Part of the fun while traveling by cruise is the many excursions that are available for each destination. Whether it's swimming with dolphins in the Caribbean, hiking on a glacier in Alaska, or taking a bus tour of the landmarks in Rome, there is plenty of fun activities to do that will enhance your cruising experience. You're going to want to choose your excursions carefully because they can take up all of your time at a port and they can also be a bit pricey.
Here are some factors that may help you decide which shore excursion will be worth it.
Destinations That Are Far From the Port
If you're looking to go to a specific destination, but it's a long distance away from the port where the ship is docked, your best bet is to take a cruise-organized excursion. For example, if you're on a Mediterranean cruise that is stopping in the ship port of Alexandria, Egypt, and you plan on seeing the Pyramids, you're going to want to book an excursion because Cairo is about three hours away. You can take your chances with an excursion booked by an outside company, but make sure that the schedule fits with your cruise because it will cost a lot of money to get to the next port if you miss the ship.
Knock An Item Off The Bucket List
If there's something that you've always wanted to do and your cruise offers it through an excursion, do it! Don't mind the price. If it's something you really want, it will be worth it. This can include swimming with sharks, dog sledding in Alaska, riding a helicopter in Hawaii, deep-sea fishing in the South Pacific, and so much more. These activites will leave you with memories to last a lifetime and a great story to tell your friends and family back home.
Exploring the Culture
Some shore excursions may offer a true cultural experience. Perhaps this can include picking grapes at a vineyard in France, cooking classes, art lessons, private museum tours, or even dance lessons. This sort of excursion will give you a hands-on sense of a city's culture and you may even have a chance to meet and mingle with the locals.
Get Physical
If you want to get your blood pumping, book an excursion that involves a physical activity like kayaking in the Caribbean or zip-lining through a Costa Rican rainforest. You can also choose activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, biking, or riding an ATV, in which equipment will be provided for you. The cruise line will ensure that you have the safest adventure possible with quality service. Just make sure that the level of activity during the excursion is something that you're comfortable with and able to handle.
Just Relax
With all of the adventurous excursions you may go on, your cruise will be full of excitement, but sometimes it's nice to just relax. Book an excursion that involves a visit to a secluded beach, sailing while sipping on wine, taking a romantic catamaran cruise, and maybe even a fancy lobster lunch where you can really treat yourself. These excursions will serve as a little reminder of why you're on vacation and that sometimes all you need is a little relaxation.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
