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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.
Sitka Sound Cruise & Sitka National Historical Park
The tours can be booked onboard at your ship's excursions desk or online before you depart on your trip. There is no need to tip any cruise ship staff who are along for the excursion (which sometimes happens on river cruises). Waiting might be a good idea if you're not inspired by the shore excursions you're seeing on your cruise. Some cruise lines charge penalty fees for canceling shore excursions onboard or within 24 to 48 hours of the port call, so you might want to wait to see how the weather is before booking. You may also get some good word-of-mouth tips on board the ship that change your mind about what tour you'd like to do. Don't forget to come up with a Plan B, in case your desired tour gets canceled or is sold out.
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Can you buy shore excursions on the ship?
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. Independent tours, on the other hand, can be cheaper than cruise ship tours. Also, if you have a particular interest, the ship might not offer a tour for the activity or attraction you're excited about. We work with reputable, local tour operators to offer you a wide variety of excursions to choose from, in every port you’ll visit.
La Digue Highlights
Don’t be surprised if you spot, Harbor porpoise, sea otters and whales along the way. Another side of Alaska awaits you in Sitka National Historical Park, where you will hike through the temperate rainforest. The trail is dotted with brightly colored totem poles that mirror the ones that were exhibited at the 1904 World’s Fair.
Sitka, Alaska
The indigenous Tlingit people carved and painted the totems, which feature highly symbolic human, animal and supernatural forms. Later, you will cross a river where salmon spawn each summer. Norwegian Cruise Line offers such a fantastic variety of onshore activities - there truly is something for everyone! Plus, you can search through the thousands of available Shore Excursions by activity levels, customer ratings, and duration, as well as by language and price. Because it’s always a hassle to try and make your own travel arrangements. Simply skip the entire frustrating mess of booking yourself by choosing pre-arranged, customer-rated, Shore Excursions with Norwegian Cruise Line.
How to Get the Most From Your Shore Excursion: Pro Tips for Your Tour
You can book your tours online in advance, or have your travel agent do it for you. This is the best route if there's a ship's tour you absolutely want to take and you don't want to risk its selling out. When my parents traveled on a luxury Regent Seven Seas cruise, they said that waiting until the next morning to book tours meant that some of their choices were sold out. However, in some destinations, a shore excursion, or independently operated guided tour, is highly encouraged. This could be in places where it's difficult to navigate as a foreigner who can't speak the language or understand street signs or where the tourism infrastructure is not yet fully developed.
If you're a first-time cruiser, it can be helpful to have a few hacks to make your shore excursion experience amazing. Keep these tips in mind when booking, preparing for and embarking on your tour. If you plan to book shore excursions through your cruise line, you have a couple of options of how to book them.
Not all shore excursions involve busloads of tourists dutifully following flag- or umbrella-waving guides. You will find these types of sightseeing tours, as well as athletic endeavors overseen by dive masters or hike leaders. However, some tours simply bring you to a destination where you're free to explore until it's time to meet the bus to go home. Others feature guided components, followed by an hour or two of free time. 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.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers dedicated pre-cruise and onboard specialists to help answer any Shore Excursion questions you may have. You can also check out the Frequently Asked Questions about Shore Excursions. Participation in activities and excursions may involve physical exertion, and may be potentially hazardous or dangerous. It is the responsibility of each individual to determine whether you are capable of engaging in any activity. Participation in any activity or excursion is at your own risk. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear.
I use many factors to decide whether to take a ship's tour, book an independent excursion or explore on my own in port. However, if you're a novice traveler, you might want to book ship tours exclusively because they're the simplest, easiest and most convenient options. You’ll get the best quality Shore Excursions and value for your money. In addition, you’ll never face any hidden costs for entrance fees or transfers. Some shore tours -- such as daylong trips from Tunis to the marketplace, museum and ancient Carthage -- pack many activities into one trip.
It's best to book in advance for must-do tours and limited-availability excursions (like almost every excursion on an Alaskan cruise or flightseeing while docked on a cruise to Hawaii). Most ships have a shore excursion team through which you can get detailed information about the available tours and purchase excursions. Finally, some ports are simply wonderful to walk around, popping into shops and local restaurants or bars, going where you will. I've skipped tours in places like Key West, Florida; Tallinn, Estonia; Monaco; Nassau, Bahamas; Skagway, Alaska; Geiranger, Norway; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
You are free to come and go at will from most cruise ships while they are in ports of call. Shore excursions are simply one means to explore the areas visited by the ship and to participate in available activities off the ship. With few exceptions, you are free to walk off the cruise ship and do your own thing. However, if you prefer guides or easy transportation, a shore excursion is probably for you.
You can skip the caravan of four large tour buses and trade up for a more exclusive experience. While luxury lines, river cruises, small coastal ships, expedition ships and even some premium cruise lines include some shore excursions in their fares. Other tours on those lines and all excursions offered by mainstream cruise lines must be purchased. The fun of a cruise is equal parts what you do on board and what you do on shore. Cruise lines offer a full schedule of shore excursions to help you make the most of your time in port. However, the process of choosing and booking tours can be overwhelming for new cruisers.
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