Ultimate Guide to Included Shore Excursions on Luxury Ocean Cruises

River cruising is well-known for bundling many complimentary shore excursions into the cruise fare, but the included tours available on luxury ocean cruises are often less clear. All-inclusive or inclusive onboard?

Let’s review which ocean lines offer what when it comes to shore excursions.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Considered the most comprehensive all-inclusive luxury brand, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has provided unlimited complimentary shore excursions for some time. In fact, the line offers more than 3,800 free shore excursions in destinations across the world, including to UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Bundled tours may include the “Bali Terraces and Ulun Danu Temple,” a cultural experience in Bali; “The Glory of Mt. Rokko,” where guests board an open-air cable car in Kobe, Japan; or “Istanbul Landmarks,” where clients see iconic sights in Turkey, such as the Blue Mosque.

Of course, the line offers specially curated tours and private tours for an extra cost, as well.

Silversea Cruises 

Since 2022, Silversea Cruises has included at least one shore excursion per port on every voyage. Shore excursions are included on expedition sailings. Silversea has also retained a collection of bespoke tours that can be purchased separately. 

Viking 

Entering the ocean market as a value leader after its success in river cruising, Viking carried over its program of a free shore excursion in every port. The tours — considered by the line to be a $79 per person, per day value — are typically of the city-overview.

Viking’s expedition cruise outings are included in the program. The submarine dives and kayaking (and Special Operations Boat cruises) are complimentary, limited and reserved on a first-come, first-serve.

Ponant 

Beginning with its 2024-2025 winter sailings, Ponant will begin offering one shore excursion in each port per person. Tours may include everything from a traditional dhow boat sailing in the Arabian fjords to a northern lights expedition in the Arctic.

Ponant says this initiative is part of its commitment to purposeful travel — to allow guests to dive deeper into local culture and heritage, embark on adventurous excursions and inspire wonder and curiosity through artistic programming and spectacular natural landscapes.

Included tours will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and capacities will be limited. Pre-booking is expected to open two months prior to departure. Clients can peruse some of the options for included and added-cost excursions on Ponant’s website

Seabourn Cruise Line 

Excursions are not included on Seabourn Cruise Line’s traditional ocean sailings, but during expedition voyages clients can take complimentary tours. These include everything from guided walks and hikes, scuba diving and snorkeling to Zodiac cruises and landings. (Note: kayaking and submarine dives cost extra.)

Off the ship, when a third-party operator is employed, there is one included shore excursion per destination. Any optional excursions, such as those on standard ocean cruises, cost extra.

Explora Journeys

Destination Experiences are not included on Explora Journeys. However, shipboard credit is often offered by travel agents or during limited-time promotions. The ships themselves are beautiful destinations.

More Shore Excursions Offered From Other Ocean Cruise Lines

There are also some cases where included excursions may not be a consistent feature of a cruise line but are sometimes offered.

• For example, in Tahiti, brands such as Paul Gauguin Cruises or Windstar Cruises will offer private beach experiences.
• Azamara Cruises, showcases its signature AzAmazing Celebrations, which are special complimentary events onshore (or sometimes onboard) such as a carnival celebration in Manaus, Brazil, or a showing of the “La Traviata” opera in Livorno, Italy.
• Atlas Ocean Voyages offers a free “cultural immersion” on every voyage, such as listening to classical music at the ancient ruins of Ephesus, Turkey.
• Some lines promotionally bundle in free tours; for example, Oceania Cruises’ OLife Choice program, where guests can select included excursions as one of three benefits offered per voyage.

Interested in planning a luxury cruise vacation? As Luxury Cruise Specialists, Ethos Luxury Travel Advisors are ready to find the perfect cruise ship and itinerary for you.

Let’s get started planning your luxury cruise vacation. Reserve your complimentary consultation call with me to begin!

Featured image by Julia Volk