Which Cruise Lines Include Shore Excursions?
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Some cruise lines do include shore excursions in the cruise fare — but this is far less common than many people expect.
In reality, included excursions are mostly limited to luxury and ultra-luxury cruise lines. On these ships, shore tours are bundled into the upfront price rather than sold separately.
This can make comparing cruise fares confusing. A cruise that looks more expensive at first glance may already include excursions, while a cheaper fare may require additional spending once you start booking tours.
Most mainstream and premium cruise lines do not include excursions as standard. Instead, they give guests the option to book ship-run tours, explore independently, or skip excursions entirely.
Understanding which cruise lines include excursions — and how that affects the true cost of a cruise — makes a big difference when choosing between brands.
Cruise lines that include shore excursions in the fare
A small group of cruise lines include shore excursions on most itineraries. These are generally positioned at the higher end of the market and focus on a fully prepaid experience.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the clearest example. Shore excursions are included in the fare across all destinations, alongside dining, drinks, gratuities, and Wi-Fi. This model appeals to travellers who want everything arranged in advance, with minimal decisions once onboard.
Silversea Cruises includes shore excursions in its all inclusive plus fares these are offered as credits. Normal all inclusive still requires separate booking of shore excursions. Like Seabourn below expedition style cruises will often include excursions as part of the fare.
Seabourn takes a similar approach to silversea approach. Some excursions are included on expedition type cruises, like zodiac trips and talks etc, while others are offered at an additional cost.
Viking Ocean Cruises typically includes one shore excursion per port. These are often designed as introductory experiences, with more specialised tours available for an extra charge.
Azamara on occasion have excursions or experiences included, as do expedition type cruises like Atlas, Hurtigruten and Quark
River cruises often include excursions as part of the fare, but it is recommended to check with each cruise line first.
In all cases, included excursions are reflected in higher cruise fares. Guests are paying for convenience and structure, rather than flexibility.
Cruise lines where shore excursions are usually optional
Most cruise lines fall into this category, including premium and luxury brands that focus on flexibility rather than full prepayment.
On these lines, shore excursions are offered but priced separately. Guests can choose to book ship-run tours, organise their own plans ashore, or simply explore independently.
Explora Journeys sits firmly in this group. Excursions — branded as Destination Experiences — are optional and paid separately. Instead of bundling tours into the fare, Explora emphasises longer port stays, later departures, giving guests more freedom to plan their own days ashore without an excursion.
This is what we did on our Explora 1 cruise, and we have guides to some of the more popular cruise ports and how to do them without an excursion, Santorini and Athens for example.
This approach is also common on mainstream and premium cruise lines, where excursions are seen as an add-on rather than part of the core cruise experience. While this means more decisions for the guest, it also avoids paying upfront for tours that may never be used.
For travellers who enjoy independence, this model often feels more transparent and better value.
Are included shore excursions actually better value?
Included excursions can look appealing, especially when comparing cruise fares for the first time. Knowing that tours are already paid for removes uncertainty and simplifies budgeting.
However, “included” does not necessarily mean better value.
On cruises where excursions are bundled into the fare, guests are paying for them whether they go ashore or not. If you skip a port day, stay onboard, or prefer to explore independently, the cost of those excursions is still built into the cruise price.
The quality and pace of included excursions can also vary. Some are excellent introductions to a destination, while others are designed to move large groups efficiently rather than provide a deeper experience.
Optional excursions, on the other hand, allow guests to pay only for what they actually use. In walkable ports or cities with easy transport, independent exploring can be cheaper, more flexible, and often more enjoyable.
The better value depends less on the cruise line and more on how you personally like to travel.
When included shore excursions make sense
Included excursions tend to work best in a few specific situations.
They’re often a good fit for travellers who are new to cruising or visiting a destination for the first time. Having transport and logistics handled can reduce stress, especially in unfamiliar ports.
They can also make sense when ports are far from the main sights, local transport is limited, or language barriers make independent travel less comfortable. In these cases, an organised tour can save time and uncertainty.
For some travellers, the biggest appeal is simplicity. Knowing that excursions are prepaid and arranged removes decision-making entirely, which is exactly what some people want from a holiday.
When optional (or no) excursions are a better fit
Optional excursions — or skipping organised tours altogether — often suit more experienced cruisers.
In many Mediterranean and European ports, city centres are walkable, taxis are easy to find, and public transport is straightforward. Longer port stays make it possible to explore at a relaxed pace without relying on ship-run tours.
This approach also appeals to travellers who:
- prefer flexibility over fixed schedules
- enjoy wandering without a guide
- don’t want to pay upfront for excursions they may skip
For these guests, paying separately — or not at all — often delivers better value and a more personal experience ashore. Again you can check out some of our #noexcursion ports on the link
How excursions affect the real cost of a cruise
Shore excursions can significantly change what a cruise actually costs, especially when comparing fares across different cruise lines.
On cruise lines where excursions are included, the cost is built into the upfront price. This means the headline fare looks higher, but much of the shore spending has already been accounted for. Even if you skip excursions in certain ports, you’re still paying for them indirectly.
On cruise lines where excursions are optional, the base fare is usually lower — but your final cost depends on how you choose to spend time ashore. Booking multiple ship-run excursions can quickly add several hundred (or even thousands) to the overall trip cost.
Independent exploring often sits somewhere in the middle. In walkable ports or cities with easy taxis or public transport, costs can be modest. In more complex ports, private tours or transport may still add up, though often with more flexibility than ship-run options.
The key point is that cruise fares are not directly comparable unless you account for excursions. A higher-priced cruise with included tours may offer better overall value for some travellers, while a lower-priced cruise with optional excursions can be cheaper — or more expensive — depending on how you travel.
Understanding this difference helps avoid surprises and makes it easier to choose a cruise based on real cost rather than headline pricing.
Frequently asked questions about cruise excursions
Which cruise lines include shore excursions in the fare?
Mostly luxury and ultra-luxury lines such as Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Viking Ocean Cruises, and some Seabourn itineraries.
Are included excursions really free?
No. The cost of excursions is built into the cruise fare, whether you use them or not.
Can you skip included excursions if you don’t want them?
Yes, but you generally won’t receive a refund or credit for skipping them.
Are included excursions better than optional ones?
Not always. Included excursions are often introductory experiences, while optional or independent tours can be more flexible or in-depth.
Do mainstream cruise lines include excursions?
No. On most mainstream and premium cruise lines, excursions are optional and priced separately.
Final verdict: which cruise lines offer the best approach?
Cruise lines that include shore excursions in the fare prioritise convenience and predictability. For travellers who want everything prepaid and organised, this model removes uncertainty and simplifies planning.
Cruise lines that keep excursions optional offer a different kind of value. By separating tours from the fare, they give guests more control over how they spend time and money ashore — and avoid charging for experiences they may not use.
Neither approach is inherently better. The right choice depends on how you like to travel, how confident you feel exploring independently, and whether you value structure or flexibility more on port days.
Understanding this difference makes it far easier to compare cruise fares honestly — and choose the cruise line that fits your travel style rather than just the headline price.
