Best on-shore cruise excursions

BEST ON-SHORE CRUISE EXPERIENCES

When you embark on a cruise from North America you will be visiting some incredible destinations, opening the door to nearon endless opportunity to experience some great shore excursions. You’ll be able to take part in activities that let you explore the land, indulge in the culture, or simply have a blast! And more often than not, you’ll find the right half-day excursion for you to enjoy before you hop back on-board, no matter where you are docked for the day. Here are some of our favourite shore excursions.

AQUAVENTURE AT ATLANTIS, PARADISE ISLAND – OFFERED BY ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES Arguably one of the best waterparks in the world, Aquaventure offers untold fun for the whole family when you arrive at Nassau, capital city of The Bahamas. If you don’t plan on spending the day in Nassau town then you need to try out this park, since you’ll have a 141-acres of aqua-fun to enjoy. Thankfully, if you’re cruising with Royal Caribbean then you’ll have the perfect opportunity to visit, since they themselves provide the excursion so your visit is hassle free.

This is the place where you’ll find some of the most thrilling rides and slides on the planet, including vertical drops and some gnarly twists and turns. This place without doubt has some of the most heart-racing waterpark activities in the Caribbean, even rivalling the other big names in North American waterparks like Universal’s Volcano Bay and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.

BEST ON-SHORE CRUISE EXPERIENCES

CIGAR FACTORY AND RUM MUSEUM – OFFERED BY NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE When you arrive in Cuba with Norwegian Cruise Line, you may well be wanting to sample some of the local flavours, and what else would you want to try here than an authentic cigar, some locally brewed rum, and checking out some Cuban art?

When you arrive in Havana, hop off and take up this fantastic excursion starting at Museo del Ron in Old Havana (known locally as Habana Vieja), and sample some of the local alcohol. Savour the flavour of an eclectic selection of local rums, brewed and served in a renovated 18th-century colonial townhouse, so you get a real feel for old-school Cuba. After, visit Casa del Habano, an esteemed cigar store where you can admire and try some of the finest brands in tobacco, followed by a stop at a nearby gallery to admire the works of many local artists. Finish this fantastic day trip at Callejón de Hammel a well-known street which is a melting pot of art, religion and music where you can chat to locals and watch musicians take it from the top!

CASTAWAY CAY – OFFERED BY DISNEY CRUISE LINE One of the most unique features of a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean is their stop-offs at Castaway Cay. Reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, you and your shipmates can hoist ashore and enjoy an entire island paradise to yourselves. Here there is a fantastic beach to lay your towels, a snorkelling lagoon to check out the marine life, and the Serenity Bay where you can preen and pamper with massages and enjoy a BBQ with ice-cold drinks. Plus, there are also boat rentals, sporting amenities, a Teen Hideout, the Pelican Plunge water play area, and an indoor games area to cool off in.

BEST ON-SHORE CRUISE EXPERIENCES

LOUISIANA SWAMP TOUR – OFFERED BY ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES Hoist ashore in New Orleans with Royal Caribbean and get into this fantastic swamp tour where you’ll skim the marshes on an airboat. Admire the fantastic wildlife, from gators and snakes to exotic birds and a whole host of creepy-crawlies that roam around the state. Glide across incredible terrains completely unique to Louisiana and take in the USA’s beautiful nature before heading back onto the ship to depart for the seas.

HARRISON’S CAVE TOUR – OFFERED BY CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE Arriving in Barbados with Carnival Cruise Line? You’ll want to take up their trip to Harrison’s Cave, a well-known set of caverns near the centre of the island. In here you’ll travel through amazing scenes as you go deeper into Barbados’ very own labyrinth.

When you’re down there, you’ll board a tram for a 40-minute journey beneath the earth. Witness subterranean geology like stalagmites and stalactites, and enjoy a great half hour of free time for you to explore the native trails for yourself.