Independent bookings may cut excursion costs at popular cruise ports

Activities reserved through cruise ships often cost 30% to 50% more than identical options booked independently, according to the report. It also identifies a key benefit of cruise-line excursions: the cruise line guarantees guests’ return, including waiting when one of its tours is delayed.

In Cozumel, cruise-line excursion packages typically cost $70 to $150 per person, the report says. Paradise Beach offers an à la carte alternative with a $15 admission fee and a minimum $10 food-and-drink purchase per person, although that option is unavailable on sold-out days.

For Juneau visitors, the report lists the Blue Bus shuttle to Mendenhall Glacier at $79, including the Forest Service fee. The city bus costs $2 but leaves passengers with a 1.5-mile walk.

As of 2026, cruise-line excursions that include Grand Cayman’s Stingray City cost about $85 to $115 per adult, compared with roughly $40 to $90 through independent local operators, according to the report.

In Nassau, the Queen’s Staircase, Fort Fincastle and Junkanoo Beach can be visited without an admission charge. By comparison, Atlantis Aquaventure day passes started at $195 per adult and $95 for children ages 4 to 12 as of March 2026, with peak-week prices often reaching $250 or more.