If you’ve ever thought about cruising, now is the time to do it as cruise lines drop their prices to suicidal levels. But how can you save once you board the ships? Skip the pricey shore excursions and do it on your own.

Take the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska for example.

Cruise lines charge at least $40 to tour the glacier. But guess what?

The city bus will also take you there! The big drawback is you have to walk a flat 1.5 mile road to the visitor’s center.

Otherwise, just look for local shuttle buses that take you directly from the port to the glacier for under $10.

If you’re interested in taking a city tour, see if you can get into town on your own.

Even in cities like Rome and Athens, where the cruise dock is a good distance from the city center, you can take a subway or a train.

If you’re traveling with a group, you can often save by renting a car or driver and splitting the costs.

Of course, not all experiences are do-it-yourself.

But you also have the option of booking directly with the local operator, or using resources like Viator and ShoreTrips.com, which often have more competitive prices.

Just remember, if you go independently, the cruise line isn’t obligated to hold the ship if you’re late, so plan accordingly.

For more info, check out our Cruises section.

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