I have been lucky enough to go on quite a few excursions while on cruises, some with the cruise line and some independently.
If there is somewhere you particularly want to visit that isn’t near the port area, excursions can be a great solution.
We’ve recently added a way for you to find excursions, much cheaper than directly with the cruise line, to my free app and website, TheCruiseGlobe, so I thought that this would be a good time to tell you about some of my favourite excursions. All of these can be booked via TheCruiseGlobe when you enter your future cruises.
Excursions can be on the expensive side, especially if with the cruise line . I don’t mind that if they provide value for money, and leave you with a memorable experience you’ll never forget.
Some of the cruise line excursions I have taken have done this – but others have been quite disappointing.
(You know the ones where you are herded around crowded tourist attractions, left with “free time” in a town where there is little to see – or you’re dragged around carpet or lace factories that you have no interest in!)
These five excursions I have taken stand out for me for very different reasons. There is a lot of variety in these excursions – history, scenery, animals, culture – and even beer tasting!
#1. Coal Mine Tour – Svalbard
Where / When: Svalbard, Norway (Longyearbyen) July 2025
Svalbard is a really interesting place, and one I had never thought of visiting.
This was a port stop on my Norwegian Star cruise that sailed from Copenhagen to Iceland.
Svalbard is a very remote archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, located nearly 1,000 km north of mainland Norway, which makes it one of the world’s northernmost inhabited areas.
Its isolation means it relies on ships and planes for access, and exploring beyond the main settlement requires guides due to risks like polar bears!
We visited Longyearbyen, a Norwegian metropolis with 2,400 residents from almost 53 different countries.
This small Arctic town’s inhabitants live with tough climatic conditions, with the High Arctic wilderness right on their doorstep.
For over a hundred years, and until quite recently, coal production was the main industry on Svalbard.
At one time, nine mines were in operation, and the few settlements in Svalbard were originally mining communities.
Today, tourism and research have taken over as the new major industries, and the goal is for Svalbard to be completely climate-neutral within ten years.
Why It Stands Out:
I never thought I would get the opportunity to go down a real coal mine, so when I saw this excursion advertised, I knew I wanted to give it a go!
I went down into Mine 3, which began production in the 1970s and closed down in 1996.
Before we went into the mine, our guide explained how coal mining on this site worked, and we watched films from back when the mine was in full operation.
We then walked 800 metres down a path deep into the mine. It was dark and cold, but I had an extra layer on with the overalls they had given me, and luckily we had a light on our helmets.
I was amazed by how cold it was down inside the mine, far, far colder than outside. It was so cold it actually made my hands sting – and it was so dirty!
I crawled through a 60cm tunnel. Miners worked in these cramped tunnels every day, but I managed to bang my head, and I was only down there a short time!
Miners also worked with heavy machinery in these confined spaces. I certainly wouldn’t want to change careers to be a coal miner!
We were able to take a piece of coal home to remind us of the experience – they had plenty to spare!
When we came back outside, the sunlight seemed so bright and dazzling!
This trip would be good for those who want something unique and slightly adventurous – without taking part in anything too strenuous. It was a really memorable trip!
Have a look at that excursion, and some other interesting Norwegian Cruise Line excursions I took on this cruise here:
2. White Pass & Yukon Railway – Skagway, Alaska
Where / When: Skagway, part of most Alaska itineraries – May 2024
Why It Stands Out:
When I said I would be going to Alaska, so many people contacted me to say I MUST take the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway excursion!
It is one of the most iconic cruise excursions, anywhere in the world.
This railway was built between 1898 and 1900 to allow people to reach the Yukon to search for gold.
Gold was found near to the Klondike River in Canada’s Yukon Territory. This discovery sparked the Klondike Gold Rush – one of the most frantic gold rushes in history.
Our trip took two hours and went from Skagway in Alaska up into the mountains of Canada.
In Skagway, it was a sunny and warm day, but up in the mountains, there was snow everywhere. Imagine snow-covered peaks, tunnels, bridges, waterfalls and quaint cabins- it was really beautiful.
The seats in the train could have their backs moved, so you could face either way. This meant you never missed any of the amazing scenery.
Everytime i saw stunning view, I thought ” things can’t get any better than this” then we rounded another mountain, to reveal even more stunning views!
This excursion is suitable for almost everyone – easy, comfortable, but stunningly beautiful.
Have a closer look at The White Pass Railway – and other interesting excursions I took in Alaska – here:
3. Visiting Huskies – Norway (Fred. Olsen)
Where / When: Northern Lights Itinerary – Feb 2023
Why It Stands Out: We got to meet forty friendly huskies!
Dogs here are trained to take part in Norway’s longest Husky race, the Finnmarksløpet.
The Finnmarksløpet starts and ends in Alta, and the dog race covers over 11000 miles in one week!
The dogs are checked daily by vets to make sure they are fit to run, and the dogs seemed desperate to get a place to pull the sledges. They obviously really enjoy it.
The dogs were full of energy, and loved the hugs, strokes and attention we gave them.
The dogs do live outside, and smell of – well – dog!
Fred. Olsen works with long-established, reputable kennels to ensure the best experience for their cruisers while benefiting and supporting reputable Husky farms.
This trip is great for animal lovers or anyone wanting a wholesome, memorable day out.
It’s a feel-good excursion that still feels rooted in local culture and heritage.
Have a look at those adorable Huskies in the video below:
4. Osaka Castle + DIY Exploring – Japan
Where / When: Osaka, Japan (two full days in port) – Feb 2025
Why It Stands Out: Japan is one of my favourite places in the world – It’s so different from home!
We decided to choose an excursion which included Osaka Castle and Shitennō-ji Temple, as well as giving us some free time to explore.
Both places were very busy, but because we were on a cruise line excursion, we were able to go straight to the front of the line. That was really helpful.
At the castle, we had the choice of turning left or right, to either the lifts/elevators or to the stairs.
We decided to walk up eight flights of stairs to the top of Osaka Castle and were rewarded with wonderful views out over the impressive moat.
Osaka Castle, originally built in 1583, has been destroyed four times. Most of what you see now was built in 1931.
We also visited the Shitennō-ji temple. This Buddhist temple in Ōsaka, Japan, is regarded as the first Buddhist and oldest officially administered temple in Japan.
The temple complex and buildings have been rebuilt over the centuries, with the last rebuilding taking place in 1963.
We also had plenty of free time in Osaka. Japan is a safe country, and it is easy to explore by train on your own. You can simply buy tickets at the machine at the station.
We were lucky to have two full days in Oaska, which meant we had plenty of time to explore. This is far more relaxing than trying to cram in lots of sights on just one day.
This tour would be great for those wanting to see the most interesting local sights in a day. Some walking was involved, but it wasn’t too strenuous.
One day on a cruise line excursion, and one day doing our own thing was perfect.
Have a look at that amazing, unforgetable Japan cruise here:
5. Beer Boat – TUI River Cruise
Where/When: TUI River itineraries – Passau, Germany – March 2022.
Why It Stands Out: We got a coach tour, a walking tour, and a beer tasting experience on a traditional German barge.
This tour gave you the best of all worlds: a bus tour, a walking tour, and a trip on a traditional German barge.
On the barge, we got to try a selection of traditional German beers, whilst we sailed on the River Inn between Germany and Austria – and back again.
You’ll sightsee by boat and bus on this outing, with traditional beer and pretzels in between.
TUI River Cruises
You’ll start by boarding a transfer to the town of Neuhaus, where a Bavarian wooden barge will be waiting to take you along the River Inn.
This stretch of water acts as the German-Austrian border, so you’ll drift between the two depending which side of the river you’re on.
En route, you can take in the local wildlife and views of four castles, plus doughy pretzels and beers will be dished out onboard, before you head back to shore.
A bus will take you south from here to the town of Scharding, where a guide will lead you around the Baroque-inspired old quarter.
The pick of the sights is the main square, where you’ll see pastel-coloured buildings, a statue-centred fountain and cafés on the cobbles.
Our tour guide, Eva, made the trip so much fun. She was brought up in America, but her family were German. She returned to Germany to go to college and never went back to live in America again.
When we walked around the town of Scharding, we saw the Baroque-inspired old quarter, and the marks on the walls were the various flood waters that had risen to. Flooding seems to have been a regular problem over the centuries!
It was a really fun- but fascinating trip. We learnt a lot, but had a great time too!
This trip would be well-suited to adults who want to enjoy the local culture and sights, along with some of the local beers Germany is so famous for.
Have a look at that great value Tui River Cruise here:
Booking Independently Is Easier Now
Most ports have well-reviewed operators, simple online booking, and clear instructions.
Apps, websites, and reviews make planning your own days out easier and safer.
When I first began cruising, booking independent excursions was far trickier.
Many companies have a money-back guarantee if your ship doesn’t make it into port for some reason and you can’t take your tour. “Hop on – hop off” bus trips often have the same guarantees.
Many independent excursion companies offer guarantees to get you back to the ship in plenty of time – and offer big financial payouts if you don’t.
This would cover the cost of meeting the cruise ship at the next port if the worst were to happen.
Even if you only take the safe option of booking a “hop on hop off” bus independently, you will save a fortune – especially if you are travelling as a family and buying a lot of tickets.
Hop on, hop off buses often pick up from the port gates anyway, so it is just a case of checking where the bus stop is beforehand and then wandering out.
If you have something you are particularly interested in – local food or wine tours, or other cultural options, you might find something that suits you far more than the bog standard cruiseline excursion.
If you download the app or go to the website of my company, thecruiseglobe.com, you can track cruise ships, log your cruises and now enter future cruises.
If you enter a future cruise on cruiseglobe.com, you can click on the button on the bottom that says “Find deals on Future excursions”. It will highlight the independent excursions available.
There are a wide range of interesting tours available, bookable through Shore Excursions Group. They have a “guaranteed return to the ship policy”.
Guaranteed Return to Ship
Shore Excursions Group
In the extremely unlikely event that you miss your ship due to the late arrival of one of our tours, we will arrange and pay for your accommodations, meals, and transportation to the next port of call, and we will pay you an additional $1,000 USD per customer for the inconvenience.
Before You Go
Find out how long the average cruise port stay is here:
How Long Do Cruise Ships Stay In Port? (My Experiences of Short Stays to Multi-Day Stays)
Find out whether an excursion or exploring by yourself will suit you best here:
Shore Excursions vs. Exploring Solo: Which is Better for You?
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