Shore Tours

At the Luxury Cruise Source, we know that although your ship is a destination in itself, a large part of your travel experience is based on what you do when you go ashore. Knowing where to go, what to see and do, and where to stay is an important part of the planning process. This process is simplified by the experience and first hand knowledge of your Luxury Cruise Source Travel Specialist. Our specialists are familiar with, and in many cases have sailed to, the ports that your ship will visit and are eager to share their many years of travel experience.

Hotel and Land Programs

Hotel and land programs allow guests the opportunity to arrive early or depart later than the scheduled cruise itinerary. This allows guests the opportunity to experience the port's unique sites and sounds, rather than just passing thru.

This can be a good idea for many reasons. First, since most cruises depart from desirable destinations, arriving early or staying longer in the port, allows guests to experience the port, rather than just passing thru it. Second, arriving early can eliminate the worry of missing the ship if your flights are delayed or cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Lastly, travel to the departure port can be tiring and time changes can add to the stress of getting to the ship. Arriving early to the departure port, allows guests an opportunity to rest, relax and adjust to time changes prior to boarding the ship and starting their cruise vacation.

There are two ways in which your Luxury Cruise Source Specialist can arrange a Hotel and Land Programs for you. One way is by using the cruise line's pre-arranged group Hotel and Land Program and the other is by arranging a Custom Hotel and Land Package. Both programs have their advantages and are described below.

Cruise Line Organized Hotel and Land Programs

Most major cruise lines offer a Hotel and Land Program, which is usually described in their cruise brochure. These packages are booked by your Cruise Specialist with the cruise line directly and are added to your cruise price. In addition to a confirmed hotel, many cruise lines include transfers, taxes, service charges and group tours. If you are interested in the Cruise Lines Hotel and Land Program, consult with your Cruise Specialist for the programs offered by your specific cruise line.

Custom Hotel and Land Packages

Custom Hotel and Land Packages allow you to pick and choose the hotels and options that best suit your individual needs, rather than the needs of the average traveler. Often at a comparable rate to the cruise line packages, these stays offer guests hotels, tours and transfers on a private basis, rather than with a large group.

With ground operators in more than 50 countries and hotel relationships throughout the world, your Luxury Cruise Source Specialist has access to preferred pricing, added amenities, and upgrades. In addition to a hotel reservation and transfers, your Cruise Specialist can arrange private tours, dinner reservations, scheduled tee times and more. They can arrange rare experiences that few travelers will ever have the option to enjoy. Whether you prefer a private limousine transfer or a simple hotel stay, we have the connections that create a "one of a kind" experience.

Shore Excursions

Shore excursions are a major part of your cruise experience. What you choose to do when you are in port, can make or break any cruise vacation. Choosing the excursions that best suit your interests, needs and physical ability, can be an overwhelming experience but one that can be simplified with the assistance of your Cruise Specialist.

Each cruise line has a number of different excursions pre-arranged at each port. These excursions will vary depending on the destination but will usually include a historic or cultural tour, an art or history tour, a tour of the local sites and possibly some more adventurous activities, such as hiking, fishing or biking. It is important that you always take into consideration the length of the tour as well as the amount of physical activity required when making your shore excursion decisions.

Many cruise lines will allow advance booking of shore excursions. Detailed information regarding the excursions offered, and when you are able to make a reservation, will be provided by your Cruise Specialist or is listed in your cruise brochure. It is always a good idea to book the excursions that are important to you, in advance, so you avoid disappointment later. Most cruise lines will allow changes and/or cancellation of shore excursions, with some advance notice, if you change your mind later.

Voyager Club Shore Excursions

The Luxury Cruise Source offers over 500 Virtuoso Voyager Club hosted departures aboard the world's top cruise lines. These departures add a fascinating guided shore event, a night at a luxury hotel or special dinner at a gourmet restaurant - all at no additional cost to you. To ensure that your cruise experience is outstanding, each Virtuoso Voyager Club cruise vacation includes an onboard Virtuoso host who takes care of your exclusive amenities and activities. How can you join? Simply reserve a Virtuoso Voyager Club sailing with your Luxury Cruise Source Specialist and your membership in Voyager Club is complimentary.

Custom Shore Excursions

At the Luxury Cruise Source, we know that by creating a customized travel experience for you and your loved ones, we differentiate our company from all others. With our Custom Shore Excursions Program, our clients can choose the sites, places and activities that interest them the most. Then, you can experience the ports of call at your own pace without the bother of a large group.

Through our membership in Virtuoso, we have created very close friendships and partnerships with carefully chosen ground operators, or Virtuoso On-Sites, in more than 50 countries. These expert facilitators are based at the destination where you will spend your vacation and are extremely well connected in their regions. We trust them to hand-select translators, private guides and arrange rare experiences that few travelers will ever have the option to enjoy. Basically, they are extensions of our service to you . . . to make sure that your trip is truly wonderful and hassle-free.

So, if we orchestrate a rainforest canopy tour for you in Costa Rica, a private garden stroll in New Zealand, a guided hike through Machu Picchu in Peru, a search for rare books and manuscripts in New York City, a fly fishing excursion in the Canadian wilderness or a very exclusive private tour of New Orleans' most remarkable galleries and studios, you can be confident that we are working with trusted friends, who will treat you with the same level of respect and care that you're accustomed to here at the Luxury Cruise Source.

We refer to the Virtuoso On-Sites as our "portals to the world," and their heartfelt hospitality for the Luxury Cruise Source's travelers is stronger now than ever before. If you would like more information on our Custom Shore Excursions Program, please feel free to consult with you Luxury Cruise Source Travel Specialist for details.