Southern Caribbean shore excursions: ship vs independent
Carnival excursions in the Southern Caribbean cost -4% compared with independent tours of the same type (typical saving −$5 per person); NCL excursions in the Southern Caribbean cost +33% compared with independent tours of the same type (typical saving $33 per person). 0 of 10 ports are tender ports. Prices checked November 2026.
10 Southern 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AntiguaAntigua and Barbuda | -2% | +71% | 5.0/5 | No |
| St. KittsSt. Kitts and Nevis | +9% | +35% | 5.0/5 | No |
| St. LuciaSt. Lucia | -37% | +22% | 4.5/5 | No |
| BarbadosBarbados | -17% | +33% | 5.0/5 | No |
| DominicaDominica | -12% | -25% | 5.0/5 | No |
| GrenadaGrenada | – | – | – | No |
| MartiniqueFrance | +13% | – | 4.8/5 | No |
| ArubaAruba | +19% | +31% | 5.0/5 | No |
| CuracaoCuracao | -7% | +80% | 4.6/5 | No |
| BonaireCaribbean Netherlands | -1% | +19% | 5.0/5 | No |
Biggest savings in Southern Caribbean
| Port | Line | Tour type | Ship | Independent | Saving for 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curacao | NCL | Ruins / history | $296 | $79 | $869 |
| Curacao | NCL | ATV / buggy / jeep | $232 | $135 | $387 |
| Barbados | NCL | Food & tasting | $187 | $95 | $369 |
| Aruba | Carnival | Snorkel tour | $150 | $69 | $324 |
| Antigua | NCL | City / island tour | $148 | $68 | $322 |
| St. Lucia | NCL | Nature / waterfall / park | $187 | $110 | $309 |
| Aruba | Carnival | Scuba / helmet dive | $183 | $110 | $292 |
| St. Kitts | NCL | Catamaran / sail & snorkel | $168 | $99 | $274 |
| Antigua | Carnival | City / island tour | $127 | $68 | $240 |
| Aruba | NCL | Snorkel tour | $128 | $69 | $237 |
Questions
Are Southern Caribbean cruise excursions worth booking through the ship?
It depends on the line: across Southern Caribbean ports the ship charges -4% on Carnival and +33% on NCL compared with independent tours of the same type, a typical per-person saving of −$5 on Carnival and $33 on NCL.
Which Southern Caribbean ports are tender ports?
None of the Southern Caribbean ports we cover is normally a tender port; ships dock alongside.
Where do Southern Caribbean excursions need extra time?
St. Lucia, Martinique, Curacao have popular tours with long transfers or ferries, so pick tours that finish well before all-aboard.
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