Common Questions Answered!

We here at Alaska Shore Excursions receive a lot of the same questions from our guests and we wanted to make sure that these answers have an easy place to live. Below are some of the most common questions we are asked:

What currency are the prices listed on your site?

Prices on our site are listed in US dollars. Every order is charged and refunded in US dollars. For international guests, this could mean a refund will not be for the exact amount originally charged due to fluctuating exchange rates. We have no control over this and will issue a refund in US dollars.

How early should I book my tours?

Our tours are very popular and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s wise to reserve your space as soon as you’ve made your tour choices. Some tours can sell out 3 months before your sail date. You can book all of your excursions easily via our website and do so worry-free due to our awesome cancellation policy that lets you cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour!

How soon can I book an excursion after my ship’s arrival? And how much time should I allow to get back on my ship?

This can vary between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on your excursion and docking location. Our website is designed to account for this buffer time. Once you enter your ship information into our website, it will only display departure times that are compatible with your ship’s time in port—including the amount of time it takes to disembark and the all-aboard call.  

How will I know where to meet my tour for my excursion?

Meeting locations will vary by port and excursions. The specific meeting location is listed in the “Things to Know” section on each tour page.

What's the difference between booking with Alaska Shore Excursions or booking through my cruise line?

In many ways, booking independently with Alaska Shore Excursions offers the same, if not better, benefits as booking through a cruise line. When you book your shore excursions with Alaska Shore Excursions, you're supporting small, local tour operators throughout Alaska. We work hard to foster strong partnerships with family-run tour operators who offer small-group, unique experiences for our guests to cherish. Our highly experienced agents have firsthand experiences on the tours we offer and are available 7 days a week to provide expert insider information about Alaska's excursions. To learn more about the differences between us and the cruise lines, check out this other blog here!

I've heard that if I don't book my excursions through the ship, I might get left behind by my cruise ship. Is this true?

NO, of course not! To offer our customers peace of mind, we guarantee our excursions and your on-time return to your cruise ship. You are guaranteed to return for your ship's departure in each port as long as you provide the correct cruise itinerary information during the booking. If your tour were to conclude late, causing you to miss your ship, we would cover all expenses associated with getting you to the next port to meet your ship, including lodging, meals, airfare, and fees. In over 12 years of business, we’ve never had a guest miss their ship.