Enjoy Tours in Port on a Cruise

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Much of the fun on a cruise is the different ports you'll be stopping at. You'll want to take advantage of many of the tour options available at each stop. Shopping is fun at these various port towns also. A little research and preparation will increase your enjoyment of the ports you'll be visiting. As a travel agent, I suggest only taking the ship's organized shore excursions when in a foreign port.

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Decide what you might like to do in each port: take a tour, enjoy a sports expedition (hang gliding, kayaking, golfing, etc,), shop, or just enjoy the local color.;

Browse through your cruise brochure(s) and take note of interesting options at the various ports. Visit sites about the ports you'll visit. CruiseCritic.com and CruiseMate.com both have excellent articles and message boards about destinations and ports. A book on cruises will also have information about various ports.;

Visit your cruise line's website to see if you can book your shore excursions online. These book up quickly and it's best not to wait until you board your cruise to book these tours because they might be gone.;

Read through your cruise documents as soon as you get them and book the additional tours you're interested in. Again, you don't want to wait until you get on board to reserve these because many of them will be sold out.;

Check your ship's schedule once you board it to determine what programs they have about upcoming ports and tours. They will frequently have a lecture (maybe several) about what to buy in the various ports and what to see and do. Most of these also can be viewed on the TV in your stateroom.;

Research prices for items you think you might purchase before you leave home. Do some online searches and/or check out prices at discount and big box stores for the local prices. Remember, you might have to pay duty if you purchase more than the allowed limit when you return stateside. ;

Visit your on board shops to determine prices before you shop in the ports. Many of the gift shops on a ship have lower prices than the shops at the port. For example, Salmon was less expensive on board my ship when I took an Alaskan cruise a couple of years ago.

In some foreign ports, it's best to take the ship's organized shore excursions. Then, in the event of a delay, they are responsible for getting you back to the ship, or, if necessary, arrange additional transportation to join your ship at the next stop.;

Remember to consider taking tours in the cities you depart and return to. Often, these are very interesting places with lots of history and many places and attractions to enjoy.;

http://www.Cruisecritic.com

http://www.Cruisemate.com