Top 10 Shore Excursion Tips
1) Read the full shore excursion brochure provided by the cruise line.
Although it may be quite lengthy, you will learn a great deal about the types of activities available. You may also use the brochure to do your own research on a particular city and learn if the major city sites are within walking distance or just a short taxi ride from the pier.
2) Set a budget for your tour purchases.
Shore excursions can add up quickly (and even cost as much as your entire cruise if you purchase a tour in every port). Decide how important organized tours are to your overall enjoyment of the cruise. Self-tours may require more research in advance, but can help control tour costs overall.
3) Assess your desired activity level.
Some tours require extensive walking, climbing steps, or may not be appropriate for individuals with some physical challenges.
4) Keep Balance in mind.
Assess if you would like to be active each port day, or, wish to balance very active tour days with more relaxed, slow-paced days. Don’t overestimate your energy for lengthy tours over multiple days. Tours can range from a few hours to a full day, so consider the amount of time and energy required for the tours.
5) Evaluate your comfort level traveling independently in the large cities.
If you are not comfortable traveling on your own in a very large city, purchasing a shore excursion may be best.
6) Evaluate your desire for a coordinated activity in the small cities.
If you are afraid that there won’t be enough to do in a small port, you may want to purchase a shore excursion, or use it as an opportunity to stay on the ship and take advantage of smaller crowds on-board.
7) Decide how much time you have to plan your own tours. If you don’t enjoy the required
planning or don’t have the time to do in-depth research, purchasing a shore excursion may
make sense for you.
8) Purchase shore excursions online in advance of the cruise departure.
If there is a shore excursion that you don’t want to miss and it accommodates only a limited number of guests, you should book in advance to guarantee a spot.
9) Purchase shore excursions on-board during the cruise.
Buy tours onboard if you want to learn more about a particular destination before you purchase shore excursions.
10) Finally, decide.
Use the tour options (listed below) for each city you will visit, based on your budget, desired activity level, comfort, and available time to do research on your own:
Large Port Cities
Option #1--plan a self-guided walking tour, take public transportation, or purchase your own tour
Option #2--purchase a shore excursion from the cruise line
Small Port Cities
Option #1--plan a self-guided walking tour from the pier or purchase transportation on your own
Option #2--purchase a shore excursion from the cruise line
Although it may be quite lengthy, you will learn a great deal about the types of activities available. You may also use the brochure to do your own research on a particular city and learn if the major city sites are within walking distance or just a short taxi ride from the pier.
2) Set a budget for your tour purchases.
Shore excursions can add up quickly (and even cost as much as your entire cruise if you purchase a tour in every port). Decide how important organized tours are to your overall enjoyment of the cruise. Self-tours may require more research in advance, but can help control tour costs overall.
3) Assess your desired activity level.
Some tours require extensive walking, climbing steps, or may not be appropriate for individuals with some physical challenges.
4) Keep Balance in mind.
Assess if you would like to be active each port day, or, wish to balance very active tour days with more relaxed, slow-paced days. Don’t overestimate your energy for lengthy tours over multiple days. Tours can range from a few hours to a full day, so consider the amount of time and energy required for the tours.
5) Evaluate your comfort level traveling independently in the large cities.
If you are not comfortable traveling on your own in a very large city, purchasing a shore excursion may be best.
6) Evaluate your desire for a coordinated activity in the small cities.
If you are afraid that there won’t be enough to do in a small port, you may want to purchase a shore excursion, or use it as an opportunity to stay on the ship and take advantage of smaller crowds on-board.
7) Decide how much time you have to plan your own tours. If you don’t enjoy the required
planning or don’t have the time to do in-depth research, purchasing a shore excursion may
make sense for you.
8) Purchase shore excursions online in advance of the cruise departure.
If there is a shore excursion that you don’t want to miss and it accommodates only a limited number of guests, you should book in advance to guarantee a spot.
9) Purchase shore excursions on-board during the cruise.
Buy tours onboard if you want to learn more about a particular destination before you purchase shore excursions.
10) Finally, decide.
Use the tour options (listed below) for each city you will visit, based on your budget, desired activity level, comfort, and available time to do research on your own:
Large Port Cities
Option #1--plan a self-guided walking tour, take public transportation, or purchase your own tour
Option #2--purchase a shore excursion from the cruise line
Small Port Cities
Option #1--plan a self-guided walking tour from the pier or purchase transportation on your own
Option #2--purchase a shore excursion from the cruise line