Ultimate Guide: How to avoid shore excursions that are a waste of time

It's your first time visiting a cruise destination and you want to see everything and be everywhere - all at once. While the temptation to sign up for shore excursions in every cruise port is understandable, the truth is some can be a waste of time and money. A sunset booze cruise when you've already paid for the all-inclusive drinks package onboard the ship? Come on, now. So how do you make sure you pick a winner?

"There are so many options now when it comes to shore excursions and it can be quite overwhelming and expensive to choose the right ones for you," says Daryl Dickson, marketing manager at Globetrotter Travel. But great results can be achieved if you keep the following in mind.

Spend some time familiarising yourself with the itinerary and ports of call in the weeks and months leading up to the cruise, Dickson says. Read online reviews and guides. Check out cruise-community online forums, such as Cruise Critic. If you have a travel agent, ask them for advice. "Shortlist the shore excursions which are most appealing, particularly the cultural, historical and geographical points of interest," he says. "Look for unique tours that allow you to interact with the local communities." Most cruise companies aim to offer authentic cultural experiences, such as a market tour in Spain followed by a tapas cooking class. Dickson says the value of these kinds of tours, versus a shopping afternoon or beach break, is that you'll get to meet the local people and gain a deeper understanding of the destination.

No prizes for guessing whether or not cruise lines mark up the prices of their shore excursions in order to make a profit. Of course, they do. It's often possible to find the same activities offered through local tour operators at a significantly lower cost. On a recent trip to Costa Rica, I wandered off the ship and encountered dozens of sales people on the pier touting tours for about $30, covering many of the same attractions as the ship's shore program.

If you are going to pay for one of the ship's pricey excursions, make it count. Especially in destinations that are once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list places, remind yourself you may never be back this way again. "Get out of your comfort zone," says Dickson. "For the adventurous at heart, cruising provides many opportunities to try unforgettable experiences. In Antarctica for example, it's the perfect opportunity to kayak among icebergs, spend a night ice-camping or even attempt the polar plunge by diving into the ice-cold waters."

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On NCL's Alaskan voyages, a very limited number of people can see Hubbard Glacier up close and personal from a small, expedition-style boat. The rest of the passengers take in the view through binoculars from the ship's open deck. In the birthplace of icebergs, Aurora Expeditions operates a 10-seater helicopter joyride. Sweeping over Arctic lakes, ice fjords and glaciers, it offers breathtaking views. If you can afford it, be one of the privileged few.

One of the most compelling reasons to book shore excursions through the ship's activities department is peace of mind. There's usually flexibility to cancel at no charge if you do so more than 24 hours before the excursion's departure time, so there's no need to worry about a rainy day at the beach club or being stuck with an expensive charge even if you feel too unwell to go out.

Participating tour operators will have been vetted to meet the ship's quality standards and will have adequate insurance coverage. When previous guests provide feedback and ratings about their experience on the tours, it reaches the desk of the cruise director. Consistently low scores and negative feedback is likely to lead the cruise line to discontinue the partnership, so you can expect an enjoyable day out.

For anyone who has ever experienced the panic of being stuck in traffic on the way back to the ship as the sail-away deadline ticks closer and closer, there's another good reason to book shore excursions through the cruise line. Even if the tour is late returning to the port, the ship will wait.

In some ports, it's not necessary to sign up for an excursion at all. If the ship docks in the centre of town, simply step off the vessel and start exploring independently. Follow the locals to a nice beach if you're on a Mediterranean cruise, or browse the shops near ports in the Caribbean. "Some ports can be a considerable distance from the tourist centres, so if you plan your own sightseeing, leave plenty of time to get back to the ship," Dickson says.

1. Safari side trip: Exciting plans are afoot at the relaunched luxury line Crystal, with exclusive shore experiences by legendary travel company Abercrombie & Kent. Guests can now personalise their itinerary to include overland adventures, such as a Serengeti safari from Cape Town. See crystalcruises.com

2. Italian masterclass: Would you like to learn how to make perfect pasta in a Tuscan castle dating back to the 12th century? Sign up for Viking Cruises' gourmet masterclass (pictured) in Florence. See vikingcruises.com.au

3. Arctic flight: One of Aurora Expeditions' most popular Arctic excursions is an optional helicopter flight over the Jakobshavn Glacier in Greenland. At $925 per person it's not cheap, but the memories will last a lifetime. See auroraexpeditions.com.au

4. Reef Adventure: Expand your mind with immersive shore programming designed by National Geographic for small-ship cruise line Azamara. Join a marine biologist on a reef adventure in Mexico or explore Amsterdam's immigrant history. See azamara.com

5. Grotto daytrip: When a shore excursion involves multiple modes of transport, it's worth leaving the organisation to experts. Celebrity Cruises' Exclusive Capri Island and Blue Grotto daytrip from Naples is a perfect example. See celebritycruises.com

6. Cooking class: Cruise lines have contacts that mere mortal travellers can only dream of. If you want to take a class at an exclusive French cooking school or nab last-minute tickets to the Alhambra palace in Spain, proceed directly to the shorex desk of Oceania Cruises. See oceaniacruises.com

Pictures: Unsplash; supplied