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Book an excursion
Three ways to book a port day, and the one question that matters more than price.
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Viator lists tours from local operators in almost every cruise port, with reviews and cancellation terms on each listing.
Search tours on ViatorThe question that matters most
Not the price. It is what happens if the tour runs late and the ship sails.
Book through the cruise line and the ship waits for you, or the line gets you to the next port. Book independently and that is on you, which is why the operator's published return time and their own guarantee are worth reading before you pay. Some independent booking platforms flag tours designed to get you back in time; use that filter.
Three ways to book
| Through the cruise line | Most expensive, largest groups, and the ship's own guarantee if the tour runs late. Book in your cruise planner. |
|---|---|
| Independently | Usually cheaper and smaller, often the same operator. You are responsible for getting back on time. |
| Through us | Booking your cruise with AI Cruise Granny means someone to ask before you book anything ashore. Start here. |
One rule worth knowing
If you cannot get ashore at all, that is not refunded. Princess publishes it plainly for tender ports: "If guests are unable to tender or disembark, there will be no refund or credit for missed ports." That is a reason to think about tender ports before you book anything expensive there. Our Princess Cays guide covers the tender rules in full.
Before you book anything
- Check the published return-to-ship time against the ship's all-aboard time, then leave a margin.
- Ask the operator directly about steps, walking distance and seating. Do not assume.
- Check what happens if the ship misses the port entirely, which is the operator's cancellation policy, not the cruise line's.
- For a tender port, add time for the queue at both ends.
Browse the port guides for what each port actually offers before you pay for a tour.