OverSixty July 2023 Digital

Choosing shore excursions Choose the right experiences for you and your budget to ensure a happy cruise JOANNA HALL CRUISE S hore excursions are a key part of the cruise experience, and an ideal way to get a taste of a destination, take in the sights, or enjoy a one-of-a-kind experi- ence. But the list of options in each port can be overwhelming, making it easy to make the wrong choices and blow out your budget. Here are our top tips to help you get it right. Prioritise marquee ports of call Excursions can come with hefty price tags, so decide what you want to see the most along with speci!c experiences and prioritise the relevant ports !rst. For ex- ample, if you’re cruising Alaska and want to go dog sledding, check which ports of- fer it and how much it costs before book- ing anything else. Also be mindful that in some ports of call, you can save money by sightseeing on your own on foot, us- ing public transport, or by taxi. Prioritise excursion dollars for places where you’re docked far froma destination, or for a tru- ly unique experience. Is an excursion right for you? A full-day excursion may get you to a de- sired destination from your ship’s dock- ing point, such as the Pyramids of Giza fromAlexandria, but it may involve many hours on a bus or other forms of trans- port. Also, be honest about your !tness level when it comes to certain excursions. While one may involve spending most of the time being driven between sights, another may involve walking on unstable ground or climbing stairs. "ere are usu- ally plenty of choices for touring in each port of call; aim for a mix of experiences, and limit full-day excursions so you have time to do some exploring on your own if desired. Check details carefully Find out exactly what’s included so you can plan. For example, half-day excur- sions often don’t include meals or re- freshments, but if food is part of the experience make sure it suits your needs or dietary requirements. Also, check if special equipment is provided for excursions such as snorkelling or if you need to bring your own, or if you need rainwear or warm clothing. Some excur- sions may also have morning and after- noon departures in case the changing weather is a factor. Consider pre-booking Certain types of excursions have a limited capacity, such as cooking classes, so con- sider booking something special before your cruise so you don’t miss out, espe- cially if you are cruising on a larger ship with many passengers. "is can usually be done via the cruise line’s website once you’re fully booked, however, be aware that your credit card will be debited im- mediately, although you can change or cancel your tour (within reason) once you’re on board. Booking excursions independently Youmay savemoney going solo, but there are several things to consider. "e prima- ry one is the quality and safety of a tour operator that hasn’t been vetted by your cruise line. Additionally, if you go on an excursion and you’re late back to your ship because of tra#c, the ship could de- part without you. And if you have to miss an excursion because your ship arrives late into a port or the itinerary changes because of the weather, you will likely end up out of pocket. When considering which shore excursions to take, there are some key details to keep in mind Photos: (top) Viking; (bottom) Getty Images CRUISING ISSUE 5 | JULY 2023 | OVERSIXTY.COM.AU 38 TRAVEL