Your ship will try to sell you shore excursions at every port. Some are genuinely worth it; many are overpriced. Here's how to tell the difference in Cozumel and Nassau.
The shore excursion desk on a cruise ship is a money-making machine. Ship-sold tours often cost noticeably more than booking a similar experience directly, and cruise lines count on passengers feeling nervous about heading off on their own in an unfamiliar port. That nervousness is understandable, but it can cost you a lot.
The truth: at most Caribbean ports, you don’t need the ship’s excursion desk. You need to know what’s worth doing, which operators are reliable, and when booking through the ship actually makes sense. Here’s the breakdown for Cozumel and Nassau, two ports you’re very likely to visit on a cruise from Florida.
Cozumel is one of the best port days on any Caribbean cruise. The island sits on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world, and much of its coastline is protected as Cozumel Reefs National Park. The water is clear, warm, and shallow in places; even weaker swimmers can snorkel in a life vest and see something extraordinary.
Where you dock matters. Ships at the Punta Langosta pier are steps from downtown San Miguel, while the International Pier and Puerta Maya are a few miles south, a short taxi ride from town. Once there, San Miguel is compact and easy to walk.
Snorkeling at Chankanaab Park My top pick for first-timers and non-divers. Chankanaab is a beach and reef park inside the national park, a short taxi ride south of the southern cruise piers. Admission includes reef snorkeling from shore, a beach with loungers, the park’s signature lagoon, botanical gardens, and a sea lion show that’s better than it sounds. Two key details: the park is open Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays), and prices vary by pass, so check chankanaab.com before your port day. Bring your own snorkel gear to skip rentals.
Scuba diving with a local dive operator If you’re certified, skip the ship’s dive excursion and book directly with an established shop such as Dive Paradise (diveparadise.com) or Blue Angel (blueangelresort.com). Local two-tank reef dives usually cost substantially less than the ship’s version, and you’re diving the same reefs. Tell them your all-aboard time when you book. New to diving? See our scuba diving guide.
Renting a Jeep and driving the island One of the most fun, spontaneous things to do in Cozumel. Rent a Jeep or car from the shops along Rafael Melgar (the waterfront road) and loop the island. The wild east coast, facing the open Caribbean, has empty beaches, crashing surf, and a few beach bars serving fresh ceviche and cold cervezas. Most cruise passengers never see it. The loop takes a couple of hours without stops; add a detour to the San Gervasio Mayan ruins in the island’s interior if you like history.
Lunch a few blocks inland Skip the waterfront tourist restaurants and walk a few blocks into town. Local spots like El Moro (for big portions of home-style Mexican cooking) and Kinta (for a more refined meal in a courtyard setting) have long been favorites and are far better value than the waterfront strip. Check current hours before you go.
The ship’s “Discover Scuba” experience You pay a large premium for a beginner session that many local dive shops also run, usually for much less. If you want to try scuba, ask a reputable local operator about a resort course that fits your port hours.
Catamaran party boats The ship sells these constantly, often with open bars and a beach stop. They’re not terrible, but they’re not special: you’re on a boat with dozens of strangers, the beach stop is usually crowded, and the open bar leads to predictable outcomes. For similar money, you can do something much better.
Shopping at the pier The stores right by the pier are touristy and marked up, selling the same silver jewelry and vanilla you’ll see at every port. If you want to shop, walk into town and browse the independent shops around Avenida 5. Better quality, better prices.
Nassau is a more complicated port. The history is fascinating (a real city with a colonial past, pastel-painted architecture, and an energy all its own), but it’s also one of the most heavily visited cruise ports in the world, and that shows. The key is knowing where to spend your time and how to get beyond the port zone, which can feel overwhelming when several ships are docked at once.
Cable Beach (or Junkanoo Beach) Skip the ship’s beach packages; Nassau’s public beaches are just as beautiful. Junkanoo Beach is walkable from the cruise port, and Cable Beach, the island’s showpiece, is a short taxi ride west. Bahamian taxis charge set per-person rates, so confirm the fare before you get in. Loungers and umbrellas are available to rent on the sand. The water is shallow, clear, and warm. Bring cash.
Swimming with pigs The famous swimming pigs of Big Major Cay are in the Exumas, a long speedboat ride or short flight from Nassau, so that trip only works on a long port day and with a tour that guarantees your return. A more realistic option is one of the half-day boat tours to nearby Rose Island, which has its own swimming pigs and often includes snorkeling. Book with a well-reviewed operator and give yourself a comfortable buffer before all-aboard.
A walking tour of downtown Nassau Do this yourself. Walk off the ship, cross Bay Street, and explore. The Queen’s Staircase (65 steps carved from solid limestone by enslaved people in 1793 and 1794), Fort Fincastle, the pink Government House, and the Straw Market are all within walking distance. It takes two to three hours, costs little or nothing, and gives you far more context for the city than a bus tour.
Graycliff Graycliff, set in a historic colonial mansion, is home to Nassau’s most famous fine-dining restaurant, plus a cigar company and a chocolatier. It’s worth a visit even if you don’t eat there: check graycliff.com for current tours and hands-on experiences like chocolate making. The restaurant requires a reservation and isn’t cheap.
Atlantis Paradise Island without a plan The ship will happily sell you an Atlantis day pass for the Aquaventure water park and beaches. It’s impressive, no question, but it’s one of the priciest excursions in port, and resort food, drinks, and ship-day crowds add up fast. If you have kids who love waterslides, go. If not, spend the money on something more Nassau-specific. Sailing Royal Caribbean? Its Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island, which opened in late 2025, is another beach-day option to compare.
Straw Market purchases without bargaining The Straw Market off Bay Street is Nassau’s most famous shopping stop, and fun to wander. But every price is an opening offer. Bargaining is expected and not rude; start well below the asking price and meet somewhere in the middle.
Book with the ship when you genuinely can’t do it another way, when an excursion reaches places only organized tours can, or when a tight schedule makes the ship’s return guarantee worth paying for. For everything else (beaches, snorkeling, diving, exploring town), research and book directly. GetYourGuide and Viator list reputable local operators at every Caribbean port with verified reviews, often at noticeably lower prices than the ship.
Taxis also queue outside the pier at both ports. In Cozumel, agree on the fare before you get in; in Nassau, confirm the set rate. It’s normal and straightforward.
Before you go, grab the reef-safe sunscreen and dry bag from our Caribbean cruise packing list. The best port days are usually the ones where you put the ship’s glossy brochure down and just walk into town.
🗺️ Book your shore excursions in advance: Browse Cozumel tours on GetYourGuide → · Browse Nassau tours on GetYourGuide → · Browse on Viator →
🎒 Pack for a Caribbean port day: Waterproof Dry Bag · Reef-Safe Sunscreen · Snorkel Set · Water Shoes · Underwater Camera
🛡️ Travel insurance for your cruise: Get covered with SafetyWing → 🔒 Stay secure on ship Wi-Fi: Get NordVPN →
