A cruise isn’t just about the buffet, the swimming pools and the onboard activities. The travel part of the vacation is about getting off the floating hotel and exploring the port. Cruise lines offer a wide range of shore excursions activities to choose from but how do you decide what’s best for your family?
Here are a few tips to keep in mind whether you choose to dog sled in Alaska, snorkel in the Caribbean or visit the Panama Canal.
What’s the Cost?
Shore excursions can be as little as $20 or as much as hundreds of dollars depending on the activity. Do your research to find the best value. At some ports, the ships dock in the centre of town where the attractions are located. It may be easier and cheaper to explore a port on your own in some places.
What’s Included?
Does the shore excursion include meals, rental equipment and transportation? Knowing what’s included will help you plan your day and know what to bring for your trip. If you’re going on a hike in 90 degree heat, is water provided or do you need to bring your own?
What’s the Activity Level?
You don’t want to go for a strenuous hike when you’re expecting a walk in the park. Most excursions will specify the activity level required for the trip in the brochure or online. If in doubt, make sure to check with the shore excursions desk.
What time is the Shore Excursion?
It’s a good idea to check the start time and duration of your shore excursion. If you’re planning on going to the disco or the midnight buffet, you might not want to book yourself for a 7 am start the next day. Also, if you’re in port for only six hours and the excursion lasts four hours, you may be short the duty-free shopping time you wanted. Also, make sure to check if the start time of your excursion follows the ship’s time or island time. Sometimes, cruise ships keep to their own time clocks despite the different time zones.
What’s the Capacity?
Popular shore excursions such as swimming with dolphins and horseback-riding fill up fast. And some tours may split large groups into different smaller groups for easier transport and to not overload an attraction or activity. It’s a good idea to check with the shore excursion desk to make sure there is enough room for your party on the same tour.
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