Cruising is a great way to see the world. During a single trip, you can cross multiple destinations off your bucket list without worrying about the hassle of lugging your suitcases through busy airports or train stations.
While cruise ships will get you to each port of call, guests are typically responsible for planning their days ashore. This gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, but it also means you’ll need to do some research to make the most of your time.
Throughout my two-decade cruising career, I've had my fair share of awful excursions. Some have been rushed or underwhelming, while others stuck me in tourist traps. Having been on 30 cruises with 6 more planned for this year, here are the shore excursions I avoid like the plague.
Panoramic sightseeing tours
I rarely consider island tours or excursions with multiple stops. Though they're great for passengers with limited mobility, they are not the best way to truly experience what the destination has to offer.
Since they consist of multiple stops, much of the excursion is spent in a large bus that often feels stuffy. To fit everything in, there's usually not a lot of time to explore each place, either.
For example, during my European cruise aboard MSC Seashore, I booked a group tour from Civitavecchia to Rome through Get Your Guide. Because it was my first time in Rome, I wanted a tour that allowed me to see as much of the city as possible, which I now realize was a mistake.
Read more: Everything I loved and hated about my European cruise with MSC Cruises
While I can technically say I've visited places like the Colosseum and Parthenon, our strict schedule didn't afford us time to go inside these historical sites. Eating Italian gelato outside of the Parthenon is nice, but I would have preferred to step inside!
Moreover, I booked Royal Caribbean's "Discover Curaçao" tour a few years ago since it was my first time visiting the Southern Caribbean island.
After being loaded onto our shuttle bus, we were driven to the Hato Caves, Curaçao Liqueur Distillery, and uraçao Museum. By the end of the excursion, we wished we had picked one highlight to focus on, as it was difficult to hear and see our guide due to the large size of our group. Plus, most of the day was spent on the bus.
Glass bottom boats
Unless you have young children, I'd advise against glass-bottom boat tours.
My family booked one a few years ago in Grand Cayman, and while the view of the shipwrecks and marine life was neat, the experience wasn't worth the cost. The highlight was when the captain let my younger cousin "steer" for a minute!
Not all glass-bottom boats are built the same. Some have small picture windows, whereas others, such as ours in Grand Cayman, feature a large round window in the center of the boat. If you are unlucky, you may book a tour on a cramped boat with small, foggy windows.
Shopping tours
Dedicated shopping excursions rarely take guests to designer boutiques or local gems. Instead, you'll likely be visiting a craft market with the freedom to browse on your own.
Other tours may take you to stores where the tour guide knows the owner and is trying to steer business their way. In these cases, the focus is more on making sales than offering an authentic shopping experience.
If you're someone who enjoys shopping, a little bit of research can go a long way. For example, checking out reviews and asking locals for recommendations can help you find hidden gems away from the typical tourist traps. It's easier than you think to plan your own shopping excursion!
Beach breaks
Beach tours are popular in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. However, I find that they're overpriced and don't allow for much flexibility.
Instead of paying a cruise line for a bus transfer to the beach, I prefer to arrange my own transportation and plan my day around my schedule, rather than the return time.
For example, many cruise lines offer excursions to the famous Maho Beach in St. Maarten, but it's just as easy and affordable to locate the shared taxi area in the cruise port.
I paid less than $30 (cash only) for a round-trip ride and was given a few return times to choose from. Though I returned before lunch, I wasn't beholden to a specific schedule, so I could have opted to splurge on a beachfront meal and take a later shuttle.
When I was ready to head back to the ship, I simply made my way to the parking lot behind the Sunset Bar and Grill, showed my wristband, and took my seat!
Swimming with dolphins
Somewhere deep in a scrapbook at my dad's house is a picture of me swimming with dolphins when I was in high school. Thankfully, I've since educated myself on the ethical concerns surrounding marine encounters.
Back then, I didn't realize how poorly treated captive animals were. Now, whenever I pass a facility offering a similar experience, such as Nassau's Blue Lagoon Island or Costa Maya's cruise port, I can't help but cringe.
Not only are dolphin encounters pretty unethical, but they're pricey. Personally, I think there are better ways to spend your time ashore that aren't as harmful to helpless animals.
Museums
I've never enjoyed group tours of museums. They often rush through exhibits and focus on the most popular pieces. As such, I end up feeling like I'm missing out on the smaller, but equally interesting, works.
Audio guides are a great compromise, as I can listen to expert commentary on pieces that intrigue me without the pressure of keeping up with a group. Sometimes, you can even download free apps with detailed tours or interactive guides.
Plus, standard museum admission is usually cheaper than paying for a guided tour.
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!
