Conde Nast Traveler offers tips for port calls

Conde Nast Traveler offers tips for port calls

NEW YORK — The price you pay to book a cruise is only part of the cost of your trip if you plan on taking any shore excursions.

In the January issue of Conde Nast Traveler magazine, consumer news editor Wendy Perrin offers tips for getting the most out of your port calls and land tours.

First, if you are set on visiting one particular sight or city, book your cruise to begin, end or overnight in that port. Otherwise you risk missing out, as cruises can cancel port calls for all kinds of reasons, from weather to workers’ strikes in the host country.

Second, plan ahead for how you’ll spend your time in port. The ship concierge will try to sell you the cruise line’s tours, and those are going to be expensive, so research your excursion options before you get on the boat. Check out tourism Web sites for any local events the day you’ll be there, and visit Web sites specializing in day-trips, like ShoreTrips.com and Viator.com. Check museum Web sites for exhibitions and hours.

Finally, don’t forget to figure in travel time from the ship to your land destinations, and the costs of local transportation. Is it a 10-minute taxi ride or a two-hour bus ride? The cruise line should be able to tell you.

Weigh public transit options too — they may be faster and cheaper than alternatives, though renting a car or hiring a cab for a half-day can be a good option too. If everybody on the ship is likely to be headed to the same famous landmark, look into hiring a private car and driver in advance, and compare the cost to what it would be if you took the ship’s bus tour.

Details at www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/502233.