Cruise411.com - Shore Excursions

What is a shore excursion?
A shore excursion is an organized and guided tour in a cruise ship's port of call. Shore excursions are offered all over the world and are available virtually anywhere that a cruise ship stops. There are shore excursions for almost any age or physical activity level. Whether you're into watersports like sailing or scuba diving, high adventure activities like rafting, hiking, and biking, or less strenuous activities like shopping tours, bus tours, or visits to museums and historical sites, you'll find a shore excursion that suits your interests. Port Promotions & Services offers selected shore excursions in Alaska and the Caribbean that can be booked in advance at a savings over onboard prices.

Why should I book a shore excursion? Can't I arrange my own tours?
You may be able to arrange your own tours -- but why would you want to? When you book a pre-packaged shore excursion, almost everything is included for one low price -- transportation to your tour or activity, admission or entrance fees to attractions, and most importantly, the services of a well-trained local tour guide. Shore excursions also ensure that you'll get the most for your money. When you book a pre-packaged shore excursion from our extensive selection, you'll not only save money -- you'll save time. All of the thinking is done for you. You'll spend less time doing research and more time having fun. You get to choose from the very best and most popular tours in a port of call, based on your interests, and you'll be escorted by local experts familiar with the port's history and culture. Furthermore, there's no waiting in line at a port's most popular attractions. When you're part of a tour, your tickets are purchased in advance -- you move right to the front of the line, saving you valuable time for enjoying as many sights as you desire.

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What do shore excursions include?
Shore excursions include transportation (based on itinerary), tour guides, and entrance fees to the attractions you'll be visiting. Some excursions may include meals, drinks, and refreshments. Prices for shore excursions are subject to change without notice.

How physically challenging are shore excursions?
It really depends on the tour. Most excursions require some degree of walking. Some excursions will require extensive walking. In other instances, stair-climbing will be a necessity. Many excursions require a great deal of energy. For example, rafting in Alaska, bike tours, and scuba diving tours will generally require that you to be in good physical shape before participating. Whatever your fitness level, we highly recommend comfortable, low-heeled walking shoes. For more detailed information about a specific tour's intensity level, please call 877-687-7447.

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What type of transportation is used for shore excursions?
Standards of transportation vary considerably from country to country. Excursions utilize the best quality transportation available in each port, and air-conditioned vehicles are not always available. Guests wishing to travel with family and friends should always depart the ship together. This will help the tour staff allocate appropriate space in a single vehicle.

Will transportation be available to the city centers?
For the convenience of their guests, some cruise lines offer shuttle bus service from ports that do not have adequate local transportation available and/or are located a half-mile or more away from the closest city center. Details are usually posted in the ship's bulletin. Taxis are also generally available if you elect not to take an organized tour.

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Should I tip our guide/driver?
Extending a gratuity to your guide or driver is strictly optional. In some countries, however, tour personnel may anticipate a monetary reward for their services. A commonly accepted guideline for tipping tour personnel is $1 per person for a half-day and $2 per person for a full day.

How can I find out more about the ports we'll be visiting?
Do a little research before you depart. Your local library should have all kinds of information pertaining to your destination. Frommer's and Fodor's offer wonderfully informative books covering local points of interest, culture, and history. On many ships, qualified lecturers will hold informative talks detailing each port of call you'll be visiting.

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Will I miss meals when I go ashore?
Most tour departure times complement a ship's meal service hours, so you can enjoy your meal onboard before or after visiting the shore. Guests taking full day tours, or more than one tour in a day, may not return in time for regularly scheduled meal hours. Buffets, snacks, and room service are generally available onboard at any time of day.

What should I wear?
Some countries have more conservative ideas about dress than many guests are accustomed to. To avoid offending the locals, many cruise lines suggest dressing conservatively when visiting places of worship, i.e., cathedrals, and avoiding shorts or sundresses. Attend your ship's port lectures for additional guidance. Guests should wear comfortable walking shoes at all times. When visiting ruins or walking along cobblestone streets, wear rubber-soled shoes. It's also a good idea to bring along a sun hat.

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Will I have time to shop?
Whenever possible, shopping time will be allocated within the framework of your excursion. Tours, however, are not primarily designed for shopping.

Can I pre-book my shore excursions online?
Absolutely. Through our special arrangement with Port Promotions & Services, we offer online booking for an extensive selection of the most popular shore excursions in Alaska and the Caribbean. You may also book by phone. To request a free brochure or speak directly with a Port Promotions representative, please call 877-687-7447.

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Are your shore excursions the same ones offered by the cruise lines?
Port Promotions & Services utilizes many of the same tour operators that the cruise lines use. Reserve your excursion with Port Promotions, however, and you'll save time and money when you book in advance. You'll also be greeted by a private representative upon arrival.

Why should I book shore excursions on this site instead of booking onboard?
Even though Port Promotions & Services utilizes many of the same tour operators as the cruise lines, there are plenty of reasons to book your excursions in advance . . .

Save money -- these prices are 10% to 20% less than those you'll find onboard
Avoid the long lines at your ship's shore excursion desk
All reservations are confirmed BEFORE you sail -- there's no chance of a sellout
Receive a full refund if your tour is cancelled due to bad weather or your ship misses port
Order online -- it's safe, convenient, and secure
Order by phone -- call Port Promotions & Services toll-free at 877-687-7447

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How reputable is Port Promotions & Services?
Very. They've been providing shore excursions for more than 20 years and have a wonderful reputation. Their staff has worked onboard cruise ships for years, and they've developed relationships with local tour operators to ensure that you'll have an enjoyable experience in each port that they represent. We're confident that our customers will enjoy the very same tours you'll find offered on a cruise ship at lower prices and with greater convenience.

What if weather causes a tour to be cancelled?
Port Promotions & Services will provide a full refund for any excursion cancelled by the tour operator due to inclement weather or a ship not reaching port.

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Can I wait and book my tours when I get on the ship?
You will have the option to book excursions aboard your ship. However, these exclusive excursions -- offered in advance to our customers -- cannot be reserved onboard. They are strictly available in advance of departure and are not connected with excursions offered onboard by your cruise line.

How do I know where my tour departs from?
Purchase your shore excursions with us and you'll receive your tour tickets in advance of your cruise. Your tickets include instructions detailing where to meet for any excursion in any port.

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What about shore excursions in other destinations? How do I buy those?
Port Promotions & Services offers advance booking for the most popular excursions in Alaska and the Caribbean. Excursions in other destinations may be reserved directly through your cruise line and cannot be reserved through our exclusive excursion program.

We've never been to these ports of call and want to do as much as possible in each port. Can we book more than one excursion?
Wherever possible, departure times are scheduled to allow for participation in all of your chosen excursions. Excursions are designed and organized to maximize your time in each port, yet allow for sufficient free time as well.

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