How to Pick the Best Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures

With so many options offered, many cruisers are frustrated trying to find the best Disney Cruise Line port adventures. Because no one person would ever have the time or money to try them all, we’d like to offer up some tips to help you sort through your options.

What are you actually getting for your money?

Take a hard look at the description of your excursion. It is just transportation to a destination and back? Is there a meal included? Many Caribbean beach excursions are simply putting you on a bus and driving you to the sand. You’ll return to the ship with everyone else, regardless of when you’re ready to go. For parties of more than 2 people, you may be better off taking a taxi to your destination (don’t forget to budget for the round trip and gratuity). As an example, the St. Martin Beach Bash Tour consists of transportation to the beach and fruit punch, and will run a family of four nearly $150 for two hours on the beach. We suggest taking a taxi to Maho Beach to see something truly extraordinary and saving your real beach time for Castaway Cay.

Is the excursion something you can arrange on your own?

Many port adventures will take you to local tourist destinations. You may be able to book these directly and save some money.

Is there more information about the location online?

If you’re considering doing a tourist activity like visiting a local attraction, look up its web site online. You’ll usually get more information about what it really is than in a short paragraph from Disney. Moreover, you’ll probably find some good reviews online.

How much of my excursion is actually spent at the destination?

There are many port adventures where half or more of your time is spent getting to your destination and back to the ship. We think you should consider these carefully before booking them. For instance, the six hour Kohunlich ruins excursion includes a bus ride of two hours each way to arrive at the pyramid. You need to ask yourself if four hours on a bus is worth it for you. The total transportation time is included in the description of the excursion, or ask at the Port Adventures desk.

Is the excursion something I can only do in one port?

We definitely see the value in booking something like a sled dog experience in Alaska. Believe us, we’ve tried it with the poodle at home, and she’s having none of it. On the other hand, dolphin encounters are both ubiquitous and expensive in the Caribbean, and for our money, you’re better off spending time at Discovery Cove before or after your cruise. On the other hand, while you can find sting rays in many ports, too, we think the price and convenience of Castaway Ray’s Sting Ray Adventure on Castaway Cay is worth the money either alone or as part of bundle of excursions on the island.

Is there a language barrier I’d have to handle on my own?

English is the lingua franca of the Caribbean (and we hear in Alaska as well). Northern Europe is also friendly to English-speakers (though it’s always polite to ask first and learn at least hello, good bye, please, and thank you in the native tongue of any country you visit). Italy, Spain, and the rest of the Mediterranean can be another story if you’re on your own. In these cases, a port excursions with an English-speaking guide may be the most convenient way to see the sights.

Avoid city tours by bus in the Caribbean

We realize these are popular and usually not terribly expensive. They’re also not great way to visit any place. If you enjoy seeing the city as it passes you through a bus window and 5-minutes drop offs to take photos with six other tour buses, by all means book one. But don’t say we didn’t warn you.

The biggest advantage to booking through Disney

Without a doubt the best reason to book an excursion through Disney is that if it’s delayed for any reason, the boat won’t leave port without you. Believe us, we’ve heard folks being paged onboard as the ship is ready to sail away and it’s a little scary. Other conveniences are a pre-determined price and less need to carry local currency with you in port.

The advantages of booking on your own or skipping port excursions altogether

If saving money or being on your own schedule is important to you, we suggest you consider booking your excursions or even just popping off the ship for a few photos and walking around and then going back onboard. Your lunch will be free onboard, you can sleep in if you like, and there are far fewer people in the spa, pools, and in line for the AquaDuck/Dunk.

What’s important to you when choosing a port adventure? Talk about it in the comments.