Entertainment on board cruise ships is easy. There cruise directors and the staff, are so good at what they do, even the biggest of wall flowers are presented with so many options that it is nearly impossible to not have a good time. The problem is that eventually have to leave the ship. This is where most people who have had bad cruises have formed those opinions. Not everyone is comfortable going out and exploring exotic ports of call. In fact, some people are even downright petrified of being alone in a foreign place. Luckily for them cruise ships offer shore excursions or tours at all of the ports of call. Shore excursions are the perfect way for those passengers who are not adventurous enough to explore on their own to really get out and see the ports of call.

There are literally hundreds of excursions offered on each cruise; there is a virtual guaranty that something will appeal to passengers of every interest and ability. Most cruise lines offer similar if not identical shore excursions for every port of call so there is a lot of different information and reviews one can use to do research. Let us get you started on the basics you need to know to choose the right shore excursion for your next cruise.

Three considerations for choosing a shore excursion

• Activity Level: Most excursions you see listed by the cruise lines will be rated by activity level. Passengers with health concerns should be especially observant of these ratings. The ratings will tell you how much walking is involved, how strenuous the walking is and whether any special or abilities are required. They will also tell you if the excursion is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers or other special equipment. This information is always available before booking an excursion and in most cases can be viewed before you book the cruise.
• Duration: The duration of shore excursions vary widely. A short visit to an attraction near the cruise ships dock may take less than an hour, on the flipside there are excursions that will last the entire time you are in port. Rest assured the cruise line will not offer an excursion that lasts longer than you are docked. In addition, if something happens such as the bus back breaks down you don’t have to worry about the ship leaving you, as long as you booked through the cruise ship. If you booked an independent excursion or are exploring on your own, if you are late than you are out of luck. While some excursions will drop you off and pick you up (so that you can explore at your leisure), most will have a specific schedule.
• Cost: Shore excursions have a wide range of prices. A pickup/drop-off at a popular beach may only cost 10 dollars, while a private limo to the helicopter port for a tour may cost you thousands of dollars. All shore excursion costs are in addition to the price of the cruise so be sure to budget accordingly.

What you get for your money

When you purchase an excursion; transportation, guides (where appropriate) and any entrance fees (if needed) are included in the price. Additionally if there are any special equipment requirements (like scuba gear or a segway) will usually be provided. If you need to bring or rent equipment the excursions listing will let you know. Many shore excursions also include light refreshments, this will also be listed in the description. Things typically not included in the cost of the excursion are souvenirs, lockers, additional refreshments or tips.

Purchasing your shore excursion

Once you have decided on which excursion(s) are right for you, it must be purchased or reserved. In order to reserve the excursion it must be available. The more generic excursion (tours, beach breaks and mainstream attractions) will be open to anyone. Tours that are more specialized (golf outings, scuba diving, etc.) will have limited availability and should be book as soon as possible.

The good news is most of the mainstream cruise lines offer pre-booking so that early birds can reserve their excursions prior to boarding the ship. While most excursions will be purchased on board the cruise ship if you know which excursions you want to take, there is no reason to wait. Once your shore excursions are booked, you are set. Your excursion tickets should be delivered to your cabin no later than the day before your excursion.

While the cruise ship is always great time spent in the ports of call are what make or break a cruise. Shore excursions are one of the ways passengers can enhance their cruise experiences. The cruise lines have done an excellent job offering safe and fun ways to explore the ports of call on your cruise.