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5 sites to book shore excursions online

Plan your entire trip before setting foot on a ship.

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Stephanie Yip

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Amy Stoltenberg
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One of the simple pleasures of cruise travel is that after booking the ticket, your trip is practically set. Your accommodation, entertainment and even meals have been paid for — but there’s just one thing missing. Shore excursions.

While shore excursions can usually be purchased on board, booking independently lets you handpick unique experiences, secure your spot and better track how much you’re spending.

These tour companies offer an exciting range of landlocked adventures.

Book shore excursions on these sites

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1. Viator

Owned by TripAdvisor, Viator is a one-stop shop for tours, excursions and entry passes in over 2000 locations worldwide. Browse cruise excursions in popular destinations such as Monaco, Hanoi, the Bahamas, Miami and more.

  • Tours are verified by customer reviews and photographs
  • 3000+ cruise excursions available worldwide
  • Lowest price guaranteed
Explore excursions on ViatorMore info
woman tourist riding elephant in thailand

2. Klook

Discover exciting activities and tours, then book swiftly on this easy-to-use platform. Get tickets to shows and live events, plus browse tourist attractions, sightseeing experiences and more.

  • 100,000+ offerings in over 350 destinations
  • Best price guarantee
  • Read millions of user reviews and see pictures from firsthand experiences
Explore excursions on KlookMore info
boat tour water town of zhujiajiao isango

3. Isango

Shop handpicked, carefully curated excursions from a company that puts you first — customer service is available 24/7 around the world, whether you’re beaching in the Bahamas or skirting around New Zealand’s coast.

  • Thousands of experiences in over 300 destinations worldwide
  • Flexible cancellation policies
  • Best price guarantee
Explore excursions on IsangoMore info
tripadvisor tour group nassau bahamas

4. TripAdvisor

As one of the world’s largest travel websites, TripAdvisor offers a wide range of activities to do wherever the anchor drops. Before you book, read reviews and see pictures posted by its active travel community. Browse by category to target your interests.

  • No booking fees
  • Low price guarantee
  • Flexible cancellation policies on most tours
Explore excursions on TripadvisorMore info
domed house on santorini

5. Cruising Excursions

Dedicated to on-shore excursions, Cruising Excursions offers tours for a fraction of the price that cruise lines offer. All excursions are timed for your exact cruise’s docking and sailing times, so you can enjoy a stress-free and budget-friendly experience.

  • Price match guarantee
  • Full refund if your ship doesn’t port
  • Save up to 60% compared to cruise line prices
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, However, it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated domestic travelers as of April 2021. International travelers need to get tested three days prior to flying out of the US and within three days after returning, even if you are fully vaccinated. It recommends that you delay travel if you’re not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.

If you’re planning a trip outside the US, bear in mind that many countries have placed restrictions on US tourists. Check the US embassy website for updates before booking international travel.

Tips for getting the best deal on excursions

  1. Use promo codes. Most tour companies offer discount codes that slash prices even further. There’s usually a spot to enter promo codes at checkout.
  2. Shop around. Compare rates and activities from multiple tour operators before making a decision. Make sure the one you choose guarantees to get you back to the boat on time, as the ship won’t wait if you’re running late.
  3. Book close to your trip dates. Unless you’re after an excursion that has limited availability, it pays not to purchase your excursion too early. Plans can change, and if they do, the tour company might charge you for the cancellation.
  4. Book multiple excursions with the same company. Some tour companies offer discounts for multiple tour bookings.
  5. Use the price match guarantee. Many tour companies offer a “best price” guarantee. Spend some time researching and if you find the same tour available cheaper elsewhere, ask for a partial refund.

Case study: Melanie's experience

Melanie Huddart profile photo
Melanie Huddart
Copy Editor

I’ve cruised on four occasions, across three different cruise lines. I mainly selected excursions with the cruise line, since third-party excursions offer passengers no security. That means the ship sets sail without you if you miss departure — and you’re responsible to catch up at the next port.

On two occasions, I went out on my own excursions — the first time, I rented a jeep and followed a map to tour the entire coast of St. Maarten, stopping at key points of interest along the way. The second time I rented a golf cart and took my son for a sight-seeing tour of Key West. While local providers assisted us in establishing a self-serve itinerary, there was no assurance if we needed help with setbacks encountered along the way.

I loved both independent experiences, but when you’re out on your own — or even with a third-party provider — you’re constantly mapping your route and watching the time, keeping you from truly relaxing and enjoying the journey. In the future, I’ll likely stick to excursions from the cruise line.

Are shore excursions cheaper if purchased on the ship?

Not necessarily. While shore excursions purchased on the ship can be discounted because you are a passenger, tour companies on the ground are still quite competitive and usually offer price match guarantees.

Be aware, however, that excursions can vary in terms of quality, the attractions visited and the time spent at each location, so it’s worth comparing to see which suits your needs best.

Which cruise lines let you book excursions in advance?

Most large cruise liners, including Princess Cruises and Carnival, will allow you to book or reserve a cruise excursion either while booking your cruise or after it’s been confirmed.

If you’re unsure about whether or not your cruise ship lets you book excursions in advance, visit the experiences section of its website, where you can usually find excursion details.

Which cruise lines include excursions in the fare?

Some cruise lines that offer all-inclusive packages are:

  • Azamara Club Cruises
  • Crystal Cruises
  • Dreamlines
  • Emerald Waterways
  • Hebridean Island Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Seabourn
  • Silversea
  • Tauck
  • Uniworld River Cruises
  • Viking Ocean Cruises
Find these cruise lines on CruiseDirect

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Bottom line

Booking shore excursions independently can open your eyes to experiences you might otherwise miss. But be sure to triple-check your itinerary, because making it back to the boat in time will be entirely up to you.

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