Cruise holidays have become very popular with families, although they are not suitable for babies and toddlers, three to 16 years are the best age. On most cruise lines, children are not permitted to stay on board if their parents go ashore.
All cruise lines offer shore excursions, which can be arranged by the tour staff on board. Shore excursions are becoming much more adventurous. To name just three: Royal Caribbean Cruises offers adventure tours, Carnival Cruises offers kayaking through the jungle in Belize, and Princess Cruises offers kayaking, hiking and snorkel adventures in the Caribbean. Some popular excursions are in high demand, so it is best to book these well in advance. However, it is possible to go ashore to explore independently. Taxi fares should be negotiated before setting out. You must also ensure that you return in good time for the ship’s departure.
The port is usually the main destination, although in some places the main sites of interest are not on the coast, and are only accessible by train or coach. For example, Mediterranean cruises that visit the port of Livorno in Italy give passengers the opportunity to visit Florence or Pisa. The length of time the ship spends in port varies depending on the cruise.
When the ship docks in a port, the passengers usually leave by the gangway. However, in some places, the ship has to anchor some way from the shore. In this case, passengers are taken ashore by launch. The launches are free, and there is a frequent service to allow passengers to come and go as they please. Anchor or tender ports will be indicated in the itinerary, but this can change depending on the weather and how busy the port is.