HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR CRUISE EXCURSIONS

The appeal of visiting different beautiful and exciting destinations is one of the biggest attractions of cruising. The ability to explore famous cities or relax on tropical beaches all on the same holiday is a tempting proposition. Each cruise line offers shore excursions which help you to make the most of your time ashore. It’s no secret, however, that they also make a lot of their money by selling their excursions at a hefty premium.

A cruise which may originally seem a great price may not be such good value when you start adding on all the extras. So how do you choose the cruise excursions that are best for you and your budget?

How to save money on your shore excursions

All cruise lines usually have a selection of popular sightseeing visits in each port of the call. These can be made up of half day and full day experiences. Some even offer a ‘holiday within a holiday’ package, were you leave the ship for several days to visit an overland sight, such as Machu Picchu, for example.

Cruise shore excursions vary considerably in price and you often don’t get to find out the exact price until you have already committed to the holiday and paid your deposit. The average price ranges from $50 – $150 depending on the length of the tour.

Should you wish to do something a little different such as a helicopter tour or an overland stay, the bill could run into hundreds of dollars.

Cruise lines do inflate their prices over and above the tour operator so it is worth comparing the costs of independent sites such as  Venture Ashore.

If you really want to immerse yourself in various port destinations, but don’t feel confident making your own way around, it may be worth considering those cruise lines that include cruise excursions within the overall holiday cost. This is the best way to save money on cruise excursions.

Several all-inclusive lines include some trips in the cruise fare. Not only do you get the sightseeing covered, but you can also enjoy free drinks, free gratuities and free speciality dining amongst other things. This can offer a vast saving when you look at your final bill. Of course your initial price will be higher but it is worth considering how much is included before you make any decisions.

ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISE LINES

The lines which include a range of complimentary excursions are: Regent Seven Seas, Hebridean Island Cruises, Swan Hellenic and Silversea.

Regent Seven Seas  are the most inclusive, all inclusive line. They have an excellent number of complimentary trips to enhance your stay in port. They also give you the option of upgrading and paying for more unique or longer days out. The majority of guests choose the complimentary ones as the choices and standards are excellent.

Hebridean Island Cruises  are another line which includes everything in the fare, so much so, you can almost leave your wallet behind. On days ashore you are accompanied by experienced guides who even take care of the entrance fees to castles and gardens. Should you wish for them to arrange a private shore excursion this will be charged at the applicable rate.

Swan Hellenic  has long been renowned for their comprehensive onboard lectures, however they are becoming equally well known for their shore excursion programme. They offer an extensive range of trips which are included in the cruise fare. This equates to an average saving of £1000 per couple on a 14 night sailing.

If you are interested in booking a cruise please contact one of our dedicated cruise specialists today on 01234 326778