4 Unique Cruise Port Excursions

Depending on where you decide to go, a large proportion of most cruise holidays will be spent in a port. These ports can vary massively in their tourism qualities but most have something of interest to offer even the most discerning tourist.


At each port, you’ll be offered the opportunity to book a place on any one of a number of different excursions arranged by the cruise line. Depending on your destination, you may have the opportunity to go on a sightseeing trip, or attend a cultural event or take in some sort of activity.


Listed below are some of the most unique cruise port excursions that you can enjoy around the world:


Stingray City, Grand Cayman


Many Caribbean cruises will feature Grand Cayman on their itinerary. If you find yourself on such a cruise, you simply have to take in the wonders of Stingray City.


Stingray City is an area of shallow sandbars found on the Northern sound of Grand Cayman which is populated by hoards of friendly stingrays, all looking for an easy meal and human-interaction!


Getting there from the cruise port will involve a short boat ride, and once you have arrived, there are several different ways in which to enjoy the experience, these being snorkeling, scuba diving or a glass bottom boat ride.

Photo Credit | Wikipedia

You can spend the trip snorkeling in water only 3 to 5ft deep. No snorkeling experience is required, and you don’t even need to be a strong swimmer as the water is so shallow. If you’d rather not snorkel, you can keep your face dry and simply stand and look through the crystal clear water.

Photo Credit | IvoHughes.com

If you’d like to dive down with the stingrays, you’ll need to ensure that diving equipment is provided by the excursion provider. You’ll need to make sure you can get your hands on a weighted wet suit so you can stay at the bottom of the shallow water.


If you’re a little nervous of the stingrays, or would just rather keep your feet from getting wet, you can take a glass-bottom boat ride. This can also be an ideal, although less personable, experience if the weather is too windy for snorkeling or diving.


Overall, this is an extremely unique and exciting activity. The stingrays are completely wild, and are under no obligation to visit the sandbar. This is no artificial, man-made aquarium. This is a very real experience, with real animals in the real ocean.


Glacier helicopter tours and dog sledding, Juneau, Alaska


Although this excursion is quite expensive, it’s likely to be a once in a lifetime experience that you will never, ever forget.


From the cruise port, you’ll be transferred by bus to the heliport where your adventure will begin. During your exhilarating helicopter ride to the dog camp, you’ll experience the spectacular icefalls and rock formations of the Juneau Icefield. This area is only accessible only by air, and the surrounding region is filled with lush forests, glassy alpine lakes, jagged mountain peaks, and awe-inspiring glaciers.

Photo Credit | CruiseHappenings.Blogspot.com

Once you reach the dog camp, you’ll be met by one of the highly-experienced ‘mushers’ who will give you a tour of the kennels. You’ll notice that the dogs are extremely well-cared for. Once your tour is complete, you’ll be taken to your sled and your team will be hooked-up. The rush that you’ll experience during the sled is incredible. Your adrenaline will flow as your sled skids along the ice, and you’ll even have the opportunity to have a turn as being the musher of the sled.

Photo Credit | GustavusBarrow.Blogspot.com

On return to the dog camp, if time allows, you’ll be able to spend some time with the dogs. This is where you’ll really notice just how happy, and well looked after they are. Although beware, the dogs may bark or howl if you don’t pay them enough attention! You can also take this time as an opportunity to chat to the mushers, and ask them any questions you have.

You’ll then board the helicopter once more and be taken back to your port where you can begin reflecting on a truly amazing, natural experience.

Bathing in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa is an area of mineral-rich water formed by the outflow of a local geothermal power station. Although this may sound unappealing, it is actually an opportunity not to be missed.

Photo Credit | SevenHillsGlobal.com

Although the temperature in Iceland between October and April plummets below freezing, you mustn’t let that put you off stripping down to your bathing suit to experience the deliciously warm waters of the Blue Lagoon! The contrast between hot and cold is what makes this particular experience so unique.

Photo Credit | Iceland.NordicVisitor.com

Located around 45 minutes from Reykjavik, your journey to the Blue Lagoon will take you across dark, rocky terrain in what seems like another planet. In winter, your first signs that you’re nearing the Lagoon will be a plume of white steam that is visible about a mile away.

On arrival, you will be asked to shower, before donning your bathing suit. You’re then free to experience the lagoon. The water contains various minerals such as silica and sulphur which are claimed to be therapeutic. The bottom of the lagoon is covered by silica salts, which you are encouraged to use as a mud-pack on your skin.

The lagoon is very large, and there are plenty of nooks to explore, where you will feel a little more isolated from the crowds. There is also a sauna and steam room at the lagoon which you are free to use, as well as a waterfall that is great sit under.

Photo Credit | BlueLagoon.com

Cave Tubing, Belize City

One of the most popular excursions at Belize City is cave tubing. Sounds fun doesn’t it? Well, it is! 

You’ll be picked up by your guide at the port, and taken on a short bus ride to the jungle, where you’ll be provided with everything you need (some items will be available to rent). Here, you’ll grab your inner tube, and begin your hike through the jungle to the cave entrance. 

On your hike, your guide will most likely point out any items of interest to you and your group, including the surrounding vegetation, wildlife and the culture of the local people. Stories of group members being offered a taste of live termites upon the discovery of a termite nest have been told of, but remain unconfirmed…!

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Overland between Nepal and India: The 20 hour adventure

After a few days in Pokhara (Nepal) canoeing and swimming in the lake, visiting an island temple, and being covered with leeches, we were ready to make our way back to India. I was traveling India and Nepal with my Brazilian friend and travel partner, Claudio.
We had flown into Kathmandu so getting into the country was relatively hassle-free but we had opted to return to India by the way of land. We had done basic research and knew vaguely how to get from Pokhara to Varanasi (India), and we figured we would take a bus to the border, spend a night in a border town, and then catch another bus to Varanasi. However, it didn’t exactly turn out that way! Things happened so quickly we ended up making it to Varanasi all in one go. (Well, not so simply though!)

We had purchased tickets from a travel agent in Pokhara to get to a Nepalese border town, departing early morning. That bus ride wasn’t exactly the most pleasant because of the fear factor. We were going through mountains so the roads were incredibly winding, and the bus driver was going way too fast for comfort. I thought at any moment we could tip over and end up in the valley down below. About 7-8 hours went by, and we came to a complete stop, but we were not at our destination. There appeared to be a standstill in traffic, and there were vehicles lined up in front of us as far as the eye could see. We were 10 kilometers from the border, and there apparently was a strike at the border. I didn’t really know what this meant. Does this mean we are just stuck? When was this strike going to be over? Well, the bus was not moving, and I decided to take advantage of this and get comfortable so I could take a little nap because we obviously were not going anywhere.

About an hour or so later, Claudio came to wake me up to tell me we’re taking another bus. Apparently he had been talking with the other foreigners on the bus (there were 5 others) and they found a vehicle that would get us to the border, albeit a roundabout detoured way. This was a mini-bus of sorts, full of locals… and literally full. There was hardly any room, but of course we had no other option so we squeezed on. Claudio sat on the top of the bus with three Spanish travelers who were on our original bus. (What brave kids.) I ended up sitting on a suitcase in the aisle, and a Spanish girl and Korean girl also sat in the aisle with me. Because we were going the back route, it was an opportunity to see rural areas, passing by huts and all. We even went through some sort of checkpoint, although I really have no idea what they were checking. We were on this bus for about an hour or so, and when it stopped, we weren’t even dropped at the border.

After we were dropped off, we were offered rides by numerous cycle rickshaws, but kept walking. We really didn’t know what we were doing at that point; we were just walking in the direction of India. And quite frankly, we had trust issues with locals offering services. At that point Claudio said to me he wished I could speak Spanish so we could communicate without them knowing what we’re saying. Eventually we decided it was best to get a rickshaw, which was a good call, as it was another half an hour ride to the border.

We got our exit stamp to leave Nepal from officials sitting at a table on the side of the road, then finally we went onwards to walk across to India! It was such a simple walk that it didn’t even feel like we were switching countries. We then walked into an office to get our entry stamp for India, which again did not feel very official.

Okay, so we are in India. Now what? The three Spanish guys had already booked a train ticket from a nearby town to Varanasi so they had specific logistics to figure out, and I’m not sure what happened to the Korean girl. (We did see her again though, as we ended up staying in the same hotel in Varanasi!) So at this point, it is me, Claudio, and the Spanish girl. A local guy came up to us and told us he could drive us to Varanasi in a jeep. We declined, telling him we were looking for bus options and kept walking. This guy proceeded to tell us that at the very least we should have a look at his jeep. We continued to decline, and then he offered to tell us which direction to go to take the bus. As we were walking in the direction he pointed us, we were thinking what an odd path it seemed to be. It was a semi-circle path, seemingly taking us away from all of the action, before we got near the main street again. We eventually found the bus, and the hopped onto an already crowded local bus. And within five minutes, the bus was moving for its 7PM departure. That is when we realized… the jeep guy purposely instructed us to go the long way because he wanted us to miss the bus! That is also why he wanted us to take the extra time to look at his jeep. Yes, he wanted us to miss the bus, so that we would consider taking his services.

I had taken a seat in the back of the bus near the window and was able to get relatively comfortable to sleep. But. It was not meant to be. It is not always quite possible to sleep on a bus route which is pothole ridden. This was seriously the bumpiest ride of my life. There was one duration, maybe around 2AM, where it was so ridiculously bumpy that it would not have been possible for anyone to sleep through it. These potholes were absolutely ridiculous! It actually became entertaining. I was literally flying in and out of my seat, and of course being at the back of the bus did not ease the bumpiness. One time in particular, I flew up, and then, bam, I was slammed down so hard my butt hurt. After that I learned my lesson and adjusted myself so as to avoid that pain again. What amazed me about this ride was the people who were standing for the entire duration of the 10-hour overnight ride, and I really don’t know how they did it.

Shortly before 5AM we arrived in Varanasi. Yay! We completely did not expect to reach so soon, but it was nice to be able to find rides in succession with little layover time… minus the part about how we were on a bus for like 20 hours, nearly straight! When we were not on a bus, we were on our way to another!

Regrettably I did not take any pictures of this venture; I particularly wish I would have taken some pictures at the border, but I guess I was too wrapped up in the chaos to be thinking about whipping out a camera!

Would I do this again? Totally! It wouldn’t be as exciting otherwise, right? ;)

Written by Samantha Kelley, a travel enthusiast from the US. She has made over a dozen trips to Japan and has also lived in South Korea. In addition to East and South Asia, she has explored parts of Southeast Asia and the Middle East. She has spent time cycle touring through parts of Western Europe as well. You can follow her on twitter @samkelley03. Also, check out her nonprofit organization Atlantic Impact and follow on Twitter @atlantic_impact.

Travel Destinations in Africa: Move on into the age of sustainable tourism

South Africa is one of the major tourist destinations in the world. Every year a large number of people tour this country. It is a good destination for nature lovers. Right from historical attractions to urban destinations, this country has everything to attract tourists.

To those, who are in a rush to cover the exciting monuments and man-made beauty, South Africa may not be on their cards, but for all the inveterate travelers, this is the best destination to make their eyes wider in excitement while watching the beauty that was so far explained by only the poets of the greatest times.

Travelling doesn’t mean to take a quick look at the spots and capture the same in the camera lens. It is in fact a travel into the cultures, traditions and life style. South Africa is a place where one can explore the land filled with rich culture and tradition. That’s the reason why the world recognizes it as eco tourism country. Everything here is God made and preserved by Him. Man just prepared temporary resorts and huts in the thick woods, where one can stay and enjoy the beautiful nature without damaging the wild life, including the birds that chirp and a variety of fishes that swim in the clean water of the natural ponds.

Getting there

If you wish to enter this country and experience the bliss, book the tickets to Tambo International Airport, which is located outside Johannesburg. There are a number of international airways that run their services to Tambo, Capetown and Durban international airports. You can choose any one of the airports.

Getting around

Getting around isn’t a big task. You can get travel related information at any of the three airports mentioned above. Alternatively, you can also seek the help of tour operators. You can travel by road, rail and air in South Africa. One can also hire a taxi to get around the places. However, it is not advisable to hire a car if you are visiting the place for the first time.

Top destinations

Franklin Game Reserve: One can get the feel of being connected to the wild life at Franklin Game Reserve. You can see giraffes in large number amidst thick woods. It is located in Bloemfontein of Free State.

Photo Credit: Robin Utrecht

Moolmanshook Game Reserve: This is also located in Free State (a province in South Africa). This is an award winning tourist destination in the world. This is a plain surrounded by mountains. One can find zebra, black wild beast, blesbok, ostrich and 230 bird species here. It takes around four hours from Johannesburg by road to reach this place. One can try horse trails, hiking and fishing that are on offer here.

Photo Credit: Janie Harmsen 

Eye of Kuruman: It is a natural spring that lies in the middle of Kalahari Desert. This water pool is surrounded by lush green plants and palm trees. One can reach here after six hours of road journey from Johannesburg.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Soweto: Your trip to South Africa is incomplete without hiring a local guide and touring the small township Soweto that is located to the south of Johannesburg. You can hire the local guide in Soweto. It is at this place that you get to see and mingle with native South African nationals. There are many museums and beautiful churches in this township. Please make sure that you don’t miss to stay in the eco friendly resorts and safari lodges.

Photo Credit: Rebecca

There are only a few important must see cultural and wild-life destinations. South Africa has much more to offer. Also, don’t forget to explore all the urban art and craft destinations in this country.

Written by Amanda Kidd,  a passionate blogger and nature lover. She loves exploring new places.  The Hawaiian Islands have been her favorite travel destination to date.  She is also very environmentally aware and firmly supports the concept of waste recycling.

Great Reasons to Visit Las Vegas in the Winter

It only makes sense that most people travel to Las Vegas during the summer months. The sun is hot, the pool parties are happening and everyone’s got a few weeks of vacation time to burn. If you are willing to consider a winter getaway to Las Vegas, however, you may find yourself falling in love with a Sin City you never knew existed. Sure, most of the pools will be closed in the winter and some of the attractions may have limited hours, but Sin City is far from being quiet, and there are definitely a few perks for visiting the city any time from November through February. In fact, some people would say it’s the best time to visit Las Vegas. Here’s why:

You don’t have to worry about the holiday details. Do you want someone else to cook the perfect Thanksgiving meal? Look no further than the incredible buffet spreads prepared specifically for the holiday by top-tier chefs. Would you like someone else to entertain you for Christmas? From the gardens in The Palazzo to the Fountains of the Bellagio, Las Vegas is decked out in the holiday spirit. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone else threw the New Year’s Eve party this year? Consider it done when you visit any one of the dozens of world-class parties up and down the Las Vegas Strip.

Photo Credit: Dan4th Nicholas

The weather is ideal. So you might hit one of Las Vegas’ two rainy days out of the entire year if you visit January through March, but the weather overall is perfect. It’s not hot enough for the pools to be open yet and evenings might require a sweatshirt, but during the day, jeans and a t-shirt will be comfortable. You might even get a tan.

Photo Credit: Dan Perry

Discounts are abundant. Show ticket prices are often slashed between holidays and after the new year, especially if you buy them the day of or for more than one person. Make sure you ask what discounts are available when you purchase. In addition to cheap show tickets, it’s easy to find hotels, rental cars and dining discounts. Older resorts like Excalibur, Stratosphere and Circus, Circus can be booked for as little as $30.00 per night. If you can snag a bundled package that includes accommodations, a car, show tickets and/or dining coupons, you could save even more.

Lines are short. No need to fight the crowds at nightclubs and restaurants before and after the holidays. You may have to wait for a short while, but chances are much higher that you’ll get in faster. Celebrities and renowned DJs visit the clubs year round, so you’ll be able to spot stars regardless of the time of year you visit. Of course, you’ll want to make table reservations far in advance for New Year’s Eve.

Outdoor activities are at their prime. Because of the weather conditions, winter in Las Vegas is the ideal time to go hiking and rock climbing at nearby Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire. And though it’s dry and comfortable in the valley, neighboring Mt. Charleston will be covered in snow and perfect for skiing or snowboarding.

Photo Credit: Dave Malkoff

Author's Bio: JoAnna Haugen lives and writes from Las Vegas. She is the voice behind WhyGo Las Vegas, a Las Vegas travel guide. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook for Las Vegas news and information.