Catamaran & sailing trips (usually with snorkel): ship vs independent, port by port
Carnival charges a median $112 and NCL charges a median $158 per adult for catamaran / sail & snorkel excursions, against $100 per person for independent versions (49 ports, November 2026). Booking independently is cheaper in 91% of the 22 ports with both prices.
Catamaran & sailing trips (usually with snorkel) in 49 cruise ports, with the cruise line's own price next to the median of the top independent tours of the same type. Booking independently was cheaper in 91% of the 22 ports where we have both prices.
| Port | Carnival | NCL | Independent | Best saving for 4 | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KonaHawaii | – | $296 | $105 | $765 | 4/5 |
| Maui (Kahului)Hawaii | – | $330 | $182 | $594 | 5/5 |
| SantoriniEurope | $232 | – | $95 | $551 | 4/5 |
| CorfuEurope | – | $227 | $90 | $548 | 5/5 |
| ArubaSouthern Caribbean | $113 | $197 | $119 | $313 | 5/5 |
| St. KittsSouthern Caribbean | $130 | $168 | $99 | $274 | 5/5 |
| MartiniqueSouthern Caribbean | $190 | – | $127 | $251 | 5/5 |
| MykonosEurope | $190 | – | $129 | $242 | 5/5 |
| CartagenaCentral and South America | – | $158 | $98 | $238 | 5/5 |
| NassauBahamas | $112 | $158 | $103 | $219 | 5/5 |
| Cabo San LucasMexican Riviera | $147 | $153 | $100 | $211 | 4/5 |
| BarbadosSouthern Caribbean | $105 | $158 | $113 | $181 | 5/5 |
| CozumelWestern Caribbean | $130 | $128 | $90 | $160 | 5/5 |
| St. ThomasEastern Caribbean | $114 | $182 | $150 | $130 | 5/5 |
| Key WestWestern Caribbean | $102 | $98 | $73 | $117 | 5/5 |
| BonaireSouthern Caribbean | $108 | $99 | $82 | $104 | 5/5 |
| BermudaBermuda | $108 | $133 | $113 | $79 | 5/5 |
| Grand CaymanWestern Caribbean | – | $89 | $69 | $79 | 4/5 |
| St. MaartenEastern Caribbean | $93 | $163 | $144 | $75 | 5/5 |
| Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)Eastern Caribbean | $97 | – | $88 | $36 | 5/5 |
| Montego BayWestern Caribbean | $110 | – | $125 | −$60 | 5/5 |
| Ocho RiosWestern Caribbean | $100 | $99 | $159 | −$236 | 5/5 |
| FalmouthWestern Caribbean | – | – | $132 | – | 5/5 |
| San JuanEastern Caribbean | – | – | $312 | – | 5/5 |
| La RomanaEastern Caribbean | – | – | $77 | – | 3/5 |
| CuracaoSouthern Caribbean | – | – | $135 | – | 3/5 |
| Colon (Panama Canal)Central and South America | – | – | $99 | – | 5/5 |
| PuntarenasCentral and South America | – | – | $150 | – | 5/5 |
| Puerto VallartaMexican Riviera | – | – | $105 | – | 5/5 |
| HonoluluHawaii | – | – | $70 | – | 5/5 |
| BarcelonaEurope | – | – | $20 | – | 5/5 |
| Palma de MallorcaEurope | – | – | $99 | – | 5/5 |
| ReykjavikEurope | – | – | $110 | – | 5/5 |
| Salerno (Amalfi Coast)Europe | – | – | $153 | – | 5/5 |
| MalagaEurope | – | – | $22 | – | 5/5 |
| IstanbulEurope | – | – | $33 | – | 5/5 |
| VallettaEurope | – | – | $33 | – | 5/5 |
| Cadiz (Seville)Europe | – | – | $42 | – | 5/5 |
| Porto (Leixões)Europe | – | – | $37 | – | 5/5 |
| Costa MayaWestern Caribbean | – | $168 | – | – | 5/5 |
| RoatanWestern Caribbean | $100 | $118 | – | – | 5/5 |
| Grand TurkEastern Caribbean | $123 | $158 | – | – | 5/5 |
| TortolaEastern Caribbean | – | $173 | – | – | 5/5 |
| St. CroixEastern Caribbean | $116 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| AntiguaSouthern Caribbean | $145 | $157 | – | – | 5/5 |
| St. LuciaSouthern Caribbean | $80 | $153 | – | – | 5/5 |
| HuatulcoMexican Riviera | $77 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| DubrovnikEurope | – | $217 | – | – | 5/5 |
| KotorEurope | – | $197 | – | – | 4/5 |
Ship prices: median adult "starting at" price of that line's excursions of this type (NCL converted from euros). Independent: median per-person price of the top GetYourGuide matches. Methodology.
Questions
How much does a catamaran / sail & snorkel excursion cost on a cruise?
Across the ports we track, the median ship price for this tour type is Carnival $112, NCL $158 per adult. Independent versions have a median of $100 per person.
Is it cheaper to book catamaran / sail & snorkel tours independently?
In 91% of the 22 ports where we have both prices, the independent version is cheaper. The ship was cheaper in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios.
Is it safe to book a catamaran / sail & snorkel excursion on your own?
It depends on the port. 47 of 49 ports score 4 or 5 out of 5 for this tour type; tender ports and long transfers score lower. Always finish at least an hour before all-aboard.
Other tour types
Dolphin & marine encounter Submarine / glass-bottom Scuba / helmet dive Whale watching Flightseeing Dog sledding Fishing Party / sunset cruise Kayak / paddle Zipline ATV / buggy / jeep Snorkel tour Ruins / history Food & tasting Beach break / beach club Nature / waterfall / park City / island tour