We are taking an extensive world cruise and are interested in companies that provide shore excursions at selected ports. There are several on the web. Does anyone have experience with any of these vendors? We are "seasoned citizens" and are looking for English speaking drivers and a private car. We are more into sights than strenuous activities.

It is a difficult, but worthwhile task to investigate and select private tour companies in various ports. Begin simply by looking at web sites for each port. Pick out a likely company and then investigate. Look here (on Fodors), cruise critic etc. There should be someone writing a good report on companies you eventually choose. You find them convenient and eventually cheaper than group tours from other sources. Especially when you consider that you are in charge. Spend as much or as little time in rug and t shirt shops as you like.

Also, a good local travel agent with cruise experience can help a lot.

TAs are a wealth of help and should you need them for any problems they will step up..Local ones, who are cruise specialista, are worth their weight in whatever currancy with which you are working.

In my experience, you can go with either US based tour companies or foreign companies. Usually foreign companies will be lower in cost that US based. However, I enjoy the protection of US companies in case of default or if there is a problem with the tour. I have used both but find that US based tour companies have better guides. Just my opinion on that. There are a few well known companies in the US like shore trips.com, shorexcursionsgroup.com and www.privateshoretrips.com.

Well the OP entered this 9 mos. ago so I wonder how the cruise was.

Cargo does this company have excursions for Japanese ports?

Thanks! I will call. It seems getting off the ship in Japan and getting an excursion from the dock is not easy.

I called them Cargo but they only work with you if you booked a cruise thru them.