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Home / Type of trip / Cruise / How to choose a cruise excursion

How to choose a cruise excursion

June 30, 2014 by Gretta Schifano 22 Comments

Ancient Olympia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Ancient Olympia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

One of the things I liked best about being on a cruise is the chance it gives you to see so many different places. Of course you only see each place for a matter of hours while your ship is in port but that’s enough time to give you an impression of a destination and decide whether or not it’s somewhere you’d like to come back to. If you want to go ashore you can opt to take part in the cruise company’s official excursions or you can book an independent tour or you can do your own thing.

I’m just back from my first ever cruise. I went with my fifteen year-old daughter and we opted to go on a couple of different excursions from our ship the MSC Preziosa. Our tour of the eastern Mediterranean started and ended in Venice and stopped at Bari, Katakalon (for Olympia), Izmir (for Ephesus), Istanbul and Dubrovnik. We didn’t want to go on organised tours every day as we wanted to relax as well as seeing the sights. We went on an MSC organised tour in Istanbul as well as an independent tour to Olympia which we booked online. At the other ports we either stayed on board or took a shuttle bus from the port to the city centre and explored by ourselves. My favourite stops on the cruise were Istanbul and Dubrovnik and I’d definitely like to go back to both cities.

MSC excursions

The cruise company offers several excursions at each place we stopped. I think that these tours are quite expensive (our city tour of Istanbul cost £89 per person including entrance fees and lunch but not drinks) but the one we went on was very well-organised and the guide was excellent. I didn’t fancy exploring Istanbul independently as I knew that my daughter and I would get a lot of hassle if we were on our own. We were met by a coach at the port gate and I relaxed in the knowledge that the tour guides would get us back to the ship on time. I loved seeing the famous Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. There were 40 of us in our group and we were taken to a swish looking restaurant for lunch but the food was a little bland and disappointing. A great advantage for parents going on an MSC shore excursion is that you can leave your children age three years and older at the kids club on board. I really like this idea because dragging grumpy children around ancient ruins in the baking heat is no fun at all. My daughter just about put up with visiting the ancient city of Olympia because she understands its significance but my eleven year-old son wouldn’t have enjoyed it at all.

Blue Mosque, Istanbul. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Blue Mosque, Istanbul. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Independent excursions

If you want to go on an organised tour you don’t have to go with your cruise company. I booked our tour to Olympia from the port at Katatakalon online a few days before our cruise. The tour was with a company called Cruising Excursions which I’d read about on cruisecritic.com, a website recommended to me by fellow travel blogger Selena Jones. The tour cost £32 per person which is a bit cheaper than the MSC tour to Olympia at £45 per person –  but you can’t leave your kids at the MSC kids club if you’re not on one of their tours. The guide was excellent but the coach was parked about 15 minutes’ walk from the ship and we had to wait about 20 minutes for everyone in our group of 20 people to arrive at the meeting point before we could set off. Going on this tour was a bit of a leap of faith for me as I had a nagging worry that we’d be late back and the ship would leave without us but everything was fine.

At Bari I noticed that there were bikes for hire right next to the ship – this could be a fun way to explore the city.

Shuttle bus

At each port that’s away from the city centre MSC lays on shuttle buses (for a fee) to transport passengers between the city and the ship. We used these buses in both Bari (7,50 euros per person) and Dubrovnik (12,90 euros per person) and that worked really well for us. In Bari we wandered around the old city taking in the atmosphere and then looked in the few designer shops which were open (it was a Sunday) before heading back to the ship. In beautiful Dubrovnik the bus dropped us off in a square just outside the old city walls, next to the Tourist Information office. I popped in there for a map and then we headed into the the old city to explore. After admiring the views across the rooftops and out to sea from the city walls we went back to the square to catch a bus back to the boat.

Dubrovnik. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Dubrovnik. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Staying on board

You don’t have to go ashore when the ship is in port. On a very hot day our third port of call was Izmir, Turkey’s third largest city and the cruise ship destination for excursions to Ephesus. We went to Ephesus a few years ago and so decided to stay on the ship and relax on that day. We went to the spa, sunbathed, had lunch and enjoyed the ship being quiet.

Guidebooks

I usually borrow guidebooks from my local library but that wasn’t practical for the cruise because we were going to so many different places. Instead I took the DK Eyewitness Travel Cruise Guide to Europe and the Mediterranean which had been sent to me to review. It covers more than 70 ports of call including everywhere we visited except for Bari. It talks about cruising in general and life on board ship and I found it very helpful. I also read the useful port guides on cruisecritic.com before we left home.

If you’ve ever been on a cruise what did you do about excursions?

Disclosure

We were guests of MSC Cruises for review purposes. The price for our seven-night cruise staying in a balcony cabin from Venice to Bari, Katakolon, Izmir, Istanbul and Dubrovnik is from £1059 per person including return flights from London, transfers and meals. There are additional charges for the excursions, port shuttle buses, spa treatments, drinks and some activities.

 

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Related

Categories: Cruise, Europe, Luxury
Tags: cruise excursions, Mediterranean cruise, MSC

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Dorian @ Shore Excursions Group says

    November 3, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Hi Gretta! I just found your blog from a link on Twitter. This is a great post! It’s always good for people to know all the options they have.

    Hope your first cruise made you want to do more and more. Cruising is really the best way to travel! 🙂

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 4, 2014 at 7:33 am

      Thank you, I’m glad that you like the post. We really enjoyed the cruise and I’d definitely like to do more.

      Reply
  2. agatapokutycka says

    July 11, 2014 at 6:31 pm

    I hope one day I will be able to go on cruise… I would very much like that
    agatapokutycka recently posted…Foods Of The World – India – Chicken Liver Pepper FryMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Lori says

    July 9, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    What great tips, we stayed in the old town in Dubrovnik and we loved it so much. It’s such a great way to get a small snap shot of different cultures when on a cruise. x
    Lori recently posted…RYE, CHICKPEA & COURGETTE FRITTERSMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Cass@frugalfamily says

    July 6, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    I cant wait to take my two on a cruise – you see so much in such a short period of time and it really is so much fun x
    Cass@frugalfamily recently posted…Fashion Friday – Where to find bargains online….My Profile

    Reply
  5. wendy says

    July 5, 2014 at 11:07 am

    That looks amazing, I love discovering new places , beautiful pictures
    wendy recently posted…Nakd Bars From Natural Balance FoodsMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Shell Louise says

    July 3, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Your posts about your cruise are really making me want to go on one! I think I’d have to do te organised tours rather than setting out on our own because I’d be so worried about not getting back in time, I’d ruin the experience by not being able to relax and enjoy it!
    Shell Louise recently posted…Accessorise Yourself – Make Your Own Wedding Hair BandMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      July 3, 2014 at 8:48 am

      I know what you mean, I did feel a bit worried when we went on the independent tour but it was fine!

      Reply
  7. Globalmouse says

    July 3, 2014 at 7:02 am

    It’s tricky with excursions isn’t it? I do like the official ones as you know you won’t miss the boat but there are some – like Dubrovnik – when it’s easier to do them yourself.
    Globalmouse recently posted…Pizza Express – Summer Menu – 2014My Profile

    Reply
  8. VaiChin @Rambling Through Parenthood says

    July 2, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    I have never been on a cruise before, but now I know I really want to. Must wait till J is a bit older.
    VaiChin @Rambling Through Parenthood recently posted…Win a Staycation in The Lake DistrictMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Bex Smith says

    July 2, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    I would love to go on a cruise but so many things keep getting in the way unfortunately 🙁
    Bex Smith recently posted…TypicalMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Liska @NewMumOnline says

    July 1, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    Oh I would dearly love to go on a cruise but just cannot afford it at all at the moment. Your tips and trip sound awesome. What a thorough review.
    Liska x
    Liska @NewMumOnline recently posted…Hair Transformation in Harrow, London – Fusion Hair Design Harrow ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Jenny says

    July 1, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    I think it’s a shame you pay one price for the cruise but there are so many extras not included. I do love the idea of a Kids Club though, sight seeing without my two angels would almost be worth the price.
    Jenny recently posted…Dennis Hopper: The Lost Album at the Royal AcademyMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Polly says

    July 1, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    sounds great! I’d love to go on a cruise one day
    Polly recently posted…Summer Bucket ListMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Julie says

    July 1, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    I just don’t think I could go on a cruise due to my fear of water, I think it would end up being a total nightmare, but would love to go! x
    JustJulie | Beauty Blog
    Julie recently posted…IMATS 2014 Haul…My Profile

    Reply
  14. Astrid says

    July 1, 2014 at 4:09 pm

    That sounds like a great cruise. I had the prejudice that only elderly people went on cruises but this one sounds great for young couples or families too. I do like the idea of seeing many different places too.
    Astrid recently posted…Worrying About Your Disabled Child’s FutureMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Lucie Aiston says

    July 1, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    Sounds amazing and your photos are lovely!! hope you had a wonderful time!
    Lucie Aiston recently posted…Budgeting and Money Saving IdeasMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Louisa says

    July 1, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    Being able to leave your children at the kids club for some excursions is an excellent idea. I know my children wouldn’t be too keen on architecture but I would love it.

    Reply
  17. Lisa Prince (@BEAUTY_IIAO) says

    July 1, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    all this talk of holidays and cruises is making me feel depressed, i havent bene on a family holiday yet well bar the caravan site we went to 5 years ago so dont think it quite counts as it was still only 2 hours away , i need a break i need a cruise x

    Reply
  18. Jen aka The Mad House says

    July 1, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Great tips. I am still not going to go on a cruise as I get very very seasick!
    Jen aka The Mad House recently posted…Teacher Appreciation Gifts, Wine and ChocolateMy Profile

    Reply
  19. you baby me mummy says

    July 1, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Sounds amazing. I think I would quite like a cruise as I get bored in one place x
    you baby me mummy recently posted…Welsh Mountain Zoo – High On A HillMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Sarah Ebner says

    June 30, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    Sounds brilliant, and also like you learnt a lot for your next post on tips for taking a cruise!!
    Sarah Ebner recently posted…5 top tips for visiting Legoland (by Robert, aged 9)My Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The spa on board the MSC Preziosa says:
    July 24, 2014 at 7:15 am

    […] given time in the spa’s Solarium and Sauna, but sadly we were too busy doing things like going on shore excursions and eating lovely food and we didn’t have time to go. The spa runs daily exercise classes, like […]

    Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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