Shore excursions add extra bang for extra bucks

Real Deals

Cruise ships are filled with so many activities that some passengers may be reluctant to go ashore … until they see what awaits. Nowadays, shore excursions can be varied and exciting, ranging from a hot-air balloon ride to a “search” for the Loch Ness monster.

Costs, however, can add up. Such side trips are usually not included in the fare and excursion prices can range from about $40 to well over $1,000.

Some notable destinations and excursions:

Sydney-based Orion Expedition Cruises has a 10-night expedition departing May 12, sailing from Darwin to King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, Bigge Island, Hunter River, Montgomery Reef, Talbot Bay and the Horizontal Waterfalls, Cape Levesque and the Lacipedes, and Broome. The price is $8,430-$17,655 depending on choice of stateroom. Optional “shore experiences” are $47-$475. Visit orionexpeditions.com.

Pacific Delight’s Deluxe SuperValue Tours has a 12-day, land-and-sea Historic Cities & Yangtze River trip, visiting Shanghai, Xi’an, and Beijing, followed by four nights of Yangtze River cruising aboard a Victoria Cruises ship. Land-only prices are $1,588-$2,288 for departures between March 2009 and March 2010.

Visit pacificdelighttours.com or call 800-221-7179.

CIE Tours International is offering a discount of $200 per person on its Nov. 28 departure of the Christmas Wonderland cruise aboard the Amadagio. The 12-day, 10-night trip starts with three days and nights in Paris with local sightseeing, followed by a coach trip through the Champagne region of France to begin a seven-night cruise at Trier. The route meanders along the Rhine and Moselle rivers, cutting through the center of Germany, and visiting Bernkastel, Cochern, Boppard, Mainz or Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Amsterdam, with time for visits to Christmas markets. With the discount, the cruise starts at $2,099 per person plus airfare. To get that price, book by Oct. 31 and use code 103108CHR.

Visit cietours.com or call 800-243-8687.

A six-night St. Louis to Memphis sailing aboard the American Queen departs Oct. 25 during foliage season and visits Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Mount Vernon, Ind.; Paducah, Ky.; and New Madrid, Mo., featuring historic landmarks, Civil War sites, the Trail of Tears, and the home of a singer named Presley. Prices begin at $1,999. Shore excursions are optional and cost $50-$200.

Visit majesticamericaline.com or call 800-434-1232.

When not included, hotel taxes, airport fees, and port charges can add significantly to the price of a trip. Most prices quoted are for double occupancy; solo travelers will usually pay more. Offers are subject to availability and there may be blackout dates.