The Best Shore Excursions Worth Booking

The highlights of cruise holidays are often the opportunities cruise lines provide to step ashore and experience something you never thought possible. Whether it’s visiting an iconic landmark or trying out an experience from the other side of the world, shore excursions make port stops simply unforgettable.

With so many options to choose from, what are the best cruise shore excursions​, and which cruise lines offer them? Discover what’s worth booking with this essential Bolsover Cruise Club guide.

Which Cruise Line Has the Best Shore Excursions: Our Top Excursion Picks

It’s impossible to determine a winner when it comes to the best shore excursion provider because there’s so much variety. Depending on their preferences, guests can find several experiences worth booking, with history buffs, thrill seekers and curious minds each having their favourites.

To help you determine which cruise lines might offer the best shore excursions for you, let’s take a look at some of our favourite offerings from some of the world’s best itineraries.

Tour Mt. Fuji – Princess Cruises

Let’s begin with an excursion that’s truly larger than life. Join Princess Cruises on a voyage to Japan that delivers natural beauty and cultural excellence like no other cruise. Sail to Far East Asia and experience the best that this nation has to offer, from the blooming hillsides of Hitachinaka to the bright lights of Tokyo, before setting your sights on the unmistakable Mt. Fuji.

Set out from Tokyo on a full-day guided tour of this iconic natural phenomenon, heading to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, where a variety of trails and hotspots await to provide unrivalled views. Ride the Mt. Komagatake Ropeway, a cable car that drops you off with a perfect photography position for Fuji, then head to Lake Ashi, where a boat cruise provides a sailing experience like no other.

Sail Across Lake Garda – Silversea

Heading for the Mediterranean, we find our next excursion in the heart of Northern Italy. Accessible via a train journey from Rome or a transfer from Venice, two of the most popular ports along the Italian coastline, Lake Garda is a glittering paradise that guests can experience like never before with Silversea.

Arriving either as part of a fly cruise package or a pre-booked excursion, guests can climb on board a private boat for a tour from Sirmione to Isola del Garda. Sip prosecco as you appreciate the views of Scaligero Castle and the gorgeous villas that line the lake’s banks, all while soaking up the bright Italian sun.

Meet Wild Tortoises – HX Expeditions

Some of the best experiences that cruising provides are those that introduce guests to the world’s most exotic wildlife. Cruise itineraries don’t get more exotic than HX Expeditions’ voyages to the Galapagos, where landscapes and the animals that live in them are unlike anywhere else on Earth.

Sailing around these exciting islands, guests can drop anchor in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, and visit the Charles Darwin Station, where giant tortoises are protected. Marvel at these beautifully calm creatures closer than you ever thought possible and spend the day learning about their lives and conservation.

Discover Unforgettable Cruises

At Bolsover Cruise Club, we offer unforgettable shore excursions across the world’s best destinations. Explore our range of itineraries and sailings today to find the shore excursions you’ve always dreamed of.

View All Cruise Destinations

Are Cruise Excursions Worth it​?

Cruise excursions are not typically included in the base cruise fare, so it’s important for guests to determine whether they are worth paying extra for. Everyone will have different preferences, so how can you tell if a shore excursion will be worth the money? Here are a few things to consider:

Variety: If you’re looking for something new to see or do at each port, shore excursions are a great way to have new experiences and gain an insight into what makes each destination unique.

Intrigue: Are you interested in the history, culture or cuisine of a destination? Shore excursions often provide expert insights into a destination’s character, offering detailed, digestible information.

Security: Those who aren’t confident about exploring independently will appreciate that shore excursions offer a guided experience that ensures safety and a timely return to the ship.

Going Independent: Can You Do Your Own Excursions on a Cruise?

If you prefer to explore ports independently or book experiences that aren’t offered by your cruise line, you are absolutely welcome to do so.

We advise guests to take care when booking independent excursions. Shore excursions provided by cruise lines are selected for both their enrichment value and their reputation for being high-quality and safe, though independently booked excursions do not have this endorsement. If you are uncertain about an experience you’ve booked, please speak to a member of the crew on board who will be able to provide guidance.

It is also worth stressing that guests who head out on a shore excursion organised by their cruise line are guaranteed to make it back in time for departure. The ship will wait for organised excursion parties to return before setting sail again, though this isn’t the case for those who head out independently.

Discover Your Perfect Cruise Getaway with Bolsover Cruise Club

Get ready to book your next cruise getaway with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. A member of our team will be happy to assist you.

Explore Unforgettable Cruises

Discover landscapes, wildlife and cultures you never expected with shore excursions across the world’s best cruise destinations. Browse Bolsover Cruise Club’s variety of cruise destinations and set sail on your next adventure.

View All Cruise Destinations