Grand Cayman cruise pier

Pros and Cons of Booking Cruise Ship Shore Excursions

Exploring new destinations is an essential part of every cruise vacation. Waking up in a new port each day, immersing yourself in diverse cultures, and embarking on exciting adventures truly make cruising special.

The Shore Excursions department plays a pivotal role in this experience, focusing on promoting and selling excursions while also addressing guest concerns and complaints.

Having worked as Shore Excursions staff on an ocean cruise liner for several years—and previously on river ships in Europe—I’ve encountered a wide range of challenges, situations, and people, each giving me a unique perspective along the way.

In this article, I’ll share my honest perspective on the pros and cons of booking shore excursions directly through the cruise ship.

Pros and Cons of Booking Cruise Ship Shore Excursions

1. Pros

1.1. Stress-Free Planning: Everything is Arranged for You

Cruise lines partner with reliable third-party tour operators who have years—sometimes decades—of experience working with cruise ship guests.

Many of these operators, including their owners and staff, have worked onboard cruise ships themselves, so they understand exactly what cruise passengers need and expect.

Tour operators know their craft, and they work hard to deliver excellent service to cruise guests.

Once you choose a tour (the onboard Shore Excursions staff can help), follow the details on your tour ticket. It includes the tour name, meeting place, time, and important notes—read these carefully!

Simply show up on time, and your guide will handle the rest. After the tour, your guide will either bring you back to the ship or drop you off in town if farther away, leaving you responsible for returning to the ship on time.

My teammates and I in front of the cruise ship, ready for the tour dispatch in Bruges, Belgium
Tour dispatch in Bruges, Belgium

1.2. Expert Help from the Shore Excursions Team

The Shore Excursions department is here to help you choose the right tour, provide detailed tour information, and assist with any issues.

At the Shore Excursions desk, the staff can share insider tips not found online or in brochures. Part of their job includes going on tours to better understand them and give you accurate feedback.

In addition to tour advice, they also handle complaints or issues that arise during excursions. It’s a challenging role—balancing the company’s interests with guest satisfaction, including issuing refunds when necessary.

1.3. Guaranteed Safe Return to Your Cruise Ship

When you book a shore excursion through your cruise ship, you’re guaranteed to return before the all-aboard time. Even if your tour runs late, the ship will wait until all excursion guests are back onboard.

Delays can happen for many reasons—traffic, mechanical issues, lost guests, or even injuries. In such cases, the cruise ship management and tour operator will provide support, and the captain will wait for all guests to return.

However, if you book with an independent tour operator and experience delays that cause you to miss the ship, neither the cruise line nor the Shore Excursions department can issue a refund or provide compensation. In extreme cases, if you’re significantly late, the ship may leave without you.

While cruise ship captains usually wait as long as possible, there are limits depending on port schedules and company policies.

The bottom line: booking your excursions through the cruise line eliminates this concern, giving you peace of mind throughout your trip.

1.4. Your Safety and Care Are Prioritized

When you join tours through your cruise ship, your general safety is a priority. While you’re responsible for your personal belongings, the overall tour experience is designed with guest safety in mind.

Tours often include not just guides but also escorts who can assist if needed. You’ll follow the planned tour itinerary and stay with your group at all times (except during free time). Guides typically provide a contact number to call if you get separated, ensuring the group can wait or assist in reuniting you.

In case of incidents or accidents, tour guides and operators are trained to respond effectively. They promptly inform cruise ship management, provide first aid or take you to a hospital if necessary, and ensure the rest of the group is looked after.

While such incidents might cause parts of the tour to be skipped, you can address any concerns with the Guest Services or Shore Excursions department for resolution.

While most guides are well-trained and professional, there are rare instances where unforeseen situations aren’t handled as effectively.

Thankfully, these are exceptions rather than the norm, ensuring you can feel safe and confident during your excursions.

1.5. When Your Cruise Port is Far from the City

Here’s an example: Your cruise ship docks in Civitavecchia cruise port, 75 kilometers from Rome. Without heading to Rome, you’d be stuck in Civitavecchia, which doesn’t offer much to do.

In this case, booking a cruise ship shore excursion is the easiest and most reliable way to explore the city. (When I visited, I joined a tour that included a transfer and four hours of free time in Rome).

Me in Rome, Foro Romano
Rome is located a 1-hour drive from Civitavecchia cruise port.

You could also arrange a private tour with an independent operator or a local vendor, but what happens if you’re delayed and stuck in traffic on your return trip from Rome to Civitavecchia?

Cruise ship shore excursions guarantee your return to the ship and can secure your spot to visit top attractions like the Vatican or Colosseum (for example, a Vatican tour often includes the ticket). In busy cities packed with tourists, long lines can be unavoidable, even with pre-booked tickets.

By booking a shore excursion through your cruise line, you avoid the stress of organizing everything yourself. The tour operator handles the logistics, so you can relax and enjoy the experience.

2. Cons

In the next part of this article, I’ll cover some of the disadvantages of booking a shore excursion through your cruise ship.

2.1. Expensive Excursions

Cruise ship shore excursions are typically more expensive than those booked through independent tour operators, though prices can vary depending on the cruise line and port of call. In my experience, many shore excursions offered by cruise lines can also be booked through independent tour operators at a lower cost.

As mentioned earlier, shore excursions are a significant revenue stream for cruise lines, which can drive up their prices beyond the average market value.

However, you can sometimes save money by pre-booking your excursions. The prepaid price is often lower, so if you plan to book through the cruise line, don’t wait until the last minute—book at home before you embark.

That said, pricing isn’t always predictable. Sometimes the onboard price matches the pre-booked rate, and these decisions are made by the cruise line’s Head Office, not the onboard team.

2.2. No Flexibility

When joining a tour with other people, it’s important to strictly follow the tour flow and avoid making detours. While sightseeing tours often include some free time, it’s usually limited, and you’ll need to be mindful of regrouping on time.

If you wish to stay longer in a specific spot and leave the group, you’ll need to ask the tour guide for permission. Whether they allow it depends on their flexibility and the instructions they’ve received from their supervisors.

Overall, being part of a group means adhering to the schedule and rules, leaving little room for personal exploration or doing your own thing.

2.3. The Tour Quality is Not Guaranteed

In my experience, many cruise passengers choose to book their shore excursions through the cruise line. This often leads to crowded piers with guests trying to find their meeting spots and checking in, which can take quite some time before the tour actually begins.

When large numbers of passengers book tours—especially in ports with multiple ships docked—tour operators sometimes struggle to provide enough resources.

This is particularly common in smaller ports where the availability of tour guides, bus drivers, vehicles, restaurant spots (for meal-inclusive tours), and other services is limited.

Unfortunately, this can result in lower-quality experiences, with guests feeling the tours lack personalization and a genuine local touch.

Keep in mind that both cruise lines and tour operators aim to fill tours to capacity. This can lead to overcrowded buses or boats, inexperienced guides, and a general decline in service quality.

While cruise lines also offer small-group and exclusive tours, these come at a higher price and don’t always guarantee a superior experience.

2.4. Time Lost in Waiting

When joining a cruise ship shore excursion, it’s important to follow the instructions on your tour ticket. The meeting time is typically 15–45 minutes before the tour starts. However, delays can occur, often due to guests arriving late or getting lost in the crowd.

The same issue can arise during the tour itself if a few group members linger in souvenir shops or restaurants, causing delays for everyone. These situations are common, especially when traveling with larger groups.

If you prefer a more relaxed, flexible, and personalized experience, consider booking with a reliable independent tour operator.

Many of these operators specialize in small-group tours and prioritize high-quality service to ensure positive feedback, which is essential for their online reviews and future bookings.

These tours often provide a more intimate experience at a lower cost, and the operators are typically familiar with cruise schedules, so you don’t have to worry about missing your ship.

To ensure a smooth experience, book through trusted platforms like Viator, Get Your Guide, or Trip Advisor, and choose cruise ship-friendly tours that align with your ship’s arrival and departure times. This way, you can avoid unnecessary stress and enjoy your time ashore.

2.5. Last-Minute Cancellations

Last-minute shore excursion cancellations are one of the most frustrating situations for both guests and the Shore Excursions department.

In regions like the Caribbean, they occur frequently due to factors such as bad weather, mechanical issues, or broken equipment.

Unfortunately, these are circumstances beyond anyone’s control, including the shore excursions team, ship management, and tour operators.

When a cancellation happens, guests are automatically refunded. However, the timing can vary—it might be a few days before arriving at the port or, in the worst-case scenario, right before the tour starts.

This creates stress for guests and challenges for the Shore Excursions team, who must quickly find alternative options to ensure guests still have an enjoyable day.

While frustrating, cancellations are an inevitable part of cruising, and both sides need to approach these situations with patience and understanding.

Wrapping Up

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of the pros and cons of booking shore excursions through your cruise line.

Like most things, there are positives and negatives, and ultimately the choice comes down to your budget, expectations, and how you plan to spend your day in port.

My advice? Always have a backup plan. Research the destinations you’re visiting and keep your options open to make the most of your trip.

What about you? Do you prefer booking shore excursions through the cruise line, or do you like organizing your own adventures? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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3 Comments

  1. I agree with your point about being guaranteed a timely return. That’s my biggest worry. (Check your heading of #1 in Disadvantages. :))

  2. I think much more cruise ship shore excursions would be booked if they were less expensive. I think rates of appr 30 €/25 $ for half day and 50 €/40 $ for whole day (excl meals and entry fees) would attract much more guests.

  3. I don’t think I have had a cruise tour where there isn’t someone who makes everyone else wait for them to show up before leaving. I think it might only happen one time IF just once the tour would just leave at the time it is supposed to. I actually like small or private tours because we don’t have to linger waiting for the person who doesn’t listen and know that shopping, etc. should be done on their own time, and not hold up the entire group. Cruise tours almost never take in the “good of the entire group” instead of the few. Sitting on a bus waiting for one or two people and cutting into everyone else’s tour time is unfair and inconsiderate but on large tours it ALWAYS seems to happen.

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