Will cruise 'new normal' mean organised excursions?
Why are Cruise Company excursions likely to become the new norm for cruising?
Guided groups are the norm for now…
Pre Covid we are used to being free to go ashore when and how we wanted when a ship arrived in port. However the new post Covid Cruise Protocols being published by the cruise line and organisations all seem to be suggesting that organised shore excursions may be compulsory if you want to leave the ship.
Why is this being suggested?
Is this the end for the HOHO bus?
It is certainly a way of being absolutely sure where people have been and of ensuring that hygiene protocols and distancing are are strictly maintained whites ashore as they are onboard. In fact there is a view to say that all the work being done on board is fairly pointless if people can just leave the ship and do their own thing as there will be no way of knowing where they have been or what they have done. It may also be that the ports visited are happier to have visiting cruisers contained in their own ‘bubbles’ rather than wandering all over the town or island in their normal way.
Why are so many people unhappy about this?
I’d always rather explore independently….
Traditionally cruise excursions are expensive and certainly for us at portExplore we would always prefer to experience the real life of the country we are visiting rather than being shown it through a coach window. Looking at some of the excursions on offer the pricing issue seems to be being addressed a little - MSC for example are including some excursions in their cruises and are offering packed prices for a whole cruise excursion plan. I must admit that while the throught of a cruise excursion doesn’t fill me with joy it probably isn’t enough to stop me cruising! There is, of course, other options!
What other options would I have?
There will always be a range of excursions in each port - these will range from free or inexpensive to other, more exclusive, offerings - possibly even private tours with a car and driver - although those will come with a hefty price tag! The other option would be stay onboard…
Why on earth would I stay on board!
Lots of things to do onboard…
That not why I go on a cruise… well no, but these aren’t normal times. If its the only way to cruise then maybe we will change our expectations and be a little more selective about what we go ashore to see and why. There are plenty of advantages to staying on board…
Advantages such as?!?
Lovely to have a few quiet minutes to fill in the Cruise Planner
Firstly it gives you a chance to be a bit more relaxed - to consider what I call in The Confident portExplorer the ‘arc ‘ of the cruise . To think about the ‘whole voyage’ experience rather than just packing every day with new experiences ashore. A lot of itineraries on Mediterranean or Caribbean routes visit a different port every single day, occasionally they even pack in two! It can actually get absolutely exhausting and you often don’t really give yourself the time to process the experiences that you’ve had. . . If you’ve not read The Confident portExplore you can get a copy through our bookshop or it is available on Amazon and on Kindle through the link below…
Choose a sunbed!!
Secondly you get to enjoy the ship when its quieter - I love being at sea as much as I do being ashore so I’m quite happy to add in a ‘fake’ sea day - especially when in a port the I’ve visited before. The shops and Casino will be closed but everything else will be open and the entertainments team will be running a reduced activities programme. The best thing is that you will get the perfect sunbed easily. If you’re travelling slightly out of season you will probably find that the lack of movement will mean its feels a bit warmer around the pool and it will be easier to find a little corner away from any breeze.
Thirdly you’ll almost certainly save money - not just by avoiding the costs associated with excursions but also because you will be eating for free onboard! If you have a drinks package this is even more of a plus!
Maybe a couples massage…
Finally you could choose to have a new onboard experience - maybe something you wouldn’t normally choose - maybe a couples massage or pamper session. There be will ‘Port Day’ offers in the Spa - pop in and talk to them or keep an eye on the daily planner. Sometimes a Speciality restaurant will be open for lunch - it would definitely be worth asking about a reduced price or even free upgrade.
Speciality restaurants may be open….
My honest opinion?
My idea of perfect day ashore - not far from Naples…
Our whole ethos of portExplore is about planning for special, authentic experiences ashore - everyone knows that I really HATE following an umbrella or listening to a guide through earphones - so this is hard! I definitely wouldn’t choose to stay onboard in a port I’d not visited before but I would happily compromise by taking a ships excursion if it that is the compromise I have to make to get back to sea. In truth I would struggle if this situation continued for a long time but at the moment I think its a price worth paying!
I hope you found my thoughts on this interesting -- please add your comments below and maybe share this Blog on Facebook or Twitter so your friends and family can read too or maybe pin it for future reference on Pinterest.
Happy portExploring!
Love
Cathy
xx
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