Shore excursions from local operators, compared port by port
Local operators in Alaska and Caribbean cruise ports, with price, tour length, pier pickup and what each one says about getting you back to the ship.
In 19 of 20 trips we matched, the local operator listed the same kind of trip for less than the cruise line, by a median of $39 a person. See every pair.
Alaska ports
| Port | Operators | Back-to-ship stated | Local from | Line from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | 7 | 2 of 7 | $65 | |
| Ketchikan | 5 | 1 of 5 | $79 | |
| Skagway | 6 | 3 of 6 | $70 | |
| Sitka | 6 | 2 of 6 | $125 | |
| Icy Strait PointHoonah, Alaska | 3 | 1 of 3 | $120 | |
| Sewardembarkation port | 4 | 0 of 4 | $129 | |
| Haines | 3 | 1 of 3 | $111 | $99 |
| Whittierembarkation port | 2 | 0 of 2 | $110 | $249 |
Caribbean ports
| Port | Operators | Back-to-ship stated | Local from | Line from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozumel | 6 | 2 of 6 | $45 | $89.99 |
| Nassau | 5 | 0 of 5 | $58.95 | $99.99 |
| Grand CaymanGeorge Town, Cayman Islands | 7 | 1 of 7 | $50 | $77.99 |
| St. MaartenPhilipsburg | 4 | 1 of 4 | $59 | $99.99 |
| Roatan | 7 | 4 of 7 | $25 | $81.99 |
| Costa MayaMahahual, Mexico | 7 | 6 of 7 | $35 | $89.99 |
| Belize City | 6 | 1 of 6 | $35 | $89.99 |
| Falmouth | 6 | 1 of 6 | $50 | $129.99 |
| Key West | 3 | 1 of 3 | $39 | $99.99 |
| Progreso | 2 | 2 of 2 | $59 | $109.99 |
| Ocho Rios | 2 | 0 of 2 | $79 | $84.95 |
| Montego BayMontego Freeport, Jamaica | 3 | 0 of 3 | $8 | |
| Puerto PlataAmber Cove and Taino Bay, Dominican Republic | 4 | 3 of 4 | $55 | $89.99 |
| St. KittsBasseterre | 4 | 1 of 4 | $55 | $109.99 |
| AntiguaSt. John's | 4 | 0 of 4 | $96 | $149.99 |
| St. LuciaCastries | 5 | 1 of 5 | $80 | $129.99 |
| BarbadosBridgetown | 4 | 1 of 4 | $85 | $94.99 |
| ArubaOranjestad | 4 | 0 of 4 | $65 | $119 |
| CuraçaoWillemstad | 3 | 2 of 3 | $65 | $119.99 |
What booking off the ship looks like
Independent tours are often much cheaper than the ship's version of a similar trip, though the trips are rarely identical. In Cozumel, NCL lists its catamaran and reef snorkel excursion from $139.99, while Cozumel Cruise Tours' snorkel trip to El Cielo is $50. In Juneau, independent whale watching starts at $155.
The trade-off is the ship's schedule. The ship won't wait for an independent tour, so this site shows each operator's own words on getting you back, and whether they refund you if the ship skips the port. A handful state a back-to-ship guarantee; many say nothing. See every operator's back-to-ship and missed-port policy on one page.
Every operator, cheapest excursion first
| Operator | What you get | Port | From | Length | Group | Back-to-ship | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Free Walk-In Tour |
Free |
Walk in Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm; closed Bahamian holidays |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
General admission (Doctor's Cave Beach) |
$8 per adult |
Open Monday to Sunday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Park Day Pass |
$25 per person |
Park suggests planning 2-3 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour |
$30 per adult |
About 45 minutes to 1 hour, not including travel |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Belize City: Landmarks, Libations & Lunch Tour |
$35 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
1.5 hr Costa Maya Snorkeling Tour in Mahahual (Eco-Friendly & Small Group) |
$35 per person |
1.5 hours |
Small group; minimum 2 guests to depart; booking form takes up to 10 |
Says guests are back at the meeting point with plenty of time to return to the cruise terminal | Check dates | ||
Morning Snorkel Trip |
$39 per adult |
3 hours (check-in 9:00 am, departs 9:30 am) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Boat trip, snorkelling with a Divemaster Guide (use our gear) |
$40 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
1-Day Conch Tour Train |
$40.80 per person |
60 minutes, one full loop of Old Town |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Roatan Glass Bottom Boat |
$45 per person |
50 minutes |
1 to 20 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Sea Turtle Snorkeling Adventure |
$45 per person |
90 minutes including a 45-minute snorkel |
Guaranteed return to ship on time | Check dates | |||
The Zipline (cruise ship guest option) |
$45 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Belize City Tour (Cruise Ship Tours) |
$45 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Mr. Sancho's Horse Back Riding |
$45 per person |
Page gives both 30 minutes and about 45 minutes of riding |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Goff's Caye island beach and Snorkeling full day tour |
$49 per adult |
5 hours in the itinerary, 6 in the schedule; about 30 minutes by boat each way |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
El Cielo Island Snorkeling & Paradise Escape |
$50 per person |
4-4.5 hours |
Maximum 12 guests per boat |
Guarantees return to your cruise on time; states return to the pier with at least 45 minutes to spare. | Check dates | ||
Turtle Adventure |
$50 per adult |
1 to 3 hours (approx.); open daily 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, last admission 4:30 pm, Turtle Lagoon closes 2:30 pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Monkey & Sloth Tour Encounter |
$50 per person |
4.5 hours |
Guarantees guests are back at port 1.5 hours before the ship leaves | Check dates | |||
Daytime Snorkelling Experience |
$50 per person |
3 hours, departing 10:00 am |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Day Pass With Open Bar |
$54 per person |
One day (no set hours given) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Costa Maya Swim & Snorkel Tours |
$55 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
The Historic Puerto Plata City Tour |
$55 per person |
4 to 5 hours (about 4.5 hours in the description) |
up to 15 |
Banner reads 'Guaranteed On-Time Return to Your Ship'; no terms given | Check dates | ||
Ultimate St Kitts Panoramic Highlights |
$55 per adult |
2.5 hours |
Beach-time guests are picked up about 1.5 hours before all-aboard (no formal guarantee stated) | Check dates | |||
Stingray City & Coral Gardens 2-Stop Tour |
$56 per adult |
3:00 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
The Art of Chocolate and Factory Tour |
$58.95 per person |
About 1 hour; classes daily at 9:45 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Tour #6: Stingray City Sandbar Experience |
$59 per person |
2 hours (about 45 minutes at the sandbar) |
up to 48 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Sky Explorer with 360° Views |
$59 per adult |
About 3 hours; park open 11:00 am to 4:00 pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Cenote - Santa Cruz |
$59 per adult |
4.5 hours |
Each tour "includes guaranteed transportation back to your cruise ship" | Check dates | |||
Colombia, Palancar, & Cielo Snorkel Tour |
MXN 1,100 per adult |
4 hours |
Tours built around cruise schedules with a 'Back-to-Ship' guarantee. | Check dates | |||
Roatán Highlights Tour: Monkeys, Sloths, Chocolate and Rum Tasting |
$60 per person |
About 4 hours |
Private, minimum 2 |
Return timed around your ship schedule (no further terms) | Check dates | ||
Mendenhall Glacier Shuttle Tour |
$65 per person |
3 hrs |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Adventure at 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua |
$65 per person |
3-4 hours |
Private, your group only |
Badge reads 'On-Time Return Guaranteed'; return to port planned with time to spare (terms not stated) | Check dates | ||
Aruba's Finest Island Tour |
$65 per adult |
4 hours (9 am to 1 pm) |
Maximum twelve seats |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Curaçao City Highlights |
$65 per adult |
4 hours (starts 9:30 am) |
No guarantee stated; the tour ends back at your ship or in the city center, as you prefer | Check dates | |||
Palancar & Columbia Reef Snorkeling Tour |
$69 per person |
About 4 hours; departs daily at 1:00 pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Chacchoben Ruins Tour |
$69 per adult |
4 hours (about 50 minutes travel each way, 1 hr 50 min guided tour) |
States an on-time return guarantee; deposit fully refundable if the ship doesn't make it to port. | Check dates | |||
Stingray City, Coral Gardens (Reef Snorkel) & Starfish Snorkel |
$69 per adult |
3.5 hours (page also says 3.0); departs 9:00 am and 12:00 pm daily |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
White Pass Deluxe Tour |
$70 per adult |
3 hours |
up to 24 (mini-bus) |
Driver will get you back to town or your dock before your ship leaves | Check dates | ||
Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens and Star Fish Point |
$70 per adult |
3 hours |
Groups of up to 25 (company-wide) |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Zona Magica Zipline |
$72 per person |
About 1 hour 15 minutes |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Exclusive All Inclusive Pass |
$73 per adult |
Open 8 am to 5 pm, 365 days a year |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Curaçao Highlights: City, Cave & Coast |
$75 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Excursion: Zip-Line / Sloth / Snorkel |
$75 per person |
3 hr 30 min (listed as 3+ hours approx.) |
Says guests get back to port with plenty of time to board | Check dates | |||
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins |
$75 per adult |
5 hours (itinerary steps add up to about 3 hours 50 minutes) |
Minimum passenger numbers apply; no maximum listed |
Says guests will be back on time for the ship; tours are timed to each ship's schedule | Check dates | ||
Altun Ha Mayan Ruin Tour |
$75 per adult |
About 4 hours, daily at 8:00 am |
Private, minimum 2 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
White Pass Summit & City Tour |
$75.60 per adult |
About 2.75 hours, about 36 miles |
up to 28 |
Guarantees return to the ship before departure for ships docked in Skagway; not for in-town drop-offs or Haines-docked ships | Check dates | ||
Ketchikan Duck Boat Cruise Tour |
$79 per person |
90 minutes (45 on land, 45 on water) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Dunn's River Falls Catamaran Sail with Open Bar & DJ |
$79 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Afternoon Snorkeling |
$79 per adult |
3 hours (2:00 pm to 5:00 pm) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Saint Lucia Cruise Ship Excursions |
$80 per person |
5-6 hours |
Group shore excursion (size not stated) |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Costa Maya Excursion to Chacchoben: Discover Mayan History |
$85 per adult |
4.5 hours |
Maximum 12 participants |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Damajagua Waterfalls 2 Ways |
$85 per person |
About a 30-minute hike to the 7th fall, then jumps, slides and swims back down (zip line option: about 60 minutes uphill to the 12th fall); total length not stated |
up to 20 per bus |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Ultimate Three Package |
$85 per adult |
4 hours, starting 9:00 am |
One naturalist guide per gondola |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
3-Hour Turtle & Shipwreck Snorkel |
$85 per adult |
3 hours (leaves the dock 10:00 am, ends 1:00 pm) |
Limited to 36 passengers |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Dunn's River Falls |
$85 per person |
4-5 hours; 60 to 90 minutes' drive each way |
Private |
Guaranteed on-time return to your cruise ship | Check dates | ||
Cozumel Private Jeep & Snorkeling Tour |
$89 per person |
Approximately 5.5 hours |
Private, one party per Jeep (4-5 seats) |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
South Shore Zipline Adventure |
$89.99 per adult |
Zip line 45 minutes to 1 hour, then 3-4 hours on the West Bay Beach day pass |
Returns guests to the pier at least one hour before all-aboard | Check dates | |||
Natural Pool & Indian Cave Jeep Safari |
$92 per adult |
4.5 hours (8:30 am or 2:00 pm) |
8-10 passengers |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Blue Hole Waterfalls & Wonders |
$96 per person |
1 day |
Private; minimum 3 per booking, up to 30 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
12+1 Zipline Tour |
$96 per adult |
1.3 hrs |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Semi-Private Adventure (Cruise guests only) |
$98 per person |
About 5.5 hours |
Max 18 guests |
No formal guarantee; its tours get guests back to Progreso 60 to 90 minutes before re-boarding | Check dates | ||
Waterfalls & Zipline Adventure in Puerto Plata |
$98 per person |
5 to 6 hours |
Advertises a guaranteed on-time return, with guests back well before departure (terms not stated) | Check dates | |||
Bamboo Rafting BOGO (Web Deal) |
$99 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Sky Safari zipline tour (full Skyline tour) |
$99 per adult |
About 2 hours; 2 to 3 hours with shuttle, harnessing and orientation |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Snorkel Dunn's River Cruise |
$100 per person |
Monday to Saturday 12:30 to 4:30 pm; morning sail 9:00 am to 12:00 pm |
Needs at least 15 passengers to sail |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
The Cross Country 4x4 Safari and Beach Tour |
$100 per adult |
3½ hours |
Minimum 4 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Land and Sea Tour St. Lucia |
$100 per adult |
About 7 to 8 hours including pickup and drop-off (about 3 hours on land, 3 on the water) |
up to 12 (small group), or private |
Guarantees you will be back at the ship with time to spare | Check dates | ||
Sail, Snorkel & Kayak (Morning Tour) |
$105 per adult |
4.5 hours |
up to 20 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Snorkel & Coastal Cruise |
$109 per person |
3 hours; check-in 12:45 pm, departs 1:15 pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Lethe Village Bamboo Rafting & Cultural Experience |
$109 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Kittiwake |
$110 per person |
3 hours (9:00 am or 1:00 pm) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Spectrum ATV Tour |
$110 per person |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Daily Snorkel Lunch Cruise |
$110 per adult |
5 hours (9:30 am to 2:30 pm) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Catamaran Snorkeling Trip |
$110 per adult |
Approx. 5 hours (10:00 am to 3:00 pm), 1 to 1.5 hours of sailing |
None; cruise guests may join but do so at their own risk | Check dates | |||
Chilkoot Lake Nature and Wildlife Viewing |
$111 per adult |
2.5 hours (4-hour version with lunch also offered) |
2 person minimum; maximum typically 14 (FAQ) |
Says it will get guests back in time for their cruise ship departure | Check dates | ||
Eagle Island Kayak |
$115 per person |
About 210 minutes |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Mystic Cades Reef Sail & Snorkel Tour |
$115 per person |
6 hours (the description also calls it a 5-hour excursion); starts 10:00 |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Snorkel Adventure Trip (AM or PM) |
$118.80 per adult |
Boat departs 9:00 AM returns 12:30 PM (AM) or 1:30-4:30 PM (PM), plus bus transfers |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search |
$120 per person |
3 hours |
up to 10 |
'Back to Ship on Time Guaranteed' | Check dates | ||
Submarine Day Dive |
$120 per adult |
About 1 hour 45 minutes, 40 to 45 minutes underwater |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Klondike Summit to Sea Bicycle Tour |
$125 per person |
2.5 hours, about 15 miles riding |
4 to 12 guests, 1 guide per 6 |
No guarantee stated; complimentary ride back to your ship's dock offered | Check dates | ||
Wildlife Tour (Silver Bay) |
$125 per person |
3.5 hrs |
2-6 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
The Eco Tour |
$125 per person |
Capped at 31 guests (boat certified for 49) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Resurrection Bay Tour |
$129 per person |
Half-day, about 4 hours (7:20-11:20 am or 11:20 am-3:20 pm) |
Groups over 14 contact the office |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Stingray Snorkel & Island Tour |
$135 per person |
About 4.5 to 5 hours |
Minimum 3 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Luxury Day Sail |
$139 per adult |
5 hours (10 AM - 3 PM) |
Max 38 guests (shared) |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
St. Lucia Catamaran Day Tour to Soufriere for Cruise Ship Passengers |
$145 per adult |
7 hours, about 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, starting and ending at the cruise port |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Haines Eagle Float |
$150 per person |
0.5 days |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Soufrière Day Trip from Castries |
$150 per person |
About 7 hours (pickup 7:30 to 9:00 am, back about 4:30 to 5:00 pm) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
White Pass Summit Excursion |
$155 per adult |
2.5 to 2.75 hours, 40 miles round trip |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
The Afternoon Cruise |
$155 per adult |
4 hours (departs 2:45 pm, back about 6:45 pm) |
About 12 guests |
No formal guarantee; operator says this sail suits ships with all-aboard of 7:30 pm or later | Check dates | ||
Premier Catamaran Whale Watch |
$159 per person |
4 hours (about 1 hour round-trip transfer, 3 hours on the water) |
up to 49 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Sitka's Coastal Wildlife Cruise |
$169 per adult |
1.5 hours |
6 minimum, 42 maximum |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Chilkoot Lake Kayak - Haines Departure |
$169 per person |
4 hours total from Haines |
4 to 14 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Glacier Quest Cruise |
$169 per adult |
3 hours 45 minutes (1:00 pm to 4:45 pm), May 15 to September 12, 2027 |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
2-Hour Whale Watching & Wildlife Viewing |
$175 per person |
2 hours |
2 minimum, 6 maximum |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Wildlife Tours |
$175 per person |
2 hours |
On time guaranteed return | Check dates | |||
Orca Cove Kayak & Boat Tour |
$179 per person |
3 hours, including 1.5 to 1.75 hours kayaking |
Maximum 6 guests |
No guarantee stated; operator says no one has ever missed a cruise departure | Check dates | ||
Yukon Adventure & Suspension Bridge Excursion |
$180 per adult |
7.25 hours; season May 12 to September 16, 2026 |
25-passenger bus |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Guided Kayak Tour |
$180 per person |
3 hours |
up to 12 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Sitka Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour |
$199 per person |
2, 3 or 4 hours |
Maximum 6 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Humpback Whale Watching and Brown Bear Search Tour |
$200 per person |
3 hours (5.5-hour option) |
4 to 6 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Mendenhall Glacier Guided Hike |
$209 per person |
6 hours |
No formal guarantee; they work closely with cruise passengers to ensure timely returns to the ship | Check dates | |||
Kenai Fjords and Resurrection Bay Half Day Tour |
$209 per person |
3.5 hours (8:30 am-12:00 pm or 1:00-4:30 pm) |
2-6 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Stingray City Love Tour |
$230 per group |
Billed by the hour; about 1 hour each way to Stingray City, sailing back |
Private, up to 6 |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
6 Hour Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise |
$259 per adult |
6 hours (11:30 am-5:30 pm or 8:00 am-2:00 pm) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Swimming Pig Adventure (Exuma) |
$299 per adult |
Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Misty Fjords Flightseeing |
$329 per person |
About 1.75 hours including check-in; 60-minute flight |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Private Full Island Tour |
$360 per group |
4 hours (slots listed 9:00 am to 1:30 pm and 2:00 to 6:30 pm) |
1 to 15 guests |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
5-Glacier Seaplane Exploration |
$370 per adult |
About 1 hour 15 minutes check-in to return; 40 minutes flight time |
10-passenger de Havilland Otter, window seat for every guest |
Back-on-Time Guarantee; tours scheduled with ship schedules in mind | Check dates | ||
Misty Fjords Flightseeing Tour |
$395 per person |
2 hours plus about 15 minutes transfer each end; budget 2.5 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Falmouth Cruise Ship Package |
$400 per group |
4 hours |
up to 5 people |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Juneau Glacier Helicopter Tour | Herbert Glacier Icefield Excursion |
$429 per person |
2 hours 35 minutes total; about 25 minutes flightseeing and 35-40 minutes on the glacier |
up to 6 standard passengers per helicopter |
Not stated | Check dates | ||
Mendenhall Glacier and Guided Walk by Helicopter |
$449 per person |
2 hours 15 minutes including transfers; about 30 minutes flying and 20-25 minutes on the glacier |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Glacier Discovery by Helicopter |
$479 per person |
2 hours including transfers; about 40 minutes flying and about 40 minutes on the glacier |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Cruise Passenger Shared Fishing Charter |
$595 per person |
Your in-port time |
up to 6 per boat |
Guaranteed on-time return to the ship; full refund and transport to the next port if the captain misses it | Check dates | ||
Juneau Glacier Dog Sledding & Helicopter Tour |
Not listed |
2 hours 45 minutes; about 30 minutes flight time and about 60 minutes on the glacier |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
6 hr. Classic Kenai Fjords Park Tour |
Not listed |
5.5-6 hours (several daily departures, 2027 season May 1 to Sep 26) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Sandy Toes Day Excursion (Rose Island) |
Not listed |
Check-in 9:30am, boat departs 10:00am, returns 3:45pm |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Snorkeling Tour (Creole Rock) |
Not listed |
2.5 hours |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
Bamboo river rafting on the Martha Brae |
Not listed |
About 1 hour 15 minutes on the raft |
Not stated | Check dates | |||
West Shuttle with Crystal Caves Guided Tour |
Not listed |
Guided tour about 90 minutes, hourly from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (may close early in slow season) |
Not stated | Check dates |
Each operator's cheapest listed excursion, from its own website on October 22, 2026. Check your ship's all-aboard time before booking. Every operator's back-to-ship policy.
Before you book off the ship
What happens if an independent tour gets me back late?
The ship can leave without you, and getting to the next port is at your own cost. That's why the return policy matters. Some operators state a guarantee: Sitka Fishing Excursions, for example, promises a full refund and transport to the next port if the captain misses the ship. Others only say their tours are timed around ship schedules. Leave a buffer: Coastal Helicopters in Juneau asks for 45 minutes after arrival and before departure, and Roatan Exclusive plans to have you back 90 minutes before departure.
Do I get a refund if my ship skips the port?
With many operators, yes, but check the listing. Klondike Tours in Skagway, Southeast Exposure in Ketchikan, Hoonah Travel Adventures at Icy Strait Point and Captain Marvin's in Grand Cayman all state a refund or no charge if the ship doesn't make it. Leon Tours in Costa Maya offers a voucher or a 50% deposit refund instead.
Do I need a passport for a shore excursion?
For any tour that crosses into Canada from Skagway, yes, and Klondike Tours and Frontier Excursions ask for one even on their White Pass tours. The White Pass and Yukon Route train's Summit Excursion doesn't need one.
Which ports use tenders?
Grand Cayman and Belize City are tender ports, so add the tender ride (about 15 minutes in Belize) to your timing. Most other ports on this site have docks, but check yours: ships that anchor in Sitka or at Icy Strait Point tender passengers ashore, and Ketchikan's Ward Cove pier is about 5.5 miles from downtown.