Cheap Excursions!
Port Excursions can add 100's of dollars to cruise. But like everything else there are different ways you can save. We usually plan our days in port with different excursions or things to do. We may go really inexpensive at one port and budget a little more for another.
The Baths - Virgin Gorda!
Purchase on your own - One of the best ways to save is to purchase excursions on your own and not through the ship. You will likely save anywhere from 20% to 30% or more depending on excursions. However Cruise ship excursions are guaranteed to hold the ship if there excursion runs late. If you plan to do one on your own make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to the ship.
Paradise Beach - Cozumel
Online Discounts - sometimes you will find discounts for buying excursions online. Many times suppliers will run early booking specials too.
If we have extra time many times I'll check out Groupon to see if there are any discounts in the port we are leaving from. They offer awesome daily deals for all different cities across the US. You can save lots on fun activities and restaurants etc. (I use this when we are not cruising - you can save on fun stuff to do around home too!)
Tourist information - different ports may have tourist information centers that will offer different coupons for attractions and things to do. Often times you can send away for them before your cruise.
Make your own excursion - On a recent trip to Key West we made our own excursion by first walking to the Key West Eco -Discovery center(FREE) and then walking to Fort Zachery Taylor (2.50 per person entry fee) - Total cost for a family of 4 was only $10.00 - not too bad!
Fort Zachary Taylor - Key West