SHORE EXCURSIONS
The best days ashore.
The 15 most popular wine tours for cruise passengers. The trips worth your hours ashore, what each one runs, who operates it and how to be back before all-aboard.
Picton shore excursion to Marlborough: small-group pickup, 4-5 winery tastings, vineyard stroll and chocolate, easy ship timing.
Most Popular“The tour guides were very informative. The scenery was fantastic. The selection of wineries was interesting and lunch was wonderful.”
Private Krka Waterfalls from Split with an English guide, air-conditioned pickup, and Sladic Winery tasting with prosciutto pairing.
“Park was very pretty, but very crowded. We were led to believe from the description and photos that you could swim in/near the falls. But that was not true. Our guide was obnoxious and more focused on telling his “coming out” experience and working in comedy routines than being a guide. Wine tasting was ok,…”
Private Katakolon shore day to Ancient Olympia, a family winery tasting and food, plus Agios Ilias beach views, with skip-the-line help.
“The wine tasting and lunch was a great authentic experience. Wish we had a tour guide at Olympia. The guide was very informative as we drove around in the very comfortable van.”
Half-day Argostoli shore tour with two Kefalonia caves, Melissani boat cruise, Myrtos viewpoint photos, and a local wine tasting.
“Amazing tour with an amazing hostess thanks so much would love to do again!”
Argostoli shore tour: Drogarati + Melissani caves, Myrtos photos, and local wine tasting. 5 hours.
“Maria was really nice and very knowledgeable and her family history link to the island was amazing. Both venues were really good, but we did feel a bit time restricted and struggled to have our lunch. The coach could have been a bit cooler and some window blinds to keep out the sun would have…”
Cruise-port Rhodes tour with wine tasting, Lindos village time, and UNESCO Old Town stops plus olive oil and honey tastings.
“Not worth the money. First of all the pick up came late (although they warned us that this could happen due earlier pickups but it really sucks to wait because of unnecessary delays in a hot weather) Our guide lady was really nice and non of this is her fault, I don’t think that Read…”
Half-day Marlborough wine tour from Picton with 4 cellar doors, tasting, chocolate sampling, and a small van that meets cruise timing.
“We loved that this was a “small group” tour. We were a group of 10 people in a small van . We visited 4 wineries. Our tour guide Gavin did a great job ! I highly recommend this tour. The vineyards are all beautiful!”
Port-to-Pompeii and Vesuvius day with skip-the-stress transfers, guided ruins, Vesuvius free time, and lunch for Naples cruisers.
“The guide was prompt and waiting for us outside the cruise port. We made our way by bus to Pompeii… it was a little hectic with numbers of people but was a good experience. Next we went to have lunch just before the entrance to Vesuvius. It was AWESOME! The food was tasty, servers busy,…”
A 6-hour Santorini small-group tour with volcanic viewpoints, traditional villages, and a guided winery tasting with food pairing.
“Santorini is very hectic; the extreme shortfall of cable car capacity vs the volume of cruise ship passengers results in a frustrating experience at the island. That said, this excursion provides a variety of experiences across the island, from the highest point, to the beauty of Oia, to a fun wine tasting. Megalachori was underwhelming;…”
Private Santorini 4-hour tour to Oia and Firostefani, Prophet Elias Monastery, plus Venetsanos volcanic wine tasting with Mercedes transfers.
“Highly recommend this tour if you only have a short time in Santorini. Our tour guide Michael Angelo was very informative and knew all the right spots to take us for great pictures. The wine tasting was also great! Got a lot of information about the wine of Santorini.”
San Francisco to Napa & Sonoma in one day: Golden Gate drive, estate tours at three wineries, tastings, and optional Sonoma lunch.
“We didn't visit a known winery on only unknown and had not good wines really expensive for just 3 wineries”
Marseille shore excursion to Provence wineries: small-group van, English wine expert, tastings at 2 estates, and free time in Cassis, Lourmarin, or Aix.
“Loris was wonderful. Great experience, I highly recommend this tour. He recommended a restaurant right by the water which had the best mussels we’ve ever tried. He also took us on top of the mountain so the can view the town of Cassis. Beautiful views!”
Cruise-ship friendly Marlborough wine tour from Picton with small groups, winery tastings, and a stop for boutique chocolate.
“Toni was a great guide, her friendship and knowledge with the vintors made the tour great! We had a great experience meeting Howard and Julie at Gibson Bridge Vineyard.”
Small-group Marlborough wine tastings from Picton. Visit 4 to 5 cellar doors with an expert guide, lunch stop, and chocolate.
“Mike was excellent. He provided great information, the day was organized, efficient and we experienced a great wine experience. The lunch was wonderful as well. All around a wonderful day!”
Rhodes shore tour packs Mandraki, Lindos and Old Town into 6 hours, with olive oil, honey and wine tastings plus port pickup.
“Everything was as expected. Our guide, Joanna, told us all about Rhodes and kept us on schedule. She also answered all our questions. We went in March, pre-season, so, Lindos wasn’t fully open, but we were able to get lunch. Also, wine tasting didn’t happen, since it wasRead more”
Every coast a ship calls at, and the best of every port day.
