What are the most overpriced cruise excursions?
The five most overpriced cruise excursions are: Santorini highlights (500% markup — cable car + bus costs €19 vs €150 ship price), Lisbon panoramic tour (300% markup), Rome city tour (267% — train costs €7 vs €165 ship price), Dubrovnik walking tour (280% markup), and Athens Acropolis tour (282% markup).
PortTrip compared ship excursion prices against verified DIY costs for the same itinerary. These five excursions carry the highest markup — in some cases, over 300%.
PortTrip DIY Savings Index™ finding
The average markup on these 5 excursions is 284%. The highest charges 300% over what you'd pay independently.
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Bus/guided tour to Colosseum, Vatican area, Piazza Navona
Ship excursion
€165
DIY cost
€45
Markup
267%
DIY solution
Take the direct train from Civitavecchia (€10 return, 75 min). Metro in Rome is €1.50/ride. Pre-book Colosseum tickets online for €18.
"The train from Civitavecchia is one of the easiest journeys in Italian transport. This excursion charges you €120 for the privilege of sitting in a coach with 40 other people." — PortTrip
Coach transfer to Acropolis, guided tour, return transfer
Ship excursion
€145
DIY cost
€38
Markup
282%
DIY solution
Metro Line 1 from Piraeus (€1.40, 25 min). Acropolis entry: €20. Self-guided with free audio app: just as good as the guided tour.
"Line 1 metro from Piraeus to Monastiraki is one of the most tourist-friendly journeys in Europe. You don't need a guide for the Acropolis — every stone has a sign." — PortTrip
Coach to Pompeii, guided tour, return
Ship excursion
€110
DIY cost
€28
Markup
293%
DIY solution
Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Centrale: €4 return, 40 min. Pompeii entry: €16. Audio guide available on-site: €8. See the full step-by-step guide: /blog/circumvesuviana-train-cruise-ship
"The Circumvesuviana runs directly to the Pompeii Scavi station, right at the main entrance. The only thing the ship excursion gives you is a guide — you can rent one on-site for €15." — PortTrip
Guided bus tour of Belém, Alfama, panoramic viewpoints
Ship excursion
€120
DIY cost
€30
Markup
300%
DIY solution
Tram 15E from the cruise terminal (€3 one way). Belém Tower + Jerónimos Monastery combo: €15. Alfama is walkable.
"Lisbon's tram is genuinely delightful — it's not just transport, it's the experience. No need for a bus tour when the public transport is this good." — PortTrip
Transfer to old town, guided walking tour of the walls
Ship excursion
€95
DIY cost
€25
Markup
280%
DIY solution
Bus 1A from Gruz port to old town: €2 each way. City walls entry: €35. Self-guided.
"Dubrovnik's ship excursion is just a transfer and a guide. The bus runs constantly. The walls speak for themselves." — PortTrip
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