> Destinations, UK Ports & Excursions > Mediterranean > Eastern Mediterranean > Private tours

Private tours now seem to be gaining in popularity probably due to the convenience of the internet, the astronomical prices charged 'on board' and the more personal feel of a private tour. Do you think the Cruise-Lines will eventually price themselves out of the market or will they come to their senses?
Incidentally, I have just arranged a private tour from Ashdod to Jerusalem when we call there in May on the Thomson Celebration with www.Guidedtoursisrael.com. They were great to deal with, helpful & friendly and we are making a substantial saving on the equivalent shipboard excursion.

There is another web site which has enabled the promotion of groups arranging private tours and this has been going on for quite a few years now.

Ship's excursions will, I think, always attract a reasonable amount of customers. As some cruisers become wiser many will choose to do their own thing but with the increase cruising numbers with new people trying it out and the increase in berth numbers the newcomers will take the place of those doing it themselves. There is also a group of people who wouldn't dream of doing anything unless it was sponsored by the ship because of their inability or inclination to think about doing things on their own, their fear of being left behind, a general paranoia of being out on their own and just downright laziness. There are other reasons too; some people like to be shown around, some feel they learn more with a "professionally" guided tour and some who have never thought of doing anything else, they like ship's tours.

So I don't really see the demise of ship's excursion for a very very long time. ...Neil

That's me

For me it's fear of missing the ship when returning.

For me there is a cut off time/distance from the ship. Once we get an hour away from the ship, unless there is very reliable and regular public transport I will always take a ship's excursion.

However if possible I prefer it to be a shuttle transfer and explore 'on your own' when you get there as I hate being trailed around as part of a large group.

This strategy paid off in Florence last year when the excursion got back late due to road works and long traffic jams on the way. We would have missed the boat had we been on a public bus service that day as we were over an hour late.

I like the ships excursions that are labelled "On your own" basically it's a bus service to somewhere away from the port ( i.e to Florence / Rome) but once you arrive you are able to wander around on your own, usually a map of the area is provided and the tourguides number incase you have any problems. The only other piece of info is what time and where to meet for the return journey.

All the advantages of a ships tour but with shopping trips or having to go somewhere you've been already.

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Next cruises :
07/2011 MSC Opera
10/2012 A123 Azura

Keep an eye on these boards . I reckon it won't be long before Cruise.dot will be offering port excursions a lot cheaper than the cruise lines.

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that would make sense as they are as important as car parking or flights.

It would be nice to know that you are dealing with a reputable company and have a security net in place if something did go wrong!

__________________
Cuiusvis hominis est errare; nullius nisi insipientis in errore perseverare
Next cruises :
07/2011 MSC Opera
10/2012 A123 Azura