Pros and Cons of Shore Excursions for Solo Cruisers

If you’re new to solo cruising, you might be wondering what to do on port days. Do you stay on board and enjoy an empty ship? Pay for a shore excursion? Wander around on your own?

I can’t make a definitive answer for you, but I can offer some advice based on my experiences solo cruising. I always leave the ship, at least for a few hours. After all, that’s what I’m here for! So, with that in mind, let’s dive into the pros and cons of shore excursions.

Benefits of Taking A Shore Excursion As A Solo Traveler

Let’s start with the good stuff. I personally love taking excursions directly from the cruise line. I’ve never done an excursion with a third-party company, so my advice is based on the benefits of taking an excursion through your cruise line. My experience is exclusively with Royal Caribbean.

1. You’ll See More of the City

I was on the fence about doing an excursion in Ensenada last fall, but some new friends I made in the hot tub convinced me that it was a better idea to do a tour with the cruise line than to venture out on my own. And I’m so glad I did! In addition to seeing the main shopping area (which was all I was planning on doing on my own), we went to a winery (complete with samples), and an old missionary which happens to be the birthplace of the Margarita. I booked the tour the night before and it was just under $30. Totally worth it!

2. You’ll Meet Other Cruisers

I like my solo time, but I also like to talk to people. Going on an excursion is a great way to meet people who are on the same cruise. I met a few other solo travelers on a walking tour in Victoria, British Columbia, and a winery tour in Ensenada, Mexico, which made the whole experience so much more fun!

3. You Don’t Have to Worry About Missing The Boat … Sometimes

Ok, so this one can vary by excursion and port. On the one hand, if you are doing a long excursion, like going to Chichen Itza from Cozumel, the guides will make sure you are back on the ship on time. But for some excursions, like the walking tour in Victoria, you’ll end up in a different location than you started from and have to find your own way back. I took advantage of the extra time to visit China Town (the second oldest on the continent), but I will admit that my lack of navigation skills made it harder for me to get back to the ship. I did make it, but it was a lot more stressful than I would have liked.

Cons of Shore Excursions as A Solo Cruiser

I don’t book excursions at every port. Here are some reasons to skip the excursion and explore on your own instead!

1. Sometimes Excursions Don’t Interest You

Sometimes, there just isn’t an excursion that sounds interesting to me. In that case, I’ll go exploring on my own. I did this recently in Astoria, Oregon, by hopping on the trolley, wandering around the downtown area, and making my own tour of bookshops. I found some really cool ones, including a “secret” one tucked away behind a furniture store!

2. They Can Be Pricey

Excursions can easily eat into your trip budget. In some cases, it might be more cost-effective to plan it on your own. However, keep in mind that the added price can be worth the peace of mind of knowing you will have a knowledgable guide who will make sure you get back to the ship on time (if you book through the cruise line).

3. Less Flexibility Than Independent Exploring

An excursion will have a set agenda, which gives you a lot less flexibility when exploring. However, many excursions are only a couple of hours long, which still gives you time to explore on your own. Be sure to carefully read the shore excursion description. It should tell you whether your tour will end back at the port or if you will have a chance to venture out on your own after. If you take the latter option, make sure you know how to get back to the ship!

Bottom Line

As a solo traveler, I highly recommend taking a shore excursion when you see one that interests you or if you are going somewhere with a somewhat shady reputation. I was really glad to be with a group in Ensenada instead of on my own since I am not fluent in Spanish and was unfamiliar with the area.

Regardless of whether you take an excursion or not, do yourself a favor by getting off the ship for at least an hour or two. It’s a great way to see a new part of the world!