Planning shore excursions is one of the most exciting parts of a cruise. While the ship is certainly a unique destination, the activities are lacking compared to Caribbean, Alaska, and European tours. You can't, for example, swim with stingrays on a cruise ship or take a helicopter to the top of a glacier!
Shore Excursions Group, one of the world’s largest shore excursion providers, revealed that travelers in 2025 are chasing more adventure, culture, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences than ever before.
This means cruise passengers are booking more immersive and bucket-list-worthy experiences at each port of call, rather than basic snorkeling tours or simply roaming the shops.
Whether basking in the beauty of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, exploring ancient Mayan ruins in Mexico, or swimming alongside friendly pigs in the Bahamas, travelers are prioritizing excursions that offer unique experiences and stories.
Here are five of the most popular cruise tours right now.
Editor's note: We have included links to excursions in this post. While it costs nothing to book through the secure link, we receive a commission for each reservation. Thank you for the support!
Alaska
Juneau
Juneau is the capital of Alaska and is surrounded by nature, as the city is nestled between the Gastineau Channel and the Coast Mountains.
Shore Excursion Group's "Exclusive Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour" lets passengers explore the vibrant city before heading to the Mendenhall Glacier, a 13-mile-long glacier located just 12 miles from downtown.
Other highlights include exploring the Valley Alley, passing boat harbors, boathouses, and the Mendenhall Wetland Refuge, as well as visiting Douglas Island for panoramic views and photo opportunities.
The 3-hour tour goes for just $85.00 per person, which is a steal considering how pricey excursions in Alaska tend to be.
Read more: This is the best time to book a cruise excursion to Alaska, according to tour experts
Skagway
Skagway is another popular city on many Alaskan itineraries and is often considered the gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, the town upkeeps a well-preserved historic district with Gold Rush-era buildings and wooden boardwalks.
One of the most popular attractions in Skagway is the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. However, the 3-hour train ride is pricey, costing over $150 per person. Through Shore Excursion's Group, it's possible to travel along the Klondike Highway and see many of the same sights without shelling out hundreds of dollars.
The 2.5-hour "Skagway City and White Pass Summit" excursion begins with a guided tour of the historic district in a mini-coach holding no more than 32 passengers. While driving through town, your guide will explain why Skagway was known as the "toughest town on Earth" during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1899.
You will visit other historic points like the Pitchfork Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. However, one of the main highlights is the journey up the scenic Klondike Highway, traveling parallel to the White Pass Trail. During the ride, travelers will see glaciers, waterfalls, mountain vistas, and more. The best part? It costs just $68.00 per guest.
Read more: 14 lessons learned after I tried my first Alaska cruise
Caribbean
Costa Maya
Alaska's cruise season is short. However, travelers can venture to the Caribbean year-round from ports in Texas, Florida, Virginia, New York, and more. If you are heading to the Western Caribbean, Costa Maya is likely on your itinerary.
While Costa Maya was specifically developed for the cruise industry, it's also a gateway to ancient Mayan ruins and eco-adventures. Shore Excursions Group recommends the "Chacchoben Mayan Ruins" tour, which costs $89.00 per person.
During this 4-hour tour, you'll learn about the Mayan civilization at Chacchoben, the "place of red corn," as well as explore Mayan temples, courtyards, and pyramids dating back to 700 A.D. If you're lucky, you may witness ongoing archaeological excavations at Chacchoben, too.
There's also a spot to purchase homemade souvenirs made by locals in their village.
Nassau
Nassau doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to cruise ports. However, recent improvements and new attractions are helping to boost its appeal. For example, Royal Caribbean is opening a brand-new beach club in December 2025.
If you aren't cruising with Royal Caribbean, there are still plenty of exciting things to do, such as Shore Excursions Group's "Nassau Swimming Pigs, Snorkeling, and Sun" excursion. At $169.00 per person, it's a little pricier, but the unique experiences make it worth the splurge.
The 2.5-hour excursion begins with a cruise around New Providence Island before arriving at the one-of-a-kind Pigs Beach on Athol Island. This is where you will have the opportunity to feed adorable pigs in crystal-clear waters, relax on the white sand beach, jump on the water trampoline, or hop in a kayak.
Afterward, guests will enjoy 30 minutes of snorkeling time to explore colorful reefs. Plus, unlimited rum punch, soft drinks, and snacks are included to keep the good vibes going from start to finish.
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is one of my favorite ports in the Caribbean. Having loved it so much on a cruise, my family returned for a week-long stay a year later!
While there's so much to explore on the island, cruise visits are short, which is why you may want to make the most of your time ashore with Shore Excursions Group's "Grand Cayman Stingray City, Barrier Reef, and Starfish Beach" tour.
Travelers begin the excursion with a relaxing ride out to Stingray City, where you can swim with the stingrays and take in the crystal-clear waters. The next stop is the Barrier Reef, which is home to a vast coral wall that, in some spots, rises out of the water. Finally, you'll visit Starfish City to encounter large sea stars that are easily spotted in the shallow waters.
This tour costs $79.00 per person and lasts 3.5 hours. Beverages are also provided.
Read more: I visited 16 Caribbean islands on a cruise ship — these are the 3 I'd return to and the 2 I'd skip
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she traveled frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas during her freshman year of high school. Having sailed on nearly 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
