Travel Question: How can we book our excursions?

Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Outings run by cruise operators rarely sell out, but there are other options too (Marella)

Q I booked some time ago a cruise with Marella Cruises starting in mid-November. I have been regularly checking the excursions site but it always comes up as “not available yet to book”. To my exasperation I received an email this morning reminding me to book any excursions, but still the site says “not available”.

I then phoned the company to ask when they would be available. Apparently they have updated their system, and online booking won’t be available for a month. Allowing for the fact you cannot book within two weeks of the cruise, this means online booking will not be available for this cruise. Would it not have been reasonable for Marella to inform customers of this limitation?

Paul D

A Marella, the cruise line of the UK’s biggest holiday company, TUI, says: “It’s better to book our tours online. The tour price online will never be beaten onboard. Some of our tours have limited spaces which sell out before the cruise departs, so get in there quick so you don’t miss out.”

But if you don’t mind me saying, your experience is an example of why booking through a human travel agent is often a wise move. A good cruise agent will be able to book the excursions you need – either the ship’s own trips, or others provided by recommended local firms at a lower price.

Yet even if you were to wait until you are on board, you can still relax. I have been on a good few Marella cruises, in the Caribbean as well as various parts of the Mediterranean, and I cannot recall any excursion selling out entirely. Excursions are extremely profitable for cruise lines, and it is in their interests to ensure there is availability right up until the last moment.

I would take advantage of this annoying online blockage to pause and consider what other possibilities there may be – either to book with an independent excursion provider, or to make your own arrangements.

If you are calling at Barbados, for example, the cruise port is easy walking distance from the capital, Bridgetown. You can explore this small city and then venture further using the island’s excellent, cheap bus network.

You are sure to have a different experience to your fellow cruisers; it will certainly be cheaper, and probably more exciting.

Every day our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder