John McGuire Travel insights from Jenna Buege, senior editor of The Compass
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is presenting travelers with more ways to experience their destination of choice with the announcement of six new shore excursion categories — Beyond Blueprints, Gourmet Tours, Go Local, Let’s Take a Selfie, Small Group Tours and Design Your Day. Each new category was crafted to showcase the local people, culture and cuisine in popular vacation spots throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
“We are committed to delivering unparalleled experiences across our fleet and the over 400 destinations we visit,” said David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Travelers are looking for more immersive vacations, from longer itineraries to more authentic experiences, which is why together with our destination partners we’ve created a collection of new on-shore offerings designed to create unforgettable moments for our guests.”
Want to learn more? Here’s what you need to know about the new shore excursions.
NCL’s Six New Shore Excursion Categories
Beyond Blueprints
Known for its charming cities and incredible architecture, NCL’s Beyond Blueprints shore excursion explores the designs and stories behind some of Europe’s most beloved landmarks.
Consisting of 15 hand-selected tours, Beyond Blueprints will help travelers discover popular cities like Barcelona, Lisbon, Belfast, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki. Check out a few examples below:
- La Villa Mediterranée and MUCEM in Marseille, France
- Victoria Square and Titanic Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Riverside Museum and Glasgow Science Museum in Glasgow, Scotland
Gourmet Tours
An excursion where cruise-goers’ taste buds call the shots, NCL’s Gourmet Tours take travelers behind the scenes to experience some of Europe’s most famous culinary destinations. As they sail from port to port, travelers will partake in local cooking classes, enjoy authentic dining experiences and more. Hungry for more details? These tours are top picks:
- Castello Di Siza & Sicilian Luncheon in Palermo, Italy
- Folkloric-Gastronomical Experience in Olympia, Greece
- Seasonal Gastro-cultural Experience in Barcelona, Spain
Go Local
With NCL’s new Go Local shore excursion, vacationers will experience a taste of everyday life in some of the world’s most coveted travel destinations throughout Europe, Asia, South America and South Africa. When vacationers “go local” they will take part in authentic cultural experiences to learn more about how local people live, work, eat and play.
- Go Green-Ecological Village Clil & West Galilee in Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Lisbon Soul in Lisbon, Portugal
- Explore Florence Like a Local in Florence/Pisa, Italy
Let’s Take a Selfie
Instagram and the selfie culture it inspires are a huge part of the modern travel experience. Why not lean into the #travelinspo spirit and let NCL help capture some feed-worthy photos on the new Let’s Take a Selfie shore excursion? On this exciting tour, travelers join a knowledgeable guide to learn how to snap pics in the most picturesque spots from the perfect angle. Here are a few of the most popular destinations to pose for the ‘Gram.
- Santorini, Greek Isles
- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Cartagena De Indias, Columbia
Small Group Tours
Limited to 16 guests per group, NCL’s Small Group Tours provide travelers with an intimate experience in dreamy destinations like Italy, Greece and Spain. To book a Small Group Tour, your travel advisor can contact NCL. A few examples of previous tours include:
- Captivating Malaga in Malaga, Spain
- Highlights of Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy
- Best of Corfu, Greek Isles
Design Your Day
Looking to plan the perfect day? NCL’s Design Your Day shore excursion allows travelers to work with the cruise line’s shore excursion team to bring a curated experience to life. From private wine tastings to a five-course dining experience, the possibilities are endless. To book this option, your travel advisor can contact NCL directly.
To learn more about all of NCL’s shore excursions visit Cruise Trip Planner.
