Carnival Cruise Shore Excursion Guide
As exciting as it is to be on board a Carnival Cruise ship, there is an entire world of wonders waiting for you to explore. The best way to experience the culture of cruise ports is through shore excursions. Whether you take in a Caribbean paradise, walk on an Alaskan glacier, or visit some of Europe’s most amazing attractions, you won’t be disappointed by Carnival’s selection. Use this Carnival Cruise shore excursion guide to pick the best options for you!
Carnival Cruise Line has so many excursions that it can be difficult to narrow them down and figure out which is the best fit for you. There are a few things to consider when choosing shore excursions.
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Tips For Booking Shore Excursions
The most popular way to book shore excursions is directly through Carnival. You’ll have a wider selection of excursions when booking directly through the cruise line. Another advantage to booking this way is that you are guaranteed that your ship will wait if your excursion is returning late.
The cons to booking directly through Carnival is that prices are usually higher. Tour groups can also be a bit larger and in most cases, they are not customizable.
No matter how you book them, you’ll want to book your Carnival shore excursions in advance. Excursions do book to full capacity so you may miss out on something you really want to do by waiting until you are on the ship.
Before booking, shore excursions research the required information such as health requirements for excursions such as scuba and other diving activities. There are certain medical conditions that prohibit guests from taking part in scuba diving excursions. For helicopter excursions, it’s important to remember weight limits. Any guest over 250 lbs will need to purchase a seat and a half for helicopter excursions.
Certain excursions require a waiver to be completed and signed before you can participate. These are usually the more active type of excursions like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, horseback riding, etc. These procedures are for your safety.
Shore excursions may be canceled by Carnival or the Tour Operator due to inclement weather or for any other reason whatsoever. Full refunds are given to guests who purchased excursions that get canceled.
Highest Rated Carnival Shore Excursions
Segway Boardwalk Ride & Riviera Museum
Ensenada, Mexico
$74 per person
This shore excursion explores beautiful Ensenada, Mexico. You’ll visit the famous fish market, Plaza Civica, dancing fountain, and Riviera Del Pacifico. Learn more about the Segway Boardwalk Ride excursion here.
Avalon Certified Scuba Adventure
Catalina Island, CA
$104.99
This guided dive takes you to the beautiful and pristine kelp forest of Casino Dive Park. This site has become a bucket list destination for divers around the world. You’ll also get to see an abundance of local wildlife on this dive. Find out more about the Avalon Scuba Adventure here.
Secret Sands Beach & Skyline Drive
St. Thomas, USVI
Adult – $59.99
Children – $49.99
How does a relaxing day in a tropical paradise sound? Well, that’s exactly what you will get with this secret sands beach excursion. You’ll get 2.5 hours to lounge and sunbathe or enjoy the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Find out more about this shore excursion here.
Kayaking The Panama Canal
Colon, Panama
$94.99 per person
Minimum age of 12
If you’re looking for adventure then kayaking the Panama Canal is a great shore excursion for you. Wildlife is abundant in the area so keep your eyes peeled while paddling. This tour lasts about 5 hours and includes kayaking on Gatun Lake and the Agua Clara Locks where you can see how the Panama Canal operates. To find out more about this shore excursion click here.
Helicopter Flightseeing & Glacier Trek
Juneau, Alaska
$483.99 per person
Minimum age of 12
Known as one of the most exciting shore excursions, adventure lovers can trek 2 hours through a glacial landscape in Alaska. This 4.5 hour excursion is considered difficult and you will need to learn the proper use of mountaineering gear. The tour includes a once-in-a-lifetime Glacial Walkabout. Make sure to wear comfortable and sturdy hiking boots for this excursion. You can find out more about the Glacier Trek here.
Bermuda Triangle Shipwreck Snorkel
Bermuda
Adult – $71.99
Child – $59.99
Minimum age of 5
Bermuda is home to around 200 miles of coral reef, and while it may be absolutely stunning it’s also treacherous. There have been over 300 shipwrecks in the area and on this shore excursion, you’ll get to snorkel among them. Specifically, two of the most famous shipwrecks, the Montana and the Constellation. You can find out more about this Carnival shore excursion here.
French Cooking Class & Marigot Shopping
St. Marteen, NA
$129.99 per person
The chance for a cooking experience like this won’t come around often as you’ll learn to cook both European and Caribbean cuisine. A world renowned French chef will instruct you as you gaze out over Marigot’s waterfront. The chef will share trade secrets that you won’t learn anywhere else, and you’ll learn French cooking skills with Caribbean spices thrown in for good measure. Learn more about the French cooking class here.
The Ruins Of Mayapan
Yucatan, Mexico
Adult – $69.99
Child – $59.99
This newly opened Mayapan site is considered the last great Maya capital. The tour takes around 5 hours as you’ll have time to explore the impressive structures. This walled city had around 40 cenotes and almost 12,000 inhabitants. You’ll get to explore the historical structures that remain, including 4,000 architectural strauctions. There are even some colored wall murals that have survived. You can find out more about the Ruins of Mayapan here.
Waterfall Spectacular
Hilo, HI
$129.99 per person
Small group tour
If you’re looking for stunning scenery and beautiful waterfalls you can’t do better than the Waterfall Spectacular small group shore excursion in Hilo, Hawaii. You’ll take a scenic drive through a gorgeous oceanfront rainforest as you journey to Rainbow Falls. This picture-perfect 80 ft waterfall is the most iconic waterfall on the island. You’ll also visit Akaka Falls before a bit of shopping on this Carnival shore excursion. You can find out more about the Waterfall Spectacular here.
Best Of The Amalfi Coast – Positano and Sorrento
Adult – $184.99
Child – $159.99
This 9.5-hour tour will take you to the picturesque Amalfi Coast. You’ll take one of the most famous drives in Italy with stops in Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento. You’ll have about an hour to explore each destination many of which are beautifully frozen in time. A meal is included with the excursion so you’ll also indulge in delicious Italian cuisine over lunch at a local restaurant. Find out more about the Amalfi Coast shore excursion here.
Highly Recommended Shore Excursions
The Famous Arch & Whale Watching by Speed Boat
Cabo San Lucas, México
Adult – $99.99
Child – $84.99
Minimum age of 5
On this 2.15-hour shore excursion, you’ll get to enjoy whale watching from the comfort of a high-speed inflatable boat. This is the most whale-friendly boat available in Cabo. You’ll learn all about whales during this excursion. As you watch whales breach, you’ll learn interesting facts about these underwater behemoths. Be aware that whale sightings are not guaranteed, and depending on the weather the ride can be pretty bumpy. Learn more about the Whale Watching shore excursion here.
Bermuda Sunset Sailaway
Bermuda
$71.99 per person
On this 1.5 hour tour you can enjoy the tranquility of an evening cruise on the waters around Bermuda. Enjoy the gorgeous technicolor sunset as the Captain navigates through the waters along the stunning North Shore and Great Sound. You’ll also get to enjoy unlimited rum swizzles. You can find out more about the Bermuda Sunset Sailaway here.
The Sacred Rooms of the Vatican
Rome, Italy
$275.99 per person
Small group tour
On this small group tour you’ll get to experience the Sacred Rooms of the Vatican, such as Cappella Niccolina. This is the private worship place of the Pope himself. You can admire the Carriage Museum, which contains various modes of transportation of the previous popes. The most exclusive part of the tour is the Room Of Tears, where the new pope is elected. You’ll need to have your shoulders and knees covered while visiting this religious site. The tour does not operate on Catholic holidays. Find out more about the small group tour of the Vatican here.
Kona Historical Tour
Kona, HI
Adult – $54.99
Child – $49.99
This shore excursion features the best of the Island of Hawaii as you learn about local folklore and meander along the magical Ali’i Drive. You’ll pass quaint villages and see beautiful sites like Mount Hualalai and Keauhou Bay. Of course a visit to Kona wouldn’t be complete without visiting Kona Coffee Factory. You can join a farm tour and make sure to sample some of the world famous Kona Coffee. You’ll visit historically significant landmarks like St. Benedict’s “Painted” Church and Pu’uhonua O Honaunau or the Place Of Refuge. Find out more about the Kona Historical Tour here.
Sloth Sanctuary & Canoe Adventure
Limon, Costa Rica
Adult (13+) – $105.99
Child (2-12) – $79.99
You won’t forget this memorable shore excursion to a Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica. The Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary does important work to help save sloths. Then you’ll meet the true ambassadors, the orphaned sloths. The tour also features a canoe ride on the Estrella River, where you can spot wild sloths, birds and even howler monkeys. Baby sloths are kept at a distance for their protection and won’t be available to visitors. Wildlife sightings are very common but are not guaranteed. You can find out more about the Carnival Cruise sloth sanctuary shore excursion here.
The shore excursions on Carnival Cruises truly offer something for everyone. Whether you want to snorkel over shipwrecks, take a French cooking course, discover the history of Kona, or visit a sloth sanctuary there are so many options! No matter what shore excursions you choose during your Carnival Cruise the memories are sure to last a lifetime.
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