Mistakes To Avoid When Booking Cruise Shore Excursions

There are so many reasons why people love cruising. For starters, travelers are able to enjoy the sight of that soothing, restorative, wonder of nature known as water, whether that be open expanses of sea and ocean, or slim slashes of river that wind between cities. The joy of flitting from port to port without having to unpack and repack at each stop is also greatly appealing, especially to repeat cruisers that extol the convenience of this arrangement. Some vacationers like the experience of exploring the ship, from the open decks where they can take their morning walks, to the quiet corners where they can catch up on reading, or chat with a fellow passenger (the social aspect is a big draw). For others, it's the endless food and the entertainment, from the live shows on stage to the fun facilities on board (water slides, zip lines, roller coasters) and the informative lectures. 

Perhaps the greatest attraction is the chance to explore a new place each day to see and experience a change of scene from 24 hours earlier. Ships often sail overnight so that they dock in a different location in the morning, and these trips off the boat, known as shore excursions, represent the land segment of a cruise trip and are an integral part of the vacation. But taking a shore excursion isn't a simple endeavor, and choosing unwisely can turn it into a deflating experience. Here are some common pitfalls to consider when booking your next one.

Here's an obvious statement that's worth reiterating — the most popular excursions are the ones that sell out the fastest, a classic example of Economics 101 where demand swarms over supply. Once you book your cruise, and you find a trip that you must go on (like whale-watching in Alaska), reserve space on it immediately online before those slots are gone. Some top sellers in the Caribbean, for instance, include snorkel tours in the Bahamas, an ATV tour to the more remote parts of Aruba, frolicking with stingrays in the clear waters of Grand Cayman, and wandering around Old San Juan. 

Advance bookings can also be cheaper than the same trip booked onboard the ship (assuming it's still available), making early reservations a sound financial choice. For other tours that pique your interest, but that aren't bucket-list choices, head for the excursions desk on the ship as soon as you board, and hand over a payment card so the staff can keep a space for you.

Some destinations have plenty of shore excursions that might appeal to a range of travelers, and some of those might even be bucket-list trips. However, those once-in-a-lifetime journeys are also likely to be the most popular ones, and usually sell out quickly, as we've already noted above. Always have a backup choice, a Plan B (and even a Plan C), if the excursion that you are interested in has sold out before you signed up. 

Visitors to Athens, for example, often dream of taking a tour of the Acropolis, a homage to the gods set high above the Greek capital, but this tour can quickly sell out. In that case, why not opt for a food tour instead, another way to enjoy some of the city's unique delights? If none of the back-ups seem interesting, then you shouldn't feel forced to choose one of them just because they have spots on them, or due to peer pressure. You are, after all, paying for the privilege of taking the excursion, and there's no point dropping a wad of cash on a trip that you know you won't enjoy.

Whatever the type of excursion you book, it is key to pack properly, not just on the day itself, but ahead of time, before you get on the boat for the first day of departure. Knowing which shore excursions you will be taking before you set sail will, of course, help you to choose the appropriate items to pack, which is just another reason why it helps to have these trips booked and paid for well beforehand. When at home, pulling together pieces to put in your suitcase, think about the excursions you will be taking and what you will need on them. 

If you suffer from sea sickness on small boats and will take a boat excursion around the Mediterranean, pack nausea pills. For a hiking trip to a waterfall in Jamaica, bring sturdy footwear and maybe some insect repellent. For each excursion, it helps to be as self-sufficient as possible, so things like snacks, hydrating liquids, comfortable shoes, the right kind of clothing for each specific trip (swimming gear, hiking wear, modest outfits for visits to religious shrines, etc.), sunblock, a hat, and so on, will ensure that you are prepared for the rigors of the excursion.

Let's get one thing straight. A shore excursion is just that, a quick trip that gives you a taste of a destination, which is obvious when you understand its parameters — you have a set amount of time on a short trip organized by the cruise line to see a specific roster of sights. It's a bit like going to a restaurant but instead of taking a leisurely meal at the table there, you get the food to go. 

Travelers are never really going to get under the skin of a destination when taking a shore excursion, they won't be able to explore a place in-depth, or in any meaningful way. If that is the kind of travel you prefer, then think twice, not just about shore excursions but cruising as a way to see the world. But excursions do allow passengers to sample many items conveniently, like a buffet where you can nibble on a different tasty morsel each day. They are also hassle-free, with everything set up for you, and safe, which can be a big concern for people traveling to any destination for the first, or even 15th, time.

Unless you opt for the private tours that some cruise lines offer, or research and arrange one on your own, chances are that you won't be alone on the excursion. Beyond your family and friends on the trip with you, you are likely to be surrounded by strangers, some of which you may have seen on the ship or greeted with a "hello" or "good morning" at some point during the sailing. Shore excursions are group efforts, and while there might be times during them when you can separate yourself from the pack (some incorporate sections of free time), they are designed to move throughout the day with participants forming one solid mass (it's much easier for the tour leader to keep track of his charges when they stick together, and it's also safer). 

If you don't want to be around strangers, but still want to explore the destination, consider planning the trip with a local operator, or just wander around the port independently, free and easy. Also note that when you are on a shore excursion with a large group, it can only proceed as quickly as the slowest person on it, something to consider if you are a restless traveler always ready to move on to the next thing.

Of course, a cruise line can't offer excursions that will appeal to everyone, and sometimes travelers find there isn't a trip that interests them. Alternatively, passengers might find a trip they like but are put off by the high price of what seems like a straightforward itinerary. In these circumstances, you should explore booking an excursion independently, which is very easily done. Sites like Shore Excursions Group have thousands of options all over the globe, though some of the trips might place you in a group with other travelers from the same ship anyway. 

Shore excursions that travelers put together themselves tend to be cheaper than those booked through the cruise line since you are removing one link in the chain of expenses by bypassing the cruise company. An even cheaper option, of course, is to not book an excursion, but to head out to the port and do some impromptu exploration around the dock, maybe enjoy a little shopping for souvenirs, have lunch at a local joint, or even find a taxi and hire it for a few hours to show you some local sights or take you to a tucked-away beach. If you do this though, always remain aware of your surroundings and take extra precautions to stay safe, since you won't have a tour leader keeping a beady eye on you.

If you don't feel like going on an excursion, the simple answer is ... don't. While excursions offer a fabulous way to see the world, the ship itself has plenty to offer to keep travelers entertained or to help them relax and unwind, the main point of a vacation, after all. There is absolutely no reason to feel guilty about wanting to experience the boat when it's empty, to hang out by the pool with a soothing tipple in hand, and soak in the tranquility as fellow passengers pour into the port. 

Excursion times are a good moment to wander around the ship. You can really get a handle on the facilities without feeling rushed or having someone looking over your shoulder, waiting their turn. It's also a good time to get to know the crew and learn some of the stories from staff that hail from all corners of the globe. And by not getting off at the port, you're likely saving yourself a chunk of change.

A wonderful part of the shore excursion is the opportunity to experience a different atmosphere each day. It's possible, depending on the itinerary of a sailing, for the food, language, architecture, and customs to be wholly separate from that at the port a day earlier, adding layers of intrigue and novelty to every stop. The shopping in each place is also likely to be different, and when out on the town, or in a small pottery studio in the back-country, or by a farm stall that's a stop during the excursion, you might find something unique when you least expect it, that one tchotchke that you don't know how you ever lived without. 

At times like these, be sure to have money on hand; sometimes a credit card is enough, as vendors are savvy enough to not say no to money in any shape or form, but for smaller set-ups, cash remains king. At ports not far from the United States, dollars usually work, but for destinations in Europe, Australia, or Asia, you'll need to snap up some local currency (it also feels pretty cool to have bills from other countries in your wallet, like you're a jet-setter).