What are shore excursions?

Question

i know this sounds retarded but im looking for a good cruise & the phrase 'shore excursions' came up. what is it?

Answer 1

When a cruise ship is docked at a port, practically everything on the ship to entertain you is closed.  This is to encourage you to get off the ship and spend money in the port.

A shore excursion is a planned adventure.  A tour guide will meet you dockside and excort you to whatever you have choosen.

Notables about shore excursions...

They are NOT included in the price of your cruise.

They are optional.

Some of the adventures can be expensive.  Plan $50-200 per person per adventure.

Some of the ports were you have to tender (ride the ferry) to the dock, the folks with booked shore excursions get priority to get off the ship.

You can book your excursion through the cruise line or on your own..warning about booking on your own...you will save money but the tour operators that book with the cruise line are checked out and if that excursion runs late, they can contact the ship. If you book on your own, you are at risk if your trip runs late.  Also, we had friends that booked an excursion on their own and were charged over $300 to be returned to the ship on time.

Examples of shore excursion...swimming with the dolphins, exploring Myan ruins, beach trips, submarine rides, rainforest exploration, golf, food adventures.  

Shore excursions are the biggest portion of our expenses budget when we cruise.

Answer 2

What do you THINK "excursion" means?

It means TRIP... shore excursions are side trips you take when the ship is in port.

Answer 3

a rip off, do your own thing and save tons!

Answer 4

It mean day trips off the boat. If you book these through the cruise line, do it on-line because the best ones sell out fast. Shore excursion can be anywhere from 2 hours to 8 hours, or even overnight.. They range in price from $20 each on up. Shore excursions are always safe and one of the best ways to see a city or port without worrying about anything. They take you wherever you go and guarantee to get you back to the ship on time.

Answer 5

Dear menudo which i like very much after some tequilas shore excursion means you are traveler on cruise boat and when on visiting port you go Offshore to see the area  and enrich your self of the experience !

Answer 6

These are sort of "adventures" that you can take while you are in port.  For example, in Nassau, you can do swimming with dolphins.  Or, snorkeling in Cabo.  Or, canopy tours (zip line over the jungle) in Puerto Vallarta.

:)Ayelle