Shore Activities
The best things to do in port, from Caribbean reefs to Alaska glaciers and the capitals of Europe.
Find Shore ActivitiesMake Every Port Count
Your ship gets you there. What you do ashore is what you remember. Shore Activities helps you choose and book the best things to do in port — snorkeling and sailing in the Caribbean, glaciers and wildlife in Alaska, history and food in Europe — and explains how to do it safely and on time.
Find Activities Worldwide
Browse tours, snorkel trips, food walks and attractions in cruise ports around the world.
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Caribbean & Mexico
Stingray City, reef snorkeling, catamaran sails, Maya ruins and beach clubs.
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Europe
Rome from Civitavecchia, Florence from Livorno, Santorini, Dubrovnik and the fjords.
Europe ideas →Top Shore Excursions by Port
Real, bookable tours in six of the most popular cruise ports, with live prices and traveler ratings from our partner Viator. Pick a port below, or search activities in any port worldwide.
St. Thomas & St. John Shore Excursions
Ships dock at Havensight or Crown Bay, a short ride from Charlotte Amalie and its duty-free shopping. The classic day out is Magens Bay, one of the Caribbean’s most famous beaches. Or take a ferry or catamaran to St. John, where much of the island is Virgin Islands National Park and Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkel trail. Sailing, snorkeling and island tours fill up fast on busy ship days.
St. Thomas & St. John activities
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Tours and tickets from our partners Viator. Prices are from-prices in USD and can change. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
San Juan, Puerto Rico Shore Excursions
Ships dock right in Old San Juan, so you can walk the blue cobblestone streets to Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, both part of the San Juan National Historic Site. Farther afield, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, and evening port calls make a bioluminescent bay kayak trip possible.
San Juan & Puerto Rico activities
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Tours and tickets from our partners Viator and Tiqets. Prices are from-prices in USD and can change. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Bermuda Shore Excursions
Most ships berth at King’s Wharf in the Royal Naval Dockyard, often overnight, which leaves time for more than one outing. The pink sand of Horseshoe Bay is the famous beach. Crystal Caves, snorkeling over shipwrecks and the UNESCO-listed town of St. George’s are easy by ferry, bus or taxi.
Bermuda activities
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Tours and tickets from our partners Viator. Prices are from-prices in USD and can change. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Barbados Shore Excursions
Ships dock at Bridgetown, close to Carlisle Bay, where catamaran trips stop to snorkel over shallow shipwrecks and swim with sea turtles. Inland, Harrison’s Cave is toured by tram, and distillery visits and tastings show off the island’s rum heritage.
Barbados activities
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Tours and tickets from our partners Viator. Prices are from-prices in USD and can change. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Skagway, Alaska Shore Excursions
Skagway was the gateway to the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. The White Pass & Yukon Route railroad still climbs the route the stampeders took, often leaving from a track beside the cruise dock. Helicopter flights to glacier landings and dog sledding on the ice are the bucket-list options, and the historic downtown is part of Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park.
Skagway activities
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Tours and tickets from our partners Viator. Prices are from-prices in USD and can change. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Ketchikan, Alaska Shore Excursions
Ketchikan calls itself the Salmon Capital of the World. Floatplane flights over Misty Fjords National Monument are the signature excursion. Closer in, you can see totem poles at Saxman, Totem Bight or the Totem Heritage Center, walk historic Creek Street, or go fishing, ziplining or wildlife spotting.
Ketchikan activities
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Tours and tickets from our partners Viator. Prices are from-prices in USD and can change. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
More ports: Caribbean & Mexico · Alaska · Europe. Bookings made through these links are with Viator and the tour operator, and their terms apply.
Types of Shore Excursions
Every port offers a mix. Matching the excursion to your group’s energy level and interests matters more than the price tag.
Snorkeling & Water
Reef snorkeling, sea turtles, stingrays, kayaking and glass-bottom boats. Best in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexico and Hawaii. Check that gear and a guide are included.
Sailing & Catamarans
A half-day sail with a snorkel stop and beach time is the easiest Caribbean excursion to love. Smaller boats mean more space and fewer people.
Sightseeing & History
Old towns, forts, Maya ruins and Europe’s great cities. In Europe the big cities are often an hour or more from port, so a guided tour takes the worry out of timing.
Wildlife & Nature
Whale watching, bear viewing and glacier cruises in Alaska; rainforest hikes in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. Morning tours usually see the most wildlife.
Adventure
Ziplines, ATVs, helicopter glacier landings and dog sledding. Check age, weight and fitness limits before you book.
Food, Drink & Culture
Food walks, rum and tequila tastings, cooking classes and markets. A great way to get to know a place in a few hours, especially on a second visit.
Beach Breaks
A beach club day pass with loungers, lunch and transport is the low-effort way to enjoy a Caribbean port. Book ahead on busy ship days.
Accessible Tours
Many ports offer tours with wheelchair-accessible vehicles and limited walking. Ask the operator about tender ports, steps and transfers.
How to Choose the Right Shore Excursion
- Check your time in port. Allow at least an hour for getting off the ship and back before all-aboard, and more if the ship anchors and you go ashore by tender.
- Know how far the sights are. Some ports put you in the middle of town; others are an hour or more from the main attractions.
- Read recent reviews and the cancellation policy. Look for free cancellation in case of weather or itinerary changes.
- Look at group size. A 12-person boat feels very different from a 150-person one.
- Decide between a ship’s tour and an independent one. The ship waits for its own tours if they run late; independent tours can be cheaper and smaller. See ship vs. independent.
- Pack for the day. Reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, a dry bag, cash for tips, ID and your ship card.
Shore Excursion Basics
Should I book shore excursions through the cruise line?
Cruise-line excursions guarantee that the ship will wait if the tour runs late, and they are easy to book. Independent tours can be cheaper, smaller and more flexible, but you are responsible for getting back on time. See ship vs. independent.
How far ahead should I book?
Popular excursions — helicopter and glacier tours in Alaska, small-group tours in Europe, swim-with-dolphin programs — can sell out. Book once your cruise is confirmed.
Can I just explore on my own?
Often, yes. In many ports the town is walkable from the pier. Know your all-aboard time, carry the ship’s port agent phone number, and keep a margin for traffic.
Need the Cruise First?
Tell us where you want to go. Our cruise advisors will send free quotes and help plan your time ashore.
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