PCC 4.0 Excursions

[sdlong329]

Originally Posted by mdvlprof

The thing I like about DCL excurions - if your excursion is running late, DCL is responsible for making sure you get back to the ship - either by having ship wait, or providing transport to the ship.
Private tours you're just SOL.

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! When we were on 2010 EB TransAtlantic cruise, there were three instances when DCL excursions returned to the ship ... late. One excursion was during an overnight stay in Barcelona, so there was no issue with the ship departing without us. We were also late returning from excursions in Madeira, as well as Cadiz. If my memory is correct, we were ONE HOUR late in returning from one of those excursions. The Magic STAYED IN PORT one hour past their scheduled departure, while waiting for the DCL excursion to return. When our bus finally pulled into port, we were greeted by a slew of officers (in whites).


Ships pay an additional fee (or fine) for staying in port past their scheduled time(s). If we were not on a DCL excursion, I am confident the ship would have left port without us. We would have had to meet the ship in the next port (at our own expense).

It has been our experience, when making plans for excursions in a port in which we are not personally familiar, we opt to book through the ship. It is also our experience, when making plans for excursions in a port where the ship does not frequently call on that port (ie: Inaugural Alaska, TransAtlantic, Mediterranean, Baltic, Panama Canal, etc), we opt to book through the ship as well.


Steven

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by mdvlprof

The thing I like about DCL excurions - if your excursion is running late, DCL is responsible for making sure you get back to the ship - either by having ship wait, or providing transport to the ship.
Private tours you're just SOL.

Another thing I like about doing your excursions through the ship is that if for any reason the ship does not go to a particular port (weather or whatever) you will get a refund from them. Private tours, it totally depends. Some will give you a refund, others won't. You really have very little recourse. Also, on my first cruise (not DCL) I scratched my cornea, and the ship's doctor said I could not go in the water for several days (yes, it really sucked!) I had a very expensive Swim with the Dolphins excursion booked through the ship, and, with a note from the ship's doctor, the ship gave me a full refund.

Sayhello

[Silverfox97]

Bump - maybe a moderator can merge the 2 threads?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

[Yvet]

Originally Posted by Silverfox97

Bump - maybe a moderator can merge the 2 threads?

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Please don't.
I want to be able to keep up the thread i started neat and nicel.
That thread is for excursions booked and arranged not for questions about excusrions like this thread is.

[sdlong329]

Originally Posted by TigerTown

On our last cruise to Cozumel we spent the day at Nachi Cocom and that's probably where we will end up this time. It is an inclusive beach club that only allows a maximum of 100 guests per day. It's a bit more adult oriented and if you are looking for a place to kick back and relax I highly recommend it!

http://www.cozumelnachicocom.net/default.cfm

May I ask when you last spoke with this operator? After looking at the website, I believe we may have actually been there in April (part of a snorkeling excursion). I e-mailed the operator several times ... to no avail. I currently have a DCL excursion booked, but am considering this place. I was trying to ask for clarification on the taxi ... as well as how far away (commute time, each way) ... but received no response.

If this is the same place we were at in April (part of Fury Catamaran snorkeling) ... we'd REALLY like to go ... but obviously, we can't just show up ... especially if they are booked up. Frustrated they have not bother to respond to my e-mails.

Steven

[jessrose18]

I booked nachi cocom through their website directly:
http://www.cozumelnachicocom.com/default.cfm

There is a $11 pp non refundable deposit and you pay the rest in cash when you arrive. The taxi is 15 min and cost $15 for 1-4 ppl. I have never been there before, but have done lots of research Sorry there is no email response, I have never tried to reach them besides paying the deposit through paypal and that worked. Hope to see you there!

[NancyIL]

I have been on ship excursions that returned late. I have never been on a private tour that returned late. Ship excursions sometimes return late because they can. If a private vendor returned late, that company would soon be out of business. The folks who "miss the boat" are usually not on tours but are on their own. They miscalculate the time, drink too much, are idiots...whatever!

I have 2 ship tours booked for this cruise because I want to use my onboard credit. I also don't like the very short port time in Costa Maya - even though I am sure going to the Chacchoben Ruins again with Ivan and David would work out just fine. However, when people on my Cruise Critic roll calls have organized private tours that interested me (and I have also organized a few) - I have been happy to join the group.

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by sdlong329

Technically, DCL indicates Rum Point is 5 - 5.5 hours (11AM - 5:30PM), but I believe we are scheduled to be in port from 11:30AM - 4:45PM (conflicting times).

I am not sure how far away 7 Mile Beach is located from the port. If it's not a very short distance, you MIGHT want to consider asking if the tour can drop you off at 7MB upon termination (assuming they are in that vicinity).

The port times on DCL's site indicate the ashore and onboard times. The ship departure time is usually 30 minutes after the all-aboard.

I wondered how I missed seeing these posts from over a month ago. Oh yeah - I was at WDW then!

[NancyIL]

Originally Posted by sayhello

Another thing I like about doing your excursions through the ship is that if for any reason the ship does not go to a particular port (weather or whatever) you will get a refund from them. Private tours, it totally depends. Some will give you a refund, others won't. You really have very little recourse. Also, on my first cruise (not DCL) I scratched my cornea, and the ship's doctor said I could not go in the water for several days (yes, it really sucked!) I had a very expensive Swim with the Dolphins excursion booked through the ship, and, with a note from the ship's doctor, the ship gave me a full refund.

Sayhello

If you pre-pay for a private tour that is non-refundable - your private trip insurance should cover that.

[sayhello]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

If you pre-pay for a private tour that is non-refundable - your private trip insurance should cover that.

Absolutely! Assuming you have insurance!

Sayhello

[bonnieappetit]

We have booked the Stingray City/Snorkel tour in Grand Cayman through Captain Marvins. I have used them twice before and they are great. They arranged a special time for our ship. I only hope the water is not too cold for me! But I can't wait!

[Anonny]

Originally Posted by bonnieappetit

We have booked the Stingray City/Snorkel tour in Grand Cayman through Captain Marvins. I have used them twice before and they are great. They arranged a special time for our ship. I only hope the water is not too cold for me! But I can't wait!

We almost booked with Captain Marvin's, then ended up with Native Way's Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens and Star Fish Snorkel. I guess we were swayed by the Starfish stop. Hope we both get great tours and warm water!

[NWmom]

Originally Posted by NancyIL

I have been on ship excursions that returned late. I have never been on a private tour that returned late. Ship excursions sometimes return late because they can. If a private vendor returned late, that company would soon be out of business. The folks who "miss the boat" are usually not on tours but are on their own. They miscalculate the time, drink too much, are idiots...whatever!

I have 2 ship tours booked for this cruise because I want to use my onboard credit. I also don't like the very short port time in Costa Maya - even though I am sure going to the Chacchoben Ruins again with Ivan and David would work out just fine. However, when people on my Cruise Critic roll calls have organized private tours that interested me (and I have also organized a few) - I have been happy to join the group.

This is the same reason we are booking this through DCL. Much as we want to go with Ivan, we're playing it safe.

[NWmom]

Originally Posted by bonnieappetit

We have booked the Stingray City/Snorkel tour in Grand Cayman through Captain Marvins. I have used them twice before and they are great. They arranged a special time for our ship. I only hope the water is not too cold for me! But I can't wait!

May I ask what times they had? We're still on the fence about this decision. Just pm me please.

[sdlong329]

Another thing I like about doing your excursions through the ship is that if for any reason the ship does not go to a particular port (weather or whatever) you will get a refund from them. Private tours, it totally depends. Some will give you a refund, others won't. You really have very little recourse. Also, on my first cruise (not DCL) I scratched my cornea, and the ship's doctor said I could not go in the water for several days (yes, it really sucked!) I had a very expensive Swim with the Dolphins excursion booked through the ship, and, with a note from the ship's doctor, the ship gave me a full refund.

Originally Posted by NancyIL

If you pre-pay for a private tour that is non-refundable - your private trip insurance should cover that.

If you are late, and miss the private tour ... private trip insurance generally WILL NOT cover you because you were at Cabana's too long (not even Disney covers you for that). If the tour operator does not show up, or does not fulfill their end of the bargain, there is no guarantee you will get a refund through private insurance. Typically, insurance companies want confirmation. Try getting confirmation from an operator who did not cooperate with the guest.

I have heard many people use Captain Marvins - usually it is good feedback. That aside, of all ports to exercise caution ... Grand Cayman (or ANY port which tenders) is one you do not want to risk being late. Saving $10 sounds good, but if you are 2 minutes late ... you just spent THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS to save ten!


Steven