traffic and arrive to an empty pier.

Finally, if you're going the independent route, be sure to get name and contact information for the cruise line's "port agent." That way you'll have someone local to call for assistance if something should go wrong.

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