When you’re planning out your daily itinerary for your next Caribbean cruise, keep in mind that there ARE other options besides pre-packaged shore excursions and just wandering around town on your own. Savvy cruisers (and their travel consultants!) know that many Caribbean resorts are now offering day passes so that cruise passengers can come and enjoy their facilities while they are in port.

Rates and inclusions vary greatly, but there are some bargains to be had. At some all-inclusives, you can taxi there from the port, spend the entire day using their beach/pool/watersports, eat and drink as much as you want, and then taxi back to the ship — all for less than $75 per person. It’s a great option for those who just want to relax in the sun. And it’s also a great way to “test drive” a land-based resort to see if you’d want to return there on a future vacation.

So how do you find out which resorts offer day passes? Your travel consultant is a great place to start, but you can also check out this list from online resource Cruise Critic.com