How far in advance should I book excursions?

• Diving in pristine waters
• Visiting ancient temples and ruins
• Exploring glaciers and volcanoes
• Local sightseeing in the city
• Taste-testing wines and foods
• Wildlife experience may include meeting with penguins or whale viewing
• Excursions can be booked with a third-party tour operator or from your cruise operator.

Unless you are sailing with a luxury cruise line that pays for them (such as Viking or Regent), excursions are an extra charge to consider. Hence, it might be a wise choice to put aside some cash for designing your off-ship experiences.

While it depends on many factors, it is generally best to book your shore excursions sooner rather than later after you've reserved your cruise.

Sometimes, you'll hear people say that it's best to wait, hoping prices will go down; this is a bad idea. Most excursions, in fact, especially popular ones, have capacity restrictions; only a certain number of persons may go on each tour. Once those are filled, they are gone. Increasing interest does not equate to cruise lines opening up more capacity.

Limited availability: Helicopter flights, boat rides, small-group tours, all of them, have serious capacity limitations. For instance, very few flights operate each day, and a helicopter may be able to carry only six passengers at one time.

• They operate on a first-come basis: they finish their operation once they are full.
• Prime time slots: Book early, the better we can guarantee the time that will work best for us. If we wait too long, we might be stuck with options that fit poorly into our schedule.
• Comfort: You'll never have to rush through late-night ordering, fearing that you might miss out on something you've looked up to for so long.
• More time to set up the rest of the day's activities: Once arranged, the excursions will be easier to fill with getaway activities, shopping, or just chilling.

Most of the cruise lines may accept reservations for their said excursions months ahead of time, starting from perhaps six to nine months before the actual departure of the cruise. Some may even make reservations in autumn for cruises to be held in the succeeding spring or summer.

So if you must be cruising in May or June of next year, you might already be able to start booking come October or November of this year.

If you are not aware of the reservations' opening date, then check your cruise line's official website or log in to your online account. They will be your guide as to what is available and when the opening of reservations will be.

This is a great question indeed, and should be the reason why many people wait as long as possible before booking cruises. The good news is that most lines do allow adjustments or cancellations, usually for no fees if you do it within a certain window of time.

Typically, you can get the full refund if you cancel the shore excursion 24 hours before the tour is booked. Some lines would be more forgiving and allow cancellations as little as a few hours before the ship is due to dock.

Nevertheless, it is wise to consider cancellation policies before you go ahead and make your reservation. Otherwise, you will be stuck having to pay for something that you cannot go to if something comes up or your plans change.

Nope, making a reservation is never necessary. You are allowed to get off the ship and go exploring when your ship stops at a port. This could entail going to local markets, having lunch at a restaurant close by, or even hiring a tour guide or taxi from the area.

Some travelers prefer going alone. It can often be cheaper and offers them greater flexibility. If you go this route, make sure you do the following:

• Check out the port in advance.
• Be aware of local traditions and safety considerations.
• Be very conscious of the time; if you are late, the ship will not wait.

Also, make sure to check if some ports (for example, St Petersburg, Russia) may require a visa or some official trip to disembark the ship. Verify all entry and visa requirements beforehand.

It all depends on the destination and type of tour. From bus tours or simply sightseeing trips, excursions offer plenty of opportunities. From there, unique and popular excursions have the chance to get sold out months in advance. For example:

• Alaskan helicopter glacier tours are sold out 6 months before the trip.
• Caribbean snorkeling excursions are usually packed by the time you arrive.
• Book well ahead of time for the wildlife and dog sledding excursions.
• Private beach clubs tend to have a limited capacity on popular routes.

If you have any agenda, then do not delay!

• Recognize your essential tasks: Make reservations in advance if there is anything you want to do.
• Think about your energy level and stamina to see if you can do two or three consecutive trips in a row.
• Keeping some time open in your schedule for a break is good.
• Factor in travel time: Certain adventures will require lengthy treks. Make certain the time invested is worth it.
• Compare alternatives with third-party operators: Viator and Shore Excursions Group may offer alternatives with a possible cost advantage.
• Always keep the budget in mind: Prices for an excursion can range anywhere from $50 to $300 or more per person. Go for all the ones that add the most value to your trip.