For Immediate Release

5 Extraordinary Shore Excursions: From Private Bear Encounters and Ghost Towns to the Italian Riviera

CruiseCompete Travel Specialists Pick Their Favorite Out-of-This-World Shore Excursions

DETROIT (January 16, 2018) – Along with offering the best way to compare cruises, CruiseCompete offers once-in-a-lifetime shore excursion adventures, guaranteed to intrigue even the most discerning travelers and adventurers on their cruise travel vacations. 

"If you want an extraordinary experience and money is no object, our shore excursions offer plenty of over-the-top shore adventures," said Bob Levinstein, CEO of CruiseCompete.com, the premier online cruise marketplace where consumers research and book cruise vacations and have received almost 16 million quotes since 2003."Cruise guests should be prepared to spend the day – sometimes even a night –away from the ship, for these shore excursions take travelers well beyond any typical bus tour. There's something for everyone, from children to seniors." 

CruiseCompete's travel specialists have identified some of their favorite, out-of-this-world shore adventures available.  To explore these ideas below and other exciting shore excursions available through CruiseCompete, please visit CruiseCompete Shore Excursions by Port page and search by destination to find the shore excursions available there https://www.cruisecompete.com/shore_excursions_by_port.php

1. Ketchikan, Alaska: Private Bear Viewing at Hyder, With Misty Fjords Flightseeing
$3,698 – 4.5 hours
This flight is for the discerning visitor who seeks to couple a unique bear viewing opportunity with the unbelievable beauty of the Misty Fjords National Monument. This is a one-of-a-kind flight that takes you deep into the Misty Fjords Monument, north and east from Ketchikan, culminating at the quiet headwaters of Portland Canal, a 70-mile-long saltwater fjord that forms the southern boundary between Alaska and British Columbia.
Land near the quaint town of Hyder, which borders Steward, BC, where a local guide will pick you up by bus and introduce you to this beautiful little waterfront community. Hyder is surrounded by picturesque mountains and has a rich fishing and mining history, living up to its nickname as the "Friendliest Ghost Town in Alaska."
Next stop is the Fish Creek Wildlife Observation Deck, where, in addition to viewing brown and black bears gorging on spawning salmon, you may see herons, harlequin ducks, bald eagles and beavers. Bring your camera to record a wildlife experience few have the chance to see! This Ketchikan cruise tour includes a full one and a half hours at the platform. Weather permitting, your pilot will fly over a nearby valley for a breathtaking aerial view of the Soule, Through, Chickamin or Salmon Glaciers.

2. Reykjavik, Iceland: Heli-Ice Caving
$3,075 – 3.5 hours
This epic aerial adventure starts high above of the geothermal area near Reykjavik before landing on the Hengill volcano. You'll then fly high above Thingvellir National Park, with its rugged mountainscape, then accelerate toward the Langjokull glacier. Upon landing, you'll be able to climb through its man-made ice tunnel. This Reykjavik tour is for the traveler interested in an exceptional experience.
There's no better way to start your day then taking an aerial tour of the city, getting the best view of the surrounding mountains and lava fields. Make your first landing on the old Hengill volcano, a peacefully remote area where you get the chance to witness, smell, and feel the geothermal energy Iceland has been blessed with.
After a quick warm up, fly over the tectonic rift separating America and Europe in the historical Thingvellir National Park. UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage site in 2004, and you'll instantly know you're in the midst of rare, natural beauty. Here you'll get to truly experience how the earth is always changing and evolving.
Next, you'll fly toward the Langjokull glacier, the second largest glacier in Europe. When you touch down on an area accessible only by helicopter, step out onto the ice, breath in some of the freshest alpine air on earth. Once recharged, your guide will equip you properly so you can hike through a manmade tunnel in the glacier ice! This is the ideal outing to book for exhilaration and phenomenal natural beauty.

3. Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy: Private Cinque Terre Driver
$1,799 – 8 hours
On this Livorno excursion, enjoy a private tour of the five towns of Cinque Terre in the Italian Riviera. You will travel in style in a luxury Mercedes minivan with your own driver, exploring the beautiful western coast of Italy. Cinque Terre is comprised of five fishing villages that are essentially chiseled into the cliffsides, a dramatic outcropping of soft yellows, salmon pinks, and dusty terra cotta. The beautiful and colorful houses date back to the Middle Ages.
A railway cuts into the cliffs, weaving in and out of tunnels, leading to the castles and churches peppered into these old towns. Gardens and paths sit atop low stone walls that wind along the cliff. Walking paths and trails allow for beautiful views of the bays and beaches, mountains and cliffs.

4. Cozumel, Mexico: Private Luxury Sail and Snorkel
$1,465 – 4 hours
Experience Cozumel and its crystal clear turquoise waters in the most exclusive and relaxing of atmospheres! A luxurious catamaran will allow you to enjoy an unforgettable Sail and Snorkel excursion reserved only for the most demanding guests. The crew aboard your catamaran are very proud to serve you in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere and help you snorkel, kayak or simply enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean in the most stylish way possible.
Board your state of the art vessel, reserved for those looking for the exclusivity that only sailing can offer (vessels motor may be used depending on the wind and current conditions). Delight in the majesty of the wind in your face and the sound of the sails while your boat glides above the incomparable sea of Cozumel.
The crew will take care of every single detail to pamper you while you snorkel, relax on the deck, listen to music, kayak or simply enjoy the domestic open bar and delicious and refreshing snacks of seasonal fruit and vegetables.

5. South Pacific / Moorea: Private Boat
$1,079 – 7 hours
No crowded tours or itineraries. See Moorea on your own terms with this special tour that is tailor made to your time table and your wishes. Board a first-class boat and take to the beautiful South Pacific waters.
Note the fascinating marine life as your captain takes you to the most beautiful spots along the island then head to the North coast to see the legendary bays of Cook and Opunohu or just spend some time getting up close to nature in the crystal-clear waters.
Snorkel amidst colorful fishes, swim with sharks and feed the sting rays. Watch the resident free range spinner dolphins at play and keep an eye out for Humpback whale sightings in the late summer and fall.

To explore these and other exciting shore excursions available through CruiseCompete, please visit CruiseCompete Shore Excursions By Port page and search by destination to find the shore excursions available there https://www.cruisecompete.com/shore_excursions_by_port.php
CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information or assistance planning your next cruise, please visit us at CruiseCompete.com.

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Note to Editors About CruiseCompete
CruiseCompete has been the premier online cruise marketplace since 2003 (see media praises).
Consumers come to CruiseCompete to research and book cruise vacations. More than 1.5 million users have generated close to 4 million requests from consumers, and agents have delivered almost 16 million quotes since 2003. They can compare offers from trusted travel agents, see consumer reviews of agents and agencies responding, then contact travel agents directly for more information and to book cruises. CruiseCompete is a member of the Family Travel Association, the leading authority and resource for family travel information and is home to the Sea Tales 2018 Family Cruise Travel Planner at Travel Resources.
CruiseCompete CruiseTrends™ offers monthly stats for an inside look at consumer trends and what consumers want in cruise vacations.
CruiseCompete takes top honors in Travel + Leisure's “Top 60 Best Apps and Websites for Travelers” with an honorable mention. The Wall Street Journal praised CruiseCompete as “Best Cruise Travel Site,” The New York Times says, “… independent travel agents compete to offer you the best deal," and follows similar praise from Travel + Leisure, Kiplinger and The Washington Post. The Street says, “Score luxury cruises at bargain prices.”
 
For more information, please visit https://www.cruisecompete.com/ or https://www.cruisecompete.com/group_cruises/

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