Eastern Caribbean shore excursions: ship vs independent
Carnival excursions in the Eastern Caribbean cost -2% compared with independent tours of the same type (typical saving −$5 per person); NCL excursions in the Eastern Caribbean cost +39% compared with independent tours of the same type (typical saving $38 per person). 0 of 8 ports are tender ports. Prices checked November 2026.
8 Eastern Caribbean ports, with each cruise line's excursion markup over independent tours of the same type and how safe it is to go on your own.
| Port | Carnival markup | NCL markup | Avg safety | Tender? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. ThomasUS Virgin Islands | -3% | +40% | 4.8/5 | No |
| St. MaartenSint Maarten | -1% | +47% | 5.0/5 | No |
| San JuanPuerto Rico | +11% | +41% | 4.8/5 | No |
| Grand TurkTurks and Caicos | -23% | – | 5.0/5 | No |
| Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)Dominican Republic | +25% | +59% | 4.7/5 | No |
| La RomanaDominican Republic | – | – | 4.4/5 | No |
| TortolaBritish Virgin Islands | -23% | +8% | 4.7/5 | No |
| St. CroixUS Virgin Islands | – | – | 5.0/5 | No |
Biggest savings in Eastern Caribbean
| Port | Line | Tour type | Ship | Independent | Saving for 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan | NCL | Nature / waterfall / park | $153 | $58 | $379 |
| San Juan | NCL | City / island tour | $123 | $30 | $373 |
| Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) | NCL | City / island tour | $123 | $45 | $313 |
| Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) | NCL | Nature / waterfall / park | $147 | $81 | $266 |
| Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) | NCL | Zipline | $158 | $95 | $251 |
| St. Maarten | NCL | Beach break / beach club | $128 | $70 | $233 |
| Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) | NCL | ATV / buggy / jeep | $147 | $90 | $228 |
| Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) | NCL | Food & tasting | $128 | $75 | $213 |
| St. Maarten | NCL | City / island tour | $108 | $57 | $203 |
| San Juan | NCL | Beach break / beach club | $99 | $55 | $174 |
Questions
Are Eastern Caribbean cruise excursions worth booking through the ship?
It depends on the line: across Eastern Caribbean ports the ship charges -2% on Carnival and +39% on NCL compared with independent tours of the same type, a typical per-person saving of −$5 on Carnival and $38 on NCL.
Which Eastern Caribbean ports are tender ports?
None of the Eastern Caribbean ports we cover is normally a tender port; ships dock alongside.
Where do Eastern Caribbean excursions need extra time?
St. Thomas, San Juan, Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), La Romana, Tortola, St. Croix have popular tours with long transfers or ferries, so pick tours that finish well before all-aboard.
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