Thanks, Traveller. It was a good trip ... I got back home Sunday. To get to the ruins, I booked a shore excursion through the ship. You can also book excursions independently online or even at the dock after you come ashore. It's a bit more expensive booking through the ship, but you don't always know what you're getting if you book independently. Also, if you book through the ship and your excursion is late getting back to the dock, the ship will either wait on you or provide transportation to get you back to the ship. However, if you book your excursion independently and are late returning, the ship will not wait on you and you are on your own getting back on board. If the ship has sailed, you will have to find -- and pay for -- a boat (or plane) to get you back to the ship. In the past I have booked a few independent excursions, but mostly I book through the ship. - Ken
