Our Top 6 Shore Excursions Tours Around the World

1.Hobbiton Movie Set Shore Excursion from Tauranga (6 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · from $198Our pick

Travel from Tauranga’s cruise port through Mount Maunganui and the Kaimai hills to Hobbiton Movie Set. Explore the Shire with a local guide, enter a furnished Hobbit home, and finish with an ale, ginger beer, or soft drink at the Green Dragon Pub. The six-hour outing is timed around your ship.

“The bus trip was comfortable and our host was very good. What could have been a very boring bus trip was actually fun, interesting and informative. Hobbiton was magical, like being transported to another world. Free roaming here would be amazing, but I understand why that's not possible. Definitely a must do, regardless of whether or not your a Hobbit or LOTR fan”

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2.Cruise Ship Shore Excursion: Kauai Movie Sites Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · from $181

From Nawiliwili Cruise Pier, ride an air-conditioned minibus with guides such as Andrew, Wendy, or Mickey to Kaua‘i filming sites tied to Jurassic Park, Blue Hawaii, Lilo & Stitch, and more. Film clips, Hawaiian stories, waterfall stops, Hanalei Bay, and a burger lunch fill the six-and-a-half-hour outing. A minimum of six people is required.

“Our tour guide Andrew and driver Leoni were fantastic. Friendly and full of good information. They made it a memorable experience.”

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3.Dubrovnik Shore Excursion: Game of Thrones Tour (City Walls ticket included)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $126Best value

Follow Game of Thrones filming locations through Dubrovnik with an English-speaking local guide. You’ll visit Lovrjenac Fortress, walk the City Walls, and explore Old Town sites linked to Arya Stark, the Lannisters, and the Battle of Blackwater. Guides such as Tea, Zoran, Katarina, and Sara also add Croatian history and practical food tips.

“Really fantastic. I know, all this GOT stuff is a bit over the top if you are not a fan but for those who follow the religion it really was entertaining. I might add there was a healthy dose of historical and cultural information thrown in as well. My husband is not a devotee but he enjoyed the tour also. Well done to the tour guide!”

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4.Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Loch Ness and Outlander Sites

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $187

Travel from Invergordon with a small group of up to seven, visiting Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Beauly Priory, and Great Glen Distillery. Guides such as George, Sarah, and Alister add local stories, Outlander facts, and flexible timing. Castle and Culloden admission fees cost extra.

“After 4 years back in Scotland and had a trip again with George. Again a great experience. With a small group this time and i must say, go for it. More flexibele and interaction with the group. Great fun.”

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5.Tauranga to Magical Hobbiton Movie Set – Private Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews

Travel by private car from Tauranga to Matamata with local guide Patrick, stopping for Bay of Plenty views and kiwi-farming insight before your guided Hobbiton visit. The six-hour outing suits cruise passengers, but Hobbiton admission and meals are extra.

“Patrick was very personable. He put me at ease from pickup location to delivery back to the ship. I could ask him anything and we talked about a wide variety of topics. Hobbiton itself was beyond my expectations. It was so so so cute Read more”

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6.Total Game of Thrones Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $248

Spend five and a half hours tracing King’s Landing, the Red Keep, Qarth, and the Walk of Shame with a private guide and driver. You’ll visit Trsteno Arboretum, Lovrijenac Fortress, Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Lokrum Island, and Mount Srd. Guides such as Mihaela and Andrea tailor the pace and sights to your interests.

“Dubrovnik was a surprise to our group (6 adults)! We met our tour guide, Andrea and our driver just outside the port. Transportation was in a very comfortable, air conditioned van. We had a limited amount of time in Dubrovnik, so we were offered some options for our tour. We went to the overlook on the top of the mountain, to some beautiful gardens, and then into the city walls. Andrea's knowledge of Dubrovnik and the Game of Thrones made the tour very interesting! We wish we would have had more time to spend in Dubrovnik.”

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