Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has earned its reputation as one of the world’s leading cruise lines, and for good reason. With an extensive lineup of shore excursions spanning some of the most jaw-dropping destinations on the planet, NCL makes it easy for us to step off the ship and dive headfirst into genuinely unforgettable experiences. Whether we’re sailing through the icy fjords of Alaska or soaking up the sun-drenched history of the Mediterranean, the excursions on offer are thoughtfully designed, expertly guided, and honestly — really, really hard to narrow down.
We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to. After exploring NCL’s full Alaska and Europe cruise excursion catalogs at NCL, we’ve pulled together some of our absolute best picks. These aren’t generic sightseeing bus rides. These are the excursions that deliver on the promise of adventure — ones that leave you with great stories, great photos, and maybe a little bit of muscle soreness. Let’s get into it.
Also read: 13 Best Shoes for Cruises.
White Pass Scenic Railway – Skagway, Alaska
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If there’s one Alaska shore excursion that earns universal praise, it’s this one. The White Pass Scenic Railway out of Skagway takes us aboard a vintage narrow-gauge train — the same route carved through solid rock during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush. The moment the train begins its ascent, we understand why it’s known as “The Scenic Railway of the World.” The views are relentless: thundering Bridal Veil Falls, the jagged peaks at Inspiration Point, and the soaring bridge spanning the notorious Dead Horse Gulch, named for the pack animals that fell to the gorge below while carrying prospectors’ gear. It’s a piece of living history wrapped in some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in North America. NCL also offers a VIP version of this excursion, which includes a luxury parlor car with beverages and regionally sourced appetizers for a more premium experience.
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Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest – Juneau, Alaska
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This Juneau excursion gives us two of Alaska’s greatest highlights in a single outing, the Mendenhall Glacier and Whale Quest. We start at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, where we learn that this 13-mile-long river of ice is part of the vast Juneau Icefield and one of the most accessible glaciers in all of Southeast Alaska. We can stroll the glacier-view path or pause to watch salmon in a nearby stream before heading to Auke Bay.
There, we board a catamaran specially designed for wildlife viewing. Humpback whales are the main attraction in these waters, and we have a real chance of seeing them breach and wave their flukes as they dive for food. We might also spot orcas, sea lions, and bald eagles. The vessel is outfitted with a hydrophone, meaning we may actually hear the whales communicating below the surface. It’s one of those rare excursions where nature just shows up and delivers.
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Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Adventure – Ketchikan, Alaska
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For those of us who didn’t fly all the way to Alaska just to sit on a bus, this Ketchikan Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Adventure is a dream. The excursion kicks off with a ride in an all-terrain 4×4 Unimog that hauls us up a steep rainforest hillside at Herring Cove to the canopy chalet. From there, nine ziplines and 2,400 feet of high-tension cables carry us through the canopy of spruce, hemlock, and cedar trees bordering the magnificent Tongass National Forest.
One of the most exhilarating moments is crossing the hanging bridge, which puts us up to 135 feet above the forest floor. The final zipline sweeps us out over lush grassy wetlands to a viewing tower 55 feet high, where we rappel back to the ground. If time allows, we can also visit the Tsimshian totem park, watch a master carver at work, and explore the historic sawmill. It’s an adventure from start to finish.
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Paris & Lunch Cruise on the Seine – Le Havre, France
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NCL’s Europe cruise itineraries regularly include a port stop at Le Havre, and this Paris & Lunch Cruise on the Seine excursion makes the absolute most of it. After an approximately three-hour scenic drive through the Norman countryside, we arrive in Paris for a guided tour that covers the biggest landmarks the city has to offer. Our guide walks us through the Place de l’Étoile, the Arc de Triomphe, and the famous Champs-Élysées before heading to the Rive Gauche, the left bank of the Seine where the most iconic monuments are concentrated.
At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, we board a glass-covered sightseeing riverboat for a lunch cruise on the Seine. From the water, we see Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the neighborhoods where generations of Parisian nobility and the bourgeoisie have lived. Afterward, we have free time near the Trocadéro before the drive back to Le Havre. For those of us who’ve always wanted to experience Paris, this is an extraordinary introduction.
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The Ultimate Rome Excursion – Civitavecchia, Italy
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The Ultimate Rome Excursion is for those of us who want to leave Rome feeling like we actually saw Rome. The day starts with an introductory drive through the Eternal City, past the Egyptian-influenced Pyramid of Cestius, the ancient Baths of Caracalla, and the Circus Maximus, the chariot racetrack that predated even the Colosseum. We get an outside visit of the Colosseum itself and the nearby Pantheon, a 1st-century B.C. temple with its famous oculus at the center of its dome.
The Trevi Fountain — an immense baroque masterpiece built in 1732 featuring Neptune in a shell-shaped chariot — is a stop that earns its reputation. After all, it’s also one of the Most Famous Fountains In The World. After free time at Navona Square for shopping and independent dining, we move on to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. One thing to note: this tour does not operate on Sundays as the Vatican is closed, and due to ticket restrictions, early booking is strongly encouraged. The cancellation deadline is 75 days before the port call.
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Highlights of Santorini by Land and Sea – Santorini, Greece
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If there’s a single excursion on this list that looks exactly like its photos, it’s the Highlights of Santorini by Land and Sea. The village of Oia is one of the most photogenic places on Earth — perched on the precipitous slope of the caldera, with classic Cycladic white-washed homes and the blue-domed churches Santorini is famous for. We get free time here to wander, browse the galleries and shops, and take in the views before heading to Athinios to board a boat for a cruise through the caldera’s island-dotted waters.
Looking up at the barren rocky cliffs from the water, with Fira blanketing the top, is one of those sights that earns the word “breathtaking” without any exaggeration. This excursion brings together the best of Santorini’s land and sea, and it’s a genuine highlight of any Mediterranean voyage. Note that if water conditions don’t permit caldera cruising on the day, a beach location will be provided instead.
Also read: Top 10 Things To Do In Santorini.
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Can we cancel NCL shore excursions if our plans change?
Yes, NCL offers guests the flexibility to modify or cancel most shore excursions without any penalty up to 48 hours before the ship arrives in port. Any exceptions are clearly noted in the individual excursion descriptions when you book. Some excursions, like the Ultimate Rome tour, have specific early cancellation deadlines (such as 75 days before the port call) due to ticket restrictions at venues like the Vatican. We recommend reading the notes section carefully at the time of booking.
Is it better to book NCL shore excursions in advance or wait until we’re on board?
Booking in advance is almost always the smarter move. The most popular excursions — like the White Pass Scenic Railway in Skagway and the Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest in Juneau — can sell out well before the ship departs. NCL allows guests to browse and book excursions through their account on ncl.com ahead of sailing. Dedicated pre-cruise specialists are also available to assist with planning. Once on board, the Shore Excursion Desk is open, but options may be limited for high-demand tours by then.
What happens if an NCL-organized shore excursion runs late and we miss the ship’s departure?
This is one of the most reassuring guarantees NCL offers: if an NCL-organized shore excursion causes us to return to the pier after the ship’s scheduled departure, the ship will wait for us. This policy applies specifically to excursions booked through NCL and does not cover independently arranged tours. It’s one of the clearest advantages of booking through the cruise line versus third-party operators, and it makes a real difference when we’re deep in the Alaskan wilderness or three hours from a Paris port.
Some images on this article are copyrighted by NCL.
