Independent shore excursions can offer smaller groups, more choice, and private guides—but you'll need to plan carefully.

A highlight of my first cruise took place on land. During a stop in Plymouth, England, on a Holland America Line sailing, I walked to the Plymouth Gin Distillery. The hourlong outing included an ...

P&O Cruises' Aurora cruise ship docked in Olden, Norway. Shore excursions are a major part of cruising, offering a chance to experience the culture, history, and natural beauty of each destination on ...

Cruising is an efficient means of travel, allowing you to tick off multiple bucket-list destinations in one fell swoop. However, that means you might only spend about 8 hours in each port (although ...