12 Helpful Planning Tips for Booking Shore Excursions Independently

Planning your shore excursions for an upcoming cruise? Shore excursions are the tours, activities, and experiences you can book at the ports your cruise visits. They’re not included in your cruise fare, especially on budget or mainstream cruise lines, so if you want to explore beyond the ship, you’ll need to book them via the cruise line or on your own.

While booking excursions through your cruise line is tempting for convenience, independent bookings can often offer better value, smaller groups, and a more personalized experience.

In this article, I’ll share tips for booking shore excursions independently. These will help you make the most of your time at each port and create lasting memories.

Tips for Booking Shore Excursions on Your Own

1. Research Your Port Destination

When booking an independent cruise excursion, you must first research the port destination and determine what to do.

I first check what the cruise line offers as shore excursions for the port destination. This will give you an idea of what is available. If there is anything that interests you, you can see if a local tour company offers a similar tour. Remember, cruise lines hire local tour companies and then mark up the prices.

You can also research by reading:

• Travel blogs
• Guidebooks
• Ask in your cruise roll call group
• Cruise Critic ports-of-call forum
• Facebook groups specific to that destination
• Reddit

2. Determine the Type of Tour or Activity

Are you craving an action-packed adventure or prefer a more laid-back cultural experience? Maybe you’re the type who likes to explore the port on your own.

With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming initially, but don’t worry—that’s a good thing! Figuring out the kind of experience you want will make finding the perfect shore excursion that matches your interests easier.

3. Consider the Cost

The cost of booking a shore excursion can vary widely, depending on what you want to do and how many people are in your group. If traveling with a large group, sometimes hiring a private tour guide with a van to take you around or to specific activities makes sense.

It’s important to weigh the cost against booking through the cruise line. Sometimes, the price difference is small enough to be worth booking directly with the cruise line for the added convenience and other benefits.

4. Check the Reviews

Before booking a shore excursion with a local tour company or guide, checking their reviews is important. See what others have said about their experiences—it’ll give you a good sense of what to expect and whether it’s worth booking. If a tour company has consistently bad reviews, you can safely cross them off your list and keep looking.

You can check reviews on:

• Google
• TripAdvisor
• Yelp
• Facebook
• Cruise Critic
• You Tube

5. Determine the Logistics

While researching shore excursions, it’s important to consider the logistics. A tour far from the cruise port might not be the best choice, especially if you only have 6-7 hours—or less—at the port.

And if the port is a tender port, you’ll need to factor in the extra time it takes to get ashore.

Key things to consider:

• Is the meeting point near the cruise port?
• How will you get to the meeting point?
• Will the tour company pick you up and drop you off close to the cruise port?
• How long is the tour or activity? What time does it start and end?

6. Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to ask if you have any doubts or need more information about a shore excursion. Contact the local tour company or guide—they should be more than happy to answer your questions.

Here are some key questions to consider asking before booking:

• Can you accommodate our group size?
• What is included in the tour/activity?
• What time does the excursion start and end? How long is the excursion?
• Is there anything we need to know or bring? (e.g., sunscreen, hat, water bottle)
• Is there a dress code?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• Do you offer discounts for large groups?
• What kind of payment do you prefer? (Sometimes, they prefer cash at the end of the tour.)

7. Consider Customizing Your Own Tour

If you’re having trouble finding a tour that checks all your boxes, or if you’re traveling with a large group, consider customizing your own tour. Working with a local guide or company can be a great way to create a tour that meets your specific needs and interests. Surprisingly, this can sometimes cost the same or even less than a similar tour the cruise line offers.

8. Do Not Wait to Book

How far in advance should you book cruise excursions? The answer is simple—don’t wait.

You can book a cruise excursion independently as early as six months before your trip, and if there’s an excursion you’ve got your heart set on, it’s best to secure it as soon as possible.

Waiting until you’re on the cruise or at the port to book is risky. By then, the tour or activity you want might already be fully booked, or you could end up with a less-than-ideal tour company.

For example, when we decided to book a golf cart in Bonaire, we tried four months before our cruise, and they were already booked. We got lucky and got a golf cart thanks to a waiting list and a cancellation.

If you’re cruising to popular destinations like Alaska, the most sought-after tours can fill up months in advance. This happened with a dog sledding excursion, and I stalked all the tour companies until two spots opened. So, if you’re set on a specific excursion, don’t wait—book it early.

9. Sometimes, It’s Okay to Negotiate at the Port

We’re backpedaling here since we just advised you not to wait to book a tour. However, if you want a simple city or island tour, you can often negotiate with a tour company or taxi driver at the port. Sometimes, it’s a per-hour rate, or you can agree on “all included rate” for a specific amount of time. Be sure to settle on the cost before starting the tour.

For example, we once negotiated a last-minute golf cart rental in Costa Maya on a whim. Since our time at the port was limited, we opted for a simple island tour once in St. Thomas. More recently, in Cabo San Lucas, we negotiated a deal with a tour operator right outside the terminal for a whale-watching tour and a visit to El Arco—and we saw plenty of whales!

10. Make Sure You’re Back on the Ship on Time!

This is probably the most important tip. No matter what shore excursion or activity you book, always make sure you’re back on the ship on time.

Remember, when booking excursions independently, the ship won’t wait if your tour runs late. To avoid this risk, plan to return to the port at least an hour before ‘all aboard’ time.” “All aboard” is typically 30 minutes before the ship’s departure time.

11. Booking Your Shore Excursions

Booking excursions can sometimes be as easy as doing it online, but other times, you may need to make arrangements via email with a local guide. Before you finalize any booking, keep these points in mind:

• Make sure you’re dealing with a reputable tour company or a legitimate local guide. Check reviews and see if other cruisers have used them before.
• Review and understand what’s included in the tour or activity.
• Confirm the meeting point and whether you’ll be picked up from the port.
• Determine the tours length and that it fits within your time at the port, with ample time for all aboard to turn to the ship.
• Ask about payment options and preferred methods.
• Understand the company’s cancellation policy. You do not want to book any tour that has a no-refund policy if the port-of-call is canceled.

Once your shore excursion is booked and confirmed, note the booking details—date, time, and meeting point—in your travel itinerary. Print and add a copy of the confirmation to your cruise documents to keep everything organized.

12. Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Even with the best planning, things can go sideways. Weather conditions, delays, or unexpected changes can disrupt your planned excursion. In these situations, flexibility and a positive attitude are key—you may need to go with the flow or quickly develop a new plan. A backup plan is always a good idea, especially if your original tour is canceled or delayed or the cruise ship is rerouted to another port.

I always research my ports and know at least 3-5 things to do in each destination and how easy they are to plan on the spot. Some activities may be too challenging to arrange at the last minute or unavailable without booking in advance. The internet is also your friend when the cruise ship drastically changes itineraries while you’re on board. And don’t forget, you can always refer to the tips in #9 for spontaneous decisions.

I keep a list of backup options in my research notes to pivot if plans change quickly. Having these alternatives ready to go makes it easier to make quick changes and simplifies planning for the port destination when I return in the future.

For example, when we docked at Juneau Cruise Port, our dog sledding tour was canceled due to weather. I quickly shifted into action mode and decided to visit Mendenhall Glacier instead. Once we left the ship, we ordered a Lyft, enjoyed the national park, and ended our day with a great meal at Tracy’s Crab Shack. Sometimes, an excursion is not needed, and that’s okay, too.

Practical Excursion Tips

• Always be aware of your surroundings and exercise caution during all your travels.
• Don’t carry all your valuables with you on the tour. Leave them safely locked up in your cruise ship cabin or stateroom.
• Bring along items like a hat, sunglasses, a reusable water bottle, snacks, and a small first aid kit.
• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Water shoes may be necessary depending on the tour.
• If your tour includes snorkeling, bring your own snorkel gear if possible. While most tours provide gear, the quality isn’t always the best. Check out our beach packing list for more tips.
• Always wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
• Stay hydrated, especially if you’re physically active in the heat.
• If you have dietary restrictions and the tour includes food, communicate with the tour company or guide ahead of time.
• Bring cash. Some tours may require a cash payment at the end, so make sure you have enough. At a minimum, carry some cash for tips and miscellaneous expenses like souvenirs. Not everyone accepts credit cards, but most ports do take American dollars.
• Follow the rules and instructions of the tour guide. They are there to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience.

How do you choose a shore excursion?

To choose a shore excursion, start by considering your interests, activity level, and budget. Research the available activities at the port and focus on what appeals to you the most.

What are some things to keep in mind when booking a shore excursion?

When booking a shore excursion, consider several key factors: the start and end times to ensure you have enough time to reach the meeting point and return to the ship, the duration of the tour, the distance from the port, the group size, what’s included in the price, and the tour company’s reviews. Think about your interests, activity level, and budget to choose the excursion that best suits you.

How much do you tip on cruise excursions?

Unless gratuity is included, it’s customary to tip your guide $5-10 per person or 15-20% of the tour cost. Adjust the tip based on the quality of service you received.