newsprompt.coSHORE EXCURSIONS
A shore excursion is a group tour or activity aimed at cruise travelers who can only spend a limited time in each port they’re visiting on their itinerary. A shore excursion could be a sightseeing bus tour, a guided visit to a museum or historic site, an athletic activity (like a hike, bike ride or snorkeling), a day at the beach or a cooking or dance class. Shore excursions typically highlight the marquee attractions or culture of the destination being visited. Sometimes an excursion will take tourists to sites within walking distance of the cruise; on other occasions, they might take them on a day trip to a nearby city. Some shore excursions are targeted at families or can easily accommodate children. Some can accommodate passengers with mobility issues or other disabilities. Others may require a minimum level of fitness and are not suitable for everyone. Shore excursions may be sold by the cruise line and organized with a partner provider. They can also be purchased through independent operators or third-party tour sellers. A Shore excursion ensures that the attention and interest in a particular trip is maintained by the people throughout the course of the trip. This forms as the main feature of a shore excursion. A wide variety of tourist areas, distinct from the ports and harbours where the cruise liner halts is something any person would want to experience.
Another feature of such cruise shore excursions is that one does not have to make arrangements for sightseeing on one’s own. The cruise company takes care of all details. All that a person needs to do is pay the extra charges required to be deposited for such shore excursions. This gives a tourist the feasibility to depend on the cruise company to select the most relevant and necessary onshore tourist sites and then spend maximum quality time there. Cruise shore excursions are unique and depend on the route of the cruise ships. Each geographical location in the world is different and varied and it is not possible to see every new sightseeing place in the limited time provided. This is why cruise ships offer such shore excursion trips that highlight and elaborate places that are famous not just locally but are also desired to be seen internationally.
There are two types of excursions: cruise line-sponsored and independent. If you don’t want to book through the cruise line, you can book an independent tour with a private provider in a port you’re visiting. But be sure to do some research ahead of time to ensure you’ve chosen a reputable tour operator and that you’re getting a fair price. Also, if your independent tour is late returning to the pier, the ship is not required to wait for you. However, it will wait for cruise line-sponsored tours that run late.
Famous Destinations For Cruise Excursions
Belize City
For high-flying views of Belize’s rainforest, ziplining is a must, and for those who enjoy exploring ancient, darkened caverns, cave-tubing will be right up your alley. Combine them both on a tour that pairs the two for an active day in port.
Aruba
One of the best ways to see this destination is with a tour that hits island highlights and offers some beach time. Along the way, you’ll visit rock formations and lighthouses, and pass by some of the desert island landscapes and towns.
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
The relatively
new port at Amber Cove (aka Puerto Plata), in the Dominican Republic,
was opened in 2015 as a springboard for various beach-centric, active
and cultural diversions. For something really special, sign up for an
outing to the 27 waterfalls of the Damajagua River. During this
excursion, you can slip into a lagoon and enjoy up-close encounters
with some of the falls.
Tabyana Beach & Gumbalimba
If you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure and want to see a bit of Roatán’s untouched natural beauty, Gumbalimba Park, a nature and adventure park, gives you the best of all possible worlds, including a popular zip line, the opportunity to see monkeys and macaws, and the chance to simply relax in the extensive gardens featuring more than 200 plant and tree species.
Antigua
While the Caribbean is most well-known for sun and sand, there’s lots of history on offer as well. In St. John’s, Antigua, the historical highlights are Nelson’s Dockyard and Shirley Heights, both of which are remnants of the island’s British military past. The two sites can usually be visited on a half-day excursion, and both are typically included in any full-day bus tour of the island, which oftentimes is combined with a beach stop and lunch.
Costa Maya
Costa Maya is a laid-back Mexican tourism village carved out of Yucatan jungle featuring bars, restaurants, shops and pools. And while you can stick around and simply unwind at the touristy complex, or set off on one of the worthwhile side trips — like a visit to the mysterious Mayan ruins at Chacchoben — many passengers opt to spend a carefree day on the nearby beaches. Outside of the faux-village, there’s a real one: The one-time fishing town of Mahahual, with its beaches and beachside shops and restaurants, can be visited as an excursion, often in combination with activities like a party bus ride or sailing; or, visit independently as it’s just a quick cab or trolley ride away.
Barbados
If you need a break from beach-bumming, a popular alternative in Barbados is a tour of Harrison’s Cave. This crystallized limestone cavern comes teeming with streams and pools, stalactites and stalagmites. Explore the cave system on an electric tram tour, with commentary provided by an informative tour guide.
Altun Ha
For cruises that call at Belize City, an excursion Altun Ha, the country’s most easily accessible Maya archaeological site, is reachable in a two-hour guided cruise along the Belize River. Once a thriving city and trade center, its ruins still have 13 recognizable structures surrounding two plazas and Altun Ha’s 60-foot Temple of the Sun God. You can climb up the temple steps to the tops of three main sections of the structure and capture the Instagrammable photos of the surrounding countryside.
