When you’re sailing on a cruise, it’s hard to avoid the never-ending sales pitches to sign up for a shore excursion. But you’re not obligated to join anything. In fact, you can tailor your shore excursion to YOUR interests.

The key to finding a shore excursion that matches your interest is to plan ahead.

If you’re spending the day in Cozumel, and prefer to skip the snorkeling, how about spending a day at a local orphanage?

Ciudad de Angeles is a Georgia-based organization that operates an orphanage just couple of miles from the port.

The timing is too short to get involved with a hands-on project, but there is plenty of time to interact with the kids, and you get to see the quote-unquote “real” Cozumel, away from the touristy stuff.

How about birding in Belize? Instead of booking through the cruise, go straight to your local chapter of the Audubon Society, to arrange your own excursion.

Learn more about Birding in Belize on an Independent Shore Excursion.

Want your own customized city tour, like visiting historic sites or the best food spots?

Just call a hotel in the area and book your own private tour guide and car.

You can share the cost with friends, and might just end up having a much better experience … away from the herd.

For more, don’t miss our Cruises travel section.

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