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Your Complete Resource
The Private Shore Excursion GuideEverything you need to know about booking private shore excursions, navigating cruise ports, and making the most of every port day.
Getting Started
Planning Your Excursion
New to private shore excursions? Start here. Learn why experienced cruisers skip the ship's tour desk and how to find the right tour for your group.
Why Book a Private Shore Excursion?
How private tours compare to ship-sponsored excursions — and why experienced cruisers choose them.
Traveling with Family? Important Things to Know
Child seats, pacing, luggage, and what to expect — everything families should know before booking a private shore excursion.
How to Choose the Right Tour
Tour length, guide type, group size, and pace — how to match a tour to your travel style and interests.
Large Group Services
Coordinating tours for 16 or more guests — multi-vehicle logistics, individual payment, and dedicated planning support.
Custom Tour Requests
Want to modify a standard tour or build one from scratch? Here's how to request a custom itinerary.
What to Expect on Tour Day
A step-by-step walkthrough of your tour day — from leaving the ship to returning with time to spare.
By Destination
Cruise Port Guides
In-depth guides covering what to see, how each port works, and which tours match your schedule. Select a destination to explore.
Turnaround Ports
Turnaround Port GuidesWhere your cruise begins or ends — transfers, hotels, pre/post-cruise touring, and full logistics for Barcelona, Athens/Piraeus, Southampton, and more.
Mediterranean
Athens
Piraeus, Greece
Barcelona
Spain
Civitavecchia
Rome, Italy
Croatia Ports
Dubrovnik · Split · Kotor
Genoa
Italy
Katakolon
Olympia, Greece
Koper
Slovenia
Monte Carlo
Monaco
Portofino
Italy
Ravenna
Venice region, Italy
Savona
Italy
Split
Croatia
Valletta
Malta
Venice
Italy
Volos / Meteora
Greece
Baltic & Northern Europe
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Belfast
Northern Ireland
Copenhagen
Denmark
Dublin
Ireland
Helsinki
Finland
Isafjordur
Iceland
Kiel
Germany
Klaipeda
Lithuania
London
Southampton / Dover
Reykjavik
Iceland
Rostock
Germany
Southampton
England
Stockholm
Sweden
Tallinn
Estonia
Warnemünde
Berlin, Germany
Port Resources
Official Port Authority Websites & Maps
Terminal maps, berth locations, and transport links from official port authority sources.
Cruise Line Emergency Contacts
Port agent numbers and emergency contacts for major cruise lines — save these before you go ashore.
How It Works
Booking & Policies
Understand how booking works, what's included, and the guarantees that protect your port day.
Back-to-Ship Guarantee
If a delay on our end causes you to miss your ship, we arrange and pay for transport to your next port — at our expense.
Deposits & How Booking Works
A $50 deposit secures any tour. Final payment is due closer to your travel date. Here's how the process works start to finish.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Our cancellation windows, refund timelines, and the WorryFree rebooking policy that gives you flexibility when plans change.
Pricing & How Tours Are Priced
Per-person vs. per-group pricing, what's included, and how group size affects your per-person cost.
Payment Options
Accepted payment methods, individual payment for group bookings, and when final payment is due.
Day-Of Logistics
On Tour Day
The practical stuff — meeting your guide, staying on schedule, and making the most of your hours ashore.
Meeting Your Guide at the Port
Where to meet, what to look for, and how the handoff works at cruise terminals, tender ports, and hotel pickups.
What Happens If You're Running Late
Delayed disembarkation, slow tenders, long customs lines — what your guide does if you're behind schedule.
What to Bring on Tour Day
The essentials to carry ashore — and what to leave on the ship.
Timing & the Ship's Schedule
How tour timing works around all-aboard times, tender schedules, and port arrival windows.
What If You Miss the Ship?
What actually happens, who to call, and how our Back-to-Ship Guarantee protects you.
Accessibility & Mobility Information
Wheelchair access, limited mobility accommodations, step-free routes, and how to request an adapted tour.
Travel Smart
Tips & Know-Before-You-Go
Practical advice that applies across every port — from what to wear to how to stay connected abroad.
Tipping Etiquette by Region
What's expected, what's appreciated, and what's already included — tipping customs for guides and drivers across Europe.
What to Wear & What to Bring
Dress codes for churches and monuments, comfortable footwear for cobblestones, and seasonal packing advice.
Weather by Region & Season
What to expect month by month across the Mediterranean, Baltic, and Northern Europe — so you pack right.
Staying Connected Abroad
Wi-Fi, SIM cards, eSIM options, and how to stay reachable without running up roaming charges.
Currency & Money Tips
Where you'll need euros vs. local currency, ATM advice, and how to avoid foreign transaction fees.
Accessibility & Mobility Planning
How to research port accessibility in advance, request adapted vehicles, and plan routes that work for everyone.
Get In Touch
Contact & Support
Have a question we haven't covered? Our team responds personally to every inquiry.
Contact Our Team
Questions about tours, transfers, or anything else — reach a real person, not a chatbot.
Request a Custom or Large Group Tour
Describe your group, your ports, and your interests — we'll build a custom proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about booking, payments, tour logistics, and policies.
Quick Links
Booking With Confidence
Back-to-Ship Guarantee
If a delay on our end causes you to miss your ship, we transport your group to the next port at our expense. Your tour must be scheduled to return 1.5 hours before ship departure.
See full guarantee →
Guest Reviews on TripAdvisor
Real guests, real feedback, independently hosted. We don't curate — we earn.
Read reviews →
Group & Custom Requests
Larger groups, custom itineraries, multi-port coordination, and individual payment options.
Group services →
Browse All Destinations
Shore excursions, city tours, and transfers across 40 countries.
View all destinations →
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