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Shore Excursions normally set out to show you the principal sights of the port and nearby places but in recent times they have become more adventurous and tours like helicopter flights, four wheel drive, biking, diving and horse riding have been added. Excursions are organised by the cruise line but can also be purchased on the quayside where they will be a little cheaper. However cruise line tours are covered by the ship's insurance and it will not depart without you - not the case if you do your own thing.

Unless you book a premium tour, your excursion will be onboard a comfortable bus with a driver and local guide reasonably fluent in your language. Costs can range from £20 to £35 per person for a halfday tour and £45 to £80 for a full day. Clearly if you are on a port intensive cruise this can mount up if you want to explore every destination.

Your cruise line should have sent you a Shore Excursion brochure with your cruise tickets listing and describing all the shore excursions you can take on the cruise. Many lines allow you to book excursions in advance and some have websites where you can book them online. This is useful if you want to make sure that you get a particular tour. Tours marked as "limited numbers" tend to get booked quickly and these may be full if you wait until you are onboard.

When you arrive onboard you should find an Excursions brochure and booking form in your cabin. On many ships there will be an Excursions Presentation early in the cruise and an Excursion Channel on your cabin tv with continuous coverage of what is on offer. If you have any questions go to the Excursions Desk (normally in the main foyer) but if you want to avoid those long queues complete the booking form and leave it in the drop box at the Excursions Office. Your shipboard account will be charged and your tickets delivered to your cabin but note that there are deadlines for booking excursions - usually 24 hours before arriving in the port. Check your Daily Programme for details.

The length of excursions will depend on the time in port but you will normally have a choice of half day or full day tours. Most tours will depart early on arrival in a port and in some ports it will be possible to take both a morning and afternoon tour. Tours usually assemble in one of the ship's lounges or on the quayside but there will be no announcements so check your tickets and the Daily Programme for the time and assembly point. The Excursion Office staff will direct you to your bus. When the tour is finished the bus will drop you at the ship or in the town if there is time for shopping. Guides on shore excursions can be tipped about 5% of the excursion cost and a Euro for the driver will be appreciated