Land excursions vary depending on the destination and range from city tours, hikes, bike tours, diving, and safaris to helicopter flights, wine tasting etc. Most of the time land excursions are not included in the price and can range in price from 25 EUR up to several hundred Euros. There are half-day, whole- day and several-day excursions.
Booking on-shore excursions:
The route description as well as exact dates and prices of on-shore excursions are listed on the daily board program. Booking can be done prior to the trip with e-hoi and during the trip at the on-board travel agency or through the interactive television in the cabin. Booking often closes 3 to 4 days before the on-shore excursion.
Language:
German shipping companies offer trips in German. The choice of the trips in German is often limited with international shipping companies and is only offered from a certain number of participants on up. European companies such as MSC and Costa also offer trips in English.
Organized excursions and independent exploration
Before the shore excursion one should decide if one wants to make an organized trip with a guide or rather explore the harbor on one’s own. In the latter case one should take along the board program with the departure times of the ship.
An organized trip is the right choice if one wants to visit attraction further away from the harbor and if one wants to learn more about the place through the guide. If one would like to participate in athletic activities requiring equipment, such as snorkeling, diving, bicycling or golfing, an organized trip is recommended. One should absolutely use a guide if one does not speak the country’s language or in third-world countries.
An organized tour saves you the effort of organizing it yourself accompanied as you are by a professional guide who enables you to see and learn much in a short amount of time. One may also meet other cruise travelers whose company one may enjoy back on the ship. Another advantage is the fact that the ship will wait for you if a company-organized tour incurs a delay.
The following cases speak for an independent exploration of the harbor: If the city, the attractions and/or the beach are in walking distance, if one wants to walk through the town or simply rest at the beach, an organized trip is not necessary. One can also rent a car, take a taxi or go on bus round trip there.
The advantage of one’s own exploration is the fact that it is often cheaper and one may save money for any expenses on board. Also, the exploration of the city may be more individual and one can design it according one’s own preferences and schedule.
Finally, one has the option of staying on board and enjoying the quiet.
