Avoid the Crowds During a High Season Summertime Cruise with Unforgettable Shore Excursions from Viator.com

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) April 14, 2011

Summer is the best time of year to visit many of the cruise lines? most popular destinations throughout Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico. But ideal weather conditions and school vacations go hand-in-hand with larger crowds and sold-out cruise-sponsored shore excursions. Viator.com, the leading resource for researching and booking nearly 9,000 trip activities and experiences at the best prices, has unforgettable shore excursions in many of the world?s most popular port cities to help travelers avoid the crowds, save money and create a unique experience.

Alaska

Summertime Alaskan cruise itineraries take great advantage of the warm temperatures which contribute to increased wildlife activity and excellent cruising conditions. Travelers don?t need to be left out in the cold by crowded or sold out excursions with Viator?s collection of Alaskan experiences like:

????The Tongass Wildlife Kayaking Adventure from Juneau is a small group adventure likely to paddle past a humpback whale, orca or seal that takes in views of the Mendenhall, Herbert and Eagle glaciers.
????The Skagway Spectacular: Klondike Gold Rush and the White Pass Trail excursion includes landmarks like Gold Rush Cemetery and Lower Reid Falls among the azure glaciers, thundering waterfalls and majestic mountain vistas.
????During the Mendenhall Glacier Trek and Climb travelers encounter various habitats from ice caves to rainforests and experience a rugged and exhilarating hike and glacier climb.

Europe

Europe is a perennial summer favorite no matter the method of arrival. Cruise passengers looking for an alternative to the on-board excursion offerings can visit Viator.com for a selection of options in various port cities:

????The Civitavecchia Shore Excursion: Rome in One Day Private Tour is perfect for travelers who need to see why they say Rome wasn?t built in a day, in one day, including the Vatican Museums and Colosseum with invaluable skip-the-line access to avoid spending hours in line.
????The Naples Shore Excursion Private Tour: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello Day Trip from Naples lets cruise passengers explore the famous Amalfi Coast and exquisite coastal landscapes with the luxury and convenience of a private chauffeur and guide.
????Visitors to the city that spans Asia and Europe, the Istanbul Shore Excursion: Istanbul in One Day Sightseeing Tour explores the Blue Mosque, historic Hagia Sophia and its Byzantine mosaics, the Ottoman architecture and museums of Topkapi Palace and shopping at the Grand Bazaar

The Caribbean and Mexico

Popular cruise destinations throughout the year, port cities in the Caribbean and Mexico experience summer crowd swells in late June through the summer but savvy cruise passengers who plan ahead can create a unique excursion itinerary sure to create unforgettable memories.

????Jump ship for the Nassau Shore Excursion: SUB Bahamas Adventure that enables underwater exploration of the pristine waters, coral reefs and tropical marine life without a snorkel or scuba tank.
????Head for the marina on Bovoni Road for an eco-adventure of a lifetime led by a nature guide through a protected wildlife sanctuary during the St Thomas Shore Excursion: Mangrove Lagoon Kayak and Snorkel Tour. Keep an eye out for nearby stingrays and spotted rays.
????Leave the big engines behind for beautiful sails during the St Lucia Shore Excursion: Catamaran Day Sail and visit a 19th century coco plantation and Sulphur Springs, the Caribbean?s only drive-in volcano.
????Spend the day among the beautiful Mexican surroundings during the Cozumel Shore Excursion: Jeep and Snorkel Adventure and enjoy an open-air ride around the island, a visit to an ancient Mayan ruin and a guided snorkeling adventure amongst a wide variety of tropical fish and turtles.

For more travel inspiration whether talking a cruise and looking for unique shore excursions or planning a summer family vacation close to home, visit the Viator Travel Blog (travelblog.viator.com) as well as Twitter (ViatorTravel) and Facebook (ViatorTours) for the latest Viator deals, promotions and news.

About Viator

Viator is the world's leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to nearly 9,000 tours, attractions and activities in 750-plus destinations in more than 150 countries. Viator - the Latin word for traveler - offers travelers a one-stop shop to plan, research and book trip activities with helpful resources like more than 250,000 traveler reviews and photos, star ratings, suggested itineraries and the Viator Travel Blog. Viator's in-house travel experts have picked respected and trusted local operators to ensure a quality experience, value and service, all backed by Viator's low-price guarantee. Founded in 1995, Viator sells its products directly to consumers at http://www.viator.com and through its global network of nearly 2,000 active affiliates that include major hotel and airline companies, online travel agencies, city-specific sites and more. Through its collection of company operated and affiliated sites, including seven European-language sites and a Japanese site, Viator welcomes over 3 million visitors per month. Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas.

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Viator Adds New Alaska Shore Excursions for Cruise Travelers

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) August 11, 2011

Viator, the leading resource for nearly 9,000 tours and activities in 750 destinations in 150 countries, today announced new tours and activities for cruise passengers in Alaska ports of call, including Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. Viator?s Alaska shore excursions are affordable alternatives to those offered by cruise lines, with savings up to 40 percent on popular activities including glacier trekking and ice climbing, seaplane and flightseeing tours, ziplining through the Alaskan rainforest, and hiking and kayaking day trips.

?The cruise industry continues to break records and will serve an anticipated 16 million passengers in 2011, and Viator?s Alaska shore excursions are ideal for those who want a more personalized experience while off the boat,? said Ms. Barrie Seidenberg, president and CEO of Viator, Inc. ?Viator offers shore excursions in more than 45 ports of call worldwide, allowing travelers to customize their itinerary before, during and after their cruise with activities that are more budget-friendly and less crowded than what is traditionally offered by the ship.?

Viator?s Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway shore excursions each have a ?Cruise Port Page? on the site, which highlight specific port and destination information, including local area maps, customer reviews and suggestions on the best things to see and do with limited time in town. Perfect for late summer cruise vacations and throughout the September shoulder season, the new additions range from family-friendly day trips to off-the-beaten-path excursions that will challenge more adventurous thrill-seekers:

Juneau

????The ultimate whale watching adventure off the shores of Juneau including a visit to Mendenhall Glacier starting at $ 130.99, a 20 percent savings compared to ship-sponsored adventures
????Glacier trekking and ice climbing Juneau?s top attraction, Mendenhall Glacier, starting at $ 198.45
????Kayaking through the Alaskan wilderness with views of Mendenhall, Herbert and Eagle glaciers and possible humpback whale sightings, starting at $ 124.95

Ketchikan

????A 90-minute seaplane tour of the untamed wilderness of the Misty Fjords starting at $ 228.99 ? a 40 percent savings compared to similar tours offered by cruise lines
????Sea kayaking along Tongass National Forest and Eagle Island, starting at $ 112.50
????A zipline and canopy tour above the Ketchikan Rainforest treetops, starting at $ 156.25

Skagway

????A scenic hiking and rafting adventure along the world-famous Chilkoot Trail in the heart of the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, perfect for family members of all ages, starting at $ 94.50 ? a 25 percent savings compared to cruise line offerings
????A relaxing float tour down the Taiya River starting at $ 78.75.

Cruise ship passengers favoring a more do-it-yourself approach can customize their own shore excursions by booking one of Viator?s many expert Private Tour Guides. These guides work with travelers to create a personalized itinerary based on specific interests, and tours can include anything from hiking pristine forest trails and photographing wildlife to kayaking and mountain biking along the Alaskan Coast. Viator?s global network of Private Tour Guides includes local experts who specialize in the most popular destinations like London, New York and Paris as well as more off-the-beaten-path destinations such as Bolivia, Tanzania and Bhutan. All guides have professional licenses or tour guiding certificates, ensuring travelers have the best possible personal tour experience.

Viator?s Alaska shore excursions are run by tour operators who are pre-screened for value, quality and service and maintain the same licensing and insurance coverage required by the cruise lines. Additionally, Viator?s ?Worry-free Shore Excursions? pledge provides travelers with the added peace of mind that they will return to port well in advance of their ship?s departure. In the rare circumstances where passengers miss their departure, Viator will provide transportation to the ship?s next port-of-call.

Viator?s Alaska shore excursions can be accessed through Viator.com, the Viator Tours and Activities App for iPhone and Viator?s mobile site. Visit the Viator Travel Blog for more inspiration or follow the company on Facebook and Twitter for the latest deals, promotions, contests and Viator news.

About Viator

Viator? is the world?s leading online resource for travel experiences, providing access to nearly 9,000 tours, attractions and activities in 750-plus destinations in more than 150 countries. Viator? the Latin word for traveler ? offers a one-stop shop to plan, research and book trip activities via its Web and mobile platforms with resources such as 260,000 traveler reviews, ratings and photos, suggested itineraries and the Viator Travel Blog. Viator?s in-house travel experts hand-pick trusted local operators to ensure quality, value and service, all backed by a low-price guarantee. Viator sells its products through Viator.com, the Viator Tours and Activities App for iPhone, the Viator Ultimate Experience Guide for iPad, eight local language sites for the European and Japanese markets and more than 2,000 affiliated sites that include major hotel chains and airlines, online travel agencies, city-specific sites and more. Viator is a privately held company, with lead investment from The Carlyle Group, one of the world?s largest private equity firms. Founded in 1995, Viator is headquartered in San Francisco with regional offices in Sydney, London and Las Vegas.

Media Contact:

Kathie Gonzalez

720.213.6105

pr(at)viator(dot)com

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