Puerto Vallarta Excursions

Puerto Vallarta is a tourist town, and there's lots to do. The cruise lines have put together over 70 tours, excursions and adventures for your day in Puerto Vallarta. If you've been craving to swim with a dolphin, Puerto Vallarta is your own personal Mecca.

Most of the cruise ships visiting Puerto Vallarta will dock at the Cruise Terminal pier in Marina Vallarta. However, when too many ships arrive on the same day, the late-comers will drop anchor just outside the mouth of the harbor, and you will come into port via ship's tender.

If you have taken any of the tours listed below, we'd like your feedback on your experience. Please click on the link of the tour you took, and then click the "Write a Review of This Tour" link and tell us what you experienced.

Beach, Snorkel & Sailing

Beach Club Fiesta
5 hours

Why not have the best of both worlds: take a sightseeing and shopping tour of beautiful Puerto Vallarta, then throw off your cares and relax at one of Puerto Vallarta's famous all-inclusive resorts.

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Exclusive Resort Getaway
5 hours

Get a day pass to one of Puerto Vallarta's famous all-inclusive resorts. Hang out at the beach or pool, or go kayaking or boogie boarding...or do nothing at all.

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Puerto Vallarta Beach Break/ All Inclusive Resort and Beach Getaway/ Puerto Vallarta Beach Escape
5 hours

Enjoy a day of sun and fun at one of Puerto Vallarta's finest resorts. You'll have time to relax at the beach or pool, plus a lunch with Mexican and international favorites. And there's an open bar all day.

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Las Caletas Beach Hideaway
6½ to 7 hours

Once the tropical home of director John Huston, Las Caletas can be yours for the day. Accessible only by boat, this is a true beach hideaway.

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Eco Island Escape
7 hours

Spend a day away from it all on your own private island paradise. On a reservoir island lake, you can fish, do some birding, kayak, take a motorboat ride, or just relax in a hammock.

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America's Cup Challenge/ America's Cup Sailing Regatta
3 hours

Want an absolutely exhilarating experience? Take the America's Cup Challenge, where you get to help sail an actual America's Cup racing yacht through the beautiful waters of Banderas Bay.

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Sailing Banderas Bay/ Sailing Adventure
5½ to 6 hours

Imagine the wind rushing through your hair, as the only things you hear are the flapping of the sails and the barking of a wild dolphin. That's what sailing on Banderas Bay is like. And swimming, snorkeling, and an open bar are included.

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Puerto Vallarta Sunset Sail
3¼ hours

What's the best way to cap off your day in Puerto Vallarta? Try this sunset sail! Enjoy a glass or two of wine and a light meal as you pass by the moonlit town glowing in the distance.

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Deluxe Sunset Sail
3¼ hours

Relax as the day slowly fades, and the night softens the edges of the world. Take this romantic journey on Banderas Bay, featuring hearty appetizers and cheeses with an open bar.

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Sunset Pirate Party Boat
4 to 4½ hours

Be transformed from the modern day back to the days of the legendary Mexican pirates. A great dinner and an open bar are only two of this excursion's attractions.

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Pirate Ship Adventure/ Pirate Ship Snorkel & Sail Adventure
6¼ hours

Board a pirate ship for a day of adventure! You'll sail Banderas Bay in a replica of Columbus' Santa Maria, enjoy swimming and snorkeling at a secluded beach, plus a swashbuckling pirate show.

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Wild Dolphins & Snorkeling/ Marietas Islands Eco Discovery Tour/ Whales, Dolphins and Snorkeling
7 to 7½ hours      Rated:

Learn first-hand about the sea life of Banderas Bay as you snorkel and kayak in the rocky caverns and archways of the Marietas Islands. You'll also spend the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful secluded sandy beach.

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Whales, Wild Dolphins & Snorkel
6½ hours

Sail the deep blue waters of Banderas Bay, as you head for the Marietas Islands for some kayaking and snorkeling. Wild dolphin encounters are common here, and you may also meet up with the whales that winter in Puerto Vallarta.

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Sea Lion Snorkel at Las Caletas
6½ to 7 hours

What could be better than spending a day at Las Caletas, with its secluded beauty and wide range of activities? Why, snorkeling with wild sea lions, of course! This tour is great fun for the kids.

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Sea Safari--Hidden Beaches & Snorkel
5 hours

You will visit Yelapa and Pizota, two hidden jewels which are accessible only by sea. You'll see a fantastic waterfall, swim and snorkel or kayak in the pristine waters, and experience the tiny settlement of Pizota, where time seems to stop.

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Yelapa & Majahuitas Snorkel
6¾ to 7 hours

Visit both Yelapa and Majahuitas, two beaches accessible only by sea. You'll enjoy a day of swimming, kayaking and snorkeling in pristine waters, or you can just kick back and take it all in.

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Yelapa Beach & Snorkel Adventure
8 hours

Explore the hidden jewels of Majahuitas and Yelapa from your 68-foot sailing yacht. This excursion is perfect for people who want to experience some of the best snorkeling in the Puerto Vallarta area.

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Biking

Off Road Bicycle Adventure
4 hours

Explore the essence of Mexico as you ride a 21-speed, full suspension mountain bike through rustic towns, mango and banana plantations and small rural villages.

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Canopy

Canopy Adventure/ Jungle Canopy Adventure
4½ to 5 hours

This canopy will satisfy your thirst for exhilaration. The course has 14 observation platforms, 11 horizontal traverses, a Tarzan swing and a surprise ending--a 70 foot rappel to the forest floor.

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Extreme Canopy/ Outdoor Adventure Experience/ Outdoor Challenge
6 to 6½ hours

If you thought boot camp was no big deal, this adventure was made for you. Hike through the tropical forest, ride mules, rappel through waterfalls and soar on the zip lines.

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City Tours

Walking Tour of Puerto Vallarta
4 hours

On this invigorating walking tour of charming Puerto Vallarta, you'll see the former home of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the Malecon with its array of statuary and sculptures, the cathedral and other sites. You'll also have plenty of time for some serious shopping.

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Puerto Vallarta City & Coastal Drive
4 hours

Get your bearings of Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area. This guided tour takes you south into the city, and a drive along the beautiful coast ends with lunch and a walking tour of Puerto Vallarta.

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Puerto Vallarta City Sights
3½ hours

Explore the city of Puerto Vallarta and the beautiful coastline south of town on this fun walking tour. Then put on your shopping shoes for some time in Puerto Vallarta's trendy Olas Atlas neighborhood.

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Puerto Vallarta City Tour
4¼ hours

On this is orientation tour through beautiful Puerto Vallarta, you'll see the colorful main square, the trendy arts district of Olas Atlas and the beautiful seascapes during your drive south to Mismaloya Beach.

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Puerto Vallarta Discovery Tour
4 hours

This excursion begins with a visit to a local village, stops at a tequila factory for a tour and sampling, makes a visit to the downtown area of Puerto Vallarta, proceeds south for some beautiful seascapes of the bay, and ends at a tile factory.

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Puerto Vallarta Overview
4 hours

Experience Puerto Vallarta up close and personal. You'll stop off in the downtown area to view the city's beautiful cathedral, and after a complimentary margarita, beer or soft drink you'll have time to do some serious shopping.

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Tequila Factories & Old Town Tour
5 hours

If tequila is your drink of choice, you've found your own personal El Dorado. You'll visit both modern and traditional tequila factories, and do some sampling along the way. And you'll take a free shuttle for your shopping experience in the downtown area.

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Mexican Fiesta & the City of Puerto Vallarta
5 hours

Your culinary education cannot be considered complete without a first-hand knowledge of tequila making. This excursion fills the bill, includes lunch and a short walking tour of Puerto Vallarta.

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Town, Country & Tequila
4½ hours

Witness the charms of both traditional and new Mexico on this half-day excursion. After visiting a rural village, you'll spend some time at a tequila factory for a tour and sampling. Then you're off for a walking tour of downtown Puerto Vallarta.

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Puerto Vallarta City, Hacienda, Tequila & Tiles/ Tequila, Tiles & Shopping
5 hours

Combine a visit to a Mexican decorative tile factory, a walking tour of downtown Puerto Vallarta and a stopover at a rural tequila factory, and what have you got? A great day of touring in Puerto Vallarta!

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Mismaloya City Tour
4 hours     Rated:

The spectacular coastline of Banderas Bay is but one of the pleasures of Puerto Vallarta. This tour takes you through the city of Puerto Vallarta and along the coastline to Mismaloya, where John Huston's Night of the Iguana was filmed.

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Cooking

Mexican Cooking Lessons & City Highlights
4 hours

This fun excursion includes both a tour of picturesque downtown Puerto Vallarta and a cooking lesson at a gourmet Mexican restaurant--a truly delicious experience!

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Mexican Cooking Experience
4 hours

Learn to cook up a storm the Mexican way! In this Mexican cooking class you and your teammates will whip up a number of authentic Mexican dishes and appetizers. Can you say Ole?

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Cultural Tours

Colonial San Sebastian/ Colonial Treasures: The Village Of San Sebastian
5 to 7 hours

Take a flight back to the 17th century on this magical excursion. You'll visit the once-thriving silver mining town of San Sebastian, a UNESCO designated site and a living museum untouched by time.

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Guadalajara City Highlights & Tequila
6½ hours

Guadalajara is Mexico's most historical and second largest city. This full-day excursion combines the majesty of Guadalajara's colonial past with some of the country's best shopping.

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Dance

Rhythms of the Night
4½ to 5 hours

This mythical dance program will thrill and enchant you as you dine under the stars on a torch-lit beach. Getting there is fun, too; you'll sail across Banderas Bay to the beautiful hideaway beach haven of Las Caletas, about an hour sail from the Cruise Terminal.

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Diving

Discover Scuba
6½ to 7 hours

If you've ever had an interest in scuba diving, this excursion gives you the introduction to the sport that you've been looking for. It's a fun way to spend your day in Puerto Vallarta.

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Certified Two Tank Dive/ Puerto Vallarta Certified Dive
6½ to 7½ hours

The good weather and a diversity of marine life make Banderas Bay a great place to do some diving. You'll take two dives on this fun day in the water.

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Dolphins

Dolphin Adventure
3 hours

This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 15-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Dolphin Encounter
2½ to 3 hours

This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 15-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Royal Dolphin Encounter & Aquaventuras Park
3 hours

This journey into the world of dolphins begins with a two-hour run of Aquaventuras Park Vallarta, and ends with your 15-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Kid's Dolphin Encounter/Dolphin Kids
2½ to 3 hours

This is a dolphin encounter experience tailor-made for your kids. They will have a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a family of dolphins.

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Dolphin Swim Express
2½ hours

Get a jump on your day with this early-morning tour. This fun adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the 4 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Swim with the Dolphins
3 hours

This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Royal Dolphin Swim
5 hours

This exciting adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with two dolphins. You will ride on their dorsal fins and get a "foot push" into the air. Then explore the park.

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Royal Dolphin Swim & Aquaventuras Park
3 hours

This exciting adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with two dolphins. You will ride on their dorsal fins and get a "foot push" into the air. Then explore the park.

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Royal Dolphin Swim & Aquaventuras Park
5 hours

This exciting adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with two dolphins. You will ride on their dorsal fins and get a "foot push" into the air. Then explore the park.

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Dolphin Swim & Water Park
5 hours

This fun adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin. Then you've got time to explore the park.

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Dolphin Swim Experience
5 to 6 hours

This fun adventure at the Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Dolphin Swim Experience
3½ hours

This fun adventure at Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Dolphin Signature Swim
3½ hours

This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 4 other members of your group a 45-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.

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Dolphin Trainer for a Day
6 to 7 hours

This great adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you a several hour in- and out of-water experience interacting with dolphins and sea lions.

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Sea Lion Encounter/ Sea Lion Adventure
2½ to 3 hours

This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with sea lions.

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Dolphin Spectator
2½ hours

This tour provides you with the option to participate as an observer at any of the Dolphin Swim tours offered by NCL.

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Aquaventuras Park Vallarta/ Aquaventuras Park Admission & Transfer
5 hours

This tour provides you with transfer to the Aquaventuras Park Vallarta, admission to the park, and transfer back to your ship.

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Eco Tours

Tropical Jungle Paradise Tour
4½ to 5 hours

Head south of Puerto Vallarta to a tropical jungle outpost aptly named "El Eden." Explore the dense vegetation and take a swim in a cool and beautiful natural pool. There's also a canopy located here.

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Whale Photo Safari/ Exclusive Whale Photo Safari
4 hours

Become a modern-day Ahab in search of the whales of Banderas Bay! You'll get up close and personal...a fantastic way to see these wondrous sea creatures. This is a seasonal tour, running from December through March.

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Whale Watching Adventure/ Half Day Whale Watching Tour
3½ hours

Sail Banderas Bay in search of wild whales. You'll get up close and personal...a fantastic way to see these wondrous sea creatures. This is a seasonal tour, running from December through March.

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Golf

El Tigre Golf & Country Club
5 to 6 hours

This course, recently opened for play at the Paradise Village Beach Resort and Spa in Nuevo Vallarta, was designed by acclaimed course architect Robert von Hagge. 18 holes, 7,239 yards, par 72.

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Flamingos Golf Course
5 hours

Built in 1978 and designed by renowned golf course architect Percy Clifford, the course is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and combines gently sloping fairways with natural lagoons, marshes and estuaries. 18 holes, 6,853 yards, par 72.

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Hiking

Expert Hiking Tour/ Sierra Madre Hiking Expedition
4 hours      Rated:

Enjoy a day hiking in the tropical rain forest of the Sierra Madre mountains. Encounter exotic flora and fauna as you make your way to a mineral-rich hot springs, where you can take a dip.

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Sierra Madre Nature Expedition/ Unimog Off-Road Adventure
7 to 8 hours

This is an expedition into the Sierra Madre mountains, where you'll spend about an hour hiking through pristine wilderness areas. A buffet-style barbecue lunch is served on a secluded beach, where you may have a chance to take an afternoon dip in the ocean.

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Horseback Riding

Countryside Horseback Ride/ Sierra Madre Horseback Ride
4 to 4½ hours

Take a ride deep into the Sierra Madre mountains, traversing shallow riverbeds and passing through small villages and banana and mango plantations. You can even take your horse for a swim in the clear waters of a river.

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Sunset Horseback Ride & Barbeque
3½ to 4½ hours

This excursion features a one hour ride in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. Includes a dinner and lasso and dance show performed by local youngsters.

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Motorsports

4X4 Tropical Safari/ Eco Safari Off-Road Adventure
7 hours

Ride a Mercedes Benz Unimog off-road vehicle through clear mountain streams and through the lush jungle to explore the flora and fauna that lives beneath the tropical jungle canopy. You'll see 19th century villages and learn about the local culture.

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ATV Adventure/ ATV Off-Road Adventure/ ATV Adventure & Village Tour
4 hours

Get down and dirty in your 4 wheel drive ATV. You'll skirt the shores of Banderas Bay, crossing streams and make your way through the dusty foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains.

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Jeep Safari & Beach Adventure
4 hours

Join three of your friends and tool around Puerto Vallarta and the Sierra Madre mountains in your open-air, manual transmission Wrangler Jeep.

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Mini 4X4 Expedition/ Mini Jeep Adventure/ Rhino 4X4 Off Road Expedition
4 hours

Hop aboard your Yamaha Rhino 4X4 Mini-Jeep and go off-road across the beautiful (but dusty) foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. This is a fun way to spend your day in Puerto Vallarta.

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Extreme Amphibian Adventure
3 hours

Explore the open fields, sandy riverbeds and splash and float through the creeks of the Sierra Madre foothills in your ATV. It's a great way to burn off some energy in Puerto Vallarta

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Scenic Tours

Countryside Adventure
4 hours

See two sides of Puerto Vallarta that few tourists ever see. You'll travel to the small farming village of Ixtapa and visit the charming village of Las Palmas. Then it's time for some serious shopping in downtown Puerto Vallarta.

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Important Information

Notes on the above cruise excursions:

• The information on the cruise excursions listed above was developed from publicly available sources.
• The cruise lines may elect to add to, change, delete or otherwise alter the itineraries of the excursions above;
• The cruise lines may restrict the number of passengers allowed to go on any particular excursion.
• The cruise lines may impose other restrictions on any particular excursion, including height, weight, minimum age, etc.; make sure to check with them to determine if there are such restrictions.
• There may be seasonal limitations on certain excursions or tours, such as whale watching. Be sure to check with your cruise line to determine if the tour in which you're interested is available when you're on your cruise.

Why buy a tour through the cruise lines?

• They have selected tour operator partners who are safe, reliable, licensed and insured.
• They offer a wide selection of tours, purchasing convenience and can provide expert advice on the most appropriate tour for you.
• They offer a one price, no surprises policy, with no hidden fees.
• They will be happy to credit your onboard account if you've already booked an excursion and there is a change in itinerary of the ship.
• They will wait for you if your tour is late.

Footnotes