Safari Shore Excursions Are Fun Part of African Cruises

There are cruises available just about anywhere in the world, and the coastal waters of Africa are no exception. And what do you do when you touch ground on these trips? Why, take a safari of course.

It's no secret that one of Africa's national treasures is its wild game. The animals most of us will never see outside of cages in a zoo still roam freely here.

East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda) and South Africa (Botswana and South Africa) are the two best areas for photo safaris. The Seychelle Islands, a popular destination on cruise itineraries, are great for bird watching. The clear blue skies and abundant wildlife offer wonderful shore excursions for birders.

The only downside with safaris is that they are usually multi-day trips, and many argue that African wildlife can't be adequately viewed on a one-day shore excursion. Because of this, you may want to consider a land tour add-on. This is when you add a 3-4 night safari adventure on at the beginning or end of your cruise trip.

Ask your travel agent or browse online for these sorts of packages.

Which Island in Hawaii for Helicopter Tour Shore Excursion?

If you take a cruise to Hawaii, you'll have a long list of options for shore excursions. Each island you visit will have different things for you to see and do, but just about all of them offer a helicopter tour.

This isn't any surprise considering how beautiful the islands are. Each one is forged from volcanoes, each one surrounded by sparkling ocean waters, and each one full of lush scenery and unspoiled lands, some not even accessible by road. On any island, you'll see some impressive vistas if you take a helicopter tour shore excursion.

But you probably don't want to take a helicopter tour on each island. If your ship stops in four different ports, as many of them do, that would be a lot of pricey shore excursions, for one thing. And you'll want to experience some of the land-based sights too.

So, if you're planning to take a helicopter ride, which Hawaiian island should you choose?

While you'll probably enjoy yourself on any island, many people recommend Kauai.

A big part of this is because Kauai has a canyon that almost rivals the grand canyon in scope and beauty. Called Waimea Canyon, it's sure to take your breath away. Also Mount Wai'ale'ale crater is an impressive site where more than 420 inches of rain fall a year.

Also larges parts of Kauai are still wild and undeveloped, meaning no roads to them, so the only way to view them is from the air. You'll see stunning waterfalls and coasts too.

Though all the Hawaiian islands are beautiful (hey, they call it paradise for a reason), you'll really enjoy a helicopter tour on Kauai.

Greece's Ancient Olympia Shore Excursion Shows Off Original Olympic Games Site

I'd really like to cruise the Mediterranean someday and visit Greece. It's one of the countries I didn't get to see when I did my Rick Steves' tour through Europe a couple years ago, but I really enjoyed Greek history when I was in school.

For those of you who are thinking of a cruise to this part of the world, too, I've been checking out some of the shore excursions.

Be prepared: when you cruise through the Mediterranean, the shore excursions tend to be more about sightseeing and appreciating history than the constant entertainment of many Mexican or Caribbean vacations.

This trip to Ancient Olympia looks like a great chance to see some remnants of Greek history:

You get to see "the birthplace of the Olympic Games and the most important sanctuary of Zeus, father of all gods and goddesses. The starting line is still visible etched on the marble in the stadium there, inviting you to run and in your imagination compete with the ancient athletes. Enjoy the play of light on the soft greenery and dappled ancient columns in this wonderful and peaceful setting." Also "visit the archaeological museum beside the ancient site. It contains most interesting exhibits such as the pediments and the metopes of the Temple of Zeus, the Statue of Nike and of Hermes."

You can take advantage of the Ancient Olympia shore excursion if your cruise ship docks at Katakolon.

Kauai Kayak River Tour in Hawaii

If you're heading off for a cruise to Hawaii, and you're checking out your shore excursion options, there are all sorts of things to see and do on the islands. If you've always wanted to try kayaking, here's a tour that takes you up a river and through the rainforest to a hidden waterfall.

Kauai Kayak River Tour

"Paddle two miles up the north fork of Wailua River to a trailhead where we begin a ¾ mile hike through the rainforest to a 125 foot waterfall."

The excursion has lunch at the waterfall before heading back downriver.

If you've never kayaked before, this sounds like a good trip for beginners: "Now if you are thinking of 'river kayaking,' white water and rapids, on a scale from 1-5 Wailua River is a '0.' So it is a nice calm way to get out on the river and enjoy kayaking and hiking to a secret waterfall."

Available through your cruise or from Aloha Tours (you can often get better rates if you book independently from the cruise ship, though you'll be responsible for finding transportation to the take-out spot).

Golfing at Mahogany Run in the Virgin Islands

You might not think a cruise vacation would be all about golfing, but if you're a golf fanatic, chances are you'll find some great opportunities to try out new courses.

If you're cruising in the Caribbean and your ship is stopping at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, look for a shore excursion to Mahogany Run. What could be better than golfing on a course with the sea breeze ruffling your hair and views of the water everywhere you look? (I don't even play and it sounds lovely to me!)

Mahogany Run Information

• Designed by Tom and George Fazio
• Known as "one of the most beautiful courses in the West Indies"
• 18 hole, par-70 course
• Challenging rises and drops "like a roller coaster on its journey to the sea"
• Golf Digest proclaimed it more of an engineering marvel than an architectural one as the course had to be carved and blasted into an area of land just less than 110 acres.
• Green fees = $130 if you go by yourself, shore excursion (which includes the 20-30 minute ride there) runs about $170

Mahogany Run

Shark Feeding in Tahiti Anyone?

When you're deciding where to book a cruise, one of the funnest parts is deciding which shore excursions you're going to go on. The shore excursions may even help you decide where in the world you want to cruise.

Do you want to dog sled in Alaska? See Mayan ruins in Mexico? Or perhaps feed sharks and rays in the South Pacific?

If the latter sounds exciting to you (it sounds dangerous to me, but I guess I'm not all that adventuresome), then you might just want to check out a shark feeding shore excursion in Tahiti.

Here's part of the description from an outfit that does shark and ray feeding tours:

"...the skipper's first mate jumps into the water and secures a floating rope. Everyone will be instructed to hold onto the rope floating "face down" with their snorkel gear on. The skipper checks to make sure everyone is safely on their side of the rope (which is of paramount importance) as he pulls out the shark food. You wait with anticipation as the sharks come out, one after the other, to rip and tear up the bait. The sharks may give you a demo of their amazing sonar as they swim directly towards you and, at the very last second, make a sharp turn away from you. The only thing between you and them is the rope and your heartbeat."

So, are you feeling lucky?

More on this particular tour at Tahiti Legends.

Helicopter Glacier Trekking in Alaska

When was the last time you walked across a glacier?

When you think of cruises and shore excursions, you may think of warm tropical beaches and hikes through rainforests to ancient ruins, but for those who don't mind cooler weather, there are lots of great shore excursions if you take a cruise to Alaska.

For example, you can sign up for a helicopter tour that will allow you to see Alaska's glaciers and rugged natural wilderness in a way you never could from land. Many of the tours allow you to get up close and personal with those glaciers, even stopping to take a stroll across the frigid ice.

"Helicopter Glacier Trekking is the most exciting way to explore the scenic wonders of the glaciers flowing from the Juneau Icefield. Begin with a 25 minute scenic flight over mountain peaks and glacier features, such as icefalls and crevasses. You will land on one of the glaciers located within the 1500 square-mile Juneau Icefield and meet your professional glacier guide who will teach you basic mountaineering skills (no experience necessary) and the proper use of your equipment. You will be outfitted with top quality mountaineering gear for your adventure, such as outerwear (jackets, shell pants, and gloves), hard-shell mountaineering boots, harness, ice axe, and crampons. Your guides will lead you on a personalized hike that is both adventurous and easy, into areas of the glaciers not normally visited."

The only downside is that this tends to be a pretty expensive shore excursion, and if you weigh over 250 pounds, you'll have to pay for 1 ½ seats, but hey... how often do you get to ride in a helicopter and tramp around on a glacier?

More information at Alaska Tours.

Cave Tubing in Belize

Oh, I totally want to do this one. I've been tubing down regular rivers, but I've never tubed through a cave!

For the "tubing" novices, this is the fine art of flopping your backside into an inner tube and doing nothing but socializing with other tubers and taking in the scenery while the current carries you downstream. If you're looking for a rigorous physically challenging shore excursion, this one isn't for you, but if you're on vacation to relax, tubing is a perfect way to do it.

(Hey, you can always hit the treadmill in the gym when you get back onboard the cruise ship.)

Here are some details on the Belize cave tubing excursion:

"Located about 33 miles on the Western Highway are some of Belize most popular caves and experience of a lifetime. After a 6 mile off road drive into the rainforest, we will arrive at the fabulous Cave's Branch of the Sibun River .

After briefing by your guides, and an exploratory walk through the broadleaf rainforest you splash into the cool water of the Sibun River aboard your inner tube, caving light on your forehead, and float lazily downstream for an hour and a half.

Enjoy the cave formations of this Cretaceous Period limestone cavern, formed by the Sibun River , long before the dawn of humankind." (from Kelly Tours)

I love caves, so this one goes on my list of shore excursions I must take someday.