What Experts Want You to Know About Shore Excursions on Cruises
Here’s how to make the most of your cruise—even when you venture off the ship.
There are lots of reasons to enjoy spending time on a cruise ship, but many people also book cruises with the intent of venturing off the ship in appealing locales. According to a 2024 survey conducted by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade association, 68% of respondents who cruised within the last year booked a shore excursion. CLIA also released an industry report that finds demand for cruise travel that includes unique local experiences reigns supreme amongst travelers these days.
“Experiencing the destination is an enriching part of a cruise experience, and now more than ever cruisers can enjoy their visits in the most meaningful way to them,” says Sally Andrews, vice president of strategic communications and public affairs at CLIA.
It’s no surprise, then, that expedition exploration is one the fastest-growing sectors of cruise tourism. These cruises take shore excursions to the next level, bringing passengers to destinations like Greenland, Iceland, and Antarctica for experiences that would be hard to pull off without a cruise ship. “By nature, many of our more than 100 unique itineraries visit remote, more off-the-beaten-path destinations, so our excursions are overwhelmingly unique by default,” Trey Byus, chief expedition officer at Lindblad Expeditions, explains. “We tend to avoid busy cruise ports or heavily trafficked destinations; instead, we are focused on smaller, more remote destinations where we are able to develop relationships directly with locals, families, and small-scale operators.”
If you’re thinking of booking a shore excursion—whether on an expedition cruise or a more traditional cruise ship—but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve got your back. Here’s everything you need to know about shore excursions.
What kind of shore excursion should you book?
Second to booking the best cruise for you, choosing the right shore excursions is mission-critical to the overall cruise experience. There are a few different approaches you can take to this, including booking excursions directly through the cruise line, booking through a third-party tour operator, or just heading off on your own.
Depending on the cruise line, shore excursions can be booked for an additional per-person fee. Most higher-end luxury cruise lines like Viking, Regent, and Silversea will include at least one guided shore excursion in each port of call.
In addition to the ease and convenience of booking through the cruise line directly, the biggest benefit of adventuring through your cruise line is that you’ll be covered should anything go awry. “Operators of shore excursions sold through the cruise lines have been vetted so travelers can trust they are getting a safe and reliable excursion with experienced guides,” Andrews says. “There are ongoing communications between the shore excursion provider and the ship, so if something changes either with the ship’s itinerary or arrival time, the ship excursion team will handle any adjustments that need to be made, and you aren’t at risk of losing your payment if the excursion has to be canceled.”
However, for those looking for greater flexibility, booking excursions through a third-party tour operator allows you to do exactly what you want in any given destination. It also gives you a chance to break away from the crowd of people coming from your ship. However, it’s important to understand the risk involved in booking on your own. “If you book independent excursions, you must work through delays on your own,” Andrews says.
If you’re not the touring type, it’s also worth mentioning that you’re not obligated to book any sort of formal shore excursions. It’s always an option to walk off the ship and grab an Uber or a cab, or walk around if your port of call is near any attractions. Just keep in mind that it’s always a good practice to check with someone on the ship who is familiar with the destination you’re visiting to get a sense of how much the taxi fare should be, just in case. And make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get back. Also, staying on the ship when you’re in port is always an option. It’s your vacation—we’re not judging.
When should you book shore excursions?
If you opt to book a shore excursion, the sooner you do so, the better—and no, there are no discounts for waiting to book until you’re onboard the ship. Typically, the best excursions book up fast, so if you’re dead set on booking a particular experience, book it fast and don’t look back. “We highly recommend booking shore excursions soon after booking your cruise to avoid disappointment should an excursion sell out,” Andrews said. If you don’t get it, don’t fret it. You can always join the waitlist.
How much are shore excursions?
The cost of shore excursions varies significantly depending on a number of factors ranging from the experience itself to the location, so you’ll want to do some research. “It’s important to understand the cost of your excursions, as they are generally not included in the cost of the cruise, though some cruise lines do include certain activities ashore,” Andrews says.
When you’re booking your excursions, keep in mind that most cruise lines do offer promotions in the form of ship credit that can be applied to shore excursions. If you’re booking through a travel agent, be sure to ask about ship credits.
How do you know if an excursion is accessible?
Today, it’s easier than ever to book an accessible cruise. “Cruises are a great way and sometimes the only way for accessible travel,” Andrews says. “There are more than 100 accessible shore excursions available in cruise ports of call, and 45% of cruise travelers booked an accessible shore excursion in the past year.”
Are shore excursions worth it?
Whether you book something through the cruise ship or on your own, shore excursions are a great way to see and experience a destination. Now more than ever, cruise lines are offering a variety of unique and hyperlocal experiences, making it easy for travelers to have meaningful travel moments without doing the planning themselves.