Are Excursions Necessary??

[Mark Cameron]

Hey everyone, next April will be our first Disney Cruise and my wife and son's first cruise ever! Are the shore excursions necessary? Isn't there plenty to do on Nassau or Castaway Cay without having to pay extra? I just don't want to spend the extra money if we can find stuff to do that isn't extra. We would just probably want to go snorkeling, hang out in the water and on the beach. Thanks in advance!

 

[DietCokeMommy]

At Castaway you definitely don’t need an excursion. On Nassau it depends on what you want to do. Do you want another beach day or do you want to see some of the island, or do you just want to enjoy the ship? Lots of people going to Nassau feel like they’ve paid a lot to be on the ship and don’t really want to get off. Personally I’m a beach person and I’d do blue lagoon or resort for a day at the Hilton. It just depends on what you’re looking for.

 

[fredandkell]

No, not for that itinerary. I did appreciate them on the Med itinerary though.

 

[lklgoodman]

Only extra we pay for on CC is for the float/tube rental for dd. We did the stingray excursion there once and enjoyed it, but certainly not a must do item.

 

[ember1205]

I did an excursion in Nassau and felt it really wasn’t worth the price though it would have been worth about half what was paid.

On the second cruise, I didn’t bother even getting off of the boat.

This is a fairly individualized sort of thing, so it’s hard to tell you one way or another. but, given what seems to be an interest in not adding cost, I will say that you can definitely find plenty to do either on the boat or milling around the port area shops and at the marketplace.

 

[DisneyKrayzie2]

We did a 5 night last summer to Nassau and CC and didn’t do any excursions. Plenty do to on CC that’s included or just rent equipment, snorkels, bikes, etc. we only got off the boat in Nassau to say we’ve been there buy a couple quick souvenirs and spent the rest of the day on the ship.

 

[mevelandry]

You don't need an excursion on CC but I would recommend one for Nassau ... or at least some kind of plan. The port itself isn't very nice... And there are some great excursions you can book through the cruise line (different types, difference prices).

I've visited Blue Lagoon. It was very nice. On our last cruise, my family --2 adults & 2 seniors-- and I visited Atlantis (just the casino & aquarium part) and the Marina village. It was fun & very nice as well.

 

[FSU Girl]

For the Caribbean I find that excursions aren't really needed, if I book one it would be snorkeling or something like that. When I've gone to Europe I prefer having an excursion since there is so much to do there. For Nassau you can easily take a taxi over to Atlantis or a beach. Or just stay on the boat and enjoy the ship. For Castaway Cay you definitely don't need an excursion. The island is very easy to get around, the beaches are great and free for enjoyment.

 

[richmo]

On the Nassau/Castaway Cay cruise, I would definitely agree you don't need excursions. Castaway Cay is a great beach day...you might want to rent a float or two, but that should cover it. In Nassau, its totally up to you. Some will go to Atlantis or another beach, but you will have the beach day at Castaway either the day before or the day after, depending upon your itinerary. You can always get off the ship and roam around town a little, possibly take a walk up to Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle without an excursion and either have lunch in town or get back onboard and enjoy a quieter ship.

 

[daisyx3]

When we first went to Nassau in 2003 we did the Blue Lagoon beach day, which was nice. In 2016 we just walked to the hard rock to buy a pin and then returned to the ship. Last year DH and I used that day to get rainforest room passes and lounge around.
As for CC, you don't need an excursion. I usually rent a float. This time we are doing a double dip, so on the first day we are doing the adult snorkel excursion, but nothing on day two.

 

[randumb0]

Everyone is different. You don't have to do an excursion as it is more of a preference. Some people like exploring other countries and others would rather spend time on the boat.

 

[lanejudy]

Isn't there plenty to do on Nassau or Castaway Cay without having to pay extra? I just don't want to spend the extra money if we can find stuff to do that isn't extra. We would just probably want to go snorkeling, hang out in the water and on the beach.

At CC - no need to book an "excursion" but be aware that snorkeling equipment is not free, there is an extra charge. Same for floats.

What would you like to do at Nassau? If a beach, I believe you can walk to one without booking an excursion; I'm not sure if there is a fee charged at the location - possibly have to rent beach chairs or umbrella, etc. If you just want to get off the ship for an hour or so and walk around, you can do that for free -- or buy some souvenirs, etc. Plenty to do onboard for the rest of the day.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[darnheather]

Absolutely not. My kids love to stay on the ship. I usually plan one excursion per trip but if I take a 4 night this winter I probably won't do any. It's your vacation have a great time!

 

[MrsDuck]

I don't think you need excursions at either place. Just enjoy the beach at CC and Nassau - well... I guess explore the island? We don't even get off the boat there anymore...

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Those two ports are fairly innocuous with lots to do within easy walking distance. The only 'excursions' we do on CC are bike rentals & a floatie or two and none in Nassau. Our excursions for other ports are only booked through DCL when we want peace of mind that that ship will wait for us if we are late.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Are you doing a 3- or 4-night Bahamas cruise? It sounds like it. If so, IMHO, you don't need to book any excursions for CC as there is plenty to do there. In Nassau, you could certainly consider some type of excursion (we enjoyed the beach excursion to Blue Lagoon), but it's not necessary, IMHO. Nassau is not a great port, IMHO. It's a great time to really explore and enjoy the ship.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Castaway cay I would just enjoy the beach. Maybe if i lucked into an available cabana, I would book that.

Nassau has a lot of fun possibilities. We did snuba and that was a blast. Dolphin encounter is another. Look at what's available and then decide. You'll have a great time either way.

On longer cruises I'd be more likely to book excursions as you have more ship time overall.

 

[starvenger]

You don't need an excursion on CC but I would recommend one for Nassau ... or at least some kind of plan. The port itself isn't very nice...

I think this is the correct mindset. Yes cruises are expensive and ideally you try to "get your money's worth" on the ship, but part of the appeal is that you get to visit different places along the way. My feeling is that if there weren't different ports to visit, I could forego the cruising part of things and just go to an AI resort somewhere. YMMV of course.

Back to the point, if you've never been to Nassau you might as well hop off the ship and wander around for an hour or so. I believe there is a microbr-er, craft brewery just outside of the port security gates so it wouldn't be the worst thing to have a brew that isn't owned by one of the giant conglomerates.

Hilton Colonial seems to have gotten pricer since I was there last but it was a nice place with a private beach area. Junkanoo is just a bit further along the way and I believe there are some food stands if you want to grab a bite.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Your plans for a little bit of snorkeling and enjoying the beach are exactly what my family did. Absolutely no regrets. Did the same thing the second time we went also. Then on the third time, we went jet skiing just my daughter and I and that was nice also.

 

[meliscan]

I am of the no excursion camp. I like to enjoy the ship when everyone gets off the boat. It is so fun to have the boat basically to yourself. We do occasionally get off the ship and wander around for a bit. I don't book any excursions with other companies though as I am too afraid of getting left behind. On CC there is plenty to do you won't need an excursion.