One of the top reasons people book a cruise ship vacation is to explore the destinations it visits, but no one wants to book a tour that leaves you disappointed.

I asked our readers for what shore excursions they booked and instantly regretted, and I was surprised the general consensus wasn't one specific excursion, but a type of tour. 

We had over 500 responses to my question in just a few days. What surprised me wasn't just how many people had regrets, but how often they came from the excursions that seemed like the safest choices.

Large sightseeing tours were by far the most commonly mentioned kind of cruise excursion that were filled with regret.

On paper, these tours sounded like a sure thing.  But after taking them, the reality was many tours were the type cruisers wish they could do over.

Here is why this type of cruise ship shore excursion was lackluster, and the other tours our readers say they'd never book again.

City tours and long bus tours

The shore excursion most people regretted the most were bus tours, and it wasn't even close to the rest.

An excursion that takes you around a city seems like a safe and easy way to see a destination. In reality, many cruisers said they felt like they spent most of their port day staring out a bus window instead of actually experiencing anything.

• "We sat on a bus for hours and barely got out."
• "It was basically a drive-by tour with a few photo stops."
• "Felt like we saw everything… but experienced nothing."
• "Too much talking, not enough doing."

I've experienced this sort of regret too when I took a bus tour around a fjord in Norway. I wanted my family to see them, but so much of the tour is on the bus, with little outdoor time.

Our readers felt the same way, because a big frustration was how little time people actually had off the bus. Stops were often rushed, with just enough time for a quick photo before moving on.

• "Every stop felt rushed... like ‘take your picture and get back on.'"
• "We had 15 minutes here, 20 minutes there… it wasn’t relaxing at all."

Other issues with a bus tour can be the guide, and how easy it is (or not) to understand them. Or how knowledgeable they are of what you're seeing.

• "The guide talked nonstop, but none of it was memorable."
• "Half the time I couldn’t even hear what they were saying."

Ultimately, the issue with a bus tour is it feels like most of the time is spent in transit, rather than experiencing something. 

Our readers lamented that it left them like they wasted port time.

I recommend doing research before your visit to any port and honing in on an activity, place, or major sight.  Hop in a taxi, walk there, or book an excursion that only visits that place.

If you want to experience more of a destination rather than feel like you sat on a bus, you could hire a private driver or small group tour.  Because these excursions have less people, you can be more nimble and customize the experience.

Overcrowded and underwhelming beaches

The second most-mentioned regret was going to the beach, but this was more about one simple issue: expectation vs reality.

The complaint isn't against all beaches. Rather, a beach that didn't match up to expectations. People booked beach excursions expecting a pristine, relaxing escape, but what they got instead often felt crowded, expensive, and underwhelming.

• "It was packed—chairs right on top of each other."
• "Not worth what we paid at all."
• "I could’ve gone to a public beach for a fraction of the price."
• "Didn’t look anything like the photos."

Crowding was a major theme, especially at popular beach clubs tied to cruise traffic.

Tours that include a beach break will often end up at beaches that cater to cruise ship excursions because they have a large facility. 

• "Way too many people for the space."
• "Felt more like a resort pool deck than a beach day."

I've been to a few of these types of beaches, such as one in Jamaica that I would have volunteered to return to the ship within five minutes of arriving had that been an option.

When service and amenities don't live up to the marketing, it feels like you've been bamboozled.  It's one thing if you get sunburnt, drink too much, or have an annoying uncle with you.  But it's another when it feels like your day never had a chance to be fun.

The good news is beaches are easy to do on your own without an organized tour. You can easily search for the best beaches in any port your ship visits, and find lots of good recommendations.  

I would also look for reviews that speak to the location, exclusivity, or service components.  Find one that has exactly the vibe you're looking for.

Snorkeling photos look great, but the experience doesn't match the hype

Snorkeling tours was repeated a number of times, and it's primarily because the the idea sounded better than what they experienced.

Snorkeling can be very rewarding, but if it's too crowded or the weather doesn't cooperate, then it's lackluster.

• "The water was murky. You couldn’t see anything."
• "Too many people in the water at once."
• "We were all kicking each other trying to see fish."

Another issue is someone brand new might struggle to get the hang of how to properly snorkel.

• "I didn’t realize how hard snorkeling would be."
• "Spent more time trying to breathe than enjoying it."

Weather conditions are a major factor, and that's not the fault of the tour operator. A good snorkeling excursion relies on group size and instructors that can help everyone, even if they're brand new.

A small-group snorkel tour might be a good idea for minimizing those risks.  Also, if you can practice before the tour so breathing through a mask doesn't feel so foreign, that would help a lot.

Swimming with dolphins is expensive and overproduced

Dolphin swims are controversial, and also underwhelming for many readers.

Many cruisers said the experience felt overpriced and underwhelming. Dolphin encounters are usually a group event that involves very little individual time with the animal.

• "It was over so fast."
• "You spend more time waiting than actually with the dolphins."

A common complaint was how structured and limited the interaction felt.

• It felt very staged... like you’re just moving through a line."
• "You get your photo, your quick interaction, and that’s it."

Another issue is the ethical concerns of these tours.

• "It didn’t feel right once I saw the conditions."
• "After doing it, I wouldn’t do it again because of how the dolphins are kept."

I've never liked the idea of a dolphin encounter in a caged environment, so if you want to see marine life, I recommend booking a viewing tour of some kind in the open ocean.  You won't get a selfie with them, but it's best for both of you.

Glass-bottom boat tours sound so much more fun than they really are

Just like bus tours, taking a glass-bottom boat ride sounds great in theory, but rarely matches up.

The problem with this kind of a tour is how little you actually see.

• "The water wasn’t clear enough to see anything."
• "We were all squinting trying to spot something."
• "Definitely not what the brochure made it look like."

Like other tours on this list, the boats were crowded.  So when you add a small viewing area, that's a recipe for frustration.

For many, it ended up feeling like a passive, underwhelming ride.

There's so much luck involved with a glass-bottom boat ride in terms of the chances your boat passes over something interesting (or something interesting passes under your boat).  I'd much rather take my chances snorkeling.

It seems like a lot of shore excursions look incredible from the comfort of your couch as you're scrolling through ideas.

I think a lot of people hunt for that amazing tour when they look through Instagram or TikTok, and it's easy for photos of these places to look incredible.

I've been fortunate enough to take Royal Caribbean cruises all over the world, including Europe and the Caribbean.

I usually have good luck with finding tours that match up to my expectations, thanks to a lot of research and reading others experiences.

Unfortunately, a few of shore excursions turned out to be duds, because they didn't deliver on the beauty and splendor I expected.

Norwegian glaciers were tiny

On my first cruise to the Norwegian fjords, I was determined to see as much natural beauty as possible, and this took me on a tour to visit a glacier.

I had seen glaciers on my Alaska cruises, so I couldn't wait to see even more here.

Briksdal Glacier (Briksdalsbreen) was the top glacier recommended to see while in Olden, Norway.

I took an hour-long hike and felt disappointed when I reached the viewing point. The reality is this glacier is difficult to see because it's retreated so much.

Unlike Mendenhall Glacier, I found this one to be quite small and I was let down after the hike required to get there.

The lesson in Norway is focus on the fjords, which are fantastic, and save the glaciers for Alaska.

Private island had no shade and no facilities

A private island with no residents and no crowds seems like it should be the perfect kind of Caribbean beach day, but I was happy to go back to the ship when it was time.

When we visited Belize for the first time, I read reviews about this great little island to visit called Goff's Caye. 

It's only 1.2 acres of sand, and you need to take a boat to access it.

When we arrived, it was very much a tiny, secluded island. While a tropical oasis like this might seem lovely, I quickly realized having some level of amenities matters more than I thought.

The beach had very little shade, provided only by the few trees on the island. A BBQ lunch was available to purchase, but it was a limited and rather uninspired meal.

The truth is this excursion is meant as a backdrop for snorkeling, which I didn't care for.  I prefer going to a beach for the above water experience.

Oversold beach excursion in Jamaica

Perhaps the worst excursion I've ever taken was to Blue Waters Beach Escape in Falmouth, Jamaica.

The problem with this excursion is it's your typical oversold, under delivering beach day.

Booked through Royal Caribbean, there was a short bus ride to the beach where we arrived and saw many other buses of tourists beat us there first.

The staff assigned guests chairs, and we managed to get one of the last ones. People behind us had to settle for beach chair mats until chairs were freed up by departing guests.

The food was described as, "unlimited food (jerk chicken, pasta) served up by 5-star chefs".  While I'm not a food critic by any means, it certainly was not five-star level food.

Another excursion pet peeve of mine is "free wifi" that is only available in one area and in this case, it was so overused by guests that it became useless.

This might have been a great excursion had it not been oversold to the point that it became frustratingly crowded.

Bermuda beach

A lesson in not taking the easy route is my experience in Bermuda.

We had hit a homerun with going on a sunset yacht tour the night before, so we decided to take it easy and walk to the Snorkel Park Beach Club that is a few minutes away from where Royal Caribbean ships dock in Bermuda.

While it was convenient, that's where the accolades end.

Two chairs and umbrella cost $75, and that doesn't include any food or drink.

Then there's the sand, which is about as coarse and hard as you'll ever find. This is a man-made beach purpose built for cruise tourists. I've heard it was built on a former garbage dump, but I'm not sure if that's actually true.

Admittedly, we went there out of laziness, but we should have put in a bit more effort for a substantially better beach.

When artificial intelligence first became mainstream with ChatGPT, I would have warned you against using it for planning your cruise.

Since the early adopters embraced artificial intelligence in 2023, it's leaped a considerable amount in terms of capabilities, and I think it can play a helpful role in planning a vacation.

The problem with planning a cruise is it's very nuanced and cruise line (and even ship) specific. I've found AI tends to lump policies and lines together and jump to certain conclusions that aren't reflective of the reality.

However, it's much better at land travel because there's so much more information available.

For my Royal Caribbean cruise to Europe, I determined booking traditional shore excursions was going to be a mistake because it's so easy to get around the cities of Europe on foot and via public transportation.

Instead, I started coming up with a list of places I wanted to visit in each city.  That's easy, but how to manage it all so I can see everything in the best order?

I looked to artificial intelligence for the easy answer

I created a spreadsheet of the restaurants, historical sights, and interesting places I wanted to visit in each city.  I compiled this list by watching a lot of YouTube videos to get a sense of what there was to do.

My goal was to determine the best order to see everything, minimize backtracking, and incorporate lunch and snack breaks.  

I could have spent time popping each area into Google Maps, but I'd have to cross reference hours of operation and then figure out the transportation system in each city.

Almost immediately, I was ready to give ChatGPT a try.

Using ChatGPT is easy, but the secret is to be as descriptive and specific as you can in your prompts to get the answer you want.  What I'm effectively asking it to do is read my mind with what I want.  

I started out with Oslo, Norway, and wrote out exactly what I wanted. Here's the prompt I used:

I want to visit Oslo, Norway and visit these 4 places:

- Opera house
- Royal Palace 
- Vigeland Sculpture Garden 
- Karl Johans Gate

Create a walking tour that begins where Royal Caribbean cruise ships dock, and ensure the walking tour takes a logical path to minimize backtracking, while taking us through the most scenic and beautiful areas tourists might be interested to see.

Prioritize walking, but if utilizing public transportation (such as the metro system) makes sense, than include that.

Our hours in port are 10am to 6pm, but plan to have us back at the ship by 4pm at the latest.

We have teenagers and tweens with us, so keep the walking pace leisurely.

Suggest spots for lunch or a snack where appropriate, but the 4 places identified are the top priorities to see.

It generated a time based list of each place to visit, how to get there, and what to look for at each spot.

There's a certain amount of trust that its plan will work out, but I was willing to try.

I then asked it to export the tour to a custom Google Map, after reading an unrelated article about how easy it's become to create custom maps.

It initially gave me directions how to add each pinpoint on my own, but at the end it offered to provide a downloadable KML file that I could import into My Maps to save time.

"Heck yea I want to save time!"

It gave me the code to use, I saved it as a file, and then imported the data into Google Maps.  Instantly, I had a map planned out with all our stops and in which order to use it.

I repeated this process for each port.  After trying it once, it becomes very quick.

Embrace, but use with caution

I loved how easy it all was to create these custom tours, but I was sure to verify it wouldn't lead me astray.

In our first port of Oslo, ChatGPT guessed incorrectly which port we'd dock at.  It thought we would be at the Akershus Cruise Terminal, but Independence of the Seas docked near Akker Brygge. 

That meant our walking plan was off kilter because our starting point was at a different area of town.

That's not a big deal, because my custom Google Map allowed me to pick the closest spot, and get walking directions and go from there.

In fact, leveraging Google Maps was the best idea. ChatGPT had the plan, but Google Maps gave me real-time advice on if I should walk, taxi, or use public transportation.

I'd advise anyone to export the data into Google Maps to easily reference where you're going.

In Copenhagen, it was correct where we docked and just about everything. 

Sometimes the coordinates it used for the custom Map would be off by a block, but it got me so close that I could easily look around and figure it out.

The lesson is you still need to double check your plan as you go, and not simply blindly follow it.

It lacks the benefits of a good tour guide

I think I absolutely did the right thing by planning out my city tour in each port on my own with the assistance of AI, but it couldn't do everything.

I wish I had more information along the way, like I would with a tour. Or at least more information at the places I visited.

On the one hand, I don't love traditional tours where the host points out everything around you at all times and shares an endless stream of historical facts. But on the other hand, I wish there was a little more information about the things we saw.

An audio guide is what I probably want, but audio guides have a lot of extra fluff in them.  I'd love to be able to ask questions on the fly, like who is that statue and why are they important? Or what else is nearby that might be cool to see?

Or I could have ChatGPT provide more detail on each stop and I could somehow reference that information in Google Maps or bookmark it somehow.

AI can be a great tool, but it's not foolproof

Without a doubt, using AI to plan my city touring in Europe was a really smart decision that made it so much easier.

I loved how it organized and analyzed what I wanted to do. 

However, it was critical that I put in the effort to find interesting things to do rather than rely on it to provide them. 

Plus, you can't blindly let it lead you. Consider it your first suggestion, but always double check it as you progress.  

Lastly, I'd highly recommend having Google Maps and a cellular data connection so you can make the right transportation decision easily. My favorite eSim to use is Orange sim (this is an affiliate link, that costs you nothing extra but I make a small commission). 

One of the best things about a cruise ship are the places you'll visit, and you can make them even better with a few easy things.

Cruise excursions will get you to the place or activity, but they're not going to cover everything you may need.  

I think most people understand to bring sunscreen, towels, and other basics.  But there are other not so obvious things I'd recommend bringing too.

This list is a result of various things I've seen other cruisers bring and then I thought "that's a good idea". It's not essentials or things you'd have a bad time without. Rather, they can enhance your tour.

I hope some of these might also inspire you and make your cruise excursion better.

This article contains affiliate links that cost you nothing extra to use, but I make a small commission.

Inflatable floats

I had been to St. John a few times, but on my last visit a fellow cruiser packed inflatable floats that are exactly what I wish I had all along.

These floats allow you to sit, paddle, or lay on floats connected by a mesh material. The genius of it is it's inflatable, so you can deflate when you're done and pack it up.  Plus, you can use it in different configurations to suit your needs.

I think having it so you can sit in them is perfect for most beach days.  It's nice to be in the water without actively swimming.  The floats make it easy to sit or lay on them, which allows for flexibility.

Unlike other floats, I like these are very compact when deflated so it's not cumbersome to travel with.

Bluetooth speaker

Bluetooth speakers get a lot of hate these days because how some people misuse them without consideration for others.  However, I think there's value in responsible use.

I've been on excursions to the beach where there is a significant distance between us and others.  Or we're in a cabana that has some privacy.  In either case, having music at a reasonable volume is a nice touch.

If you rent a cabana at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bluetooth speakers are included (ask your cabana attendant), so you don't need to bring your own.

I'd recommend picking up a water resistant speaker to ensure it doesn't get ruined while at the beach by water or sand.

Portable fan

I've seen more cruisers bringing portable fans with them to keep the air moving.

These rechargeable fans can be the difference between stagnant, humid air and some level of comfort.

They're great on bus rides, waiting for taxis, and generally being outdoors.

At first, I thought they looked too dorky to wear, but then I remembered I really don't care what other people think.  My comfort level is more important than impressing random people.

Wet bag

One of the smartest things to buy for a shore excursion is a waterproof bag to bring back and forth from the ship.

This is your portable means of easily carrying towels, clothes, electronics, and more. But it also needs to be practical for the beach and surf. You want something packable, yet useful to carry the necessities.

The two bags a lot of cruisers recommend: Waterfly bags or a Columbia nylon backpack. 

It just needs to be a bag that won't get soaked with water when wet, but durable enough to carry what you need. You might even have an old bag at home that does the trick.  

Entertainment for the bus ride

This tip is for the families, because keeping your kids from complaining they're bored is a win anytime.

While I might be content looking out the window and enjoying the view, that's nails on the chalkboard for kids. 

Since most excursions involve a commute to get to/from the actual activity, I'd recommend bringing something for them to watch or do.

A tablet works quite well, especially if it's preloaded with something to watch, play, or read.

The first time we tried this was on a long bus ride to a beach in Jamaica, and it saved everyone's sanity.

The number one reason people book a cruise is for the destinations Royal Caribbean ships visit, but you may want to know if you have to book an excursion on a cruise.

I love to explore the ports of call my ship visits because of how much there is to see and do.  Experiencing new cultures, visiting historical sites, and forgetting all my cares at the beach are things I look forward to on every sailing.

The conundrum is often not what to do, but how to book it.  Is it better to book shore excursions with the cruise line? Or can you do your own excursions on a cruise?

Here are the basic things to consider before you book cruise shore excursions so that you can make the right decision.

What are the pros and cons of booking excursions through the cruise line?

You can book shore excursions through Royal Caribbean, and it's clearly the easiest option.

As soon as you book a cruise, you're able to access the Cruise Planner and see the variety of tours sold. The cruise line has gone through and vetted tours and present ones that you can book quickly.

That's the best thing about cruise line excursions: they're simple, easy to book, and come with a few guarantees.

First, it's a tour operator that is reputable.  That means each excursion has to pass an inspection by the cruise line and it's a company that knows what it's doing.

An equally important promise is that you won't miss the cruise ship.

One of the most important rules on any cruise is to be back onboard before all-aboard time, or you'll be left behind.

Royal Caribbean says if you book a tour with them, they'll get you back on the ship. In most cases, this means if the tour is running behind schedule, the tour operator will contact the ship and inform them so the ship can wait.

This is especially important when taking a tour that requires long transportation time back to the ship, such as a nearly 3 hour bus ride to Paris from Le Havre, France.

The disadvantages of booking a cruise line excursion is it's not going to be the cheapest option.

Many veteran cruisers lament the generally higher prices for cruise line excursions. 

Royal Caribbean works with high quality tour operators, and of course they make a commission on the sales too. Objectively, a cruise line excursion will usually cost more.

Another issue is that cruise excursions tend to sell out quickly.

Royal Caribbean has been particularly successful in marketing its app to cruisers, and the result is a higher visibility to book tours.

Decades ago, you could wait until you got on your ship to book tours.  Now, that's practically a mistake because there will be so few options left.

Another problem I have with cruise tours are they tend to include large groups.

Large groups move slowly, require more stops, and it seems to me to have a lot of wasted time.

Royal Caribbean recently introduced Royal Signature Excursions, that feature smaller groups and even skip-the-line options.  Of course, don't expect these to be inexpensive.

Shore excursions are not cheaper on ship

Don't purposefully wait to book a shore excursion until you're on the ship because you're expecting a last-minute deal.

Royal Caribbean actually charges the most onboard.  Think of it like paying the rack rate at a hotel when you walk up, instead of pre-booking online.

There are sales every few weeks on excursions, and the pre-cruise price is almost always cheapest.

For example, I've seen Royal Caribbean advertise up to 30% off excursions booked before the sailing.

Is it safe to book independent cruise excursions?

The short answer is yes, but you need to do your research.

Independent shore excursions offer a much greater variety of tours and at different price points. You can find budget friendly ones, or a lavish all inclusive option.

The important thing is to look up reviews of the tour operator and the specific tour you're considering before booking.

The onus falls on you to vet the tour, rather than the cruise line.

New cruisers may find this to be a daunting task, filled with hesitation regarding making a mistake. In that case, there's nothing wrong with sticking to ship tours.

The primary risks are time and the tour delivering on what you expect.

Certainly, you'll want to get back to the ship on time.  No tour operator wants you to miss the ship, because that kind of bad review is bad for business.

I recommend planning to get back at least 2 hours prior to the all aboard time, so that an unexpected problem (i.e traffic, a medical emergency) doesn't hinder your ability to get back.

Most cruise experts point out that independent tours can save you a lot of money. Plus, if the cruise line doesn't offer the activity you like, you can find one that does with your own company.

Before you book , be sure to also look at the cancellation policy.

Royal Caribbean will refund your money if the ship is unable to dock at a port because of weather or an itinerary change.  Some independent tours may keep your deposit or not offer refunds if you can't make it.

Independent tours don't always offer full refunds if there's an itinerary change, but ship tours always do.

Everyone's first instinct after booking a cruise is to look at shore excursions, but I think you don't really need a tour in certain ports of call.

The places cruises go is top reason people book a Royal Caribbean cruise, so it seems natural to want to find a great excursion.

However, some islands or cities really don't need an organized tour to be properly enjoyed. While you could certainly explore any port on your own, I think there are a handful that truly are best for walking around and exploring on foot.

While it may not be a mistake to book a shore excursion in these ports, I think you could easily skip them and still have a great time

Perfect Day at CocoCay

While Royal Caribbean's marketing team loves to emphasize the "Perfect Day" element of the name of its private island in The Bahamas, but there is truth in that it's designed to offer what you need.

Royal Caribbean sells a number of shore excursions you can take that are off the island, such as kayaking, swimming with pigs, glass bottom boat ride, and more.

There's nothing wrong with these tours, but there's so much to see and do around CocoCay that is included with your cruise fare that I really don't think you need to book an excursion.

There are different beaches and pools you can go to around the island, plus activities too. I'd save your excursion money for another port of call, such as Nassau, where it really benefits you to have an organized tour booked.

What I'd recommend doing is disembarking your ship early to get the best spots at the beach or pool.

Head to either South Beach or Chill Beach, and get the perfect lounger.

Your plan should be beach in the morning, lunch mid-day, pool in the afternoon.

There is complimentary tram service around CocoCay, so just hop on at your leisure.  Or, you can walk it too. One advantage of the tram is you can use it as a way to scout out the areas and find the perfect vibe for your family.

You should treat CocoCay like an all-inclusive resort day. Unless you have your heart set on an excursion that you cannot do anywhere else, I'd stick to what is available around the island.

Rest assured that you can have a full, relaxing, and exciting day without spending a dime on excursions.

San Juan

One of my favorite places to visit in the Caribbean is San Juan, Puerto Rico, and it's also one of the most accessible too.

Your ship will dock in the old city, and you can literally walk off the ship and be there.  There's no bus or shuttle service needed.

Old San Juan is built on a hill, so you can walk around at your leisure and see pretty much everything.  

"What if I get lost?" Well, you really can't, because if you walk downhill, you'll run back into your cruise ship.  

If you're an American, your cell phone will work here too, and that makes it easy to Google Map everything.

Moreover, the sights and historical places are all easily reachable on foot. 

Many European cities

I'm headed to Europe for a couple of cruises this summer, and it's become apparent organized tours can be skipped in many of these ports too.

Cruise ships tend to dock in major cities, and from there you can easily get around on foot and/or public transportation.

Most of the excursions offered by Royal Caribbean are essentially glorified bus tours that show these places, but you can easily come up with a walking tour on your own with a little bit of research and jotting down interesting spots.

In each of the cities my ship is headed to, I started a spreadsheet and wrote which places I want to see.  Later, I assembled them in order so I can hit each easily.

To be clear, not all European cities are good to skip a tour.  

A port that has long transport time between the ship and city (i.e. Rome or Paris) would be one I'd still book a shore excursion for.

Likewise, Norwegian fjords can sometimes be more than a walk away, and an excursion makes sense there.

The important takeaway is to not assume that you need to book an excursion.  You may find more choices and flexibility going on your own.

I recently tried one of Royal Caribbean's new Royal Signature Excursions, aimed at immersing guests in the local culture with reputable third-party operators. 

According to the cruise line, these curated tours were hand-picked for their elevated benefits, such as amazing itineraries, food, and small group sizes.

When I discovered they were only available in 11 ports — and my weeklong Caribbean cruise aboard Icon of the Seas was visiting two of them — I knew I needed to test them out for myself. 

Though I never imagined spending over $110 per person on a snorkeling excursion in the Caribbean, it was one of the most affordable Royal Signature Excursions that wasn't sold out yet. 

My other option was the "Taste of St. Kitts: Wine Sampling, Local Treats & Beach" tour that cost over $300 per person! That was a hard pass from us. 

In the end, the "St. John by Sea: Catamaran, Champagne & Snorkel" excursion was one of the highlights of our cruise and worth every penny. 

Read more: I went on the world's most family-friendly cruise ship without kids. It was worth the $7,000 price tag for 5 reasons

The tour started out like any other Royal Caribbean-sponsored excursion

Because we pre-booked the tour through the Cruise Planner, we received our excursion tickets on embarkation day in our stateroom. 

Since it was relatively last minute (about one month before our departure date), the pre-cruise sale wasn't as great as if the tour had been reserved around Black Friday. 

As such, my partner and I paid $221.98 altogether, or $110.99 each. Still, knowing prices are usually more expensive in the Eastern Caribbean, I wasn't too upset. 

Our tickets told us to meet our group in the Royal Theater at 7:00am, so we started our day with one of my favorite ways to ease into an early morning on a cruise: room service breakfast on our infinite verandah.

We were fully checked in and seated by 6:55am, though we weren't guided off the ship until closer to 7:20am. Once on the pier, we stood in line while tour operators passed around a medical questionnaire that everyone had to verbally answer. 

In short, it said if you had conditions like asthma, heart disease, or epilepsy, you'd be disqualified from the excursion. It also informed guests that the use of full-face snorkel masks was prohibited in St. John. 

Those who confirmed they weren't affected by the conditions on the list were given a small green boarding pass to hang onto until we reached the marina. 

By 7:40am, we were loaded onto an open-air safari bus and began the trek through St. Thomas' steep, twisting roads during the morning rush hour.

We safely made it to the Compass Point Marina about 40 minutes later, and at this point, everyone was ready to get on the catamaran and take in the Caribbean's tropical sun. 

We were split into two groups

My partner and I boarded the Dancing Dolphin catamaran, while others were sent to the Adventuress. Both were U.S. Coast Guard-inspected vessels, which was reassuring to hear. 

There was ice water waiting on the bar when we embarked for guests to grab as they made their way to the outer deck. Though it wasn't too warm yet, it was refreshing to sip on after the bus ride while we listened to the safety announcements. 

Our crew consisted of Ian, Cameron, and Deena, the captain. The trio had an amazing sense of humor that set everyone at ease. 

Before we knew it, we were pulling away from the dock and sailing on the surprisingly calm waters toward Honeymoon Beach in St. John. 

The ride to Honeymoon Beach didn't feel too long

Snorkeling gear, including masks, life jackets, and flippers, was passed out during the ride, so by the time we anchored offshore, everyone was eager to jump in. 

They gave another short safety briefing, establishing boundaries as to where we could and couldn't swim and hand signals in case of distress, before allowing everyone in the water. 

While most guests wanted to snorkel, there was an option to ride the dinghy to the soft white sands. This was appreciated, as it let everyone, regardless of their physical ability or comfort level, enjoy their time in St. John. 

However, I couldn't resist jumping into the crystal-clear water. It was a little cooler than I thought, but I quickly got used to it. 

We spent about an hour snorkeling. Overall, it was a quiet day for marine life, but we did spot a few stingrays and tons of fish. 

As we made our way toward the catamaran, we heard Deena shouting to look underneath us. To my surprise, a sea turtle was grazing the ocean floor! 

Back onboard, the crew was busy preparing fun libations and light snacks

I opted for the rum punch mimosa, while my partner went with a regular glass of champagne. However, they also had non-alcoholic drinks. 

The crew kept the drinks flowing (literally, by carrying around pitchers of punch and champagne bottles around the deck!) for the entire 40-minute ride back to St. Thomas.

Light snacks, including cheese, fruit, crackers, and meat, were also served, but I was disappointed with how greedy some guests were, as the food quickly ran out.

Despite that hiccup, the ride back to the marina was calm and scenic, with views of the Virgin Islands' lush hillsides. 

We spent time conversing with the guests around us. Surprisingly, both couples beside us either currently lived or had previously resided in North Carolina! 

Read more: My favorite stop on my first cruise was St. Thomas

We definitely got our money's worth on our Royal Signature Excursion

Excursions — especially in the Bahamas and Caribbean, where I've been over 20 times — are often one place I decide to save, rather than splurge. 

However, the Royal Signature Excursion reminded me that there's always something new to experience. 

The small group aboard the catamaran made for a relaxing morning without feeling overwhelmingly crammed on a boat, which is how we felt in Mykonos last summer. The unlimited alcohol and snacks to fuel up after snorkeling were a nice touch, too. 

Plus, the crew's friendly energy made the experience feel like we were connecting with old friends. They definitely struck the perfect balance between professionalism, safety, and fun. 

That said, I'd be more interested in trying one of Royal Signature Excursions in a more culturally rich port, such as La Spezia, Italy, where you can go truffle hunting and enjoy a traditional Tuscan farmhouse lunch. 

It's going to be easier to skip the crowds with a new shore excursion option from Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean is now offering skip-the-line shore excursions with its Royal Signature Excursion options.

In addition to traditional shore excursions, there are a handful of shore excursions in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe that come with additional amenities.

These tours could include small group sizes, premium transportation, or elevated food options.

The idea is to not only offer great tours, but add a premium level to them for those that value paying more to enjoy a first class experience.

"From dipping their toes into cliffside hot springs in Santorini to sipping crisp champagne as their catamaran glides through crystal clear Caribbean waters — this is where unforgettable begins," is how Royal Caribbean describes the new offering.

Sights and benefits

In any cruise port a ship visits, there's always a bit of shopping guests do between cruise line excursions and things they can do on their own.

Royal Signature Excursions are a new batch of premium choices that cover three key areas: cultural sights, authentic experiences, and all-star benefits.

These tours seek to immerse you in local culture and are work with third-party operators who know the places, the people, the language and the culture.

The way they intend to make it stand out even more is to offer elite touches such as premium transportation, skip-the-line privileges, insightful local guides, intimate small group sizes, gracious service and more.

You can book these elevated tours now

Here's a list of all the Royal Signature Excursions to try:

Caribbean

• PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN
  • Orient Beach, Prosecco & Gourmet Lunch
  • Small Group Brewery & Distillery Tasting Tour with Bites
  • St. Maarten Small Group Island Exploration with Lunch
  • Small Group Open Bar Carnival Immersion & Plane Spotting
  • Small Group Johnny Cake Baking Experience & Guavaberry Sips
  • Anguilla and Meads Bay Beach Day: Bubbly & Lunch
  • Catamaran Sail with Champagne Plus Beach Break & Lunch
  • Small Group America’s Cup Sailing Regatta
  • Small Group Foodie Tour: Flavors of St. Maarten
• BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS & NEVIS
  • Taste of St. Kitts: Wine Sampling, Local Treats & Beach
  • St. Kitts: Power Catamaran, Snorkeling & Unlimited Drinks
  • Ultimate Twin Island Catamaran Sail & Sip with Lunch (Nevis & St. Kitts)
• CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS
  • St. John Beach Escape: Trunk Bay with Snorkeling
  • Ultimate St. John: Kayak & Snorkel
  • St. John by Sea: Catamaran, Champagne & Snorkel
  • Cas Cay Small Group Adventure: Kayak, Hike & Snorkel
  • Flavors of St. Thomas: Small Group Tasting Tour

Alaska

• JUNEAU, ALASKA
  • Small Group Taku Glacier Lodge by Seaplane & 5 Glaciers with Lunch
  • Small Group Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Ride & Dog Sledding
  • Small Group Helicopter Tour to Juneau Icefield
  • Small Group Kayaking Tour & Alaska Wildlife Whale Watching
  • Small Group Tour of Norris Glacier by Floatplane, Paddle & Hike
  • Small Group Whale Watching on Luxury Yacht
  • Taste of Alaska: Orca Point Lodge, Wildlife Quest & Meal
• ICY STRAIT POINT, ALASKA
  • Epic Whale Watching & Seafood Sampling
  • Ultimate Adventure: Small Group Whale Watching & ZipRider
• SITKA, ALASKA
  • Wildlife & Otter Spotting with Alaskan Canapés
  • Wildlife Expedition Cruise, Homestead Adventure & Treats

Europe

• FLORENCE/PISA (LA SPEZIA), ITALY
  • Truffle Hunting and Tuscan Farmhouse Lunch
  • Architectural Wonder: Pisa Guided Tour & Leaning Tower Climb
  • 3 Town Tour: Paradise Gulf by Land & Sea with Lunch
  • History of Florence: Accademia Gallery, Piazza del Duomo & Lunch
  • Explore Cinque Terre: Three Villages & Italian Lunch
  • Cinque Terre Vineyard: Wine Tasting & Scenic Coastline Drive
  • Small Group Adventure: Cinque Terre Villages & Motorboat Tour with Lunch
  • Gulf of La Spezia by Land & Sea: Portovenere and Lerici Small Group
• NAPLES, ITALY
  • Small Group Pasta Making: Sorrento & Gragnano with Lunch
  • Small Group Day Trip to Pompeii, Positano & Sorrento with Lunch
• ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY
  • Rome by Tuk Tuk: Small Group Sightseeing Tour
• MYKONOS, GREECE
  • Farmhouse Wine Tasting & Mykonos Walking Tour
  • Day in Delos: Small Group Tour & Mosaic Workshop with Lunch
  • Small Group Mosaic-Making: Expert Handcrafting Workshop
  • Small Group: Luxe Catamaran Day Trip, Greek Lunch & Aegean Swim
• SANTORINI, GREECE
  • Santorini Catamaran & Swim: Small Group Tour & Lunch
  • Santorini Catamaran & Swim: Red Beach and Hot Springs with Lunch
  • Santorini Small Group Kayaking & Seaside Picnic
  • Thirassia Winery Tasting & Blue-Domed Santorini
  • Unforgettable Wine Tour: Stunning Santorini Views, Tasting & Fira
  • Chill & Savor: Perivolos Beach & Gourmet Lunch

How much do these tours cost?

If all of this sounds wonderful, you can expect premium pricing to go with it.

An upcoming sailing on Oasis of the Seas that visits St. Maarten in October had these prices.  This is to give you an example of ballpark prices:

• Small Group Foodie Tour: Flavors of St. Maarten: $148 (originally $199) per guest
• Small Group America's Cup Sailing Regatta: $103.99 (originally $139) per guest
• Catamaran Sail With Champagne plus Beach Break & Lunch: $125.99 (originally $169) per guest
• Anguilla and Meads Bay Beach Day: Bubbly & Lunch: $433.99 (originally $579) per guest
• St. Maarten Small Group Island Exploration with Lunch: $193.99 (originally $259) per guest
• Small Group Brewery & Distillery Tasting Tour with Bites: $148.99 (originally $199) per guest
• Small Group Open Bar Carnival Immersion & Plane Spotting: $73.99 (originally $99) per guest
• Small Group Johnny Cake Baking Experience & Guavaberry Sips: $95.99 (originally $129) per guest

The discounted prices is a reflection of a pre-cruise sale available at the time of this article's publishing.  It's likely the original price is the onboard price you could expect.

The tours do not list exactly how many people constitute a small group.

How to book a Royal Signature Excursion

You can book any of these tours from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner website or the Royal Caribbean app.

There's no difference in booking these tours compared to any other one, with the added filter you can use to find them.

Royal Caribbean passengers traveling to Roatán are in for a surprise, as the country of Honduras recently issued stricter guidance about a popular shore excursion. 

Roatán welcomed 1.7 million cruise passengers in 2024, making it the most visited cruise destination in Central America last year. The island is famous for several things, including diving and snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and animal sanctuaries. 

Many cruisers like to visit wildlife rescues while in Honduras, including Victor's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary, AJ's Monkeys and Sloths, and Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout. In the past, these sanctuaries were more than a zoo, with interactive opportunities to hold animals like sloths, capuchin monkeys, and macaws. 

Recently, however, Honduras has cracked down on such activities, implementing regulations on animal encounters aimed to prevent the “over manipulation of wildlife," including, "carrying and holding animals for exhibition and taking photographs."

Companies that fail to comply with the new restrictions and rules face intervention by the FTIA (inter-institutional task force against environmental crime), as well as administrative sanctions. 

Cruise passengers with tours booked through Bodden Tours were sent an alert informing them that the popular animal encounters would no longer be available, effective immediately.

"As of March 1, 2025, the Honduran government, through the Wildlife Department of the National Institute for Forest Conservation and Development, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF), implemented regulations, which intensified efforts to protect endangered and vulnerable species," the notice reads. 

"These new regulations directly impact our operations at Victor's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary...At this time, we are unable to offer ANY Sloth-Hugs as of March 14, as we have been informed by authorities that TODAY is the [last day] for these interactions." 

While visitors can no longer hug sloths, the sanctuary assures that guests can still visit the animals and observe them in a hands-off manner.

"You will still be able to enter the animal's habitats for up-close viewing, photos and selfies, but touching or disturbing the sloths will not be permitted. This means that we can no longer offer fuzzy sloth hugs." 

tjcruisers posted on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum that some interactions had been paused before Bodden Tours' update was sent out: 

"We docked at [Roatán] a few days ago and had that excursion booked. Definitely correct, couldn’t hold the sloths but we’re able to be near them. Before going on the tour, the tour company made sure we were aware and made us sign off that that they told us."

Another popular wildlife rescue, AJ's Monkeys and Sloths, claims that they will allow guests to hold sloths a little bit longer. However, the encounters won't be offered after May. 

Read more: Best things to do in Roatán, Honduras cruise port

"It's a bummer as a tourist. But I recognize it's for the better"

Many seem to understand the need for stricter regulations. 

"Honestly if these parks and excursions are leading to animal mistreatment and trafficking I'm 100% on board. Ban them, and prosecute the parks. We've done these things before though, and they all claim to be rescue and/or rehab centers," shared emarkd on a Reddit thread. 

"I did some zip lines with money & sloth at the end while in Roatan. It was fun and I’m glad I got to do it last August, but I’m also glad they’re doing something to control it," added TXJKU4ME.

Others, however, expressed their disappointment over the changes and wished companies would be more upfront about the situation. 

"Whaaaat..... we have an excursion booked at Daniel Johnson's coming up here in a few months, does that mean that's a no-go now?" asked Callec254.

Several-Eagle4141 said, "I’ll admit I’m sad. I had an excellent time with my young son at one of these."

Tom Wrenn went one step further, calling out Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout on Facebook for not answering questions about the encounters. 

"They won't answer the questions you all keep asking about holding the sloths," he commented on a post about the website's technical difficulties. 

Roatán offers other tours

If you are worried about paying for an animal encounter and being limited to just viewing them, don’t worry: there are plenty of other memorable experiences on the island. 

From zip-lining through lush forests to exploring the underwater world while snorkeling, wild ATV tours, and relaxing all-inclusive beach breaks, Roatán, Honduras, offers a diverse range of activities.

Do not let the new regulations discourage you from finding another tour and making the most of your time in port! The island is beautiful and shouldn't be missed just because wildlife encounters are restricted. 

Read more: I checked out a private island in Honduras —with crystal clear beaches and all-inclusive drinks, it far exceeded my expectations

It might seem like a genius move, but booking two shore excursions on the same day is better idea than it really is in practice.

I received an email a week ago from a podcast listener who is headed on a Western Caribbean sailing and wanted to know if she should try to book two excursions on the same day.

"Is it possible to do two excursions from one day?" she asked. It seems like a good way to maximize time in a port, but there's more to a day ashore than I think some people consider.

I often joke that some tours sound better while you're sitting in air conditioning on your couch than in practice.  As an example, that hike through the jungle sounds lovely until you realize it's going to be a hot and humid day to start with, along with bugs, and those shoes that weren't as comfortable as well as you thought.

A lot of vacationers go on a sailing that takes them to places they may only visit once, and they want to seek out the really fun activities that they can tell everyone at home about when they return.

While booking two shore excursions on the same day might seem like a good idea, I think it's actually a mistake waiting to happen for a few important reasons.

There isn't as much time in port as it seems

To begin, time management while on shore excursions is not straight forward.

In order to go on two shore excursions on the same day, you'll need to schedule them so that one ends before the next one begins without being late.

It's not unusual for a tour to run late, or for the meeting point to not be factored into the overall length of the excursion.

Plus, you may want extra time on the end of your first tour to do something else, like shop.  Many excursions end in an area where there are many shops, or include photo opportunities.

You would not want to risk losing out on the other tour you have booked because you didn't make it there on time.

It's harder to know precisely when one tour would conclude with confidence so you could get to the next one.

What time your ship arrives and leaves is misleading

In my experience, you don't have as much time in port as you think you do.

Your itinerary lists what time your ship will be in each port of call, but those hours aren't when you actually be off the ship.

The arrival time you see is the estimated time the ship will pull into port.  At that point it has to line up with the pier, tie its lines, and get cleared by local authorities to disembark passengers. Getting cleared is sometimes very quick, while other times can take a while. It all depends how thorough the local authorities want to be in investigating everything is as expected.

Then at the end of your day in port, the time listed is when the ship is scheduled to depart, which means you're expected to already be back onboard the ship.

Realistically, you'll want to be back on the ship much earlier than the all aboard time.  So in practice, that shaves off an hour or two from your day in order to be back on the cruise ship with plenty of time to spare.

Both issues shave time off your total time in port, and that leaves you with less time to work in multiple shore excursions.

You're going to be more tired than you think

Assuming you have plenty of time for two excursions in one day, I think in reality you might not have the energy for both.

It's easy while at home to assume you can do it all, but tours are taxing, even basic ones.

When you're wet from rain in Alaska or under the hot Caribbean sun, the amount of energy you have is going to wane.

Buses are uncomfortable, walking on uneven pavement and cobblestone roads hurts, and you probably had to wake up early for the first tour. 

Trying to do two excursions is going to be pretty darn tiring.

It can dilute the value of what you paid

One of the most common places I see people trying to work two tours into one day is at Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Often guests will book admission to the Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach, and then also book a jet ski tour or zip line adventure.

I think the most egregious example are people that book a cabana and admission to Thrill Waterpark.

The issue here is you're taking away time from one activity that you paid for to go and do another, and I think that reduces the value of what you paid.

Avoid the temptation to double dip with activities and enjoy the primary one all day.

You'll have time for more activities

While I'm advocating not booking two shore excursions for the same port day, that doesn't mean you can't include something else before or after one tour.

Most tours leave you with time to work something else in, and in many cases, there is a natural fit related to the tour or where you're dropped off.

There might be a beautiful beach you could head to and unwind for the rest of the day. Or you might stay in the city or two to do some shopping or sightseeing.

In my experience, some tour operators will give their guests the choice of going back to the ship or being dropped off at a popular area.

And if you're spent after one tour, you can head right back to the ship for a well-deserved shower and nap.

With just one excursion booked, you have more flexibility to see how you're feeling, and include a DIY adventure.

Plan another port visit instead

If you really are tempted to try two excursions on the same day, that might be a sign you should plan another cruise.

Repeating the same itinerary isn't counterintuitive at all.  It's actually a really good way to enjoy these amazing places and see more of them.

Of course that means you'll have to wait to come back again and there's the cost that comes with booking another vacation, but having another trip to look forward to is the best way to get over the post-cruise depression that comes when your vacation ends.

One tour is the best plan, but keep the option for exploring on your own

If you're someone that is thinking about doing two tours on the same day, I recommend sticking to just one tour and leaving your day open for additional exploring after.

I just don't think the logistics of working in both tours makes a lot of sense, especially x factors such as transportation, fatigue, and proper timing.

The anxiety and effort required to make it all work just isn't worth it.

If you do have plenty of extra time, I think you will find many options to consider on your own that give you peace of mind and flexibility to go with it.