Shore Excursions - To buy or not to buy!

As you may have noticed Christmas is just around the corner and Cruise.co.uk are heading out this weekend for the annual Christmas Party – which we are lucky enough to be have an amazing team of managers who have organised for us all to go on the P&O Aurora for two nights to Brussels and back, now we have organised our own coach in Brussels to pick up those who want to explore Brussels, as there is so many of us, we just are planning a shopping trip perhaps a coffee or two and lunch and then head back to the ship for early preparations for the formal night – I’m sure picture will follow. But it got me thinking about shore excursions, how much they are and what type of things people do.

Shore excursions obviously depend on the cruise line, where your going and what is available, they are known to start from half day to full day and the most expensive one I’ve seen so far was about $10,000 for a private Ferrari hire and helicopter ride. But for ‘normal’ folk this is going to be out of the budget, but there are many more wallet friendly trips.

TIPS:

* Book early on line if you see something you fancy doing as lower end priced trips and one with a high interest factor will obviously sell out first! This way your shore excursion tickets will normally be printed for your arrival.

* Go to the Customer relations as soon as you board as they may have added new items to the list

* Usually the day before you arrive at a port the in cabin TV will have a short talk by the cruise director on the local areas, things to do etc, so if you didn’t book in advance, don’t panic, I’m sure you will find something interesting to see or do. Especially if Like I was in Palma on the Adventure of the Seas – we just walked off the ships and walked directly into Palma.

* Make sure you are prepared, many of the excursions that you see on line indicate the level of walking involved, so no high heels if you hiking! Water proofs etc if your going to Grand Canyon, what ever – Be realistic.

* If you want to do something specific, be prepared and book through the cruise line - Book through the cruise line. Yes there are local tour operators who will organise excursions for you perhaps a little cheaper but many of these are not screened and especially in some of the more exotic locations, and remember if you are delayed for any reason the ship may leave without you!

* If you’re travelling St Petersburg – I always recommend going ashore with the cruise line organised trips as they have blanket visa for all passengers, rather than attempting to organise your own visas this is very popular – so book early.

* If you’re on early dining take this into consideration as you may or may not be back in time to change and get to the dining room on your allotted time.

So I will do a piece or two when I’m back on the P&O Aurora, Brussels and the events of the weekend, We will be back in the office by around Mid Day on Monday 29th November, so please email any questions or queries to me at nadinel@cruise.co.uk So until then MERRY CHRISTMAS