Life While Off the Ship

There is an overwhelmed high amount of destination and shore excursions popular throughout the cruise industry. While the cruise experience is a treat in itself, off board excursions are one of the biggest factors when choosing a cruise vacation. Knowing how a cruise line develops its shore excursion options will allow you to better plan your own cruise adventure. 

Cruises are a great vacation choice as they allow you to visit dream destinations and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Off board excursions available through cruise vacations are often filled with excitement, and adventure, and are at the top of hundreds of travelers’ bucket lists. Picking the perfect activity options during your time at sea will better intensify your cruise experience, raise your adrenaline, and leave you with long-lasting memories. 

There is a lot to consider when picking the perfect excursion for your cruise. It is recommended to do as much research as possible, to make the most of your time onboard and get the best experience possible. Destination, fitness level, length, and amenities are all factors to think about when choosing an excursion, in addition to personal preferences. 

The destination of your ports of call is probably one of the biggest draws to the cruise you choose in the first place. The location will definitely dictate what types of activities and excursions are available. If the cruise route was a big factor when deciding to book a holiday at sea, put the most effort and attention into the excursions offered at that location; you choose that destination for a reason. 

Most cruise lines understand that passengers have different interests, and therefore tend to have multiple different activity options for each destination. It is a good idea to get all of your excursions booked first, and then alter your budget around that. Remember the reason you booked the vacation in the first place, and what kind of memories and experiences you want to have. Prioritize your biggest draws, and worry about the rest later. 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when booking an off board excursion is over-estimating your fitness level. Being realistic about your physical capabilities is a key factor in whether or not your experience will be enjoyable or not. Booking an excursion and not being able to complete them are disappointing and a waste of money. 

Cruise lines will often mark up excursions based on fitness level, but it is up to you to know what you are and aren’t capable of. Look for the best excursions that fit your fitness level, needs, and personal preference. If you know ahead of time you aren’t a fan of heights, don’t book an activity requiring you to use a zip-line. Not having the right level of physical fitness can lead to you having a bad experience, and potentially hold up other participants as well. 

Cruise lines do their best to find tour operators with the best prices, reputations, and creativity in whatever location they are traveling. Cost is always a factor on any type of holiday, especially cruises, but excursions are typically one of a cruises’ biggest draws. When booking your off board activities, be sure to stick within your budget. 

Most cruisers can’t book the most extravagant or expensive excursion at every port of call. They often have to pick and choose and balance the excursion and budget. If you are cruising on a budget, booking a half-day excursion is a great way to save money while choosing excursions, as well as getting another half day exploring more of the destination on foot. 

Different ports of call and destinations will have different lengths of time that passengers are off-board the ship. When choosing excursions, take this into consideration, in addition to the length of the excursion itself. Heaving enough time to enjoy the activity of your choice will make for a more pleasant and enjoyable experience. 

The number of participants allowed on an excursion and the type of activity will often dictate the length of time it will last. If there are more people, expect it to last longer. If you are wanting to explore the destination itself and have some time to relax during your time off board, consider booking an excursion with little included that only last half a day or just a few hours. Rushing through excursion often make the experience disappointing, and allows you to miss out on magical moments and last-minute discoveries. 

Typically, cruise lines do a pretty good job when writing descriptions for off board excursions and activities. Having all of the information for the excursion of your choice is important for having a good experience. Make sure you pay attention to the wording in the descriptions, what is included, and what the experience will be like. 

Don’t skim over important information when reading excursion descriptions. Fully understand what you are paying for and what the words are saying. Be sure to know things such as how much time you will spend in transit, if you take pictures if lunch is included, certain gear to bring, and other various bits of information you will want to know ahead of time.