Kayak, canoe & paddleboard: ship vs independent, port by port
Carnival charges a median $104 and NCL charges a median $148 per adult for kayak / paddle excursions, against $94 per person for independent versions (41 ports, November 2026). Booking independently is cheaper in 68% of the 19 ports with both prices.
Kayak, canoe & paddleboard in 41 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 68% of the 19 ports where we have both prices.
| Port | Carnival | NCL | Independent | Best saving for 4 | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palma de MallorcaEurope | – | $365 | $52 | $1,252 | 5/5 |
| St. ThomasEastern Caribbean | $130 | $197 | $40 | $629 | 5/5 |
| DubrovnikEurope | – | $168 | $39 | $514 | 5/5 |
| SplitEurope | – | $177 | $54 | $496 | 5/5 |
| KetchikanAlaska | $193 | $247 | $164 | $330 | 5/5 |
| Puerto LimonCentral and South America | $112 | – | $35 | $310 | 5/5 |
| RoatanWestern Caribbean | $126 | – | $75 | $204 | 5/5 |
| BonaireSouthern Caribbean | $75 | $89 | $57 | $127 | 5/5 |
| San JuanEastern Caribbean | – | $138 | $110 | $112 | 5/5 |
| AntiguaSouthern Caribbean | – | $148 | $122 | $106 | 5/5 |
| Maui (Kahului)Hawaii | – | $148 | $132 | $64 | 5/5 |
| Cabo San LucasMexican Riviera | – | $99 | $93 | $22 | 4/5 |
| CartagenaCentral and South America | – | $89 | $85 | $14 | 5/5 |
| KotorEurope | – | $89 | $94 | −$22 | 4/5 |
| Key WestWestern Caribbean | $130 | – | $149 | −$76 | 5/5 |
| JuneauAlaska | $166 | $296 | $326 | −$122 | 5/5 |
| DominicaSouthern Caribbean | $60 | – | $93 | −$132 | 5/5 |
| ArubaSouthern Caribbean | $84 | – | $139 | −$220 | 5/5 |
| EnsenadaMexican Riviera | $105 | – | $167 | −$247 | 5/5 |
| Belize CityWestern Caribbean | – | – | $220 | – | 4/5 |
| Montego BayWestern Caribbean | – | – | $187 | – | 5/5 |
| Grand TurkEastern Caribbean | – | – | $144 | – | 5/5 |
| CuracaoSouthern Caribbean | – | – | $59 | – | 5/5 |
| CozumelWestern Caribbean | – | $113 | – | – | 5/5 |
| Costa MayaWestern Caribbean | $88 | $128 | – | – | 5/5 |
| Grand CaymanWestern Caribbean | $65 | $99 | – | – | 4/5 |
| ProgresoWestern Caribbean | $50 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| BiminiBahamas | $100 | $162 | – | – | 5/5 |
| St. MaartenEastern Caribbean | $83 | $89 | – | – | 5/5 |
| St. CroixEastern Caribbean | $140 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| St. KittsSouthern Caribbean | $80 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| GrenadaSouthern Caribbean | – | $98 | – | – | 5/5 |
| Colon (Panama Canal)Central and South America | $115 | $118 | – | – | 5/5 |
| Puerto VallartaMexican Riviera | – | $187 | – | – | 5/5 |
| MazatlanMexican Riviera | $93 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| Catalina IslandMexican Riviera | $80 | – | – | – | 4/5 |
| SkagwayAlaska | $287 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| Icy Strait PointAlaska | $182 | $197 | – | – | 5/5 |
| SitkaAlaska | $163 | – | – | – | 5/5 |
| BermudaBermuda | $103 | $168 | – | – | 5/5 |
| MalagaEurope | – | $157 | – | – | 5/5 |
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 kayak / paddle excursion cost on a cruise?
Across the ports we track, the median ship price for this tour type is Carnival $104, NCL $148 per adult. Independent versions have a median of $94 per person.
Is it cheaper to book kayak / paddle tours independently?
In 68% of the 19 ports where we have both prices, the independent version is cheaper. The ship was cheaper in Kotor, Key West, Juneau, Dominica, Aruba.
Is it safe to book a kayak / paddle excursion on your own?
It depends on the port. 41 of 41 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.
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