- DEALS
- AUSTRALIA CRUISE DEALS
- AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST & INDIAN OCEAN CRUISE DEALS
- ALASKA CRUISE DEALS
- ANTARCTICA CRUISE DEALS
- ARCTIC CRUISES
- ASIA CRUISE DEALS
- ATLANTIC ISLANDS CRUISE DEALS
- CARIBBEAN CRUISE DEALS
- CENTRAL AMERICA CRUISE DEALS
- CHRISTMAS CRUISES
- EUROPE CRUISES
- ICELAND CRUISES
- KIMBERLEY CRUISE DEALS
- MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE DEALS
- NEW ZEALAND CRUISE DEALS
- NORTH AMERICA CRUISE DEALS
- NORTHERN EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA CRUISE DEALS
- OCEANIA & PACIFIC ISLANDS CRUISE DEALS
- SOLO TRAVELLER CRUISE DEALS
- SOUTH AMERICA CRUISE DEALS
- TAHITI, TONGA & COOK ISLANDS
- TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE DEALS
- LATEST PONANT CRUISE DEALS
- All dealsSee all
- DESTINATIONS
- SHIPS
- EXPERIENCES
- LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISES
- LUXURY YACHT CRUISES
- SMALL SHIP CRUISES
- EXPEDITION CRUISES
- LUXURY ADVENTURE CRUISES
- KIMBERLEY CRUISES
- POLAR CRUISES
- WILDLIFE CRUISES
- CULTURAL CRUISES
- PHOTOGRAPHY CRUISES
- SOLO CRUISES
- FAMILY LUXURY CRUISES
- LUXURY HONEYMOON CRUISES
- LUXURY CRUISES FOR COUPLES
- A DIFFERENT WAY TO CRUISE
- OUR VIDEOS
- PLAN YOUR CRUISE
- CRUISE THEMES
- ABOUT
A PONANT cruise is about more than travelling from one destination to another.
For many travellers, the experiences ashore are one of the highlights of the journey.
Depending on your itinerary, PONANT shore excursions can introduce you to historic cities, local communities, wildlife-rich landscapes, archaeological sites, cultural traditions and spectacular natural environments.
Expedition voyages can offer a very different style of exploration, with Zodiac outings, landings and guided activities providing opportunities to experience places that are difficult to reach by conventional tourism.
The key is choosing excursions that match your interests, fitness level and preferred pace of travel.
Shore excursions are organised activities and tours that allow cruise guests to explore destinations beyond the ship.
They can range from guided sightseeing tours and cultural visits to active adventures and nature experiences.
The type of excursion available depends on your destination and itinerary.
A European voyage, for example, may feature visits to historic towns, museums, cultural landmarks and local food experiences.
An expedition cruise to Antarctica may instead focus on wildlife, landscapes, Zodiac outings and shore landings.
This variety is one of the advantages of choosing a cruise itinerary that matches your interests.
👉 View different PONANT Cruise Deals with Excursion Tours →
If discovering local traditions and communities is important to you, look for excursions that provide opportunities to experience the destination beyond its most famous attractions.
Depending on the itinerary, this could include:
- Local communities
- Cultural performances
- Traditional crafts
- Heritage sites
- Religious landmarks
- Historic neighbourhoods
- Local markets
- Museums
- Regional traditions
Cultural excursions can be particularly rewarding when you want to understand how people live in the places you visit, rather than simply seeing them from the outside.
👉 Choose your next Cultural Tour Experience with PONANT Cruises →
If discovering local traditions and communities is important to you, look for excursions that provide opportunities to experience the destination beyond its most famous attractions.
Depending on the itinerary, this could include:
- Local communities
- Cultural performances
- Traditional crafts
- Heritage sites
- Religious landmarks
- Historic neighbourhoods
- Local markets
- Museums
- Regional traditions
Cultural excursions can be particularly rewarding when you want to understand how people live in the places you visit, rather than simply seeing them from the outside.
👉 Choose your next Wildlife Tour Experience with PONANT Cruises →
If photography is one of your main travel interests, excursions can provide some of the best opportunities to capture a destination.
Consider experiences that offer:
- Scenic landscapes
- Wildlife
- Local communities
- Historic architecture
- Dramatic coastlines
- Natural phenomena
- Sunrise or sunset opportunities
- Time in remote locations
BlueSun Tip: Don't focus only on the number of destinations. Consider how much time you actually have to explore and photograph each location.
👉 Choose your next Photography Tour Experience with PONANT Cruises →
Some travellers want to do more than sightsee.
Depending on your PONANT itinerary, active experiences may include:
- Hiking
- Walking
- Kayaking
- Zodiac outings
- Nature walks
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Other destination-specific activities
The availability of these activities varies by voyage.
Always check the specific excursion description and activity requirements before booking.
👉 Choose your next Adventure Tour Experience with PONANT Cruises →
Food can be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience a destination.
Depending on your itinerary, you may find excursions featuring:
- Local markets
- Food tastings
- Wine regions
- Vineyards
- Restaurants
- Cooking experiences
- Regional specialities
- Local producers
A culinary excursion can add another dimension to your cruise by connecting the places you visit with their food traditions.
Choose your next Food and Wine Experience with PONANT Cruises →
For travellers interested in history, shore excursions can provide access to some of the world's most significant cultural sites.
Depending on your destination, you may visit:
- Ancient ruins
- Archaeological sites
- Historic towns
- Fortifications
- Museums
- Cathedrals
- Palaces
- UNESCO-listed locations
- Indigenous heritage sites
A knowledgeable local guide can also provide context that you might miss when exploring independently.
👉 Choose your next Historical Tour Experience with PONANT Cruises →
Expedition cruising offers a different approach to shore excursions.
Rather than following a conventional sightseeing schedule, expedition voyages are often centred around discovery and exploration.
Depending on the destination and conditions, expedition activities may include Zodiac outings, shore landings, wildlife observation, guided walks and nature exploration.
The itinerary can also be influenced by weather, sea conditions and wildlife activity.
This flexibility is part of what makes expedition cruising different from a traditional cruise.
👉 Choose your next Expedition Cruise with PONANT Cruises →
Zodiacs are an important part of many expedition voyages.
These smaller inflatable boats can allow expedition teams and guests to reach locations that larger vessels cannot access.
They may be used for:
- Shore landings
- Wildlife observation
- Scenic exploration
- Coastal exploration
- Photography
- Transfers to remote landing sites
Zodiac operations are subject to weather, sea conditions, local regulations and the expedition team's assessment of safety.
Experience your next Zodiac Tour on a Luxury Expedition Cruise →
Choosing an excursion isn't simply about finding the most popular activity.
Think about what you want your day ashore to feel like.
Do you want to walk through a historic city?
Photograph wildlife?
Learn about local culture?
Taste regional food?
Hike through a natural landscape?
Or simply enjoy a relaxed panoramic tour?
Your answer can help narrow down the right experiences.
One of the most important details to check before selecting an excursion is its activity level.
A tour described as a walking excursion could involve considerably more physical activity than a panoramic sightseeing tour.
Look carefully at:
- Walking distance
- Uneven surfaces
- Stairs
- Terrain
- Duration
- Transfers
- Weather exposure
- Boarding and disembarking requirements
- Fitness requirements
If you're travelling with someone who has mobility limitations, check the excursion information carefully before making a selection.
Cruising can be an excellent way to explore multiple destinations without repeatedly changing hotels.
But that doesn't mean every excursion will be suitable for every traveller.
If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider:
- Scenic drives
- Panoramic sightseeing
- Shorter guided tours
- Museums
- Cultural performances
- Food experiences
- Accessible attractions
You don't need to participate in every excursion.
Sometimes the best choice is simply to spend the day enjoying the ship or exploring the destination at your own pace, where practical.
Not necessarily.
One of the advantages of cruising is that you can create a balance between exploration and relaxation.
Booking an excursion at every port can result in a very busy holiday.
Instead, consider choosing the experiences that are most meaningful to you.
For example:
Day 1: Cultural tour
Day 2: Relaxed morning onboard
Day 3: Wildlife excursion
Day 4: Photography-focused experience
Day 5: Free time ashore
The right balance depends on your travel style.
In some destinations, you may have the option of exploring independently rather than joining an organised excursion.
An organised excursion can provide the convenience of:
- Planned transportation
- Local guides
- Structured sightseeing
- Destination knowledge
- Coordinated timing
Independent exploration may provide:
- Greater flexibility
- More personal freedom
- Your own pace
- Opportunities to choose your own attractions
However, the best approach depends heavily on the destination.
For remote expedition locations, organised expedition activities may be the primary way guests can safely access certain areas.
Antarctica is not a conventional cruise destination.
There are no traditional tourist ports lined with shops and restaurants.
Instead, expedition experiences focus on the natural environment.
Depending on your voyage and conditions, you may experience:
- Zodiac excursions
- Shore landings
- Penguin colonies
- Seabird observation
- Whale watching
- Glacial landscapes
- Scenic cruising
- Guided walks
- Photography opportunities
Weather and ice conditions can influence what is possible on any particular day.
That's part of the expedition experience.
👉 Discover Antarctica with PONANT Cruises →
👉 Check out the latest Antarctica Cruise Deals with PONANT Cruises →
Arctic voyages can offer a similarly immersive approach to exploration.
Depending on the itinerary, you may encounter dramatic landscapes, wildlife, local communities and fascinating northern cultures.
Excursion possibilities can include:
- Zodiac exploration
- Wildlife observation
- Hiking
- Cultural experiences
- Local community visits
- Scenic exploration
- Photography
- Historic sites
👉 Discover the Arctic with PONANT Cruises →
👉 Check out the latest Arctic Cruise Deals with PONANT Cruises →
The Kimberley offers a completely different style of expedition experience.
Rather than European cities and traditional sightseeing, Kimberley cruises can focus on spectacular Australian landscapes, Indigenous culture, wildlife, waterfalls, ancient rock formations and remote coastal environments.
Depending on the itinerary and conditions, experiences may include:
- Zodiac exploration
- Beach landings
- Scenic walks
- Waterfall visits
- Wildlife observation
- Indigenous cultural experiences
- Photography
- Scenic cruising
The Kimberley is particularly well suited to travellers who want a combination of nature, adventure and culture.
👉 Discover Kimberley with PONANT Cruises →
👉 Check out the latest Kimberley Cruise Deals with PONANT Cruises →
If you're passionate about photography, think beyond the excursion description.
Consider when and where you'll be.
An excursion that takes you into a landscape with exceptional scenery or wildlife may offer more photographic opportunities than a conventional sightseeing tour.
Look for:
- Wildlife encounters
- Dramatic landscapes
- Scenic coastlines
- Local culture
- Architecture
- Remote locations
- Interesting light
- Smaller groups where available
And don't forget to allow yourself time to simply observe.
Sometimes the best photograph is the one you didn't rush to capture.
👉 Discover new destinations for Photography with PONANT Cruises →
BlueSun Insight
Choose Experiences, Not Just Excursions
It's tempting to look at an itinerary and count how many excursions are available at each destination.
But that's not necessarily the best way to plan your cruise.
Our BlueSun Insight: Think about the experiences you want to bring home.
Would you rather:
- Photograph penguins in Antarctica?
- Walk through an historic European city?
- Meet local communities?
- Taste regional cuisine?
- Hike through a remote landscape?
- Search for wildlife from a Zodiac?
- Simply sit back and admire the scenery?
Once you know your priorities, selecting excursions becomes much easier.
The best excursion isn't necessarily the longest or most popular one. It's the one that fits the experience you want from your journey.
1. Identify Your Priorities
Decide what matters most: wildlife, culture, food, history, photography, adventure or relaxation.
2. Review the Activity Level
Be realistic about walking, terrain, duration and physical requirements.
3. Consider Your Whole Itinerary
Avoid booking intensive excursions every day if you'd prefer a slower holiday.
4. Check the Destination
Some places are better explored through organised excursions, while others may allow more independent exploration.
5. Consider Weather and Conditions
Expedition activities can be affected by weather, sea conditions, wildlife and other factors.
6. Leave Room for Discovery
Don't feel that you need to plan every minute.
Some of the most memorable moments can happen unexpectedly.
Your packing requirements will depend on the destination and activity.
However, useful items can include:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Waterproof outer layers
- Sun protection
- Reusable water bottle
- Day bag
- Camera
- Spare batteries or power bank
- Binoculars
- Personal medication
- Travel documents where required
👉 Read our PONANT Cruise Packing Guide →
Choosing the right PONANT Shore Excursions can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few frequently asked questions that our PONANT experts have answered to help you choose the right excursions for your journey.
Have a read through these FAQs, or reach out to us any time: 1300 799 758.
PONANT shore excursions are organised experiences that allow guests to explore destinations during their cruise. Depending on the itinerary, these can include cultural tours, sightseeing, wildlife observation, hiking, photography, food and wine experiences and expedition activities.
Whether an excursion is included depends on the specific voyage and activity. Check your individual cruise details and the excursion information provided for your itinerary.
Available excursions vary by itinerary and destination. Where choices are offered, select experiences based on your interests, fitness level and preferred pace.
Many types of excursions may suit travellers who prefer a relaxed pace, but activity levels vary. Always review the specific requirements of each excursion before booking.
Some excursions can involve walking, uneven terrain, stairs, hiking or other physical activity. Others may be more relaxed, such as scenic drives or sightseeing tours. Check the activity description carefully.
Antarctica expedition activities can include Zodiac outings, shore landings, wildlife observation, guided walks, scenic exploration and photography opportunities. Activities depend on the itinerary and prevailing conditions.
Zodiac operations and expedition activities depend on the specific voyage, destination and conditions. Check the details of your individual itinerary.
This depends on the destination, port and local conditions. Some destinations may allow independent exploration, while remote expedition locations are generally experienced through organised expedition activities.
Not necessarily. Leaving some time free can provide a better balance between exploration and relaxation, particularly on longer cruises.
Depending on the destination, useful items may include comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, a day bag, water, a camera and any personal essentials.
Expedition Cruises
Discover what expedition cruising is and why it is one of the most rewarding ways to explore remote destinations.
Choosing a PONANT Ship
Learn how destination, expedition capability, ship size and onboard lifestyle can influence your choice of ship.
Choosing the Right PONANT Ship
Compare individual PONANT ships and find the vessel that best matches your expedition.
Antarctica
Explore PONANT's Antarctic expedition options and discover what makes the White Continent so extraordinary.
Kimberley
Discover one of Australia's great expedition destinations, from dramatic gorges and waterfalls to wildlife and remote coastal landscapes.
The best shore excursion is the one that helps you experience a destination in a way that matters to you.
Whether you're searching for wildlife, culture, history, photography, adventure or simply time to take in the scenery, choosing the right experiences can transform your cruise from a sightseeing holiday into a truly memorable journey.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us what you would like to discover, and we will help you find the right expedition.
Contact BlueSun Travel Today
Browse the Latest PONANT Cruise Deals
Speak with a BlueSun Expedition Cruise Specialist - 1300 799 758
Click on the button below to request a Personalised Cruise Recommendation
If you want to make the most of your PONANT Shore Excursions, talk to our friendly PONANT experts now. We can help you choose the right excursions for your journey. We are specialists in Luxury Expedition Cruises.
Call 1300 799 758 now.
Call us 7 days a week!