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Make The Most Of Your Shore Excursions
cruise vacation is a port's many highlights. These
great way to see a lot of excursions usually cost more than
destinations in a short setting out on your own, but they
period of time, but you have to offer peace of mind because the
make the most of your shore tour operator has been inspected
excursions. If you think the by the cruise line for safety and
usual shopping and sightseeing the tour is specially designed to
excursions sound uninspiring, appeal to the cruise traveler.
there are plenty of other More importantly, these tours
options. How about scuba diving, greatly reduce the risk of
snorkeling, dog-sledding, or missing the ship's departure.
kayaking? Or maybe biking,
tubing, golfing, or fishing? How Tour information, as well as
about taking a helicopter tour or pricing, typically arrives with
swimming with stingrays? your cruise documents. Determine
Excursions like these are now which tours interest you and
routinely offered by cruise lines purchase tickets as early as
all over the world. possible, as the popular tours,
particularly on an Alaska cruise,
Whatever you decide, you need to sell out quickly. The good news
be 'shore-savvy'. Here is some is most cruise lines allow you to
basic advice. book your shore excursions on
their Web sites, so you can nail
Cruise line tours down your tour in advance. If you
can't book online, reserve your
Shore excursions arranged by the excursions as soon as possible
cruise line are great for people after boarding the ship.
who want the security of a guided
tour or are first time visitors If you are elderly or have a
with limited time to experience a handicap or are using strollers
to transport small children, him long enough to be sure there
think carefully about which won't be a language barrier. When
excursions you choose. The cities booking an independent tour, make
you visit may be ancient, with sure you are dealing with a
narrow streets and stairs, or well-established company that has
they may be isolated or have safe transportation and
rugged tropical terrain. Check equipment. Don't hesitate to ask
with the cruise line to see if tough questions of independent
it's safe for you to go ashore, tour operators. Ask how long the
and whether you will need special company has been in business; ask
accommodation. about the company's accident
record; and ask whether they
Do-it-yourself touring carry insurance. If the tour
operator does not answer your
Experienced or adventurous questions willingly, move on to
travelers may prefer to arrange another operator.
their own shore excursions. It
isn't difficult to do; in fact, Lastly, if you explore on your
most countries have own, make sure you return to the
tourist-office Web sites with cruise ship no later than 30
listings of popular activities minutes before the scheduled
and tour companies. But there are departure time, which is listed
some important things to keep in in the ship's daily activity
mind when setting out on your bulletin and posted at the
own. gangway. If you miss the launch,
you'll have to meet the ship at
When hiring a cab, negotiate the the next port -- at your own
price before you get in the cab. expense.
Also, if you expect the driver to
serve as a tour guide, visit with All ashore!
beverages, especially water, may
When traveling abroad, you may be off limits.
find that the way of life is
different from what you're *Always carry identification on a
accustomed to back home, or even shore excursion, including the
on the ship. Here are some things name of your ship and its docked
to think about before you step location. Take a photocopy of
ashore. your passport with you, as well.
*Dress appropriately for your *Keep alert. Your guides may give
port of call. Skimpy attire is you a badge to wear for
almost always inappropriate in identification. This may help
public, even if you're only going keep the group together, but it
to the beach; wear clothing over also allows shopkeepers and
your swimsuit so as not to offend thieves to target you.
the locals.
*Use common sense when walking to
*Leave expensive jewelry, excess and from the ship. Avoid
cash and credit cards in the shortcuts through deserted side
ship's safe. streets or alleys, and keep an
eye out for unexpected things in
*Wear a "fanny pack" or a money your path (cows, chickens,
belt when you go ashore. It scooters, beggars, pickpockets.
leaves your hands free and You never know what will turn up
protects your money and credit near the docks).
cards much better than a purse.
*Make sure your watch corresponds
*Check with the ship's shore to local time; if you don't, your
excursions staff about where to ship may sail without you!
eat on shore. Some food items and
It goes without saying doing a Clearly, the best planned shore
little research can greatly excursions will be remembered
increase your enjoyment in port. long after you've returned home.
Anita Dunham-Potter is a Pittsburgh-based travel journalist specializing in cruise travel. Anita is a weekly travel columnist for http://MSNBC.com and Tripso, and she is a contributor to Fodor's "Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises 2007".
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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