Explorations Ashore: Ship Excursion or Independently?

Cruise lovers face the dilemma of how to get the most out of brief visits to exotic ports of call. With six to twelve hours (occasionally overnight) in port, is it best to take an organized ship excursion or tour independently?

In part, the answer depends on your personal travel interests, your experience and your comfort level in distant and unfamiliar surroundings. In some ports it is relatively easy to hire a private guide or trek around solo. In other ports, a ship excursion is the most economical, practical and safest way to see the city or countryside. 

For instance, Russia is very strict about how visitors enter and leave the country. Independent forays are discouraged. If you want to go independently, you must get a Russian visa. Russian visas are costly and you will not be allowed off the ship on your own unless you have one. However, if you take a cruise ship excursion, no visa is required.Gotcha! Although ship excursions are expensive, touring independently is also expensive, complicated and challenging.

On the contrary, in the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Mexican Riviera and most U.S. ports including Hawaii, it is relatively easy to tour on your own. Taxi drivers are accustomed to acting as guides. Private tour company representatives hang out just outside the ship’s secure area offering their services. In some ports there are local trolley tours or harbor cruises that are inexpensive, informative and fun.

Use these guidelines to decide whether to book cruise ship excursions or go independently: