Shore Excursions - A Highlight of River Cruising
(42 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Ted Blank
Woodbury, MN
Tailor-Made Journeys
You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf.
Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, atten...
You understand that extraordinary vacations aren’t simply a function of dollars and cents, and you know that they certainly aren’t just pulled off the shelf.
Journeys of a lifetime are carefully designed with imagination, creativity, attention to detail, experience, and insider knowledge.
Are you looking for a travel adviser who possesses the expertise, education, intuition, insider knowledge, and connections to turn your vacation into the trip of a lifetime? I open new doors for discerning travelers like you looking to follow your own path to the world’s extraordinary destinations.
As a specialist in privately guided, tailor-made vacations and luxury cruises, you’ll enjoy highly personalized service and expert recommendations during the planning process. As you travel, you’ll come to appreciate being well looked after from wheels up on departure to wheels down on your return, giving you the freedom and confidence to be your best travel self wherever you go.
Through my extensive worldwide travel experience, an intuitive sense of possibilities, careful attention to detail, and a broad network of carefully vetted supplier partners, you can enjoy vacations that others only dream of to destinations in Europe, Asia, Australia and Oceania, South America, Africa, and beyond.
Please click on the links on this page to email me to schedule a complimentary introductory discovery session where we’ll get better acquainted, discuss your travel dreams, and begin to carefully craft the first of many explorations of this wonderful, fascinating world we share!
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A Typical River Cruise Shore Excursion
Shore excursions are a highlight of river cruises.
River cruises use smaller ships, which usually carry about 200 passengers or less. They’ll take you right to the heart of historic cities and charming villages along the world’s best-known waterways.
You’ll also get to see nature up close in some of the most remote corners of the globe.
When you’re trying to decide which river cruise to take, the shore excursions will play a key role in your decision. As a luxury river cruise expert, I’ll guide you, taking into account your interests and activity level to help you pick the best voyage.
Here are some things to keep in mind.
Entry-level rivber cruise lines will typically offer only one excursion in each port; premium and luxury river cruise lines will offer a variety of included choices and privileged access. Unlike typical oceangoing cruises, where you have to pay a separate charge for shore excursions, river cruises generally include at least one — if not all — excursions in the cost of the trip.
If you take a European river cruise with AmaWaterways, a company that I often recommend to clients, a choice of tours is included in each city or town that you visit.
On an American Queen Voyages’ trip along the Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans, a Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is included. But there’s an additional charge for the Ultimate Cajun Adventure, which takes you on an airboat tour of the Louisiana swamplands.
As we’re planning your cruise, I’ll make sure you know which excursions are included and what costs extra.
River cruise excursions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Especially on European cruises, you’ll usually have choices, from a more leisurely walking tour of a historic city center to a hiking or cycling trip.
AmaWaterways has Gentle and Active Walker groups as well as aLate Starter option for passengers who want to sleep in but don’t want to miss the tour highlights. In select cities, you’ll be able to choose a more active itinerary. For example, on a Rhine and Moselle voyage that starts in Luxembourg and travels to Germany, France and Switzerland, you can trek up to the ruins of a 9th-century castle or pedal along the Moselle River, past a historic abbey, Roman ruins and vineyards.
River cruise excursions are a great way to get an in-depth look at a subject or part of the world that interests you. And with a set itinerary that covers the highlights, you don’t have to worry about missing anything. On an AmaWaterways trip along the Danube celebrating classical music, you’ll visit a magnificent Benedictine abbey with a famed collection of musical manuscripts, walk in the footsteps of Beethoven and Mozart and be treated to live performances. The cruise line’s Celebration of Wine voyages include A Taste of Bordeaux, where you’ll explore France’s legendary wine capital. These cruises are hosted by a wine professional who will accompany you on select excursions to vineyards and cellars.
If you’re going to a remote destination, like an Amazon River cruise, everyone will go on the same excursions. You’ll be led by a highly experienced naturalist guide who will help you spot wildlife in an environment that’s designed to make it easy for animals to hide. Aqua Expeditions has a custom-designed fleet of private launch boats that will enable you to venture deep into the rainforest in groups of no more than 12 people. A smaller human presence makes it more likely that you’ll be able to see the bird and animal life.
Likewise, on Alexander + Roberts’ Nile River cruise, all sightseeing and shore excursions are included, and the itinerary is set as you travel to places like the fabled Valley of Kings and Temple of Luxor. You’ll have some time to explore Cairo on your own at the beginning of your cruise. River cruise excursions are a chance to sightsee but also to learn. They’re led by tour guides, naturalists and subject-matter experts who are well-versed in the history, culture, cuisine and science of the places that you’ll be visiting.
These excursions are more structured than ones you’ll find on oceangoing cruises. And that can be an advantage, because they offer a unique experience that you might not get exploring on your own.
Contact me to start planning your first - or your next - river cruise!