Cruise line excursions vs local operators, port by port
We matched 20 cruise line excursions with a local operator's trip of the same kind in 14 ports. The local trip was listed for less in 19 of the 20 and for more in 1. Across all 20 pairs, the median gap was $39 a person in the local operator's favor.
Each pair is two trips of the same kind, matched by what the listings name: a stingray snorkel against a stingray snorkel, a cave tubing day against a cave tubing day. In 3 pairs the cruise line's excursion names the same tour, park or attraction the local company sells directly. Lunch, transport from the pier and group size can differ, so open both listings before you choose.
Booking direct means relying on the operator to get you back before all-aboard. What each operator says about that is on its own page.
Every pair
| Port and trip | Through the cruise line | From a local operator | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
BarbadosTurtle and shipwreck snorkel cruise |
$94.99Carnival: Power Catamaran Turtle Snorkel, Beach & Open Bar |
$85El Tigre Cruises: 3-Hour Turtle & Shipwreck Snorkel |
$9.99 less
|
Belize CityCave tubing with lunch |
$89.99Carnival: Classic Cave Tubing of Belize with Lunch |
$49Butts Up! Cave Tubing (Cave-Tubing.com): Cave Tubing With Lunch |
$40.99 less
|
Costa MayaChacchoben ruins and a beach club |
$149.99Carnival: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Beach Break |
$79Coconut Water Tours (Coconut Water Beach Club): Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Excursion and Beach Club |
$70.99 less
|
Costa MayaChacchoben ruins |
$159.99Norwegian: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins: Temples, History & Jungle Walk |
$69The Native Choice: Chacchoben Ruins Tour |
$90.99 less
|
Costa MayaSnorkel trip |
$89.99Norwegian: Glass Bottom Boat, Snorkel & Beach |
$45Coconut Water Tours (Coconut Water Beach Club): Sea Turtle Snorkeling Adventure |
$44.99 less
|
CozumelSnorkel boat trip |
$93.99Carnival: Fury Catamaran, Deluxe Beach, Sail and Snorkel |
$50Cozumel Cruise Tours: El Cielo Island Snorkeling & Paradise Escape |
$43.99 less
|
CozumelJeep tour with beach time |
$104.99Carnival: Off-Road Jeep Adventure & Secluded Eco-Luxury |
$79Cozumel Tours (JS Tour & Travel): Jeep Tour & Beach Break |
$25.99 less
|
CozumelAll-inclusive beach club day |
$89.99Margaritaville at Sea: Islands Beach Club, Pool, Lunch and Open Bar |
$73Paradise Beach Cozumel: Exclusive All Inclusive Pass |
$16.99 less
|
CuraçaoSnorkel trip |
$119.99Norwegian (NCL): Snorkel And Beach Break |
$110BlueFinn Charters: Catamaran Snorkeling Trip |
$9.99 less
|
Grand CaymanStingray City and Coral Gardens |
$77.99Carnival: Coral Garden & Stingray City Snorkel |
$56Frank's Watersports: Stingray City & Coral Gardens 2-Stop Tour |
$21.99 less
|
Key WestOld Town Trolley, same tour |
$99.99Margaritaville at Sea: Old Town Trolley Tour (Hop-On, Hop-Off) |
$50.30Old Town Trolley Tours: 1 Day Key West Tour With Old Town Trolley |
$49.69 less
|
Key WestParasailing |
$149.99Margaritaville at Sea: Parasailing |
$59.95Fury Water Adventures: Key West Parasailing |
$90.04 less
|
NassauSnorkel trip |
$99.99Margaritaville at Sea: Sail & Snorkel Tour |
$118.80Stuart Cove's Dive Bahamas: Snorkel Adventure Trip (AM or PM) |
$18.81 more
|
ProgresoCenote swim |
$109.99Margaritaville at Sea: Blue Hole, Cenotes & Swim Adventure |
$59Autoprogreso (Grupo Autoprogreso): Cenote - Santa Cruz |
$50.99 less
|
Puerto PlataDamajagua waterfalls |
$89.99Carnival: Waterfalls Of Damajagua - Adrenaline Adventure |
$85Iguana Mama: Damajagua Waterfalls 2 Ways |
$4.99 less
|
Puerto PlataWaterfalls and zipline |
$132.99Carnival: Zip & Dip Damajagua Adventure |
$98POP Dominican Travel: Waterfalls & Zipline Adventure in Puerto Plata |
$34.99 less
|
RoatanZipline |
$81.99Carnival: Extreme Zip-line Adventure |
$45Gumbalimba Park: Zipline Adventure |
$36.99 less
|
St. KittsSky Safari zipline, same park |
$109.99Carnival: Soar Above: Sky Safari Zipline |
$99Sky Safari St. Kitts: Sky Safari zipline tour (full Skyline tour) |
$10.99 less
|
St. LuciaRainforest aerial ride and zipline |
$129.99Carnival: Ultimate Rainforest Adventure: Sky Ride & Zipline |
$85Rainforest Adventures St. Lucia: Ultimate Three Package |
$44.99 less
|
St. MaartenSky Explorer chairlift, same attraction |
$99.99Norwegian (NCL): Aerial Sky Explorer & 360° Views |
$59Rainforest Adventures St. Maarten: Sky Explorer with 360° Views |
$40.99 less
|
Adult or per-person prices as each site lists them, before any taxes, fees or tips they add. Cruise lines change excursion prices often. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.