| Visiting ports of call can be among the
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| | have a more authentic experience as well.
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| highlights of any cruise. But if you
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| | Rather than being bused to touristy shops
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| aren't careful, you could actually end up
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| | and restaurants, you can choose your own
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| spending more for a cruise shore
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| | destinations at your own pace -- and
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| excursion than for the initial price of
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| | maybe even meet the locals.
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| the cruise itself.
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| | Keep in mind that you'll need to do some
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| An organized cruise shore excursion
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| | advance research on the port you're
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| purchased through your cruise line can
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| | visiting, whether on the Internet or with
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| vary in price from around $30 or $40 per
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| | the help of print books or articles. A
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| person for a basic two- or three-hour bus
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| | good local map -- which you can purchase
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| tour to upwards of several hundred
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| | in port or pick up for free from a
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| dollars for an adventure travel jaunt.
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| | tourist office -- is always helpful. Most
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| But you'll often find that you can put
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| | cruise ships also provide some port
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| together your own cruise shore excursion
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| | information in their newsletters and at
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| for much less money -- and enjoy the
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| | passenger service desks, shipboard
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| experience more.
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| | lectures, and libraries.
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| By doing it yourself, you can choose
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| | The alternative to exploring on your own
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| where you want to go, how you want to get
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| | is to arrange an independent guided tour.
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| there, who you want to go with, and how
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| | You can often pick one of these up right
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| to spend your time -- as well as how to
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| | at the dock, but if you don't want to
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| spend your money in port.
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| | take that chance, you can arrange one in
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| There are two different approaches to
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| | advance online. Type keywords such as
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| putting together a money-saving
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| | "Shore Excursions Skagway Alaska" into
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| independent cruise shore excursion.
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| | search engines and a number of
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| The first -- and generally least
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| | independent tour operators will appear on
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| expensive -- is simply to explore the
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| | your screen.
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| port on your own.
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| | By working with independent operators,
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| Cruise ships often dock within easy
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| | you may save 15 percent or more over the
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| walking distance of a port's main sights
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| | price of a shore excursion offered by
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| and attractions. Taxis or various types
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| | your cruise line. For a family of four,
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| of public transportation (such as buses,
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| | that can add up to big bucks over the
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| streetcars, and trains) are often readily
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| | course of a week-long cruise.
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| available as well, for a fraction of what
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| | Just remember to bring a watch (set to
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| cruise lines charge for bus transport.
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| | local time) on your do-it-yourself cruise
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| Not only are you likely to save money
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| | shore excursion -- you don't want to miss
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| exploring on your own, you're likely to
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| | the boat when it's time to leave port.
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