Yes! With Venture Ashore, the Group Leader travels FREE* for groups of 20 or more, when booked through the Venture Ashore Groups Department. For information on our Exclusive Group Rates,  Group Leader Travels Free program, or how our specialists can customize itineraries and more for groups of 12 or more – submit an inquiry on our groups page. Full Terms and Conditions on Group Leader Travels Free available here.

Groups are highly encouraged to book their shore excursions well in advance of their cruise departure to ensure the best rates and experiences for the group. The larger the group, the more difficult it will be to secure availability on the limited capacity shore excursions being sold on the ship, if at all.

By booking ahead, your group itinerary will be customized for your group members and will include best available rates, amenities, and any other benefits our Group Specialists can secure for you.

With Venture Ashore’s Low Deposit and Flexible Cancellation Policies, groups of 12 or more can secure their excursions with a 25% deposit and feel free to cancel any time up to 7-days before your scheduled excursion.* Full details on these policies and promotions are available in our terms & conditions.

12 or more passengers is considered a group when working with the Venture Ashore Groups Division.

Your options for shore excursions are nearly endless! Whether you’re looking for the perfect family bonding activity or private, behind-the-scenes access and boutique experiences, our group specialists can plan it. Many of our group requests include a combination of excursions at our exclusive group rates, and some of our favorite manages groups have included include snorkeling in the Caribbean, hiking Glaciers in Alaska, exclusive access to historic sites and locations, and diving into the local culinary arts with a cooking class in Tuscany.

“Shorex” on a cruise is typically referring to the shore excursion vendor available to you through the cruise line. They are usually on board the ship and coordinate reservations for the ship shore excursions.

Yes – with enough time in port, our Group Specialists can customize itineraries to include any number of activities or experiences, while securing exclusive group rates and including additional amenities wherever possible.

Venture Ashore by City Experiences delivers amazing shore excursions for your cruise itinerary in over 500 destinations. Owned and privately held by Hornblower Group, the global leader in world-class experiences and transportation, Venture Ashore offers unique small group and affordable private shore excursions dedicated to bringing you the best experiences in port. Our Essential Collection is an award-winning collection of exclusive experiences expertly managed by our seasoned cruise team and local guides. Our customer-centric policies of Don’t Port, Don’t Pay and a Back-to-Ship Guarantee are included with all our excursions, and our industry-leading flexible booking with deposit and 24-hour cancellation ensure you enjoy a seamless and immersive excursion every time.

The Essential Collection is the best way to see key sites and highlights in any port destination. Essential Collection tours are personally curated and expertly managed by our seasoned cruise team and local guides. Along with small group experiences, comfortable transportation, and professional local guides sharing their knowledge, guests can be sure that they are getting the best value in shore excursions with the intricate itineraries and value-driven pricing of the Essential Collection.

Venture Ashore offers booking flexibility with easy online booking and white glove customer service available during working hours across the US and UK to ensure our guests have access to our knowledgeable team when needing more information about a tour or to book over the phone. Please call us toll free at: 844 491 4164 or 0800 091 8274.

Venture Ashore is proud to offer an industry-leading cancellation policy on all tours at no extra cost. Guests can cancel up to 7 days before the start of their tour for a full excursion refund. For guests looking for extra flexibility and peace of mind, 24-hour cancellation is available through Venture Ashore Ticket Assurance, which can be added to your booking at the time that your initial reservation is made.

Groups of 12 or more can travel in a private customized shore excursion that is organized and facilitated by a Venture Ashore Group Specialist who will personally oversee the group and provide dedicated complimentary service. Our Specialists are experts at creating amazing custom experiences with a diverse product portfolio to accommodate the interests and budgets of any size group. Visit our Groups page for more information.

For all excursions that include transportation to and from the cruise port we guarantee to get you back to your ship in time for your cruise ship’s departure. If for any reason beyond our control you are not able to return to your ship in time (road accident, extreme weather delay etc.) we will cover the cost of your transportation to the next port of call and assist in making your arrangements. Please see our terms & conditions for full details.