Cruising is great. You can do most things on your own for a minimal fee. This includes the beach. Some cruisers pay for ship transportation to and from the beach. This is called a ship sponsored excursion. Other travelers simply find a local cabbie and go to the beach this way. It is much cheaper to go to the beach on your own. However, you must keep track of ship time (the captain will leave you if you're late, ive seen it happen). If you want to save money, go to the beach via cab or public transportation. If you want peace of mind, purchase a ship excursion to the beach. For the first time cruiser, id recommend going purchasing the ship excursion. But since I'm a frequent cruiser now, I save tons of money doing these things on my own. Stay safe and enjoy your cruise!