Cruising is becoming more and more popular with travellers. It’s an excellent form of travel that offers a highly enjoyable experience of cruising on the ocean while enjoying high-quality services onboard. Not only that, but it also presents cruise guests with the opportunity to discover and enjoy the culture of multiple destinations in one trip. These adventures are one of the best parts of going on a cruise, and shore excursions are designed just for this. Think of a picnic that is tailored to encapsulate the best that a destination has to offer, for you to have the best experience possible during your break from the ocean. The activities that you can partake in during a shore excursion are quite diverse since every destination has something unique to offer, and some are just too good to miss out on. These are 5 shore excursions that you should have on your cruise travelling bucket list.

1. Discover beautiful Barcelona on land, water and air

Every year, Barcelona receives millions of visitors. It’s the third most visited city in Europe after London and Paris, especially by cruise guests thanks to its key position in the Mediterranean Sea. The city has much to offer to its visitors, with its rich culture and history. This excursion offers you an opportunity to admire Barcelona from three different perspectives. On land, you will be walking through the maze of narrow streets to see famous landmarks of Barcelona with churches, palaces and fountains while learning about the turbulent history of the city. On the water, you will be sailing along the coastline and take in the incredible panoramic view of the skyline. Marvel at the monument of Christoph Columbus on your way to your helicopter ride, where you will be flying over the wonderful city and enjoying the magnificent views of Port Vell, Barceloneta, the Olympic Port, the Olympic Village, the mouth of Besòs and much more.

Book a shore excursion to Barcelona.

2. Admire the mesmerizing beauty of “Venice of the North”, St. Petersburg.

Before Moscow, St. Petersburg used to be the capital city of Imperial Russia from 1732 – 1918. It is until today still a centre of historical values, of beautiful art and architecture in Europe. The city offers some breath-taking sights to behold with its remarkable works of architecture. St. Petersburg is built on the marshland of the Neva River delta with an expanded system of canals and tributaries, making it a great destination to discover on a boat trip. Sail along the red granite dams and under some of the 350 bridges, each with its own story. Even at night, the city has some of its best spectacles on display: the White Nights of St. Petersburg make the city one of the most romantic places in the world.

Normally travelling in Russia will require a Visa, but there are independent online booking platforms such as My Cruise Excursion which offers full Visa services, making it very comfortable and convenient for customers who book excursions with them.

Book a shore excursion to St. Petersburg.

3. Go on an arctic adventure with Huskies in Tromsø

The city of Tromsø is often called “the gateway to the Arctic Ocean” and is the largest city in the north of Norway. The city is home to magical natural spectacles such as the Northern light, which are quite frequent in the winter months here. The fjord world of Norway is not only a wonder to look at, but also host diverse wildlife with whales, reindeer, moose, golden eagle. One of the best ways to discover this polar city is to go on a safari with your group of huskies. Visit the Huskyfarm and go on a sledge ride with these lovely four-legged companions. Explore the fairytale-like city and have the wonderful serenity of the land carved into your memories. The huskies love to walk through the wilderness and hilly landscapes of the Breivikeidet valley. However, these furry friends will need your help to get up the hills, so expect a little exercise during this trip.

Book a shore excursion to Tromsø.

4. Explore the highlights of Vietnam’s capital city

If you are looking East for your next cruise, take Vietnam into your consideration. The country has a lot to offer to visitors with its enchanting history and culture, and bustling tourism industry. Arriving at Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO Heritage site, visitors have the chance to go on an excursion to Hanoi, a historical and cultural hub of Vietnam. The city is known for its centuries-old architecture and rich culture with diverse influences from Southeast Asia, China and France. Discover its wonderful pieces of culture with old colonial buildings, hidden cafes, cool bars, delicious restaurants, street food stalls hidden in a maze of narrow streets. Your tour guide will take you an authentic Cyclo ride through the city since these narrow streets are not accessible for large vehicles. Visit historical monuments from a different era and enjoy the hospitality of the people here. Vietnamese traditional cuisine is also at its best here in Hanoi, with various authentic, delicious and exotic dishes.

Book a shore excursion to Hanoi.

5. Visit the ancient Valley of the Nuns in Madeira

Madeira is a beautiful island of Portugal, around 900 kilometres south-west from Lissabon. In the 16th century, Madeira suffered frequent attacks from pirates. The nuns sought refuge from the pirates in the lush green valley, which is now called Curral da Freiras (Valley of the Nuns). Here stand the village of Nonental, where you can still experience the rural side of Madeira. The people here still mainly live on what they can grow themselves. Every year, the locals celebrate the ‘Chestnut Festival’, for which the village is famous for. You can make a lot out of the local chestnuts through traditional recipes and methods: different liqueurs, cakes, puddings and soups. The native chestnuts are very tasty and are used widely in the everyday kitchen. Later in this trip, you will also get to visit the fishing village of Câmara de Lobos, which inspired some of Winston Churchill’s paintings.

Book a shore excursion to Madeira.