Does it make sense to purchase "pre-sold" <BR>shore excursion packages or wait until on <BR>the ship and purchase the available packages <BR>then? They warn that the latter might not be <BR>available since "space may be limited"? Any <BR>help is appreciated.

My parents usually take a couple of shore excursions, purchased prior to departure because if they want to see something specific (like Pompeii). They prefer to have it all taken care of for them. If you wait to see what's left, you may get stuck on a bus to a pottery factory, or trying to find a taxi that won't overcharge to take you to the historical center of the city from your port. Seems to be more of a good idea for a European cruise than for a Caribbean cruise (where if all you want to do is go to a pretty beach, you can do it better on your own.)

Depending on the cruise and ports you are hitting-If you're doing the Med-read excursion book prior to trip and decide what sounds good.If you land into Livorno-it's a 45 min bus ride to FLorence-some ships add in sightseeing along the way to Pisa(that's a total waste of time IMHO)You can easily team up w/ another couple and hire a taxi at the pier and get a roundtrip price agreed upon PRIOR to getting into taxi--DO NOT PAY TIL YOU RETURN TO PORT-this makes sure taxi will be there for your return.You can also re-arrange a private car service from Livorno to Florence.However,if you land in Portovenere and want to go into FLorence-it's a 2 1/2 hr drive EACH way and you DO want to take the cruise excursion bus trip if available. <BR>Most of the time-in fact just about all the time-if you decide on day 1 of cruise you can usually get all excursions that you want on ship. Remember, once you book and pay for excursions,they are NON-REFUNDABLE... <BR>Just look at excursion book-Lots of times the excursions to palces far away from cruise ship to unusual towns or venues

Sorry-hit reply button by accident and lost part--anyway here goes--You have to really pre-decide via research on what the excursions give you for the price they are charging. If they include entrance fees to museums,then it pays cause you won't have to stand in line waiting for tickets...I am assuming since you posted on Europe ,that you are going on a European cruise. A lot of time you can rent a car before you leave the states and pick it up at the port(ie.for Naples and Amalfi coast-trust me,you'll find another couple who want to share the car w/ you and then you'll have entire day to see Pompeii,drive to SOrrento and down the coast at your leisure and still make it back to ship in time. THAT IS YOUR ONLY MAIN CONCERN--make sure you are back before ship leaves or you pay out of your pocket to get to next port. Also make sure you read how strenuous the excursions are and how many hours they are for the =price they're charging. If you are older and can't do a lot of climbing than a bus trip to Eze in France is not for you. It is very rare for ships to run out of space for excursions until day 2 or so unless it's going to take you into a major city(ie.like FLorence). <BR>Again-read my post above about that and decide which way is better for you. FLorence is usually the first tour to go on the Med.Cruises--In Venice,youdo NOT need a tour,in Barcelona-unless you want to hit specific museums,you really don't need a tour. In Lisbon,if you want to see Estoril and Cascais you DO need an excursion. And Naples-read above. <BR>Good luck-hope I didn't confuse you.

If the "Coastal Voyage" you asked is the Bergen line along Norwegian coast, you could visit the ports very easier on your own.