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You’re either a ship person or a port person. I’m certainly the latter. I travel to see places and do things and, while many ships are lovely, they’re only a means to an end. As soon as the gangplank clanks down, I’m off and anticipating another fine day out.
One of cruising’s pleasures is that do-it-yourself exploration is often easily achieved straight from the harbour. Not always, though, which is where shore excursions come in. When I think back to my many cruises, some of my top experiences have been enjoyed on wisely picked shore excursions.
While standard excursions – often included in the fare on more upmarket ships – are often staid city overviews by coach or on foot, there’s no end to shore-excursion variety as cruisers demand more immersive, more local and more interesting experiences.
Upmarket line Regent Seven Seas, for example, now has a line-up of more than 4500 all-inclusive excursions worldwide. Budget line Royal Caribbean has more than 6000 optional excursions, or an average of 13 choices per port.
Shore excursions have become more active: think cycling, hiking, rafting, sea kayaking or even rock climbing, sometimes in national parks and the world’s most remote places. You can scuba dive with sharks off islands in the Pacific, hike across polar ice, or join walking safaris on the African savannah.
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Such activities aren’t always easy to organise yourself. Other advantages of shore excursions? You might get after-hours entry to the world’s most popular museums and monuments, insightful tours of archaeological ruins or vineyards with experts, or privileged access to sporting events such as the Monaco Grand Prix.
You have more good reasons to do shore excursions, at least some of the time. They’re tried and tested. They might take you to places inconveniently distant from port. And if you’re after a stress-free holiday, especially in more hassle-prone places, then everything is organised for you.
At their best, shore excursions will leave you with lasting memories from a great day out. Here are some of the finest examples.
THE ARCHAEOLOGIST
Street scenes, Kusadasi, Turkey
The place Fishing village-turned-tourist resort Kusadasi retains traditional markets, hammams and winding old-town streets. Excursions head beyond to visit the reputed House of the Virgin Mary, the ancient ruins of Miletus and Didyma, or for coastal horse trekking or quad biking.
The excursion The Greco-Roman remains of Ephesus are among the world’s best-preserved ruins yet still best interpreted by a knowledgeable guide. Entire street layouts are preserved along with parts of temples, baths and first-century public toilets. The statue-studded facade of the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre are highlights, but pick an excursion that includes the mosaic-floored Terrace Houses as a bonus.
Make it happen Kusadasi is a popular port on eastern Mediterranean or Greek island cruises. Emerald Cruises’ 15-day “Discover the Eastern Mediterranean” itinerary from Athens to Dubrovnik departs October 16, 2027, from $14,440 a person twin share. See emerald.cruises
THE ADVENTURER
Cold-water snorkel, Sitka, US
The place Sitka, which sits on a beautiful sound studded with little islands, is the former capital of Russian Alaska and has an Orthodox cathedral and interesting history. Excursions take you sea kayaking, salmon fishing, sea-otter spotting, walking in Tongass National Forest, or to the Alaska Raptor Centre.
The excursion The best excursions encourage you to do things you’d never otherwise think of – such as snorkelling in frigid Alaskan waters aided by the buoyancy and (semi) warmth of a dry suit. Off Halibut Point you’ll encounter orange starfish, crabs, anemones, urchins and plump sea cucumbers, as well as several species of fish and meadows of gently waving kelp. Sea lions might sometimes appear.
Make it happen Sitka is visited on Alaskan round-trip cruises from Vancouver or Seattle. Holland America Line’s seven-day “Alaska Explorer” itinerary return from Seattle departs on June 19, 2027, from $2079. See hollandamerica.com
THE ALTERNATIVE-MINDED
Spinalonga Island, Heraklion, Greece
The place Heraklion, the capital of Crete, has a vibrant waterfront district filled with restaurants, bars and street markets. The classic excursion visits Minoan archaeological site Knossos. Others take you to Cretan villages, Kera Monastery or Arolithos Cultural Village.
The excursion For something utterly different in a country known for hedonism and ancient ruins, head to little Spinalonga Island, on which lepers were once confined. The story is haunting, and so are the 20th-century ruins of houses, shops, a small school and church. But it isn’t all gloom: the turquoise waters, fig trees, 16th-century Venetian fortifications and brown hills provide the tourist cliches.
Make it happen Heraklion is a common port call on the Greek island, eastern Mediterranean and wider Mediterranean cruises. Princess Cruises’ 20-day “Best of the Mediterranean” itinerary from Barcelona to Istanbul departs on July 15, 2027, from $US5999 ($8710) a person twin share. See princess.com
THE NATURE LOVER
Safari, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
The place Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha) is nicely situated and flanked by great beaches, but its biggest attraction is the wildlife that lurks beyond. Excursions take you to townships and arts-and-craft centres or to private game reserves such as Amakhala, Kariega and Pumba.
The excursion When top sights are inland and public transport poor, excursions come into their own. Addo Elephant National Park is dedicated to elephant conservation, and with 450 of the roaming animals, you’ll get close to many. The park is also home to warthogs, zebras, antelope and numerous bird species, plus a few often-elusive lions and rhinos.
Make it happen Port Elizabeth is a standard port call on South African cruises and some wider African and Indian Ocean cruises. Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 15-night “Madagascar Marvels” itinerary from Cape Town to Port Louis departs on February 1, 2027, from $19,840. See rssc.com
THE INQUISITIVE
Truffle hunt, Macon, France
The place Macon is an unexceptional town with a pleasant riverside promenade, but it sits amid the glorious rolling landscapes of historical southern Burgundy. Excursions take you to Chateau de Cormatin, Vonnas for a Georges Blanc cooking demonstration, or to medieval Cluny Abbey.
The excursion You can seldom rock up at someone’s farm or business as an individual, but you can visit on excursions, giving you the opportunity to learn curious things. On a truffle farm, you’ll meet the farmer and his truffle-hunting hound, and discover exactly what truffles are, how they’re grown and how they’re harvested. You won’t mind the truffle tasting afterwards, either.
Make it happen Macon is visited on Provence cruises along the Rhone and Saone rivers. Scenic’s 11-day “Spectacular South of France” itinerary round trip from Lyon has several departures from March to October 2027, from $6295 a person twin share. See scenic.com.au
THE THRILL SEEKER
Mitchell Falls, Kimberley, Australia
The place Naturalist Island sits at the mouth of the Hunter River amid rust-red landscapes; its beach creates a natural helicopter landing pad. The only excursion alternative is a Zodiac exploration of the river’s mangrove channels to spot crocodiles and birds.
The excursion Skimming over the Kimberley’s vast interior in an open-door helicopter reveals bony earth, dried-up riverbeds, outcrops of orange rock and no sign of human intervention. Then you swoop above thundering, four-tiered Mitchell Falls and land atop the escarpment. Pick your way through spinifex to chasm viewpoints, and take a dip in a waterhole. On the return flight, the coast returns in a magnificent display of emerald water and a thousand rusted islands.
Make it happen Naturalist Island is visited on Kimberley cruises. Silversea’s 10-day “Kimberley” itinerary from Darwin to Broome departs on July 15, 2027, from $17,700 a person twin share. See silversea.com
THE TRAIN BUFF
World’s end, Ushuaia, Argentina
The place Ushuaia is a rough frontier city surrounded by splendid wilderness and backed by snowy mountains. Excursions include driving, hiking or birdwatching in Tierra del Fuego National Park, fishing at Escondido Lake, or sightseeing in the Carbajal Valley.
The excursion The convict-built Southern Fuegian, the world’s southernmost functioning railway, has a fascinating if horrible history. These days a restored section takes you in red carriages pulled by a huffing steam engine for a scenic ride into Tierra del Fuego. You cross gravelly rivers and flower-studded meadows and clatter through shivering forest, with glimpses of snowy Andes mountains in the distance.
Make it happen Ushuaia is the departure port for Antarctic cruises and also visited on South American cruises. Viking Cruises’ 18-day “South America & Chilean Fjords” itinerary from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso has several departures January-February and December 2027, from $11,045 a person twin share. See vikingcruises.com
THE WATER LOVER
Stingray swim, Opunohu Bay, French Polynesia
The place Opunohu Bay is an indent into Moorea’s turquoise lagoon and voluptuous green mountains. Excursions include a beach day on a motu, off-road drives into the rugged hinterland, dolphin watching, catamaran sailing or highlights tours of the island.
The excursion There’s water and then there’s the water of Moorea’s incomparable lagoon, a gin-clear palette of aquamarine, cobalt and eye-scrunching electric blue. And there’s swimming with coral and tropical fish – which you get here too – and then there’s swimming or snorkelling with small reef sharks and stingrays as large as tablecloths with undulating, rubbery wings. It’s one of the world’s most thrilling marine experiences.
Make it happen Moorea features on dedicated French Polynesia and other trans-Pacific cruises. Ponant’s eight-day “Tahiti & the Society Islands” itinerary has several departures in June and August-December 2027, from $4240 a person twin share. See ponant.com
THE CULTURE VULTURE
Golden days, Cordoba, Spain
The place Malaga is a fine Andalusian city with a pleasant old town, good little museums and Moorish influences. Excursions often head inland to destinations such as whitewashed hilltop town Ronda or the Alhambra Palace in Granada, but upmarket seaside resort town Marbella is an option too.
The excursion Cordoba, Europe’s largest cultural and intellectual centre in the Middle Ages, lies 150 kilometres inland, so you’ll miss out unless you take an excursion. Its venerable and gigantic mosque turned cathedral is a World Heritage masterpiece of hybrid Moorish and Gothic architecture, but the town has several other monuments, a well-preserved Jewish Quarter, and many flower-filled patios.
Make it happen Cordoba is visited from Malaga on western Mediterranean cruises and longer journeys to northern Europe. Explora Journeys’ nine-night “Journey of Iberian Scenery” return from Barcelona departs on April 3, 2027, from S10,700 a person twin share. See explorajourneys.com
THE FOODIE
Heritage flavours, Kobe, Japan
The place Kobe has notable European 19th-century architecture, a Chinatown and a busy downtown near a promenade-lined harbour. Excursions visit one of Japan’s two previous capitals, Kyoto or Nara, perennially buzzing Osaka, Himeji samurai castle or Awaji Island.
The excursion Take a food-focused excursion and you don’t only eat but have the heritage or farming methods behind the food explained by local guides or chefs. Kobe is known for octopus dumplings and what’s sometimes described as Japan’s ultimate street food, sobameshi, a mix of fried rice and noodles. The highlight is buttery, richly flavoured Kobe beef enjoyed as sashimi (raw), sukiyaki (in a hotpot) or from a teppanyaki grill.
Make it happen Kobe features on Japan cruises and some others that link to wider destinations such as Taiwan, Hong Kong or South-East Asia. Oceania’s 10-day “Japanese Dawn” itinerary return from Tokyo departs on March 11, 2027, from $9220. See oceaniacruises.com
THE SPORTIVE
Golf, Dundee, Scotland
The place Dundee is an industrial city that has revamped its waterfront, turned to arts, and scored a UNESCO City of Design accolade. Excursions take you to Glamis Castle, Arbroath Abbey, Famous Grouse whisky distillery, and Balmoral Castle.
The excursion On this cruise you get the chance to play some of the world’s top 100 courses, such as Ailsa Turnberry, Royal Dornoch and Cabot Highlands, but your highlight will surely be watching The 155th Open (July 11-18) at the Old Course in the home of golf, St Andrews, over two days. The world’s oldest golf course has hosted The Open 30 times.
Make it happen Dundee is visited on British Isles or sometimes just Scotland cruises, and occasionally cruises to the Norwegian fjords. Azamara’s 13-night “British Isles Cruise” from Portsmouth to Leigh (Edinburgh) departs on July 7, 2027, from $US9119 a person twin share. See azamara.com
THE WILDERNESS SEEKER
Penguin encounter, Salisbury Plain, South Georgia
The place Salisbury Plain is a flat coastal plain wedged between glaciers and mountains, and fronted by beaches on which seals and elephant seals shuffle. This is a wilderness destination with no alternative excursions, where you disembark by Zodiac.
The excursion involves great wildlife encounters, and you hardly think of penguins, but when you’re walking amid 120,000 king penguins – all emitting an eye-watering stink – you won’t soon forget the impact. You’ll be close enough to see their iridescent plumage and wrinkled black feet. The sub-Antarctic landscape is splendid too: few other places give you this sense of isolation amid raw nature.
Make it happen South Georgia is visited on select Antarctic itineraries. HX Expeditions’ 23-day “South Georgia, Antarctica & Falklands Expedition” return from Punta Arenas has several departures in January-February and November-December 2027, from $26,409 a person twin share. See travelhx.com
Five great ports for getting out of town
The best reason to take shore excursions is to get yourself beyond ports without the organisational hassle. If you’ve visited these cities before, you’ll have abundant beyond-the-horizon choices.
Nice, France The frustration here is too much choice. Opt for the French Riviera and you can take in Antibes, Cannes or luxe microstate Monaco. Head inland and the lavender fields, vineyards and medieval villages of Provence await. Two common excursion destinations are Grasse, centre of France’s perfume industry, and arty medieval St-Paul-de-Vence. Celebrity Cruises calls at Nice on various Mediterranean cruises and on others from Southampton in England. See celebritycruises.com; explorenicecotedazur.com
Boston, US Plymouth Rock, where immigrant British pilgrims first arrived, has a replica of their ship the Mayflower. Salem might be notorious for witch trials, but it also has a rich maritime history. Martha’s Vineyard is a tranquil island getaway. Head inland and there are two treats for history buffs, Concord and Lexington, both American Revolution sites. Norwegian Cruise Line calls at Boston on 10-day Canada and New England cruises. See ncl.com; meetboston.com
Osaka, Japan The key excursion destinations are Japan’s former capitals Nara and Kyoto, where you can immerse yourself in temples and shrines and get dollops of culture. Some excursions visit the bamboo groves of Arashiyama, just west of Kyoto. Alternatives are Kobe, known for its European architecture and Chinatown, and Mount Rokko, reached by funicular. Azamara calls at Osaka on 14-night Japan Intensive cruises such as one departing on August 26, 2027. See azamara.com; osaka-info.jp
Barcelona, Spain If you’re a frequent cruiser, you’ve surely been to Barcelona, so head off instead to medieval Girona and its well-preserved Jewish Quarter, coastal Sitges, or to the monastery complex at Montserrat, which hunkers in a spectacular setting between rock pinnacles. Alternatively, wine taste in the Penedès wine region or visit a traditional Catalan farm. Cunard calls at Barcelona on western Mediterranean cruises and others focusing on Spain and Italy. See cunard.com; barcelonaturisme.com
Dunedin, New Zealand Nature lovers should head to the Otago Peninsula to see sea lions, seals, penguins and royal albatross. The most popular excursion, however, is to Larnach Castle, a Gothic Revival mansion with magnificent views. Alternatives are Taieri Gorge Railway for a ride through spectacular scenery, or a visit to a working sheep farm. APT calls at Dunedin on New Zealand expedition cruises such as one departing on January 4, 2027. See aptouring.com; dunedinnz.com
