How to Decide If It's Safe/Good Idea to Buy Shore Tours for Your Cruise From a Third Party, Before Sailing

With over 100 personal cruise experiences, and many shore excursions under my belt, hat buying tours from a third party, before sailing can be safe and save your money ! Just keep in mind, all the following aspects, to help protect yourself !

1. Find out from other cruisers or your cruise specialist, the name of tour operators they or others have used and had successful/happy experiences with !
2. Will the tour operator accept your credit card for payment ?
3. Know the rules for canceling !
4. If your ship does not come into port, for some unforeseen reason, will you still be required to pay ?
5. Will you be purchasing Trip Cancellation Insurance to cover these tours too ?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. There are several NAME BRAND shore excursion tour operators available ! Though I'm not standing behind any tour operator, I've used Port Promotions on several occasions, even with my groups, and I've seen a lot of advertisement lately for Shore Trips. It can be a good idea to contact the Chamber of Commerce in the area of travel, for suggestions ! Also, consider, Trip Cancellation Insurance which covers bankruptcy of a currier (see below) ... You can never over protect yourself !

2. For me, I would NEVER send a vendor a check for payment in advance ! The only way I would be willing to pay in advance is with my credit card ! The best situation, whether it be cash or credit card, is talking the vendor into letting you pay for your tour after you arrive, and better yet, once the tour operator brings you back to the ship, when the tour is over ! This is most often not an available choice, to confirm reservations for your tour in advance !

3. Like anything else, you need to know the rules for cancelling. Whether it be 30 days prior, 48 hours prior, or whatever rules there may have. Whether you loose just a portion, or loose the whole amount, once you've paid !

4. Also, keep in mind, select vendors, like the cruise line, will refund your monies if the ship does NOT come into port ! However, many will NOT ! Again, you need to inquire of the rules prior to purchasing and keep in mind, buying Trip Cancellation Insurance (see below) ! A ship not going into a scheduled port, happens more often than you think ... Mostly often, due to weather !

5. Remember, to buy Trip Cancellation Insurance to cover your tours. Hopefully the cruise specialist you are buying your cruise from, offers a third party insurance, so that you can purchase ADDED Trip Cancellation coverage for your shore tour ... In case you were to get sick, day of tour ... OR ... If the ship does NOT go into port, due to weather ... OR... Bankruptcy of a currier ! Remember to inquire with your cruise specialist and be sure of the exact coverage of your policy !

Tips & Warnings

• Remember Trip Cancellation Insurance for your shore tours !
• Keep in mind, if none of the above makes your feel safe, DO NOT BUY FROM A THIRD PARTY TOUR OPERATOR. Always let your instinct make your final decision !