Truffle hunting to troll chasing: Great value NCL Europe shore excursions for summer 2025

Despite being one of the smallest continents, Europe offers a melting pot of different landscapes, cultures and traditions to explore.

To the south, there’s the classical world of antiquity with Athens’ Acropolis, Rome’s Colosseum and the mystical oracle of Delphi and further to the north, there’s Norway and Iceland with their towering glaciers, winding fjords and bubbling volcanoes.

Throw in the rolling vineyards of France and Portugal, the golden beaches of Spain and the Balearics or the cosmopolitan cities of Germany, Belgium and Holland, and it becomes difficult to know where to start – particularly if you’re looking to keep costs to a minimum.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) offers an incredible selection of shore excursions that delve deep into the heart of regions without breaking the bank, whether it’s visiting iconic spots or heading off the beaten track – NCL shore excursions can start from as little as £35pp.

Being one of the largest cruise lines, NCL offers more time in port than many cruise brands, giving guests the opportunity to get under the skin of unique destinations and enjoy longer itineraries. What’s more, tailored shore excursions are complemented by an immersive onboard programme, bringing destinations to life no matter where you are.

Booking an excursion with NCL is a relaxing experience, ensuring a stress-free holiday from start to finish. Get the most out of each region with the expertise of onboard consultants, and, should something else take your fancy, enjoy an unbeatable level of flexibility to modify or cancel excursions up to 48 hours ahead.

If, like us, you’re all about the shore excursions, we recommend looking into NCL’s ‘More At Sea’ upgrade package, which gives guests a whole host of added perks, starting from just £249pp for seven or eight-day cruises. Highlights of the package include:

• Shore excursion credits! Receive a $50 (£37.50) credit per port to use towards your NCL shore excursion of choice.
• Unlimited premium drinks: sip while you sail on a wide selection of cocktails, wines, beers, spirits, juices, and soft drinks.
• Speciality dining: indulge in diverse cuisines from across the globe – from Brazilian to French – with speciality dining meals included in the ‘More at Sea’ package.
• High-speed wi-fi: because, let’s face it, while it’s nice to disconnect when you’re away on holiday, you also want to stay in touch with friends and family… and make them jealous with gorgeous holiday pics!
  

When it comes to excursion pricing, there is something for every budget, and NCL shore excursions offer some of the best value it’s possible to find. Here are our top picks to try out this summer.

NCL Central Mediterranean Shore Excursions

Icons of Rome: Spanish Steps, St Peter’s Basilica & Colosseum  – 10.25 hours, meal provided

See the iconic landmarks up close that defined Rome and Western Civilisation during several epic periods of history that span back thousands of years.

Mallorca’s Pearl Factory & Scenery Tour – 4.25 hours, snack & local food and wine tasting included

Explore Mallorca’s scenic landscapes, visit the Els Calderers estate and a pearl factory where you’ll have the opportunity to watch artisans create lustrous, perfectly-formed Mallorcan pearls using a centuries-old technique. There’ll be a chance to taste local specialities too!

Truffle Hunting with Furry Friends – 5.5 hours, snack provided

Take a leisurely walk through the woods led by ‘His Majesty The Truffle’ – a truffle-hunting dog who has been specially trained to sniff out this prized member of the mushroom family!

NCL Greek Islands Shore Excursions

Explore Ancient Olympia – 4.5 hours with snack provided

Explore the ancient site of Olympia (the location of the first-ever Olympics), including temple ruins and the famed stadium, before taking a vineyard tour where you’ll taste the wine.

Discover Santorini’s Musical Heritage  – 4.75 hours with snack provided

Learn how local craftsmen make traditional Greek musical instruments and take in the island’s former capital, Pyrgos. Here, you’ll find a 13th-century Venetian castle, classically Cycladic-designed homes and the panoramic island views from its hilltop location.

Three Cities of Malta Boat Ride – 4.25 hours

Climb aboard a traditional Maltese boat and drink in the island’s colourful ports and extraordinary past as you visit the three historic cities of Senglea, Cospicua and Vittoriosa.

NCL Amalfi Coast & Italy Shore Excursions

Uncovering Pompeii – 4.25 hours

Discover the wonders of Pompeii at your own pace, with private pier transfer, guided tour, lots of time, and return transfer to Naples.

Flavours of Tuscany: Organic farming experience – 8.5 hours with meal and wine provided

 Experience an authentic farm in Tuscany where you’ll witness traditional honey production, gather fresh ingredients, cook a four-course lunch, and learn all about the trendy world of organic wines.

Sorrento and Amalfi by land & sea – 9 hours, with meal

Sail along the jaw-droppingly beautiful Amalfi coastline on a leisurely boat ride, before heading to Sorrento for lunch. You’ll be doing as the Romans do: Sorrento was a favourite resort of wealthy Romans in ancient times! Explore Amalfi’s boutiques and 13th-century cathedral and relish a lunch of classic Italian dishes.

NCL Northern Europe Shore Excursions

Whale watching from Husavik – 8.5 hours, meal provided.

Discover the worlds of the Humpback, Minke and Orca whales on a full-day whale-spotting expedition off Iceland’s northern coast.

Land of the Trolls – 8.25 hours, meal provided.

Enjoy a scenic drive along one of Norway’s most dramatic and mountainous stretches of road, where trolls have been thought to roam freely for centuries. Stop at various attractions along the way that add to the sense of real-life myth and adventure.

Bruges & Belgian Chocolates – 5.25 hours.

It’s impossible to be in Belgium and not sample a healthy dose of chocolate. This excursion provides the best of both worlds, with a guided tour through Bruges’ medieval centre, plus a visit to a traditional chocolatier.

NCL Western Europe Shore Excursions

Porto by Tuktuk – 2.5 hours

Ride a tuk-tuk through the charming, tile-lined city of Porto, stopping to visit the world-famous Lello Bookshop, Porto Cathedral, and soaking in the city views from the Monastery of Serra do Pilar.

Medoc vineyards & wine tasting – 4.5 hours, local food & wine provided.

Drive Bordeaux’s famous ‘Route des Chateaux’ through Medoc vineyards, marvel at picturesque chateaux and savour world-class wines during a tour of a traditional winery.

Go local – rural insight into Galicia, Spain – 7.5 hours, snack and local food & wine provided.

Experience rural North West Spain through a day out packed with monastery and farm visits, discovering local agriculture, cheese-making and tasting culinary specialities.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 21 ships has a vessel to suit every type of holidaymaker – each one packed with innovations, spectacular entertainment, accommodation, dining, and with surprises such as top-deck go-karting tracks or open-air laser tag!

With up to 20 restaurants per ship, dining is a standout for any guest on an NCL cruise, where everything from Japanese teppanyaki to fresh Mediterranean seafood is served with finesse. Add to that a bevvy of bars and lounges serving up creative cocktails and tasty tipples, and every evening becomes a riot for the tastebuds!

As for accommodation, cabins range from neat studios designed for solo travellers, to family-friendly staterooms and sprawling mega suites. For anyone looking to really treat themselves, ‘The Haven’ is the cruise line’s exclusive enclave with premium service, private lounges, pools and dedicated butlers.

As for onboard entertainment, award-winning shows, live music, comedy clubs and themed parties are enough to rival the West End.

So whether you’ve just returned from an unforgettable shore excursion, or are spending the day at sea, life onboard is just as packed with thrills, adventure and opportunities to relax as the destinations themselves.