Land excursions are without a doubt one of the highlights of any cruise, and when choosing a cruise, the destination ports would figure highly in your choice, with the most exotic destinations in the world often included. When you do dock at a port, you really don’t need the hassle of trying to book an excursion, and the best way to make your bookings is to include the tours you would like to experience when you book your cruise holiday.

• Bear In Mind The Length Of Stay – The ship will dock at a certain time and it will depart as scheduled, whether you are aboard or not, so don’t plan any more than you can comfortably fit into that time slot, which is usually most of the day. Resist the temptation to wait until you arrive at a port before booking a land tour, as the local operators know they have a monopoly on you and will likely take you to souvenir shops where you will be expected to make some purchases. Booking a land tour through the cruise operator ensures two things; you will not be late, nor will you be pressured into spending money. 
• Research The Port Excursions – You probably won’t want to tour at every port of call, and you can relax on board while the ship is at the port, and by researching the excursions, you can make an informed decision as to which you include in your holiday. The schedule is usually quite relaxed, allowing you to enjoy your surroundings, and the tour would include the highlights of the port of call, giving you the best chance to see the popular attractions. 

• Look For Special Offers – Many cruise tour operators offer free land excursions as an added incentive, so ask questions when talking to cruise operators and you can certainly pick up a few free land excursions. There are cheap cruises from Sydney that take you to Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu and, of course, New Zealand is not far away. Tours that are organised by the cruise company offer certain guarantees, and the ship will not leave you behind, even if you are late, plus the cruise liner usually sends at least one crew member with you when you book a land excursion, which can be comforting when you are on the other side of the world.
• Pick the Right Cruise Company – Nowadays, there is an abundance of cruising companies and it might be hard to pick the one that will give you complete freedom when it comes to shore excursions. For instance, Royal Caribbean is a cruise company that offers a complete freedom when it comes to tailoring your tours. They have a team of professional tour guides that will show you hidden and exciting places once you hit the shore. If you’re looking for more variety, you can alternatively check Azamara Club Cruises, Seabourn Cruises or Cunard Cruise Line that offer awesome shore trips. Always do your research and try to negotiate for tailored shore excursions through the official cruise website.
• Tailored Luxury Private Tours – As you can imagine, cruise ship passengers at popular destinations are many, and there are luxury private tours that can be tailored to suit you. Of course, these are more expensive, but if there is one place you particularly want to visit, you can spend as much time there as you wish if you book a private tour. There are interesting articles you can find online that provide more tips on choosing land excursion tours, which make for good reads.

By researching the land excursions, you can make an informed decision as to which ones you include, and there will be a few free land excursions thrown in when you book your berth.