Shore excursions are available on every cruise itinerary, from 3-night Bahamas getaways to 16-night Transatlantic voyages. Although many people see the ship as a destination, the ports of call are just as important. Some cruisers even choose specific sailings just for the itinerary!
As such, it's crucial to have a strong understanding of shore excursions, so you can plan the most memorable day ashore. Shore excursions vary widely in terms of activity level, duration, and price. Knowing what to expect ahead of time is key when planning your cruise.
What are shore excursions?
Shore excursions are organized tours designed to help cruisers maximize their limited time in each port of call.
They are meant to showcase the best of what the destination has to offer, while also providing cruisers with options to suit their preferences and budget.
For instance, not everyone may be interested in sunbathing in Mexico. Instead, some might want to explore ancient ruins or sample local cuisine.
Similarly, although you may be looking forward to kayaking in Alaska, others may prefer attending a salmon bake or embarking on a whale-watching tour.
In short, no matter your interests or activity level, there’s a shore excursion that's perfect for you and your travel party.
Do you have to buy shore excursions on a cruise?
No! One of the best aspects of cruising is that you can tailor the experience to suit your preferences. If you’d rather relax on the ship than explore a port, you can stay onboard and enjoy the pool deck or other onboard amenities with fewer crowds.
That said, there are some instances where you can easily explore a port of call at your own pace without an organized shore excursion.
For example, many cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean call at cruise lines' private islands — think Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay, Carnival's Half Moon Cay, and MSC's Ocean Cay.
You don't have to pay an extra dime to enjoy the destination's beaches. Plus, they typically include a beachside buffet lunch!
The same is true in Europe, where a lot of ships dock close to city centers. Instead of booking pricey tours, you can either walk into town or take a shuttle bus.
Then, you're free to browse attractions and grab lunch at your convenience, without being tied to an excursion's schedule.
It's also easy to plan your own beach day in the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Rather than paying the cruise line to transport you from the ship to the beach, locate the taxi stand and pay a local driver. Taxis are usually plentiful, and the drivers are familiar with transporting cruise passengers to popular spots.
However, it's important to research each port on your itinerary. Even if the destination is easy to explore independently, you may prefer booking a tour for convenience.
Read more: How to plan your own shore excursion
You don't have to buy excursions through the cruise line
There are perks to booking excursions directly through your cruise line. For instance, you're guaranteed to make it back to the ship, so you don't have to worry about unexpected delays causing you to miss the strict all-aboard time.
Additionally, the cruise line takes care of all the planning, so all you have to do is show up at the pre-designated arrival spot — either onboard or near the ship's pier — on time.
However, there are also pros to booking tours with independent operators. For one, they're typically cheaper than cruise line-sponsored excursions. Not only that, but the groups tend to be smaller, giving you a more personalized experience with greater flexibility.
At the end of the day, there's no right or wrong answer as to whether you should reserve your tours through the cruise line or a third party. If you choose the latter, do your research to make sure you're booking with a reputable operator.
I'd also recommend scheduling an excursion that ends a few hours before the all-aboard time. That way, you have a buffer to account for unexpected delays like traffic.
How much are shore excursions?
Shore excursions vary greatly in pricing. Some can be as affordable as $50 or $60 per person, while others skyrocket to several hundred per guest.
Generally, excursions in the Bahamas and Caribbean are cheaper than those in Alaska and Europe because of demand and transportation costs.
Here's some general pricing to help you understand what you should expect by region. However, pricing is subject to change. These are merely examples based on what was available on cruise lines' websites. Prices may also vary based on the cruise line.
Alaska
Mendenhall Glacier Explorer in Juneau: $54.99/adult and $44.99/child
Gold Creek Alaska Salmon Bake in Juneau: $89.99/adult and $69.99/child
Glacier Sled Dog Experience by Helicopter in Skagway: $639.99/person
White Pass Summit Excursion in Skagway: $159.99/adult and $109.99/child
Caribbean/Bahamas
ATV Jungle Adventure & Beach in Cozumel, Mexico: $99.99/person
Blue Lagoon Private Island Fun Day with Lunch in Nassau, Bahamas: $94.99/adult and $84.99/child
Maya Key Private Island Retreat with Lunch in Mahogany Bay, Honduras: $84.99/adult and $59.99/child
Turtle Cove Sail & Snorkel With Open Bar in St. Thomas: $94.99/adult and $76.99/child
Europe
Exclusive Santorini with Lunch in Santorini, Greece: $189.99/adult and $149.99/child
The Ruins of Pompeii Archeological Site in Naples, Italy: $129.99/adult and $124.99/child
Vatican & St.Peter's Basilica Inside, & Colosseum in Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy: $234.99/adult and $204.99/child
Highlights of Paris & Time On Your Own in Le Havre (Paris), France: $269.99/adult and $249.99/child
Mexican Riviera
Cabo Discovery Tour: Arch, Shopping & Lunch in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: $99.99/adult and $84.99/child
Top 10 Best of Mazatlan & Mexican Show with Lunch in Mazatlan, Mexico: $64.99/adult and $54.99/child
Play, Relax, Unwind at Sabal Playa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: $59.99/person
What should you take on shore excursions?
On your ship, you don't have to carry anything but your cruise card. It serves as your identification and credit card. However, unless you're at a private destination, your cruise card is pretty useless ashore.
As such, you want to bring a few essentials with you when heading off the ship for your excursion. These include cash, a government-issued ID, and a credit or debit card. I'd advise against taking your passport on excursions because if you lose it, it's going to be more of a headache than your driver's license!
You'll also want to pack sunscreen, necessary medication, and a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. That said, don't forget your cruise card, as you will need it to scan on and off the ship!
Read more: Where to keep your cruise card, phone, and cash during a shore excursion?
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 over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
