Shore Excursions

Shore Excursions

Shore Excursions are as important to the Cruise Experience as your MidnightBuffet. To assure the best possible sightseeing, the cruise lines plan a varied program of organized shore tours to help you get the most out of your cruise experience. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT SHORE EXCURSIONS:

When should I reserve my shore excursions?
How physically challenging are the Shore Excursions?
What do Shore Excursions Include?
When and where do Shore Excursions depart?
Is it possible to "Miss the Boat?"
What type of transportation is used for Shore Excursions?
Will transportation be available to the city centers?
How should I tip our Guide/Driver?
How can I find out more about the ports we'll be visiting?
Will I miss meals when I go ashore?
What should I wear?
Will I have time to shop?
How do I pay for Shore Excursions?

When should I reserve my shore excursions?

Some shore excursions can accommodate only a limited number of participants. Since they are sold on a first come, first serve basis, we recommend you purchase them as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment. Shore excursions for the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, and Panama Canal are booked when you get on board ship. You should receive a complete description of the tours available with your documents. Once you've made your decision, book them as soon as possible with the Shore Excursion Desk. Exotic Itineraries like Europe and the Orient allow you to book them in advance. Close to your final payment date, you will receive a complete description of your tours and a shore excursion order form. Some lines require you to prepay, others will simply bill your shipboard account.

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How physically challenging are the Shore Excursions?

It really depends on the tour. For example in some of the European cities you'll be visiting are ancient. Their quaint, narrow, cobblestone streets have been in existence long before motorized transportation. To preserve their beauty, some cities and old towns are pedestrian only. Most tours require some degree of walking; however, some excursions require extensive walking. Likewise, grand entryways and sprawling gardens of certain castles and cathedrals make walking and stair-climbing a necessity. Most cruise lines indicate which tours are more physical than others in their brochures and at the Shore Excursion Desk. Whatever your fitness level, we highly recommend comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes.

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What do Shore Excursions Include?

Shore excursions include transportation according to the itinerary, and meals, refreshments, guides, and entrance fees as indicated in the tour description book. Fares for shore excursions are subject to change without notice.

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When and where do Shore Excursions depart?

Most tours depart from the pier adjacent to the ship's berth. When the ship is at anchor, staff will be on hand to assist you to the departure point. Prior to arrival in each port of call, departure times will be confirmed by the ship's staff or daily activity bulletin.

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Is it possible to "Miss the Boat?"

All guests are required to be back aboard their ship no later than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time, which is listed in the daily bulletin and at the gangway as you leave the ship. The scheduling of all shore excursions conform with this requirement. However, if you leave a tour en route, it will be your responsibility to secure transportation and return to the pier on time. If you don't make it, they'll see you at the next port at your expense.

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What type of transportation is used for Shore Excursions?

Standards of transport vary considerably from country to country; however, excursions utilize the best quality transportation possible in each port. Air-conditioned vehicles are not always available. Guest wishing to travel together with friends should leave the ship together, as this will help the tour staff allocate space in the same vehicle.

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Will transportation be available to the city centers?

There are many ports in Europe that are not located in the city center. For the convenience of their guests, some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, shuttle bus service is arranged in those ports that are located a 1/2 mile or more away from the closest city center and do not have adequate local transportation available. (Believe us, finding local transportation is not a problem in the Caribbean. They will find you.) Schedules and days of operation are usually posted in the ship's bulletin.

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How should I tip our Guide/Driver?

Extending a gratuity to your guide or driver is strictly optional; however, in some countries, these personnel may anticipate that if you were pleased with their services, you will reward them in a monetary way. A commonly accepted guideline is $1 per person for a half day and $2 per person for a full day.

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How can I find out more about the ports we'll be visiting?

On most cruise ships, a qualified lecturer will hold informative talks on each port of call you visit. If you still have questions, the Port Lecturer will be glad to answer them. You should also do a little research before you go. Your local library should have all kinds of books pertaining to your destination. Formers and Fudo's also have wonderfully informative books identifying local points of interest, culture, and history.

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Will I miss meals when I go ashore?

Most tour departure times complement the ship's meal service hours, so you can enjoy your meal aboard then go ashore. However, on some full day tours, or if you take more than one tour in a day, your return on board may not coincide with meal hours. A buffet, snack, or room service is usually available all the time.

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What should I wear?

Other countries may have more conservative ideas about dress than you're accustomed. Attention is drawn to this matter so as not to offend. Cruise lines suggest when visiting places of worship (cathedrals), you dress conservatively, avoiding shorts or sundresses. Attend the port lectures for guidance. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes at all times. When visiting ruins or walking on cobblestone streets, wear rubber-soled shoes. It's also smart to wear a sun hat.

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Will I have time to shop?

Whenever possible, shopping time is allocated within the framework of the excursions. However, tours are not designed primarily for shopping.

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How do I pay for Shore Excursions?

With the exception of Royal Caribbean, who allows you to pre-pay for their Exotic Shore Excursions, your tours will be added to your shipboard account. You would settle all charges at the end of your cruise.

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