What Do Criuse Excursions Entail?

Shore excursions are unique tours that allow you to immerse yourself in each port you visit, offering a variety of activities such as sightseeing bus tours, guided visits to museums or historic sites, athletic activities, beach days, cooking or dance classes, and more. These excursions typically highlight the marquee attractions or culture of the destination you’re visiting. Cruise ships offer shore excursions, which can range from Ponant and Silversea Cruises to Seabourn Cruise Line and Viking.

Private excursions are usually cheaper than cruise excursions, but limited places on cruise ship excursions mean you may miss out on an excursion. Expert advice on when it makes most sense to book cruise shore excursions and when to explore the port on your own is available. There’s no limit on what you can do or see on a shore excursion, from sightseeing tours to cultural events and more active options.

Excursions through the cruise ship include transportation, a guide, and entry fees. However, each tour typically covers limited sites, so it’s essential to consider when it makes the most sense to book and when to explore the port on your own.

Do you pay extra for excursions on cruises?

Most cruisers add extras to their cruise fare, such as shore excursions, dinners at specialty restaurants, spa treatments, cocktails, soda, Wi-Fi, and more, despite adhering to the included fare.

Are excursions worth it?

Shore excursions are a popular part of cruise trips, offering guided tours and private beach clubs to make the most of your time in each port. While not mandatory, they can be a worthwhile experience. Shore activities can be divided into two categories: those sold directly by the cruise line and those through local or third-party companies. As an avid cruiser, I have experienced both types of excursions and have had both positive and negative experiences.

One of my favorite shore excursions was a resort day pass in St. Kitts, booked through a third-party travel site, and another was a guided tour of top attractions in Jamaica, booked directly through Carnival while on one of their ships.

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.

Can you do excursions on a cruise without a passport?

In most cases, passports are not required for cruises departing from the United States, including closed-loop cruises, Alaska or Caribbean cruises, and United States river cruises, which are popular options for travelers.

How much money should I take on a 7 day cruise?

Onboard expenses on cruises can range from $52 to $89 per day, depending on the cruise line, ship, experience, and individual preferences. Cruise lines are considered a “cashless society”, charging items to cabins using room keys or ship IDs. However, cash can be used in most situations on a cruise, such as bars, spas, casinos, excursions, and shops. It is recommended to leave most cash in the safe inside your stateroom along with important documents, passports, credit cards, IDs, and more. Those planning on dining at specialty dining restaurants, enjoying daily cocktails, enjoying spa services, or taking excursions in every port may spend more.

Do you take your passport on shore excursions?

When going ashore, it is generally not necessary to show your passport, but it is advisable to bring a photocopy of your original passport. This is useful for police stops or boarding trains. Memorizing your passport number and expiration date is also acceptable. Another option is to take a photo of your passport I. D. page and email it to yourself, making it easily accessible. If you venture ashore independently and use a local bus or train service, remove all documents and cash from your bag and never leave your passport unattended. These tips help protect your passport and other belongings while ashore, but it is crucial to always leave it on board if you don’t need it.

Are excursions cheaper on the ship?

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.

What are excursions on a cruise?

A cruise shore excursion is a group tour or activity designed for cruise travelers who have limited time in each port they visit. These excursions can include sightseeing bus tours, guided visits to museums or historic sites, athletic activities, beach days, cooking or dance classes, and day trips to nearby cities. They typically highlight the destination’s attractions or culture, and may be tailored to families, children, or passengers with mobility issues or disabilities. However, some excursions may require a minimum level of fitness and may not be suitable for everyone.

Do I need cash for cruise excursions?

CruiseInsider offers extra perks and additional shipboard credit on most sailings, with the amount varying by cruise line, special offer, stateroom category, or itinerary. Cash is typically needed in port, especially in foreign ports, to save money on foreign transaction fees and in places where credit cards aren’t accepted. To reduce cash requirements and maintain a good record of purchases, it is recommended to pay for onshore purchases over $10 with a credit card and use pocket change or local currency for the rest.

Cash is needed for sweets, sodas, souvenirs, street vendors, and small mom-and-pop shops. Large cities like Rome or Barcelona can use plastic in most cases. When budgeting, consider the overall itinerary and prioritize your priorities when budgeting money.

Can you leave a cruise ship without an excursion?

Carnival does not require passengers to book shore excursions to leave the ship, as public transportation is available at each port. Instead, passengers can visit local libraries, bookstores, or websites to determine their desired destinations. Carnival does not offer alternatives from its established shore excursion program, but all excursions sold through Carnival are coordinated with reputable tour operators and include popular sites.

Booking excursions through Carnival guarantees the ship’s presence in port until all guests return, while independent excursions may not be recognized. Additionally, some ports may have visa requirements that may prevent passengers from venturing off on their own.

Can I do my own excursions on a cruise?

Cruise ship passengers can freely walk off the ship, but those who prefer guides or easy transportation may opt for a shore excursion.