The fun of a cruise is the same part of what you do on the ship and what you do on the coast. The Cruise Line offers a complete schedule of coastal excursions that will help you make the most of your time at the port. However, the process of choosing and booking a tour is overwhelming for new cruisers.
I filmed coastal excursions all over the world, spent days in ports where ships run, independent and wandering on my own. Whatever your budget, you can take you through the basics of a cruise shore excursion so you can do the most enjoyable thing.
What is a Cruise Shore Excursion?
A Shore Excursion is a group tour or activity aimed at cruise travelers who are limited only to each port they visit on their itinerary.
Coastal excursions include sightseeing bus tours, guided bus tours to museums and historic sites, athletic activities (hiking, bike riding, snorkeling, etc.), a day at the beach, cooking and dance classes. Coastal excursions usually emphasize marquee attractions and culture at the destination you are visiting. Sometimes on field trips, you will be taken to a site within walking distance of the cruise. Other opportunities may take you on a day trip to a nearby city.
Some coastal excursions are eligible family Or you can easily accommodate children. Some can be accommodated Passengers with mobility issues or other disabilities. Others may require a minimum fitness level and are not suitable for everyone.
Cruise Line sells coastal excursions organized with partner providers. You can also purchase tours through independent operators and third-party sellers.
Should I buy a coastal excursion on a cruise?
In most cases, you don’t need to book a coastal excursion to explore the port of call. You can get off the boat and take a walk into town or take a taxi to where you want to go.
However, some destinations strongly encourage coastal excursions or independently operated guided tours. This could be in places that are difficult to navigate as foreigners who can’t speak the language, or where tourism infrastructure has not yet been fully developed. Often, organized coastal excursions provide better access to the history and culture of major attractions and destinations than you get yourself.
Can I book my own coastal excursion, not a cruise line?
yes. I use a number of factors to decide whether to take a tour of the ship, book an independent excursion, or explore on my own at the port. However, for beginner travelers, it is recommended that you ship the tour as it is the simplest, easiest and most convenient option.
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The advantage of booking a cruise line coastal excursion is that they depart and return to the ship. You don’t need to know where to meet your guide in ports you’ve never visited. Even better, if an unexpected problem occurs (traffic, medical emergency, etc.) occurs, the ship will not leave the port while on the go until all tours return.
On the other hand, independent tours may be cheaper than cruise ship tours. I once saved hundreds of dollars and organized groups overnight, operated independently, allowing me to see the pyramids of Giza from the Cairo and Ports in Egypt. The boat tour prices were very high. Also, if you are particularly interested, the ship may not offer tours for activities or attractions you are excited about.
Related: Ships sponsored and independent coastal excursions on cruises: which should you book?
Some third-party operators customize the tour for you and your group, allowing you to spend more time in the places you want to see the most. These tour groups can be smaller than large cruise ship tours that can carry between 30 and 60 people by bus. This means less time waiting for everyone.
Finally, some ports roam around, diving into shops and local restaurants and bars, and going anywhere. We skipped our tours in places like Key West, Florida. Tallinn, Estonia; Monaco; Nassau, Bahamas. Skagway, Alaska; Gaylan, Norway. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Maps and guidebooks got me where I wanted to go.
How much is the coastal excursion?
Cruise Shore Excursion prices vary greatly depending on the cost of living at your cruise destination, what type of activity is involved, or if it’s a half-day tour. Young children often pay a reduction for tours.
I’m watching Princess Cruise“A coastal excursion at Grand Cayman, a 2.5-hour Sting Swim swimming costs $80 per person, a five-hour scenic island drive costs $105, and a four-hour two-tank scuba diving costs $190. Alaska In Juneau, a 3-hour tour to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center costs $75 per person. The price for 3-hour gold panning activities and salmon bake is $140, while a 2.25-hour tour costs glaciers You can ride a helicopter to the top for 30 minutes on the ice.
Cruise lines such as Viking and Regent Seven Seas CruiseInclude the basic coastal excursion costs in the cruise fare. If you don’t want to do a specialized tour, you may be able to get all port activities for free. Other lines such as Norway Cruise Lineas a booking promotion, we offer discounted tours or shore excursion credits.
Related: 8 Tips for Booking the Best Cruise Shore Excursions for Your Money
What is the best way to book Shore Excursions?
If you are planning to book a Shore Excursion through the cruise line, there are several options.
You can book a tour online in advance or have a travel agent do it for you. If you have a tour of a boat you absolutely want to shoot and don’t want to risk a sellout, these are the best routes. Book a tour the moment you open for your booking. When my parents traveled on the gorgeous Regent Seven Seas cruise, they said that waiting until the next morning to book a tour means some of their choices were sold out.
The downside of booking in advance is that some cruise lines require you to pay the tour in full, rather than posting it on your final cruise bill. This means you’re paying in advance and it can be difficult to cover the costs of field trips booked online using onboard credits.
Related: Avoid these mistakes when booking a cruise shore excursion
Alternatively, you can wait until you board the boat and book an excursion directly at the coastal excursion desk. Staff can ask questions about the tour and will add a fee to the final cruise bill. However, there is a risk that popular tours will be sold out by the time you are ready to book.
The same can be said for independent tours. Most people organize these in advance through tour operators or travel agents. However, popular cruise ports often have representatives waiting at ports and tourist offices that can be booked on same-day tours if space is available. Make sure they are reputable providers.
Is it cheaper to book a coastal excursion by boat?
no. Most cruise lines charge the same price for coastal excursions booked online and onboard, or offer discounts on pre-purchased tours. Royal Caribbean, for example, has seen up to 30% off selected tours booked before sailing.
Should I tilt my coastal excursion?
Whether sponsored by a cruise line or an independent coastal excursion, the best practice is to tip the tour guide at the end of the tour. The exception is when prices include hints or when you are visiting a country with no culture because it is troublesome to provide cash.
Related: Cruise Tips: What you know about cruise ship satisfaction
Tips are personal issues and there are no difficult rules. We looked into the TPG cruise team and agreed that the allowable amount is $5-10 per person and $10-20 per day on the half-day tour, and that it is adjusted for service and quality. At your party, you’ll tip a driver for around $2 per person.
You’ll want to earn more tips for your customized private tour. Consider 5% to 20% of the tour cost.
How can I make the most of my Cruise Shore Excursion?
The key to making the most of your cruise shore excursion is to know what you want and make sure the tour description matches your expectations. The more cruises you have, the fewer coastal excursions sponsored by ships, and you can see that they don’t provide exactly what I want.
For example, if you are considering a bus tour, understand how long you will be sitting on the bus and how much time you will spend at your destination or attraction. Whether there is important attractions and free time to explore. For activities like snorkeling or helicopter tours, read the time spent transporting and preparing to do the activity.
Pay attention to the fitness level you need. Also, don’t try to take on more than you can. If you are struggling with mobility, make sure you are walking on uneven ground like cobbles.
Related: 11 cruise ship excursions to avoid
If the tour is being held at lunchtime, you will need to check if the meals are included or if you have free time to eat or pick up snacks.
If excursions are activities that you can’t do yourself (kayak, zip lining, winery tours, etc.), an organized tour is best. If you don’t want to rent public transport or car on a one-day visit, long distances are involved. Or, independent exploration would be difficult if the culture is sufficiently heterogeneous. You also need to know what you’re looking for, if you need an expert guide like Pompeii, Italy.
Conclusion
Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in the port, but you may get the most value from a mix of guided tours and independent exploration. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests and look at both independent tour and activity options sponsored by the vessel. And if you feel good I’ll be on the boat someday Your ship is docked in a port that is not interested in you, but that’s fine too.
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