My Group Tour Trepidations
I’m going to cut right to the point–I hate group tours. I’ve stared pityingly at mobs of people rushing through Paris following tour guides holding up umbrellas. I’ve driven away from scenic overlooks from Nevada to Nova Scotia when tour busses approached. I spent three days in Bermuda with only a transportation ticket, my camera, and my bathing suit. And, with the exception of a 16-passenger van I took to get from Bath to Stonehenge, I’ve never been on a group tour. If I don’t like to be near a group tour, I certainly wouldn’t want to be on one–right?
Right.
But my upcoming trip presents a bit of a problem. It seems as though I may be forced to do some tours. A lot of tours. Mainly tours. In groups. And not just walking tours. Tours that use busses. While I am ok with walking tours–and actually have loved two of the three culinary walking tours I’ve done so far–bus tours are what I’m referring to when I profess my hatred for group tours. With a bus tour, everywhere you go, you bring a line with you. And I hate lines.
Thus, as I look at my tour-filled options for each cruise port I will be visiting, every cell in my body is screaming No! Don’t do it! Use the public transportation system, rent a car, do anything else! I’ve been on the cruise line website several times a day for the past few days. I’ve clicked on shore excursions and then clicked my browser shut before hitting ‘book now’. I just can’t make myself sign up–and pay–for experiences that, to me, are the opposite of what travel should be. Joyful. Freeing. Independent.
Yet everyone I know or talk to online says the same thing–it’s not a good idea to explore on your own in the port cities I am visiting. Of particular concern is my burning desire to visit Tulum from Cozumel. I can find no one anywhere that thinks doing this on your own is a good idea–and I’ve been reading forum posts that go back almost a decade. But how scary can it really be? Yes, you need to take a ferry and a bus to get there. Yes, I would really need to make sure that I got back to the ship in time. And yes, I suppose there is the faint possibility that I’d be left behind by the ship if I did it on my own and something happened to the bus or ferry I was on. But the operative word there must be ‘faint’, right? How many people are seriously left in Mexico because of some freak ferry mishap? I’m going to go ahead and not Google that question, because I’m afraid of what the answer might be.
I’m also torn about Jamaica and Grand Cayman. It seems that the tours offered–either by the cruise line or through private companies–pack a whole lot into a short amount of time. Which could be good–after all, when am I ever going to return to these islands? But it could also be bad–like our 45-minute visit to Stonehenge that barely gave me enough time to stand in line at the restroom, nevermind fully appreciate the World Heritage Site properly. Do I want quantity or quality? Safety or solitude? Accessibility or adventure?
What do you think? Should I tour on my own, or give in to the ease and safety of cruise line sponsored excursions? And mom, if you’re reading this, I already know which one you would pick for me. Don’t worry–no matter which one I choose, I will stay away from the edge of cliffs and the mouths of alligators. Promise.
Mexico may be a tourist destination whose time has come and gone. I’ve visited there and I like Mexico but safety is something to consider too. If it was me I would definitely take a tour with a group – safety in numbers. Do your research and see who is a reputable tour company that has been in business for a long time with a good reputation of getting passengers back to the ship in time, etc. For reference when I’m on a cruise if I choose somewhere that is at least an hour’s drive from the cruise ship dock or if any other type of transporation is involved (boat, helicopter, horse, etc) I would choose a ship sponsored excursion. Read this sad story about a Vancouver woman and see if you still want to do your own thing in Mexico http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/01/05/bc-ubc-stduent-homicide-mexico.html Huatulco is a quiet oceanside village and is rather unique in that the cruise ship docks right beside a beach for swimming. http://appytales.blogspot.com/2010/06/huatulco-mexico.html
There are a lot of cruisers who won’t get off the ship in Mexico. I’m not that paranoid but I definitely want a local tour guide who comes highly recommended and has a group of people if I’m not going to do a ship excursion. If you’re asking if you should wander around any of these places on your own I’d say don’t do it. Safety in numbers.
Ok. My decision has been made. Between your advice and that which I got on Facebook in reaction to this post (some from my mother…) I will be booking the cruise ship excursion. Because really, my main goal is ‘see ruins’. I can see them the same way I saw Stonehenge–on a group tour. Because that’s the only way I can (should) get there. And that’s fine.
Plus it will be something to write about. And I love having things to write about!
I used to be super anti-tour, but I quickly came to the realization how expensive a lot of things can be on your own. The goal is to pick the “right” tour. Figure out what you want to do and then find the tour that matches it. And if you see something you like and aren’t given enough time, make a note and go back on your own later (like on a different trip, since you’ll be more familer with the area, going back will be way easier!)
You have a very good point. Additionally, it is often impossible to do as many things as one can do on a tour on your own–especially if you are time-limited (like when you’re on a cruise, for example.)
I booked the Tulum tour–yay! I will hold out for other tours until I’m there. I found out that there will be sixteen thousand people in port on the day I’m in Grand Cayman, so I just may book a really long excursion that takes me really far away from the port area!
I see that you decided to do the tour – I think it’s a good idea. I’ve had some frustrating tours but I’ve also had some quite good ones. Hopefully yours turns out to be a good one! The knowledge that tour guides have and how they do it can really turn the tides on a tour that’s just “okay.” And in terms of safety I think it’s definitely the right choice!
Tracy,
I have been to all the places on your cruise. I would STRONGLY suggest ONLY booking a tour w/ cruise line. Here is why – you’ll never get ‘left behind’ by the ship (which can prove extremely expensive) You should get a bit of information from the tour that you wouldn’t on your own. The #1 reason we will always book w/cruise line is – they cover the medical expenses in case you get hurt while on ship sponsored tour. (my husband broke his leg on a beach in Jamaica 11/30/11 (whowouddathunk?) and they took care of everything – we also bought trip insurance which is taking care of medical expenses at home, too)
Tulum is awesome! The tour we did also gave us plenty of free time to explore on our own. You can even climb down to the beach if you want. The Mexican pole guys there are fantastic! (sorry, I don’t recall their proper name – but they go way up high on this pole and spin around by their feet!) oh – and there is a restroom there! 🙂 and shopping – a little strip mall type – even had a Subway there if you needed a drink/snack. I knew you would want to know that. Also, on our bus ride to the ruins, there was a ‘restroom stop’ at a conveniently located jewelry store. The ferry to Playa Del Carmen was nice and relaxing, too. Plenty of shopping at Playa Del Carmen – also a nice place to sit and wait for ferry- there was a nice little coffee ‘window’ to get a drink. Not sure about the restroom situation there.
Grand Cayman is nice – we toured the whole island. You will not be able to get “far away from the pier”, as the island is not that big! So, I would suggest a tour here as well.
I can’t wait to read your trip review!! 🙂
First, I love love love that you’ve provided restroom info! Ha! (Though of course I’ve already looked into this, at least for the Tulum trip. I think I’ll be fine. 🙂 )
I’ve booked the Tulum trip with the cruise line, but I booked a tour of Grand Cayman with a private company–that lots and lots of cruise travelers recommended (I’m pretty active over on the Cruise Critic boards…) However, I’ve not heard back from them so…? I do have a backup ship-sponsored excursion picked out for Grand Cayman–it’s just a bit more expensive than the private one. But it goes to three places I want to visit–San Pedro ‘castle’, the Botanic Gardens, and Stingray City (yes, I plan to do the swim with the stingrays thing. When am I ever going to be able to do that again?)
I’m having a really, really hard time picking something for Jamaica. Like as of now, I have no idea. I think I want to go horseback riding. Strange thing to do by myself (though I’d be in a big group of course) but whatever–it’s what I want to do, so I shall do it. Ideally I’d be able to visit the Good Hope Plantation (via cruise ship shuttle) and ‘rent’ a horse there. I’ve read that they have trail rides through orange groves, which sounds lovely.
Of course I’ll report back with photos of everything. I even have a friend who has agreed to lend me an under water camera, so I’ll even have photos of any water activities I do!
That stinks about your husband’s broken leg. I hope it at least has become an amusing story to tell over the years! Ha!
You’ll have fun with the Stingrays! In Grand Cayman we had taken an island tour – we went to Hell and mailed postcards from there – and ended by going to a restaurant near the pier – called Paradise (we enjoyed some conch for the first time there!)
In Jamaica (my first time there – not last year!) I went to some plantation – it was interesting – then on to the Dunn’s River Falls (like who doesn’t go there?!? I really enjoyed watching everyone climb the falls…with a cup of Blue Mountain Coffee – awesome) and ended at a craft market which was interesting, as well. Loved the paintings – very colorful.
Underwater cameras are a lot of fun! 🙂
Yes it stinks about his leg…still…he’s home w/out any weight-bearing for 3 months…another 1.5 months to go on that. it’s an experience! LOL
Well the stingray thing is booked! I went with a private–but highly recommended–tour company. The trip includes Stingray City, a reef snorkel, and a trip to Rum Point–which I’ve heard is a lovely beach.
In Jamaica, I wish I could do the plantation I want to see–Good Hope–and something else, but I just can’t seem to find a way to make that work. The only way to get to Good Hope is a ship shuttle, and it’s not in conjunction with any other tours. And I can’t do a private tour because I’m on my own–and that would be both weird and expensive! I’m sure whatever I do, it will be great. After all, weather in Jamaica has to be better than weather in PA right now (there’s a light freezing drizzle coming down as I write this…sigh…)
WHEW! Okay .. here is a link to my new blog. ( I also linked the old blog to this one – with our EPIC trip)
I have begun to post our November trip, however it’s under the January tab!
Savannah is in there. 🙂
http://travelsintime-pamela.blogspot.com/2011/12/welcome.html
duh.
Thanks! I’m now following you! 🙂
🙂