Frequently Asked Questions

Blue OdysSea Travel

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**Frequently Asked Cruise Questions**
Cruise (General)	Booking a Cruise	Airline Info
Cabin Selection	Dining Onboard	Shipboard Services
Shore Tours	Group Travel	Books & Guides

Questions About Shore Tours or Excursions

1. How do I find out about shore excursions?
2. When do I arrange and pay for shore excursions?
3. Do I have to purchase shore excursions through the ship?
4. If I don't purchase a tour or excursion through the ship, from where do I purchase one?

Answers About Shore Tours or Excursions

1. Most cruise lines are eliminating sending more paper with cruise documents about shore excursions. All will reference their websites and give instructions on how to book shore excursions from the cruise line directly via their websites. If you know exactly what you want, this is the best way to get the shore excursions of your choice. If you are not sure, once you're onboard, the knowledgeable staff at the shore excursion desk will assist you with planning and any questions you may have. Of course, you may also give me a call.
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2. Shore excursions and tours can be arranged and purchased in advance via the cruise line's website (highly recommended) and onboard at the shore excursion desk using your ship's charge card system. Caution: Some cruise lines offering prebooking of shore excursions on the Internet, require immediate payment to book them and the purchase is not refundable. Note: During local or national holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums, sightseeing tours and shopping may be closed or have limited hours of operation.
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3. There are disadvantages and advantages to purchasing shore excursions through the ship. 2 main disadvantages are that excursion purchased through the ship tend to be a bit more expensive than if purchased on your own and on some excursions, your time at certain locations is very limited. The main advantage of purchasing an excursion through the ship is that if an excursion is late returning to the ship, the ship will not leave without you. If you arranged an excursion on your own and you were late for boarding, you may have a very expensive trip to the next port. This would be an extremely rare occurrence, however. There is also a greater variety of shore excursions offered from the cruise line.
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4. One of the best sources of information on this subject are magazines on cruising and travel. Another great source of information are cruise reviews of past passengers. Check the internet for an abundance of stories about "how I did it." Just type in cruise reviews in any search engine. Finally, you can purchase shore excursions and tours through independent contractors before you depart on your cruise. Book Shore Excursions Online! with Port Promotions. (Your browser must allow popup windows to use this feature.)
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