One of the best moments from my first cruise was the time spent on land.

While in Plymouth, England, on a Holland America Line voyage, I made my way to the Plymouth Gin Distillery. This hour-long tour provided insights into the distillery’s history as the oldest operating one in England, a look into the gin-making process, and concluded with enjoying gin and tonics at an upstairs bar under a unique timber roof built in the 1400s.

The best part was that it was quite affordable, with tours starting at under $20.

Onshore adventures can significantly enhance your cruise, whether they are booked through the cruise line or organized independently. While some excursions can be expensive, there are also many budget-friendly options. Here’s how to maximize your spending:

What does an excursion typically include?

Cruise shore excursions come in various options, including activities like hiking, snorkeling, and pasta-making classes, depending on the location.

Some excursions may even incorporate lunch, depending on how long the experience lasts, according to Maurice Smith, a luxury travel advisor and founder of the travel agency Eugene Toriko.

“There are also food-related experiences, like guided food tours or wine tastings, which typically include a meal as part of the package,” he explained.

For mainstream cruise lines, excursions usually come at an extra charge, while luxury cruise lines often bundle them into the overall price of the cruise. Smith noted that luxury lines typically offer two to three excursion choices for passengers.

What’s the cost of shore excursions?

The pricing varies greatly.

For instance, “A beach excursion, which covers transportation to the beach along with a chair and an umbrella, could cost around $59,” shared Susan Guthrie, a travel agent and owner of Cruisin’ with Susan and More, affiliated with Travel with Sparkle. Conversely, a helicopter ride to a glacier in Alaska might set you back about $400.

Smith mentioned that some cruise lines might provide guests with credits to apply towards excursions.

Is it better to book an excursion through the cruise line?

Booking a shore excursion through the cruise line offers the convenience of keeping all reservations in one place. Typically, tickets for the excursions are delivered directly to your cabin.

The most economical options tend to be bus sightseeing tours, as stated by Guthrie. These usually highlight key attractions of a port and may include a brief stop for souvenir shopping.

However, booking an excursion independently can often lower the overall price of your cruise. According to Guthrie, excursions purchased through cruise lines might be twice as expensive. For example, an activity that costs $65 per person with a vendor could be priced at $130 by the cruise line.

“For a family of four, that adds up to a significant amount,” she highlighted.

It has been a common belief that reserving excursions through the cruise line ensures the safety of getting back to the ship on time since the cruise line is familiar with the timing of the excursions and works with operators to ensure timely returns. However, Guthrie noted that many independent operators now provide similar assurances for guests who book tours on their own, often guaranteeing they’ll assist passengers in reaching the next port without additional fees if they miss the ship.

To stay cautious, she recommends allowing a buffer of 1.5 to 2 hours. Also, adjust your watch or phone to the ship’s time, which might differ from the local time of the port.

Travelers may also enjoy a more personalized experience by choosing a private guide rather than the typical group tours offered by cruise lines, as Smith pointed out.

However, booking independently may come with challenges, such as needing to arrange transportation on your own for some tours.

How can travelers discover independent tours and activities?

Travelers can explore various options on platforms like Viator or ResortPass, which can provide a more extensive selection compared to what’s offered by cruise lines. Guthrie recommends looking at cruise forums on Cruise Critic or checking out reviews on Tripadvisor to help with decision-making.

Travel agents can also offer valuable assistance in finding trustworthy vendors and suitable activities, Smith added.

Whether booking through the cruise line or independently, don’t forget to consider additional expenses, such as tips. It’s advisable to carry some cash to appropriately tip your guide.

“The amount you tip depends on your tour and how long you’ve been with the guide,” Guthrie said. “You should tip them based on your experience.”