Shore Excursions vs DIY in Asia: What’s Actually Worth Booking Through Celebrity Cruises?
I’ve just returned from an incredible Asia sailing on Celebrity Solstice, and if there’s one thing I learned, it’s that shore excursions in Asia are very different at each port. Some ports are easy to explore independently and save money—others are absolutely worth the cost and safety of the Celebrity excursion.
Celebrity’s own excursions are reliable, comfortable, and stress-free… but they can also be expensive. In Asia especially, you can often book private tours for a fraction of the price.
So what’s worth booking through the cruise line, and what’s better to do on your own?
Here’s my honest breakdown—based on real experiences, wins, mistakes, and moments where I definitely wished I’d chosen differently.
Celebrity Excursions vs DIY: When Each Option Makes Sense
Before we get into the port-by-port guide, here’s what I wish I knew before my cruise:
DIY is great when:
- Transport is easy
- The port is close to the attractions
- You can book reliable private drivers or tours
- You want a custom, flexible day
- The price difference is huge
Celebrity excursions are worth it when:
- The port is far from the city
- Local transport is unreliable or chaotic
- You’re worried about safety and scams
- Getting back to the ship on time is tricky
- You want zero hassle
And on this Asia itinerary? I had all of these scenarios.
Koh Samui – DIY Was a Massive Win
Koh Samui is a tender port, but otherwise it’s one of the easiest stops to explore independently.
What I did:
I booked a private driver through Viator for £110 total for 6 people (less than £20pp). He picked us up right at the pier, handed us a map, and recommended a route covering all the top spots.
What Celebrity was charging:
£100 per person for similar tours.
Verdict: 100% DIY
This is exactly the kind of port where booking privately saves you money and gives you total freedom. Our experience was smooth, affordable, and honestly better than a bus tour would have been. Although, this tour did require you to have mobile data/wifi as I had to confirm the pick up and let Viator know I was attending. If you think this will be a concern when you are on board, maybe a Celebrity excursion is better.
Bangkok – I Saved Money… But I Should Have Used Celebrity
Bangkok is incredible—but getting there isn’t. The port (Laem Chabang) is around 2.5 hours from the city, meaning transport can be stressful. It took us over 3 hours to get to our hotel due to traffic, so it is a LONG journey!
What I did:
We booked a hotel in Bangkok and did an overnight off the ship. For transport, we negotiated our own taxis.
Our return taxis worked out at £32pp, but we had to barter hard, deal with hassle, and hope we were getting a fair price.
What Celebrity offered:
Their “Explore Bangkok On Your Own” overnight transfer was roughly £40pp, with a bus that drops you directly in the city centre. They then picked you up the next day and returned you to the ship for sail away.
My honest verdict:
I really wish I booked the Celebrity transfer.
The difference was only £8pp, and we would’ve avoided the taxi stress, bartering, and uncertainty. The overnight on your own excursion is one of the cruise line’s best-value offerings, and I’d take it if I ever return.
Phu My (for Ho Chi Minh City) – DO NOT DIY This One
Ho Chi Minh City is another port located far from the action—around 1.5–2 hours away.
What happened to us:
We booked a Grab (Asia’s Uber), and when he arrived at the port, he warned us that the taxis outside the port are mafia-run and that Grab drivers can be blocked or intimidated. We had spent 20 minutes being heckled by drivers outside of the port, before we ordered the Grab.
Whether or not that’s 100% true, the tension felt very real.
My verdict:
Always book a cruise line excursion here.
Or, if not through the ship, book a reputable operator or a pre-booked Grab. This is not the place for “winging it” or negotiating with local taxis. When you got off the ship, there was even local buses that took you into Ho Chi Minh for roughly £50pp.
Safety > savings.
Da Nang / Hoi An – Booking Through Celebrity Was the Best Choice
Hoi An is a dream—but it’s not close to port. Traffic can be unpredictable, and if you’re exploring independently, you really need reliable transport. There are other options which are closer to the port in Chan May, such as Da Nang and Ba Na Hills, but Hoi An has been on my bucket list for years and I was grateful to have had a taste of this beautiful city.
What I booked:
Celebrity’s “Hoi An On Your Own – Independent Explorer” excursion.
Why it was great:
- Comfortable, air-conditioned transfer
- No stress about timing
- Drop-off right in the heart of Hoi An
- All the freedom to explore independently
Verdict: Ship excursion recommended
The cost was worth the convenience and peace of mind. Hoi An is too beautiful to spend your day negotiating taxis or worrying about getting back on time.
Ha Long Bay – DIY for the Win (with a Trusted Local Company)
This was the best DIY experience of the entire cruise. We were lucky enough to have been docked in Ha Long City over night and on day 1 we had a beautiful walk along the beach, stopping at beach bars and swimming in the sea. On the second day, we booked an excursion through the beautiful Ha Long Bay.
What I booked:
A highly recommended local operator called Ha Long Excursions.
Why it was amazing:
- Perfectly timed boat trip designed for cruise passengers
- A short 10-minute walk to meet the guide at the pier
- Quick transfer to a different harbour with no crowds
- A private, relaxing, unforgettable day
We had the BEST day—quiet, beautiful, tailored, and stress-free.
Verdict: Definitely DIY (with a reputable company)
Local tours in Ha Long Bay are exceptional value and often more authentic than large cruise-line tours.
So… Should You Book Shore Excursions Through Celebrity?
After experiencing every type of port on this itinerary, here’s the final breakdown:
Best DIY Ports:
✔ Koh Samui
✔ Ha Long Bay
Best Ship Excursion Ports:
✔ Phu My (Ho Chi Minh)
✔ Da Nang / Hoi An
Borderline – Depends on your comfort level:
➖ Bangkok (if doing overnight, the ship transfer is worth it)
Final Thoughts: Know the Port Before You Decide
A lot of travellers say “always DIY, it’s cheaper!”—but Asia is not the Caribbean or Europe. Distances can be long, transport can be chaotic, and scams are more common.
My trip really highlighted this:
- Some ports are perfect for private drivers and DIY exploring
- Others are absolutely worth the cost of a ship-run tour for safety and convenience
The key is knowing which is which—and hopefully my experiences help you plan smarter and avoid the mistakes I made!
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