Cruise Shore Excursions: Discover Things to Do in Each Cruise Destination
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Sometimes an excursion will take you to sites within walking distance of your cruise; on other occasions, they might take you on a day trip to a nearby city. Shore excursions are designed for all activitiy levels in almost any mainstream cruise destination. Active tours can include water sports, ziplining, hiking, biking, dog-sledding and more.
Royal Caribbean Continues to Cancel Popular Shore Excursions - Cruise Hive
Royal Caribbean Continues to Cancel Popular Shore Excursions.
Posted: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Progreso: Half-Day Tour to Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins and Cenotes
The ship’s excursions get you to the markets, often with some city highlights along the way, then leave you with a few hours of shopping time. You are then free to make your way back to the ship or to a meeting point for the return trip as a group. Independent-minded travelers will probably head for St. Maarten's famous shopping areas and casinos. But for something a little different, sign up for the America's Cup Regatta. On this excursion, you'll actually race onboard a 12-meter racing boat and serve as part of the crew.
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If not, you risk losing out on the opportunity to have that cool once-in-a-lifetime experience, such as salmon fishing in Alaska or wagyu sampling in Japan. I've taken shore excursions around the world, both ship-run and independent, and spent many days in port wandering on my own. Allow me to take you through the basics of cruise shore excursions, so you can learn to have the most fun no matter what your budget is. Shore excursions are available through our partnerships with local suppliers and guides, in the majority of ports we visit. Explore the possibilities for shore excursions on your next cruise below. The key to getting the most from your cruise shore excursion is to know what you want and make sure the tour description matches your expectations.
Can you buy shore excursions on the ship?
However, you do run the risk that a popular tour might be sold out by the time you're ready to book. Even couples traveling alone might find more affordable group tours offered by independent operators or tour options not offered by the cruise line. Online message boards and Facebook groups can be great resources for finding other travelers on your cruise ship interested in joining you on a private tour. Read what other travelers have to say about a specific excursion or attraction before plunking down your money and signing up for that tour. Some cruise lines have shore excursion reviews right on their websites.
Also, if you have a particular interest, the ship might not offer a tour for the activity or attraction you're excited about. The knowledge and efficiency of tour operators vary, and some tour offerings are simply duds. You'll also pay a premium for letting the cruise line arrange your day. Ship-arranged excursions also tend to have broad appeal, so if you're interests in a given port are more specific or niche, you may want something outside of the cruise line's offerings. Arriving in multiple ports you are unfamiliar with and expecting to find the best things to do would be challenging at best and disastrous at worst. In most cases, shore excursions give you access to something that might otherwise be hard to arrange on your own.
Optional shore excursions during the land portion of a Land & Sea Journey are non-refundable within 3 days of your Land & Sea Journey departure date. Group shore excursions cancelled within three days prior to embarkation (sail) date are nonrefundable. Custom tours may have different cancellation deadlines which will be stated in the proposal.
If you want the perfect day in port, you need to be savvy about your tour planning. Avoid rookie mistakes, and never do these 10 things when booking shore excursions for your next cruise. Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but you might get the most value out of a mix of guided tours and independent exploration. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and remember to look at both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. And if you feel like staying on board one day while your ship is docked in a port that doesn't interest you, that's okay, too. 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.
Is it cheaper to book shore excursions on the ship?
A Guide to Included Shore Excursions on Ocean Cruises - TravelAge West
A Guide to Included Shore Excursions on Ocean Cruises.
Posted: Fri, 27 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Don't miss the stunning architecture and interior design of Le West Indies Shopping Mall. It features bars, restaurants, a spa and some 20 luxury designer shops in a three-level masterpiece. Check out Marigot's open-air Waterfront Market, encompassing a craft market and a Caribbean food fair selling spices and fresh-off-the-boat fish. If you're feeling more adventurous, head to Grand Etang for the Seven Sisters Waterfalls hike; the tour is often combined with a visit to spice or rum factories. Try one that combines a short hike through the rainforest to the twin Trafalgar Falls with a relaxing dip at the Emerald Pool (a waterfall grotto), all paired with a glass or two of rum punch. Travel in a private vehicle with your own party and customize if desired.
If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we'll help you find what you’re looking for. Be sure to note the fitness level required and don't try to take on more than you're able to do. If you struggle with mobility, check to see if there's a lot of walking on uneven ground like cobblestones.
Nassau's star attraction is the Atlantis Resort, and, happily, you don't have to be an overnight resort guest to partake in some of its world-class facilities. Book an outing to the Atlantis Aquaventure "waterscape," a sophisticated 141-acre water park that comes jam-packed with water slides, rolling rapids, swimming areas and more. If you need a break from beach-bumming, a popular alternative in Barbados is a tour of Harrison's Cave.
Note that this can be a strenuous activity and is not simply a relaxing sailboat ride. You can opt for a sailing tour to further feel like a celebrity or socialite. A catamaran or sailboat will whisk you away, typically including stops for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Just give a nod to the other yachts you pass and act like you own the place. Excursions to El Yunque typically include bus stops at or short treks to one of the park's waterfalls. If you're visiting the "Spice Island" of Grenada, you'll likely want to see a spice plantation.
Activity-based trips might feature a day at the spa or beach, a pleasure cruise on a sailboat, wine or food tasting, a cultural performance or a visit to a museum. Sightseeing excursions are typically bus tours that take passengers to the highlights and shopping areas of the port city or nearby destinations. Not all shore excursions are large group bus tours with multiple departures. Boat trips and cycling tours might have caps on the number of participants, and some tour times are more popular than others. In some ports, cruise lines might arrange a special experience — such as Cognac blending or pasta making — that is meant for a small group.
And savor a burst of flavors throughout culture-rich ports in the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Scandinavia and beyond on an unforgettable cruise through Europe. No matter where in the world you choose to wander, cruises can take you deep into top-rated cruise ports and off-the-beaten-path gems, so you can experience each one like a local. Shore excursion departure times coincide with the ship’s schedule as well as other tours, enabling you to take multiple tours if desired with worry-free return to the ship. In the very rare event that your tour is late and the ship must leave, we will arrange at our expense to get you to the next port of call. With independently booked tours, you are responsible for rejoining the ship at the next port of call.
To enhance each port visit (as well as to increase their profits), cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for additional fees. These land-based trips run the gamut from sightseeing city tours to cultural events and active pursuits. You can take a sunset pleasure cruise in St. Lucia, visit penguin colonies in Antarctica, go wine tasting in Provence or bike through Copenhagen. The tours can be booked onboard at your ship's excursions desk or online before you depart on your trip. Instead of spending hours reading up on a port, crafting the perfect eight-hour activity schedule or researching local tour guides, you can simply choose from a list of curated tour options. Choose from city tours, culinary explorations, shopping outings, outdoor expeditions, cultural activities and more.
If you're like us, you spend hours poring over your shore excursion list, trying to figure out the absolute best way to maximize your time while in port. If it's an activity, like snorkeling or a helicopter tour, read up on how much time is spent in transit and prep and how much time you will spend actually doing the activity. Cruise shore excursion prices vary widely depending on the cost of living in the cruise destination, what type of activity is involved and whether it's a full- or half-day tour.
In Juneau, Alaska, a 3-hour tour to the Mendenhall Glacier visitor center costs $50 per person. A 3-hour gold panning activity and salmon bake costs $125, while a 2.25-hour tour to take a helicopter ride to the top of the glacier, where you can walk around on the ice for half an hour, costs $420. Make the most of your time in each port with an optional shore excursion. While you're free to explore any port on your own, many cruisers opt for organized excursions for their knowledgeable guides, access to restricted locations and unmatched convenience. Most excursions pick you up at the pier and drop you back off at the ship so you don't have to worry about transportation at port - or about arriving late and missing your ship. Start by browsing our destination to learn about their ports of call and the most popular things to do in each, or contact our experienced cruise consultants for help selecting the best excursions for you.
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