A Dozen Extraordinary Shore Excursions for Adventuresome Cruisers

DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's cruise lines, in addition to taking the vacation experience to new heights at sea, are now offering truly remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime, land-based shore excursions, guaranteed to intrigue even the most discerning travelers and adventurers.

"If you want an extraordinary experience and money is no object, the cruise lines offer plenty of over-the-top shore adventures," said Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com, the world's only competitive cruise pricing Web site that enables consumers to obtain the best deals on cruise vacations. "Cruise guests should be prepared to spend the day -- sometimes even a few nights -- away from the ship, for these shore excursions take travelers well beyond any typical bus tour. There's something for everyone -- from children to seniors."

Cruise Compete's travel specialists have identified some of their favorite, out-of-this-world shore adventures available today:

    Exploring Fairly Tale Castles and Loch Ness
    Location:  Invergordon, Scotland
    Duration:  2 days/ 1 night
    Approximate Price:  $1,900

Scotland's natural beauty and legendary attractions are showcased in this overland excursion from Invergordon to Edinburgh, offered by Silversea. Guests cruise the mysterious Loch Ness, Britain's deepest body of water and home to its beloved Nessy sea monster. Cruisers also will visit famous of castles and other attractions, including Urquhart Castle, Inverlochy Castle, Ben Nevis, Glencoe, Glenturret Distillery, Stirling Castle and breathtaking Edinburgh.

This excursion departs from Invergordon, Scotland. The port is available on London (Tower Bridge), U.K. to London (Tower Bridge), U.K. 12 days -- Silver Wind -- Voyage 2825. The cruise departs London, and visits Guernsey, Ireland and Scotland before returning to London.

    Exploring the Italian countryside by air (balloon)
    Location: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy
    Duration: Approximately 5 1/2 hours
    Approximate Price: $1,700 and up

Azamara guests looking for a unique vantage point of the Chianti countryside can climb aboard a hot air balloon for a truly memorable experience high above the rolling countryside. No two rides are the same, with air currents directing the trip. This excursion includes a gourmet dinner at Villa La Massa and your return trip to Livorno.

This excursion is based in Livorno, Italy. The port is available on a ten-night Western Mediterranean Cruise on the Azamara Journey, which departs Barcelona Spain, and visits ports in Tunisia, Malta, Sicily, Italy and Monaco before returning to Barcelona.

    Touring the Vatican - an intimate visit
    Location:  Vatican City, Rome
    Duration: 11 hours (full day)
    Approximate Price:  $800

Oceania offers its guests a rare opportunity to visit parts of Vatican City typically off limits to the general public. The private Vatican visit starts at the Bronze Gate, featuring many Bernini masterpieces. Guests next venture into the Royal Room, the private papal chamber where the Holy Father meets with international heads of state and other noted guests. The highlight of the visit is an exclusive, privileged visit to the Paolina Chapel, the Pope's private place of worship. During this stop, guests also enjoy an intimate view of the fabled Sistine Chapel, featuring Michelangelo's breathtaking frescoes. The tour wraps with the chance to see the Papal Treasures.

This excursion is in Rome, Italy. The port would is available on: Gems of Antiquity, Barcelona to Istanbul, 14 Days on Regatta. This cruise departs from Barcelona, Spain, and visits France, Monaco, Italy, Greece and Turkey before finishing in Istanbul.

    Pushing the envelope in a MiG fighter jet
    Location: Moscow, Russia
    Duration: One night
    Approximate Price: $38,700

Adrenaline junkies will surely get a fix of a lifetime by climbing aboard a MiG fighter jet at Sormovo Airbase. The experience includes a thrilling flight at two times the speed of sound over Russia's landscape. This adventure is not for the faint of heart, so a brief physical exam is required before you climb aboard. Crystal Cruises combines this exclusive ride with a full-day of sightseeing in Moscow and brief visit to historic Nizhny Novgorod.

This excursion is in Moscow, Russia. This port is available on the Scandinavian Splendor 8220 Stockholm to London. The cruise departs Stockholm, Sweden and visits Finland, Russia, Denmark and Norway before finishing in London.

    Racing to Space - as a cosmonaut
    Location: Star City, Russia
    Duration:  Approximately 17 hours
    Approximate Price:  $11,300

Relive the Space Race between the USSR and the United States with an exclusive Silversea visit to the cosmonaut training center in Star City, the center of Russian space exploration since 1960. Guests, transported by jet from St. Petersburg, have the opportunity to see a replica of the Russian Mir Space Station and a fully functional hydro lab. Also on display is a model of the Soyuz spacecraft, still used in the training of future cosmonauts. Cruise tourists then get a peak at the massive space centrifuge used in daily training exercises. The tour moves on to the Museum of the Cosmonaut training center, featuring one of the world's largest collections of documents, equipment and mementos related to the history of manned space flight in Russia.

The excursion is in Star City, Russia, leaving from St. Petersburg. This port is available on Stockholm to Stockholm, Sweden nine days -- Silver Cloud -- voyage 1914. The cruise begins in Stockholm and visits Finland, Estonia, Russia and Poland before returning to Stockholm.

    Jetting to Lapland and the Arctic Circle
    Location: Baltic
    Duration:  Approximately 9 hours
    Approximate Price: $8,200

The legend of Santa Claus comes full circle for guests visiting the Arctic Circle during a full-day adventure to Finland's Lapland. Guests are transported by private jet to Lapland, where a special riverboat tour is combined with a visit to an authentic reindeer farm. The visit comes complete with Lappish food, cultural demonstrations and sightseeing of this remote northern land. Tourists also have the chance to explore Santa Claus Village, located on the Arctic Circle, and meet the real Santa, compliments of Crystal Cruises.

This excursion is based in Helsinki, Finland. The port is available on Baltic Getaway 8218 Stockholm to Copenhagen. It departs Stockholm, Sweden and visits Estonia, Russia, and Finland before finishing in Copenhagen, Denmark.

    Riding a camel in the Australian outback
    Location: Australia
    Duration: 3 nights
    Approximate Price: $7,000

This overland adventure through the heart of Australia provides a fascinating glimpse of life in the outback. Crystal Cruises guests can expect the unexpected, including a camel ride along the Todd River and sunrise hot- air balloon ride along the MacDonnell Range. The journey would not be complete without a visit to the Olgas, a collection of 36 magnificent rock domes including Aboriginal paintings. There's plenty of wildlife to see, including kangaroos, wallabies and other native creatures. In addition to luxury accommodations and gourmet menus, savory outback dishes are served throughout the trip, including smoked camel, kangaroo sausage and other local delicacies. A special outback barbeque completes the adventure.

This excursion departs from Adelaide, Australia. The port is available on the Full World Cruise: Pacific Circle Celebration 9302F. It departs Los Angeles, California and cruises the entire Pacific Ring for 106 days.

    Driving fast - behind the wheel of dream sports car
    Location: Monte Carlo to Venice
    Duration:  Approximately 7 hours
    Approximate Price: $4,000

The dream of driving a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati can become a reality during an exhilarating sightseeing tour of Monaco in one of these exotic Italian sports cars. The vehicle will be waiting for you at the pier near where the Crystal Cruises ship moors. There is nothing quite like touring Monte Carlo's twisting roads and scenery at breakneck speeds -- although guests are encouraged to abide by local speed limits.

This excursion is in Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy. The port is available on Baccarat and Bellinis 8318, Monte Carlo to Venice. This cruise departs Monte Carlo, Monaco, and visits France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia before finishing in Venice, Italy.

    Piloting the Alaskan bush by floatplane
    Location: Ketchikan, Alaska
    Duration: Approximately 3 hours
    Approximate Price: $3,000 and up

The untouched beauty of Alaska comes into full view aboard a private floatplane tour, identical to ones flown by Alaska's famed bush pilots. Norwegian Cruise Line guests will soar through Misty Fjords National Monument, encompassing 2.3 million acres of wilderness and featuring soaring cliffs and peaceful lakes, not to mention abundant wildlife, including whales and bears.

This excursion is in Ketchikan, Alaska. The port is available on the Norwegian Star 7-Day Alaska Los Angeles to Vancouver. This cruise departs Los Angeles, California and visits ports in Alaska before finishing in Vancouver.

    Climbing the Great Wall of China
    Location: Beijing
    Duration: 3 nights
    Approximate Price: $2,700 per person

If this summer's Olympics piqued your interest in Beijing, then a special overland tour to the country's capital and the Great Wall of China may be your ticket. In addition to visiting the popular 4,500-mile landmark (viewable in space), other stops include a visit to the Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, The Gate of Heavenly Peace, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven. There also is plenty of time for world-class cuisine and individual exploration throughout the city as well as the wonderful amenities you will find on Cunard.

This excursion departs from Hong Kong. The port is available on World Cruise V902: Exploration of Distant Horizons. The cruise takes place on the Queen Victoria / Queen Mary 2 and lasts 105 days.

    Mingling with the jet-set at the Monaco Grand Prix
    Location: Monaco
    Duration: 3 days
    Approximate Price: $2,400

The renowned Grand Prix in Monaco provides the perfect setting for Windstar guests to mingle with the world's most glamorous jet-set -- and view one of the most difficult and prestigious racing spectacles anywhere. In addition to the event, you will enjoy a private reception at the Rainier Private Auto Collection Museum, featuring 100 of the most famous automobiles ever built from manufacturers across the globe.

This excursion is in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The port is available on the Windsurf May 17 sailing. The cruise departs Nice, France and visits ports in France, Italy and Monaco before returning to Nice.

    Discovering Ancient Egypt
    Location:  Luxor and Cairo, Egypt
    Duration: 3 days/ 2 nights
    Approximate Price:  $2,000

Egyptian history comes to life for Cunard guests on this overland tour, with stops in Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings and then Cairo to tour the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and the Cairo Museum. The visit to Luxor includes the Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Luxor, a stunning monument featuring a number of sphinxes. The next morning, travelers visit the historic Valley of the Kings, majestic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Luxor Museum, featuring an extensive collection of artifacts from ancient Thebes, statues found buried beneath the Luxor Temple and more.

This excursion is based in Aqaba, Egypt. It is available on V902: Full World Cruise: New York to Southampton. The cruise is on the Queen Victoria and lasts 99 days.

"While traditional tours are still popular, these private excursions t take cruisers to far, out-of-the-way locales in the countries they visit -- and places typically not accessible to the general public," Levinstein said. "Most of these unique excursions are offered by luxury cruise lines that attract the world's most affluent travelers. Space is limited, so advance reservations are required -- along with hefty advance payments."

CruiseCompete.com

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