A shore excursion is a group tour or activity aimed at cruise travelers who can only spend a limited time in each port they're visiting on their itinerary.
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You absolutely do not have to do shore excursions on a cruise. You are free to come and go at will from most cruise ships while they are in ports of call. Shore excursions are simply one means to explore the areas visited by the ship and to participate in available activities off the ship.
Cruises offer great value for your vacation dollar because the fares include nearly everything you'll need for a fantastic trip: food, accommodations, daytime and evening entertainment and transportation between destinations.
Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing. Unlike ocean liners, which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on tours known as shore excursions.
'Physical and mental relaxation', 'escaping from daily routine', and 'exploring new places/things' have been identified as the main motivation factors for first and repeat tourists. ... ...
The filthy fuel (called marine gas oil) means the big diesel engines on cruise ships emit tons of toxic smog that people on board and in port cities have to breathe. And while the smog is the most obvious in port, cruise ships also emit tons of greenhouse gases. (Cruising is actually worse for the climate than flying.
Taking Your PassportShould you take your passport with you on shore excursions? No, you shouldn't bring your passport, unless your tour requires it. We recommend bringing your driver's license as a form of ID instead. You don't want to risk losing your passport ashore.
For the most part, cruise lines do charge more than non-cruise-related tour operators for the same (or similar) outing. If you trust the company and feel confident that you won't miss the ship, it certainly makes sense to pay less by booking an excursion independently that could cost you more onboard.
Since the excursion is supposed to only take place within the allotted port time, the ship will wait for passengers coming from a cruise line excursion that's running late. However, if you've spent the day independently on your own, there are certain steps you must take to make sure you're not left stranded.
Book must-do tours as early as possibleThe most popular excursions and limited-participant tours will sell out — often before you even board your cruise ship. You'll want to book these online as early as you can.
There's a fine line between relaxation and boredom, and cruisers on long itineraries might find themselves dangerously close to that line at some point during their vacation. The more sea days there are, the harder cruisers often have to work to fill all those hours with activities that keep them engaged.
It shouldn't be a surprise, then, that hookups can and do happen on a cruise. Call it love, call it romance, call it a one-night stand. No matter what you call it, there are people on every cruise that end up getting down after meeting on the ship.
There are single cruisers on almost every ship. Some sail solo and others are in friend or family groups. Dining arrangements, onboard activities and port tours make meeting like-minded people easy. Also, it's socially acceptable to strike up conversations with others throughout the ship.
The biggest advantage of booking a cruise through a travel agent is personalized advice from a knowledgeable source. A good travel agent will discuss your vacation preferences, budget and other travel needs and suggest which cruises will be the best fit.
The Cruise Passenger publication says: There were only six reports of pirates attempting to attack cruise ships over the last 10 years – in fact there has never been a successful pirate attack on a cruise ship. However, this doesn't mean cruise ships aren't prepared for the worst.