Top private shore excursions for
Viking River Cruises in every port

Expert local guides

Vetted for their expertise and experience

Customizable private tours

Shape a tour to your interests, pace, and priorities

Flexible cancellations

Standard policy is always included, with option to upgrade

Return to Ship Guarantee

Back on time, or we cover the costs & logistics

Learn more

Independent private shore excursions for your Viking River Cruises itinerary

Make the most of your time ashore with unique, private shore excursions in every port, guided by knowledgeable local guides eager to share their insider expertise. Explore away from the standard cruise crowds with private tours that let you experience every port like a local.

Select your Viking River Cruises ship

Each Viking River Cruises ship follows a unique itinerary, with ports that vary by route and sailing date. To find the best shore excursions during your cruise, click on one of the Viking River Cruises ships below or use our shore excursion planner at the top of the page to select your ship and sailing date for a personalized list of available tours at every port of call. With our Return to Ship Guarantee you can book worry-free!

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Why you'll love a ToursByLocals shore excursion

Booking a private shore excursion with ToursByLocals isn’t just about ticking off things to see at every port—it’s about crafting a meaningful travel experience, one that’s tailored just for you. Let us handle the details, so you can relax and focus on enjoying your adventures on shore.

Your tour, your pace, your experience

With ToursByLocals, you’re never just part of the crowd.

A private tour gives you the chance to explore with a local, one-on-one. Want to dive deep into the local culture or explore hidden gems off the beaten path? It's entirely up to you. Our itineraries are fully customizable, so you can enjoy the things that matter most to you, at a pace that suits you. No rush, no stress, just pure discovery.

Top-rated guides, handpicked for you

We only work with the best local guides, carefully vetted to ensure they’re the right fit for travellers like you

Each guide goes through a rigorous onboarding process, so you can trust that you’ll be exploring with a knowledgeable and experienced professional who’s passionate about sharing their hometown with you.

Back to your ship on time

Your guide’s top priority is getting you back to your ship on time, every time.

On the extremely rare occasion that something doesn’t go as planned during your private excursion, don’t worry; if you miss the boat, we’ll cover your expenses to reach the next port, including any accommodation you need. You’re never stranded with ToursByLocals. Plus, if your ship’s itinerary changes for any reason and you can’t dock, we’ve got your back with a no-hassle, full refund.

We’re here for you, 24/7

Whether you’re in the planning stages or mid-tour, our global customer support team is always ready to help.

No matter the time zone, you can count on us to be just a call or message away, always.

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What travellers say

We enjoyed our tour with Sherry. We enjoyed travel on the Klondike Highway in Sherry's van, seeing the sights, knowing when to stop and hearing about life in Skagway and their connection with the Yukon. We were lucky to also see some wildlife. We would recommend Sherry to others taking a cruise to Skagway.

Heather D.

traveller

Luxury Van Half-Day Skagway Shore Excursion to Yukon

What a great day! We were so pleased with our tour guide Pat. He's professional and so knowledgeable. He showed up early and dropped us back at the cruise ship with time to spare. We got to see everything on our wish list of sights and more! It also helped that, like us, he's a huge Game of Thrones fan, so we were able to see so many sites where scenes from the show were filmed. We would definitely recommend Tours by Locals and, of course, Pat.

Charlene S.

traveller

Giants causeway full day private excursion

As a cruise ship passenger, I was concerned with booking a tour that was not coordinated by the cruise line. I wanted to make sure that the Tours by Locals guide could provide the dive within the cruise schedule. Lara quickly put my mind at ease and answered all of my questions. She provided all instruction so that I was able to take a taxi from the cruise terminal to the marina where she met me. While I am PADI certified, I am still a beginner diver and she was so thorough in her instruction and continued to follow through and monitor me throughout the dive and between our dives to ensure that I had a wonderful and safe experience. She even brought a GoPro and took the most amazing video footage of our dive and provided me with clips. Whether you are staying on Cozumel, or coming for the day on a cruise ship, I cannot recommend Lara enough! She is amazing!

Lori F.

traveller

2-Tank Cozumel Reefs Private Dive Shore Excursion

We thoroughly enjoyed our time with Markos. We saw the big highlights to see in Santorini as well as sites off the beaten path. It was the perfect mix of information and time to wander on our own. We also went to a delicious family restaurant for lunch and it was by far the best meal we had on our entire vacation. Marcos gave us a very easy meeting location and was very flexible with time pick up due to us arriving by cruise ship and having to navigate tender boats and the cable cars. We found Marcos to be so friendly and welcoming to us. We highly recommend him to anyone looking for a private tour in Santorini.

Jamie C.

traveller

A Bit of Everything: Santorini’s icons & hidden gems - Half Day Shore Excursion

Popular cruise destinations

Explore top-rated private shore excursions in the world's most popular cruise ports. Discover authentic local experiences and skip the crowds with your private guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose ToursByLocals instead of booking through my cruise line?

ToursByLocals connects you directly with independent local guides who offer customized experiences, while cruise line excursions generally follow pre-set itineraries with limited flexibility. This allows for more meaningful interactions, flexible itineraries, and a more efficient use of your time in port compared to standard cruise line offerings.Further, your guide isn’t following a script practically any guide can deliver, your guide is the one who curates your tour and includes their own experiences as a local. They’ll get you into the true texture of a place to experience it as a traveller, not a tourist. You’ll be able to have open and honest conversations and ask as many or as few questions as you like. The pace will be set by you, not your cruisemates on a big group tour. Worried about getting back to the ship on time? ToursByLocals has a Return to Ship Guarantee so you can book with confidence. 

Are ToursByLocals shore excursions compatible with my cruise schedule?

Can I book a private tour just for my group?

Will I still get an authentic local experience?

Can I communicate with my guide before booking?

Are private shore excursions more expensive than cruise line tours?

Are shore excursions available at all cruise ports?

The trademarks of cruise lines mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners. ToursByLocals is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by these cruise lines. ToursByLocals provides information regarding port docks to assist travellers in finding their private tours.

Choose a currency

Top private shore excursions for
Viking River Cruises in every port

Expert local guides

Customizable private tours

Flexible cancellations

Return to Ship Guarantee

Independent private shore excursions for your Viking River Cruises itinerary