Choosing and booking shore excursions for a cruise is a simple process. Choose a port, read the cruise line’s options, and choose an activity you enjoy. Research each port, book online in advance, or have your travel agent handle it. Cruise lines often emphasize the risk of going independently on overpriced shore excursions, so it’s important to agree on a meeting point with the tour company. Book excursions as early as possible, stick with cruise lines on complicated outings, research tour options before the cruise, and look outside the cruise. For a highly-personalized experience on shore, book a private excursion with a tour operator or through a tour operator. Shore excursions are designed for cruise ship passengers to maximize their time in specific destinations, and while they are usually cheaper, it’s recommended to plan ahead and book in advance with a reputable company. This will help you discover hidden gems and must-see experiences on your cruise.
📹 CRUISE EXCURSIONS: Pros & Cons of Cruise VS Private Excursions (my exact planning process)
Going on a cruise and planning your shore excursions? Avoid these mistakes when booking excursions with the cruise line, …
Do I need cash for cruise excursions?
Insider Tip: Booking with CruiseInsider means extra perks and additional shipboard credit on most sailings! The amount may vary by cruise line, special offer, stateroom category or itinerary, but be sure to ask our experts if you are eligible for more shipboard credit!. In port. You will most likely need cash while you’re off the ship, especially in foreign ports. Not only can it save you money in foreign transaction fees that most credit card companies charge, but if you’re traveling to certain parts of the world, you may encounter places where credit cards aren’t accepted.
We recommend paying for on shore purchases that are over $10 with a credit card to reduce the amount of cash you need to carry when off-ship and for a good record of your purchase, and use pocket change or local currency for the rest.
In many spots, you’ll need cash for everything from sweets to sodas to souvenirs sold by street vendors and small mom-and-pop shops. If you’re cruising to large cities, say Rome or Barcelona for example, you’ll be able to use plastic in most cases. From shopping and shore excursions to dining and drinking, there will be plenty of ways to spend – so think about the overall itinerary and what your priorities are when it comes to budgeting your money.
Is it worth paying for cruise excursions?
Shore excursions are one of the most common parts of a trip that cruise passengers take an extra credit card hit on. From guided tours to private beach clubs, shore excursions can help make the most of your time in each port your cruise visits. You don’t need to book a shore excursion at all you can simply get off the ship and walk around or explore on your own. But going on an excursion can certainly be a worthwhile experience.
You might have dozens, or even hundreds of options to choose from for shore activities. But all can be broken down into two general categories those sold directly by your cruise line and those sold through local or third-party companies.
As an avid cruiser, I’ve done both and have had good and bad experiences with each option. Neither is necessarily a bad way to go. One of my favorite shore excursions I’ve ever done was a resort day pass in St. Kitts I booked through a third-party travel site. But another all-time favorite was a guided tour of top attractions in Jamaica that I booked directly through Carnival while on one of their ships.
How do you not spend a lot of money on a cruise?
10 First Time Cruise Tips to Help You Avoid Wasting MoneySpecialty Restaurants. Most cruise ships nowadays have pretty impressive buffet-style dining venues and even cafes that are already included in your fare. … Drink Packages. … Product Upsells. … Movies On Demand. … Shore Excursions. … Phone Data Roaming Charges. … ATM Fees. … Gambling.
You did it! You booked your first cruise vacation and now you are waiting patiently for the day to come.
The best part is you don’t have to worry about finding the best hotels, finding food, or arranging the cheapest transportation!
But before you head into the ship, you should know not everything on the cruise ship is free. Let’s look at some first time cruise tips you must know so you won’t be hit with a big bill at the end of your trip.
Is it best to buy excursions in advance?
– It’s better to reserve excursions ahead of time. They will probably be cheaper (and when you’re paying for four, face it, that matters — plus Alaskan excursions are particularly expensive), and the most popular excursions may sell out.
We are a family of 4 going on our first ever cruise. We will be joining my parents. Do we have to book all of our excursions in advance? What happens if the weather is awful or one of us gets sick the day of the excursion – are we able to cancel or switch the credit to another excursion? Or can we book some of them once we’re on the boat? Will different excursions get added as we get closer to the sail date? We’re going to Alaska in early June and I’m anticipating lots of cold, wet weather.
Alaska has very limited capacity for most of their shore excursions. Yes you should book any and all excursions that you absolutely want to do in advance. The most popular excursions will sell out in Alaska well in advance.
I believe you must cancel your excursions 24 hours in advance to get a refund. You can switch to another excursions if one is available. Check the terms and conditions for the cancellation policy of your particular cruise line.
How to pick shore excursions?
Bottom line. The key to booking the best shore excursions is knowing what you want from your cruise vacation and making sure that your tour choices support those goals.
Don’t compromise and pay for a tour you’re not thrilled about because there’s usually a better option out there. Make sure you understand what you’re getting with each excursion choice and that you and your travel companions are both able and excited to participate fully in the listed tour activities.
And never feel pressured to book a tour when a leisurely day wandering about port — or even sleeping in and enjoying the ship with fewer people on board — is just what you need for a perfect vacation day.
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Do excursions sell out on cruises?
What if the shore excursion I am interested in is sold out?Check back often. Unfortunately, it does happen that some of the more popular shore excursions will sell out. However, cancellations may occur from time to time. We recommend that you book all shore excursions as early as possible after booking your cruise and meeting all deposit requirements for each of the guests you are booking shore excursions for. If an excursion is not available, you may want to search for alternate excursions within the same activity type or see the Shore Excursion Manager onboard to check for last minute cancellations. The option to waitlist an excursion is not available at this time.
When will I receive my pre-paid shore excursion tickets?Pre-paid shore excursion tickets will be delivered to your stateroom after sailing on the first evening of your cruise.
Which shore excursions are recommended for physically challenged guests?It depends on the type and degree of the disability. In general, if guests are able to walk on their own, we recommend those excursions that are designated as easy or moderate activity. See specific excursion activity levels.
Do you take your passport with you on excursions?
Should you take your passport with you on shore excursions? No, you shouldn’t bring your passport, unless your tour requires it. We recommend bringing your driver’s license as a form of ID instead. You don’t want to risk losing your passport ashore. In the event of an injury or other unexpected event that forces you to stay in port, the cruise line will bring all your stuff (documents included) to you so you’re not left stranded.
Regardless of the shore excursion you’re taking, it’s always smart to have a little cash on you for emergencies, tips and shopping. But there’s no need to bring a roll of hundreds unless you plan to purchase an entire market stall. Bring some cash (we find $50 or so usually suffices) and a credit card. If you’re in a country that requires you to exchange currency, bring a debit card. ATMs offer better exchange rates than banks and currency-conversion centers.
Related: Credit Card Mishaps That Could Ruin Your Cruise.
Can I get off my cruise ship without an excursion?
Guests are not obligated to book a shore excursion and free to explore ports of call on their own. While onboard the ship, all guests will be advised as to when they should be back on board the ship prior to sailing. Generally, the ship’s all aboard time is scheduled approximately 30 minutes prior to sailing; this time should be verified once onboard and will be posted near the ship’s gangway. The ship will not wait for any guest faring on their own, as it is their responsibility to be onboard before the ship’s scheduled departure time.
Can you book excursions outside of the cruise line?
You Will Save Money. When booking a cruise vacation, it’s important to know you have options. There is no obligation to sign up for a shore excursion through the cruise line, despite the inclination to. By booking your shore excursion through us, you will undoubtedly save money on tours at port that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Stretching your dollar an extra 25-40% by booking with a third party in no way means having to sacrifice the quality of your vacation. We stand by the tours we arrange, and the prices are as low as you’ll find anywhere else, so you don’t need to buy tours with the cruise line. As a show of our commitment to making sure you save cash, we’ve employed a Price Match Guarantee. If you find a lower price elsewhere on a tour we offer, we’ll match it!
You Will Be Part of a Smaller Tour Group. The last thing any cruise vacationer should want is to experience being herded in and out of port because of the cruise line’s itinerary. We’ve prioritized your experience. As such, our tour groups are smaller, more personable and without that feeling of being on a school trip with the entire 8th grade. You’ll have the opportunity to relax, to really absorb the culture of each port city, and to do it in a much more comforting context than one where you’re made to feel like a number.
You Will Be with Trusted Tour Operators. The simple truth is we have long-standing relationships with local tour operators who provide the shore excursion you deserve. We don’t merely accept money from a souvenir shop looking to capitalize on travelers like some cruise lines might. We strike deals with knowledgeable guides who are tuned in to the attitudes and traditions of each locale, and it’s all to provide you with an experience as authentic as possible.
Is it cheaper to book excursions on the ship?
Is it cheaper to book shore excursions on the ship?. No. Most cruise lines either charge the same prices for shore excursions booked online and on board or offer a discount for tours purchased in advance. For example, Royal Caribbean often advertises up to 30% off select tours reserved ahead of the sailing.
Do I need to tip on shore excursions?. Whether you’re on a cruise line sponsored or independent shore excursion, a best practice is to tip your tour guides at the end of the tour. Exceptions are if tips are included in the price or if you’re visiting a country with a non-tipping culture, where offering cash would be awkward.
Tipping is a personal matter, and there are no hard and fast rules. I canvassed TPG’s cruise team and we agreed that we give roughly $5 to $10 per person for half-day tours and $10 to $20 per person for full-day excursions, adjusted for service and quality. Tip non-guide drivers roughly $2 per person in your party.
How do I find the best cruise excursions?
How to find a cruise excursion you’ll actually enjoyBook excursions as early as possible.Stick with cruise lines on complicated outings.Research tour options before the cruise.Look outside the terminal for better prices.Ask locals what to do, eat and drink.Give yourself at least an hour for the return.
Ben Souza has had some unforgettable shore excursions. On a cruise from Singapore to Thailand, he and his wife visited an elephant sanctuary, a high point in their dozen years of cruising. On a Caribbean voyage, he booked a tranquil day at a Bahamas resort. The property turned out to be ratty, with a trash-filled pool and a mediocre beach.
Unlike with the animal encounter in Phuket, he wishes he could wipe that outing from his memory.
“If I had been on my own private tour, I could have left and went to a better place to relax,” said Souza, the editor of Cruise Fever who has sailed on 75 ships with 18 cruise lines.
📹 Cruise shore excursions: What you need to know
Taking a tour around the ports your cruise ship visits is an integral part of the cruise experience. Here’s how to tackle finding and …
Cruise ship shore excursions are getting more and more expensive. I was on a Rome Mediterranean cruise 10 days ago. There were 6 ports and the average price for Land Excursions were averaging $200 for average 5 hours. I did not join any of them. I did my homework and took bus, Taxi and train my myself to varies attractions. I got off the ship and talked to varies companies offering tours. I kept good notes of how I did it and which private tour I took. There may be sites that we can share this information.
Like you, I have done both ship and private excursions. I also do my research on each port. I have found Cruise Critic to be a valuable tool and I have often joined one of the excursions on my Roll Call. It’s fun cause you kinda get to meet & chat with some of the passengers who will be on your excursion. The benefit of these smaller private tours, besides being much less expensive than ship tours, is that you’re with a much smaller group. That’s a big plus. After researching the ports … eg Rome, and seeing how far a drive it was from the port … I decided to go with the ship excursion. Always safer should there be any delay due to traffic, etc. At least you know the ship will wait for you. But at the same token, when I research a private tour, I always make sure that they have in writing … a guarantee that they will get you back to the ship in plenty of time … or it is their responsibility to get you to the next port. Believe me, they do not want to get you back late. I have never had any issue with a private tour.
I’m doing the cruise-purchased excursion. It’s safer, so I don’t have to be a ‘pier runner’! RESEARCH INFO FOR A SNORKELING EXCURSION: I did do research for my Ensenada snorkeling excursion, and I am SO glad I did!\r \r We’re going October 30-Nov 3 2023 on the 4 night-5 day Navigator OTS cruise with ports at Catalina and Ensenada. \r \r 1. According to another cruise line’s info (name indicates royalty, hint, hint), I noticed it takes 1 & 1/2 hours from the Ensenada pier to Todos Santos. The excursion on the RCCL webpage states the whole excursion lasts 4 hours. If it’s 3 hours to get there and back, that’s not much time to get a wetsuit on and snorkel!\r \r 2. I’ve been reading other articles about snorkeling and I’ve incorporated some swimming and water aerobics into my regular workout, to supplement my fitness level. I’ve also practiced doing the ‘giant stride’ into the pool that snorkelers and divers do getting into the water, while holding my mask. (Without the mask, it’s the same ‘giant stride’ lifeguards do.)\r \r 3. I made a plan of what to bring with me, such as a waterproof pouch for my phone, a bag to put my clothing and other stuff in, and another around-the-waist waterproof pouch for my ID, SeaPass and tip money. I’m going to get Ilana’s recommended waterproof bag. \r \r 4. I tried on my kid’s wetsuit. What a pain, but at LEAST I know to bring a supermarket bag for my feet so I can ‘slide’ into the wetsuit! That was ANOTHER research snorkeling tips article I found online!
We had the opposite happen to us in Belize…it was a cloudy rainy day and we watched the 30 people on the cruise line excursion get in a small boat and they covered them with a tarp and off they went. We met up with our private guide and they told us that we would not have a good time with the bad weather and immediately gave us back our deposit. I was impressed with their integrity! Over all we do a mix of private and cruise line, usually depending on the timing and distance of the activity.
My first two cruises I just got off the ship and picked a cab to take me around the island. Wasn’t until later I found out how stupid we were. Since that time I usually use the ship excursions. I would rather pay a little more, know I’m safe, and have the ship wait for me. When I use a private company I do all the research you suggested. You gave the first timers some really good information.
A great idea you brought up was to bring the ships “port guide”, I do check reviews on private excursions,which really helps us to decide whether to use that company or not.we had one of our best private excursions ever solely based on the review’s. I did make the mistake of not checking the reviews on one company and BARELY made it back to the ship on time,not to mention we had a miserable time on it to boot! Thanks for you’re wonderful advice!
As a woman traveling alone on cruises, I book cruise line excursions because I feel they are safer options in a lot of ports. I have never been disappointed in the excursions I have booked; however, I do spend a lot of time looking at them for ones that meet my interests, etc. I always look for longer excursions so I get as much time in port as possible. I also always read all the reviews.
Hi Ilana!! Really appreciate this info. I’ve always booked with the cruise line. Many unforseen things can happen that could keep you from getting back to the ship on time. I’ve heard stories of how difficult it is to get to your next port if you miss the ship. Also, I know folks that were robbed when in a private taxi on an on-your-own tour. Better to be safe.
I agree about bringing the port guide. On a Princess Alaskan cruise several years back I left my camera bag with extra lens on a bench in Juneau. My camera was around my neck. I did not realize it was missing for a while and could not find it. I contacted Princess and someone had turned it in. I had no ID on the bag (stupid I know) but did have the Port Guide in there so someone turned it over to Princess. I contacted them and they sent it back to me at no charge!
We usually either book ship tours, or if it’s a walkable port we do our own thing. One time we went exploring without a ship tour was a great money saver. In Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier tour was available, can’t recall the price, over $100 for sure. We found a local bus for something like $10, and we didn’t have to be back for return bus trip at a certain time as they ran hourly. It worked out well. But I would always do a ship tour if the return time was within a few hours of “all aboard” just in case!
Very helpful, thanks. As you said, go online and read reviews. Read lots of comments. We went on a catamaran excursion in Grand Cayman that we found this way and it was a great decision. We did everything the cruise line excursion did plus more, and since there were 7 of us we got individual attention at a cheaper price. The crew constantly monitored weather and changed the itinerary slightly to avoid a bad patch. They kept us apprised of what they were hearing. The key was that a member of our group had done lots of research.
Another informative article! If I am doing a long excursion like 5 hrs or more I usually do ot through tje cruise line. I have done a few tours with locals that have been great… the best one being on St. Kitts 🙂. If I have been to tje same port multiple times and have already done excursions, I usually just go off on my own and roam around and talk with the locals.. most are usually friendly… some not so much.
Hello Ilana, Thank you for all of your helpful hints and advice. We do both, book with the ship and also on our own. We look at the arrival and departure times and distance to the port. Many times in Europe especially, we book free walking tours of the city. Usually they are around an hour or two and you get a glimpse of the city’s history. Proximity is important in planning cruise tours on your own.
Some great tips and food for thought, Ilana. Five years ago on a stops in Aruba and Bonaire we went private and were very well pleased. As you mentioned, we did our homework researching, especially with Cruise Critic, which is very interactive upon joining. Great advice. Most other times it has been through the cruise lines. Be well. Love your website! 😊👍👍👍
Good informative article. For now I will book ships excursions for peace of mind and ease of use. We have a trip booked for Oct out of San Pedro to Cabo. We will book ships excursion. Thank for all the great tips. We have used private tour companies overseas in Europe. Have only used ships excursions for our cruises out of US ports
Hi Ilana. As always a great article. You are spot on with what you say about research etc. Absolutely check out CruiseCritic, Trip Advisor, and other cruise sites for this. Other vloggers too. Just a few comments. Great idea to take your port guide with you because there is a map in there. Ask a friendly crew member (like me) what are good places to visit. A lot of us go to the same ports over and over and we know what’s worthy and what’s not. If in doubt always go on the ship excursion, there’s always peace of mind. Some private tours are amazing and cheaper. Sometimes we see them on buses going to the same places because there are only so many attractions to visit so we all go to the same places. Like Roberts Hawaii. They operate all the school buses in Hawaii for example and do all sorts of tours, very big and reliable. Also, Shore Excursions, thats the name of the company! Two managers from 2 different cruise lines that managed the excursions got together and formed their own company. They are excellent and yes they will get you back on time. They are very big. In the Caribbean on small islands there are island tours. I would suggest 4 people renting a car for $80 and doing it yourself. BTW how many beaches can you visit? The islands are small enough that you are never farther than 20 minutes or half an hour from the ship. The hop on and hop offs you can just pay for there. They are a great value and you won’t get lost as you eventually end up where you started. Somebody bought up a great point, the farther away you are from the ship, the greater the risk.
We almost always book with the ship. We have been on 2 excursions, where they held up the ship. It was a good thing we were booked with re ship. If no ship excursion, we either just walk around a bit. Once we went to the Marine Animal park and I swam with a manatee and a sea lion. We did book that on our own, but we just need we a short taxi.
5 stops on our TA. Explored on our own in 4 ports. The other we used the ship shore excursions because the attraction was over an hour from the port. We were slightly late in getting back. Ship held of course. Upcoming cruise we booked 6 ship excursions becaise of Covid rule uncertainty. $50 per cabin per excursion helped.
I have always booked with the cruise ship. I will never book private when on international/foreign cruises. I like the safety factor. The expense is worth the peace of mind, IMO. It could cost you several times more if there’s any mishaps or issues with private tour. I don’t need the stress. 😳 I’m on vacation, after all. ⛱ Thank you for that note about the port agent phone number and information. 👍🏼😎
2/2……I’m having trouble with these issues as I am currently preparing for a 34-day Antartica/South America cruise this December, during the end of year/beginning of year holidays. Even most of the youtubes aren’t very.helpful, and I’m having more trouble than usual with excursions aligning with the ship’s schedule and porting info. Anyway, thanks for your many helpful articles, even though I found this one lacking.
We do both, but try to stay away from the cruise line excursions if possible. Research, Research, Research… whatsinport.com is also useful and may have additional links to port excursions, and TripAdvisor is always useful too. Sometimes if we dock right in town, we might just pre-plan what we want to see or do while in port, and either walk, bus or taxi if need be. 👍 Another thing is to book a rental car. $20 for an international driver license is pretty cheap and good for a year. Many car rental offices are close to the port and some offer dock pickup & drop-off. Enjoying Life One Port at a Time! ❤️
I usually book myself or sometimes if I research and find that there is no real need to book because there is a lot to do near the port or you can easily get to (eg. Nassau, Cozumel, Barcelona, Vancouver) I just wing it). One thing I always check (on top of Tripadvisor and asking on Cruise Critic and maybe Facebook) is: Do they cater to cruise ships? Tour companies that cater to cruise ships will adjust their schedule to the ship, they will probably know the difference between local time and ship time, and they will adjust the tour if they are running behind.
We are going on our first cruise ever and are planning on doing a private car and personal tour guide through the Amalfi Coast! While I am excited, do you have tips on how to plan the private excursions? How long after we dock should we have the car pick us up, and when should we be back by? An hour before? We are cruising Norwegian. Thanks for all your help!
I think everyone has to make their own decision based on their own comfort level, their own research, and their own travel history/experience level. Everyone will have different comfort levels. I will do things on my own (depending on locale) or with my husband, that I will not do with my son, or with friends who are not as experienced. I won’t put my comfort level to theirs. I don’t want to put THEM in situations where they are uncomfortable or feel unsafe. I wont put myself in a situation (in a cruising situation) where I think its possible I might miss the all aboard time. That’s usually my largest concern in a port excursion. I have a cruise in August with my son (teenager) and my best friend and her two teenage sons. One of our excursions is a cruise sponsored one, the other a non cruise one (but one I have done previously with my sister). Neither my friend or her boys have ever been on a cruise. Her boys have never traveled, really. She has but not since her 20s. We are all looking forward to it! Your experience on the water would have had me concerned too, and I’m an experienced boater and diver. Maybe not so much for myself, but, especially with kids aboard. That would have made me really nervous.
I have trust issues 😇🤣 so I go through the cruiseline. But I also view cruising as an opportunity to taste test so to speak of a different part of the world and see if I like it enough to do a full on vacation there. Just figure, the $20-50 I spend extra is a lot less than a hotel and flight upon missing the ship.
When I did my excursions on my last cruise the ports were easy and accessible to get to I would spend a half a day in the port I got back to the ship at lunch time and stay on board as I get tired if I have a long day and take a while to recover from it, if I don’t know a place I would get a cruise line excursion just to be on the safe side
I’m a traveller who generally fly’s to a location and gets a car and then drives to all the places on my itinerary from there. I’ve been thinking about a cruise while perusal all these different articles and the peer runner articles make me apprehensive about doing my own thing if I do a cruise. I just don’t want to be that guy lol. I certainly don’t want to get to a peer and have my heart drop into my shoes as I watch my ship sailing away without me bc of traffic or something like that. Yikes hahaha.
how far is destination from port? do attractions require reservations to skip long lines? do your destinations allow excursions passengers to skip visas? do destinations speak english ( or whichever language you speak, if you speak italian you can go to spanish or romania, if you speak german, hungary usually will be fine, czech poland slovakia possibly russia will be fine, also expedition safari security is worth the cost
1/2 Found this article rather thin and unsatisfying compared to your others. You keep saying “Do Your Research” as if that’s easy—it’s especially difficult to research less frequently visited, smaller, shorter season ports. Also I need more of your advice about which private vendors/websites to use, and not use, for non-ship excursions……….