How do I book shore excursions?

What can I do in port?

How physically challenging are the Shore Excursions?

What do Shore Excursions include?

When and where do Shore Excursions depart?

Is it possible to "Miss the Boat"?

What type of transportation is used for Shore Excursions?

Will transportation be available from the ship to city centers?

How should I tip our Guide/Driver?

How can I find out more about the ports we'll be visiting?

Will I miss meals when I go ashore?

What should I wear?

Will I have time to shop?

Most cruise lines now offer passengers a way to view and book their shore excursions in advance via their web site. You may also booking once you’re onboard the ship. Some cruise line will send out to you a shore excursion booklet to, you just complete the booking form and mail it back. Many popular excursions sell out quickly, so we recommend reserving as far in advance as possible. You can also reserve selected excursions on our Shore Excursions page.

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These so much you'll have a hard time choosing! You can go off on your own. Or take a guided tour, you can search ancient ruins or hunt for shopping bargains. Ride a raft over river rapids, a bike ride down the side of a 10,000-foot volcano, or ride a horse across miles of hills and beaches. Climb a waterfall or pyramid. See the birthplace of civilization or listen to steel drum bands. Follow the footsteps of history or the wake of a waterskiing boat. If there's still time, play golf or tennis. Eat native foods. Learn how to windsurf. Sun and swim at some of the world's best beaches. Catch a record marlin. Sail, snorkel or go scuba diving. Go to a nightclub or glittering casino. Take a cable car to the top of a mountain. Explore dark catacombs. In short, a cruise is the easiest way to see new places and do all the things you dream of. Cruising is the perfect way to sample a number of destinations that you may want to return to for another vacation...and you never have to pack and unpack - the destinations come to you!

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It really depends on the tour. For example in some of the European cities you'll be visiting are ancient. Their quaint, narrow, cobblestone streets have been in existence long before motorized transportation. To preserve their beauty, some cities and old towns are pedestrian only. Most tours require some degree of walking; however, some excursions require extensive walking. Likewise, grand entryways and sprawling gardens of certain castles and cathedrals make walking and stair-climbing a necessity. Most of the sports based trips will also required quiet a bit of energy, like Jet ski, waterskiing and mountain biking.

Most cruise lines indicate which tours are more physical than others in their brochures and at the Shore Excursion Desk. Whatever your fitness level, we highly recommend comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes (tennis shoes).

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Shore excursions include transportation according to the itinerary, and meals, refreshments, guides, and entrance fees as indicated in the tour description book. Fares for shore excursions are subject to change without notice until booked.

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Prepaid tickets will indicate the departure location and time. If you are reserving an excursion in advance, you will be notified as to the times and locations along with other important details. But shore excursions booked via the cruise line should always depart from the ship.

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All guests are required to be back aboard their ship no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, which is listed in the daily bulletin and at the gangway as you leave the ship. The scheduling of all shore excursions conform with this requirement. However, if you leave a tour en route, it will be your responsibility to secure transportation and return to the pier on time. If you don't make it, they'll see you at the next port at your expense.

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Standards of transport vary considerably from country to country; however, excursions utilize the best quality transportation possible in each port. Air-conditioned vehicles are not always available. Guest wishing to travel together with friends should leave the ship together, as this will help the tour staff allocate space in the same vehicle.

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There are many ports in Europe that are not located in the city center. For the convenience of their guests, some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, shuttle bus service is arranged in those ports that are located a 1/2 mile or more away from the closest city center and do not have adequate local transportation available. (Believe us, finding local transportation is not a problem in the Caribbean. They will find you. Europe is a different) Schedules and days of operation are usually posted in the ship's bulletin.

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Extending a gratuity to your guide or driver is strictly optional; A commonly accepted guideline is $1 per person for a half day and $2 per person for a full day.

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On most cruise ships, you will find a shore excursions desk as well as a qualified lecturer will hold informative talks on each port of call you visit. If you still have questions, the Port Lecturer will be glad to answer them. You should also do a little research before you go. Your local library should have all kinds of books pertaining to your destination. Frommer's and Fodor's also have wonderfully informative books identifying local points of interest, culture, and history.

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Most tour departure times complement the ship's meal service hours, so you can enjoy your meal aboard then go ashore. Some tours may include food and drinks, however, on some full day tours, or if you take more than one tour in a day, your return on board may not coincide with meal hours. A buffet, snack, or room service is usually available all the time.

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Other countries may have more conservative ideas about dress than you're accustomed (Some European, middle & Far East countries). Attention is drawn to this matter so as not to offend. Cruise lines suggest when visiting places of worship (cathedrals), you dress conservatively, avoiding shorts or sundresses. Attend the port lectures for guidance.
Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes at all times. When visiting ruins or walking on cobblestone streets, wear rubber-soled shoes (tennis shoes). It's also smart to wear a sun hat.

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Whenever possible, shopping time is allocated within the timeframe of the excursions. However, tours are not designed primarily for shopping. Lot of the posts now have duty free shopping, so if you have missed out now is the time to get those last minute gifts.

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