Vacation Cruising

So many places to go, so many sights to see, how does the cruiser take it all in? Shore excursions are a huge part of the cruise experience, and you’ll want to plan on taking advantage of them. Shore excursions can range from simple tours to golf or adventure-type activities. Decide on what you’re up for and sign on for some great experiences.

You really should take advantage of as many shore excursions as you can, although they can be a bit pricey. After all, you’re on vacation, and you might not get another chance to go para sailing or scuba diving or whale watching! To pick the ones that are right for you, consider a few things.

Shore excursion expenses are typically not included in the cruise fare. You can expect to pay $20-100+ for shore excursions. If you didn’t book before boarding, check out the available activities and sign up for the ones that interest you the most.

You’ll want to know the cost of the available shore excursions. There are generally fees for ship sponsored shore excursions. They can cost range from only twenty dollars to several hundred. You’ll want to know the costs of shore excursions in advance so you can compare complete cruise packages. There can be a large range in costs for shore excursions.

Many of the available excursions are listed on the cruise line’s web page and some can be booked in advance before you reach the ship. There should also be information in your ticket packet for you to read. Once on board, most will have a lecture about the port of call with a description of the available shore excursions and have someone available to answer your questions about the packages.

First, know the general game plan to see if you are interested. Find out how guided you’ll be, is this just transportation or a tour? Will you be able to take the tour and still have some freedom to wander? How much walking or physical activity will there be on the shore excursion? Food may be provided, so check on this to see if you’ll have the added expense of a meal.

You’ll also need to see if admission and fees are included when you get there, or will there be extra charges to participate once you arrive.

The general consensus among regular cruisers is that if you want to save money, you should arrange your own tours prior to docking. You can contact a tour operator ahead of time or hire a guide when you arrive in port. If you do choose to hire a guide in port, the per-person costs can be cut even further is you share your guide and transportation with another couple.

If you do strike out on your own, you might want to consider renting a car rather than taking a taxi. With a rental car, you’ll have the freedom to go where you want when you want, and the expense might be well worth it over taking a cab.

We’d like to interject a note here about cabs. Find out in advance what the cab’s rate is and how far you’ll have to go to get to your destination. I know of one couple who were docked on a Hawaiian island and wanted to go para-sailing. They took a cab from the ship to the para-sailing location only to find out that they couldn’t para-sail because it was whale season. On top of that, the cab cost them $87 for a 30 minute trip and there was no way back to the ship except by cab at another $87. It was a pretty expensive outing for not doing anything that day!

Be sure you have a licensed taxi driver. The proper credentials for a licensed taxi driver will be prominently displayed for all to see. DON’T hire an unlicensed taxi driver. Most taxi drivers are a delight to talk with, their insights on the island you’re visiting can be fascinating, they know the good places to see, good places to eat, gamble, and of course where the finest beaches are located. They are also competitive with each other and try to keep their prices low, if their service was helpful and pleasant please remember to tip them a dollar or two.

Check with the cruise director or physician about where to eat onshore. Some food items and beverages, especially water, may be off limits. Know the exchange rates, if any, and order wisely to maximize your budget. Remember, though, that food on board is included in your cruise package, so if you can stand to skip a meal and eat on board, this is a good idea to save money.

You aren't likely to be covered under a ship's insurance if you explore on your own. Check the details of your ship's cruise policy beforehand. If you explore on your own, it’s up to you to get back to the departure point on time. If you miss a launch, you'll have to meet the ship at the next port - at your own expense.

During a shore excursion, always carry identification, the name of your ship and its docked location. Take a photocopy of your passport with you as well. Leave valuables, excess cash and unneeded credit cards aboard.

Guides may give you badges to wear for identification, but bear in mind these identifiers only make it easier for shop keepers and thieves to target you.

This is a good time to talk about shore excursions and safety. As we said before, your time at port can be your own or you can join a cruise line sponsored shore excursion. Wandering a port on your own can be a great way to get away from the crowd and immerse yourself in a new culture, but it will also present challenges.

Since everyone for miles just noticed the big white ship full of tourists coming in, your chances of blending in unnoticed are probably small. Even if you are traveling on a tight budget, the fact that you got off this ship labels you as wealthy, and compared to what you’ll find in most parts of the world, you are. This could place you in a dangerous situation, so you’ll need to be careful. The more you know about the specific port and country the better.

Doing a little research can greatly increase your safety. The less experienced traveler should consider the cruise line’s shore excursions. Although possibly more confining than wandering on your own, you might actually find more freedom to enjoy shore activities since you’ll know you’re safe. There are generally fees for ship sponsored shore excursions, so you’ll want to know those in advance so you can compare complete cruise packages.

You need to pay special attention to avoid becoming the victim of a pickpocket. Some things to keep in mind:

• Don’t travel in narrow alleys or poorly lit streets.
• When possible, avoid having crowds of people surrounding you.
• Carry a dummy wallet and put your money in your front pocket.
• Place a rubber band around your wallet, it will make it much more difficult to remove from your pocket without your knowledge.
• Carry your purse under your arm.
• Carry your money under your clothes.
• Know the pickpocket's tricks

There are lots of situations that pickpockets use to create opportunities to relieve you of all that heavy cash. Be especially aware of your money when you find yourself in the following situations.

• Getting bumped by someone else.
• Having something spilled on you or someone pointing out a spot on your clothing.
• Someone approaching you and asking for help or directions.
• Someone causing a disturbance that draws everyone’s attention.
• Being surrounded by a crowd, especially if you are surrounded by groups of children

Shore excursions are a large part of the cruise experience, so don’t miss out on the exotic ports of call you’ll be visiting. Enjoy the scenery, meet the locals, and take lots of pictures to share back home!

You will also spend a lot of time on board the ship, so let’s look at some ways to save money on board.