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Some take up all your time in port, while others are just a few hours of an all-day visit. Choose a full-day tour to see the most you can in one trip or for journeys to destinations outside of the port city. A half-day tour might only focus on one specific itinerary -- a three-hour kayak trip or a highlights tour of a city -- while leaving you with free time to explore the port on your own before or after. Some cruise lines and even some travel agents offer shore excursion credit as a booking perk. It is essentially a credit of a preset amount (often $50) applied to each day in port for which you book a shore excursion. If your excursion costs more than the credit amount, it becomes a discount.
Guided Excursions vs. Free Time:
If the tour takes place over lunchtime, check to see if a meal is included or if you have time to pick up something to eat. One of the best ways to see the Pitons is from the water on a scenic cruise, which might also include a stop for swimming and snorkeling. Excursions to El Yunque typically include bus stops at or short treks to one of the park's waterfalls.
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Alternatively, you can wait until you're on the ship and book your excursion in person at the shore excursions desk. You'll be able to ask the staff questions about the tours, and the charges will be added to your final cruise bill. However, you do run the risk that a popular tour might be sold out by the time you're ready to book.
St. Croix: Powerboat Ride to Buck Island
And while it's great that there are tons of Caribbean shore excursions, it doesn't make the decision-making process any easier. Many tours will include some sort of meal or snack, particularly ones that last for longer periods of time. If it's important to you, be sure to read the description of your tour thoroughly to see what's included or ask someone at the shore excursions desk on your ship. If you're unsure, bring some snacks and/or bottled water to hold you over.
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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. 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.
Will I encounter difficulties (dis)embarking the ship during some ports of call?
Yes, confirmed guests can go to “Booked Guests” on Seabourn.com and then “Book Shore Excursions & Spa”. Guests will see all available excursions arranged by destination and can download a personalized brochure for their cruise. Guests are encouraged to go back on line a few times prior to their cruise departure date to see if any new programs have been added. Guests can also download their personalized brochure in online check-in when they register for their cruise. Excursions are organized in our seven (7) Shore Experiences by Seabourn Collections and you can filter to specific collections when browsing or purchasing tours. Tour descriptions are also marked with various symbols to indicate the difficulty of the tour, as well as any special interest content.
5 Independent Shore Excursions For Cruise Visitors In Flåm, Norway - Forbes
5 Independent Shore Excursions For Cruise Visitors In Flåm, Norway.
Posted: Sun, 03 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
You'll visit a historic plantation house and taste pineapples, bananas or sugarcane, straight from the source. Bus tours whisk visitors around for stops at the Malecon seafront esplanade and the historic sites of Old Havana, with its bustling Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de Armas. The train depot is right in town, close to the cruise docks, so you don't need bus transportation there.
Or, you can book a tour through an independent company, either with a large group or a private tour for just your travel party. Nourish your mind, body and spirit with tours that include a range of authentic experiences—indigenous healing practices, detoxes with local muds and minerals, destination-specific fitness, and more. 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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Finally, some ports are simply wonderful to walk around, popping into shops and local restaurants or bars, going where you will.
On any cruise heading to St. Lucia, you'll hear talk of the famous Pitons. The island's two volcanic spires are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many would say a visit here is not complete without at least catching a glimpse of them. You can opt for a sailing tour to further feel like a celebrity or socialite. A catamaran or sailboat will whisk you away, typically including stops for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Just give a nod to the other yachts you pass and act like you own the place.
If you wait too long, though, you'll forfeit the entirety of what you paid. Be sure to check with your particular line or independent tour provider for its refund policy before booking. Also, if your independent tour is late returning to the pier, the ship is not required to wait for you. You can disembark and explore each port on your own if you'd like -- on foot or by cab, public transit or rental car.
Your best bet here is to take in some of the area's diverse marine wildlife. Our favorite option is snorkeling and swimming with sea turtles in the protected waters of Akumal Beach. Possibly the best things to do in the French isle of Martinique are shop for French luxury goods and hit the beach, but you don't need an excursion to do that.
If you've booked a sightseeing tour that's primarily done by bus, it's unlikely a bit of rain will affect your plans. However, if you've planned a day full of water sports, and the sea is looking particularly unfriendly, the tour might be canceled for safety concerns. Outdoor tours usually aren't canceled for rain or weather conditions that would make the activity uncomfortable, as long as the operator deems it safe to go on. If you book in advance, you will prepay for the tour on your credit card; if you book onboard, the cost will be added to your onboard cruise bill. Be sure to check cancellation policies carefully so you don't lose money if you change your mind. If you've done your research and have decided that you want to do a specific excursion offered on your cruise, think carefully about whether to book in advance or onboard.
If you're feeling extra adventurous, book a tour that combines the two for an active day in port. Some cruisers are so focused on what to do on each individual day that they never stop to consider their tour schedule as a whole. This is a mistake that can lead to burnout or a disappointing vacation. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a nearly three-hour ride on Skagway's White Pass and Yukon Route scenic railway for $199 per adult. But if you go to the railway's website, you can book the same trip for $146 — $50 less.
You'll likely want to tip more for customized, private tours — consider 5 to 20% of the cost of the tour. Nassau's star attraction is the Atlantis Resort, and, happily, you don't have to be an overnight resort guest to partake in some of its world-class facilities. Book an outing to the Atlantis Aquaventure "waterscape," a sophisticated 141-acre water park that comes jam-packed with water slides, rolling rapids, swimming areas and more. If you're feeling more adventurous, head to Grand Etang for the Seven Sisters Waterfalls hike; the tour is often combined with a visit to spice or rum factories. To download a voyage specific eBrochure, go to and select Already Booked then Book Shore Excursions.
A highlight of any Cozumel port of call is a visit to Tulum or Chichen Itza, the ruins of ancient Mayan cities. Situated atop oceanfront cliffs, Tulum offers fascinating history and gorgeous scenery. Chichen Itza, further inland, is dominated by a massive and magnificent step pyramid.
For a little shore tour adventure, try a half-day tour of the Balata Garden, an impressively maintained botanical collection of tropical vegetation. Costa Maya is a laid-back Mexican tourism village carved out of Yucatan jungle featuring bars, restaurants, shops and pools. Explore the cave system on an electric tram tour, with commentary provided by an informative tour guide. Note that some full-day island highlights tours also factor in a visit to the cave as part of its circuit. One of the best ways to see Aruba is with a tour that hits island highlights and offers some beach time.
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