Expert advice on booking cruise shore excursions

Plan ahead
The opportunities and thrills on a cruise start from the minute you board, and the itinerary can be fast-paced. So, to avoid missing out on the things you want to see and do, create some time shortly after booking in which to research your itinerary and pinpoint the excursions you might want to book ahead of time.

Case in point? If you choose a Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, you’ll have 34 port stops ahead of you – and therefore endless excursions to choose from. Plan ahead.

Download the cruise line’s app
While you may want a total digital detox at sea, I’d suggest using your phone to access the respective cruise line’s app so as to keep on top of excursion information. Last minute changes can happen, and it’s best to stay connected to the real-time information so you don’t miss out. 

Think creatively – and don’t necessarily follow the crowd
Don’t feel pressured to book a shore excursion organised by a cruise line. Feel free to go in a different direction. At Honnigsvåg, Norway for example, you can follow the crowd up to to Nordkapp – the northernmost point of Europe – or stay in the town and say hello to Bamse [the statue of the Norwegian sea dog that became a war hero], visit the heritage museum or jump in a RIB boat for water-based fun. It’s your choice: you don’t always need to spend a fortune to get the most from your destination du jour.

Repeat an excursion at different times of the year for a new experience
Seasoned cruisers may find that they visit the same destination more than once on their cruises. Common ports include Amsterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg and while you might be tempted to stay on the ship having explored the aforementioned before, make the effort to disembark and experience the city differently. Explore the local markets, look for ghosts and ruins, and eat in out-of-the-way places in quirky neighbourhoods. Or join a walking tour for a few hours of facts, discovery, and entertainment.

Understand your options
To make the most of their limited time on the ground, many cruise goers book  shore excursions – be it through the cruise line, an independent agent like Iglu, or a local provider. Alternatively there’s always the option to strike out solo and do a DIY tour of the town and its hinterland (although if you do explore independently, remember the golden rule of getting back to the ship in plenty of time prior to sailaway). My message? Consider what works for you in terms of convenience and value.

Go all-inclusive
To keep costs down, choose a cruise line that includes shore excursions in the fare. That being said while some cruise lines do cover the cost of shore excursions, more immersive tours such as submersibles, helicopter tours or exclusive experiences may carry an extra charge – but are well worth it for the memories made.

Meet the expert
Dave Mills has been with Iglu since 2003. He was present in Iglu's first commercial cruise deal and has been driving a forward-thinking product and commercial department ever since.