Is The Shore Trips Group Trustworthy?

Shore Excursions Group is a reputable company offering a wide range of shore excursions to cruise passengers. With years of experience, they have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality tours and exceptional customer service. With an average size of 12 guests per excursion, Shore Excursions Group offers nearly 4,500 trips. They have received a 4-star rating from 6,357 reviews out of 6,013 and are BBB accredited since 12/23/2013.

The company has been recommended by Costco travel, who planned their trip to Venice and then cruise to the Greek Islands. Shore Excursions Group provides excellent tours with great knowledge of history, humor, and interesting details. They offer low prices, high-quality excursions, and guaranteed return to the ship. They also provide 24/7 traveler support.

However, some reviews have come across mixed reviews, such as rudeness and unprofessionalness from the guide in Rhodes. Shore Excursions Group is reputable and guarantees getting back on time or incurring all costs. Many cruises use them for their operations, but some travelers have reported dishonest practices.

Despite these issues, Shore Excursions Group has an excellent customer service record and offers a cancellation policy for all guests. The company has been in business since 1985 and has a strong reputation for providing high-quality tours and exceptional customer service.

Is ShoreTrips still in business?

Hornblower Group has completed its purchase of failed cruise excursion company ShoreTrips and plans to revive it with the support of its founders, Barry and Julie Karp. The company won a court-monitored bid to buy ShoreTrips’ assets for $1. 8 million, free of all debts, including nearly $5 million in customer payments for canceled trips. The sale was initiated after Karps filed for receivership under Wisconsin state bankruptcy protection.

How long has Oceania Cruises been in business?

Oceania Cruises is a Miami-based cruise line that operates seven ships on worldwide itineraries, offering cruises ranging from 10 to 14 days. The company’s President is Frank A. Del Rio Jr., son of co-founder Frank A. Del Rio Sr. Oceania Cruises has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings since September 2014. The company was founded in 2002 and chartered the former Renaissance Cruises ship R Two from Cruiseinvest.

In 2003, the Insignia was chartered to French travel agency TRM for three months, during which Oceania Cruises operated no vessels. In June 2003, Oceania Cruises re-commenced service with two ships: Insignia, renamed Regatta, and R One, a sister ship of Insignia/Regatta, also chartered from Cruiseinvest.

Are shore excursions worth it?

Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but a mix of guided tours and independent exploration can be the most value. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and consider both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. If you want to stay on board while your ship is docked in a port that doesn’t interest you, that’s okay. There are several guides to choosing a cruise line, including the 5 most desirable cabin locations, the 8 worst cabin locations, the ultimate guide to packing, the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks, top ways cruisers waste money, and the ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin.

Who bought ShoreTrips?

Hornblower Group has completed the acquisition of global shore excursions provider ShoreTrips, expanding its offerings to include a global shore excursion group. The acquisition will add to Hornblower’s portfolio of land-based experience companies, including Shore Excursions of America and Cruising Excursions. The acquisition will allow Hornblower to integrate both ShoreTrips’ products and offerings, aiming to position the company as a global leader in experiences and transportation. The acquisition will also broaden Hornblower’s global footprint to 111 countries and territories.

What is the riskiest part of a cruise ship?

Cruise ship areas, such as pool decks, dining rooms, and outer decks, can become hazardous during rough seas, posing risks such as slips and falls. Cabin selection can affect seasickness and comfort, with midship lower deck cabins offering stability and balcony cabins offering views but higher risk of falling overboard. Cruise ships use advanced weather forecasting and route planning to avoid rough seas, but passengers should still understand motion sickness remedies, observe safety precautions, and communicate effectively with crew members.

Dangerous areas on cruise ships include pool decks, dining rooms, and outer decks, which can lead to slip and fall accidents, drowning, illness, theft, and sexual assault. If a cruise line’s negligence causes such incidents, passengers have legal options.

Is it cheaper to buy shore excursions on the ship?

Cruise line shore excursions can be more expensive than comparable or identical alternatives. For instance, booking a shore excursion to a resort with a waterpark in the Bahamas through the cruise line is $19 cheaper per person than booking it directly through the resort itself. However, booking directly or through a third party can be easier on personal finances.

There are several advantages of booking shore excursions through the cruise line. There are often dozens of options listed for each port, making it time-consuming to research options. Cruise line excursions are designed to fit into your time in port, and the tour operator typically meets you upon arrival and provides transportation.

Seashore excursions sold through the cruise line are designed to get you back to the ship well before it leaves. However, if you are running late, the cruise line will either get you back to the ship on time or wait for you. Cruise lines also carefully select which excursion operators they are willing to do business with, as some foreign countries may have different safety standards than the United States.

Why are shore excursions so expensive?

Ship-sponsored tours are often more expensive than directly offered tours through the operator, as the cruise line serves as the middleman and inflates fees to take a cut before paying the tour company. Independent tours take smaller groups, allowing for more personalized experiences. When booking a private tour, you may be one of fewer than 20 people, compared to the smaller group sizes of third-party tours. Therefore, it’s essential to choose the right tour option for your travel needs.

Are shore excursions safe?

Cruise ship passengers face various risks during their excursions, including violence, gang violence, bus tours, and banana boat tours. In the past, a 15-year-old girl was killed by gang violence while on a shore excursion in the Virgin Islands, and multiple cruise lines had to cancel travel to certain Mexican ports due to the discovery of explosive devices on a tourist ferry. Passengers have also been sexually assaulted, robbed, and assaulted during sight-seeing and other excursions.

In 2017, twelve Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers were killed when their bus flipped over on the way to visit Mayan Ruins, with eight Americans among the dead. Riding in a bus on a cruise excursion puts passengers in the same dangers as any other activity, with the added risk of being distracted by the tour guide.

Banana boat tours can also injure and kill passengers, with a man losing his legs during a transfer from a parasailing boat to a banana boat, and a child dying and others injured due to dangerous maneuvers performed by the operator. Cruise ship passengers often lack knowledge about the safety of the boat they are on.

What are the disadvantages of shore excursion?

Cruise line excursions offer advantages such as traveling with a group of passengers and comparing notes with fellow shipmates. They are also reputable and licensed, unlike independent tours. However, downsides include potential long lines, crowded buses, and long stops at souvenir shops. Port tours can range from free on cruise lines like Viking, Crystal, and Uniworld to over $100 per person for higher-priced options like golf, helicopter rides, seaplane rides, and visits to ancient ruins.

Some lines even offer overnight excursions to swanky hotels or private limo tours. Traditional shore excursions are worth it for exploring sites far from the cruise dock, accessing historic monuments, forts, or castles, and learning more about a region.

What are the disadvantages of shore excursions?

Cruise line excursions offer advantages such as traveling with a group of passengers and comparing notes with fellow shipmates. They are also reputable and licensed, unlike independent tours. However, downsides include potential long lines, crowded buses, and long stops at souvenir shops. Port tours can range from free on cruise lines like Viking, Crystal, and Uniworld to over $100 per person for higher-priced options like golf, helicopter rides, seaplane rides, and visits to ancient ruins.

Some lines even offer overnight excursions to swanky hotels or private limo tours. Traditional shore excursions are worth it for exploring sites far from the cruise dock, accessing historic monuments, forts, or castles, and learning more about a region.

Do cruise shore excursions sell out?

If you’re interested in a shore excursion, it’s important to check back frequently as some popular options may sell out. However, it’s also possible for cancellations to occur. To avoid this, book all excursions early after booking your cruise and meeting all deposit requirements. If an excursion isn’t available, search for alternate activities or consult the Shore Excursion Manager onboard. Waitlisting is currently unavailable. Pre-paid shore excursion tickets will be delivered to your stateroom after sailing on the first evening of your cruise.

The type and degree of disability determine which excursions are recommended for physically challenged guests. For those able to walk independently, easy or moderate activity excursions are recommended.