Shore Excursion Bookings Jump at Carnival.com

Carnival Cruise Lines has already experienced a 16 percent uptick in shore excursions sales made online this year compared to last, and the cruise line is expecting a record 1 million shore excursion tickets to be purchased on Carnival.com by the end of 2008.

Carnival said that most of the excursions are booked directly by passengers, who have a total of 1,982 shore excursion choices in 114 ports to choose from this year.

Mico Cascais, Carnival’s vice president of tour operations, said that online shore excursion sales have increased primarily in the Caribbean, where Carnival sails most of its cruises.

The line has 18 of its 22 ships deployed within the region on a year-round or seasonal basis; increases have also occurred for excursions in Europe, the Mexican Rivera, Alaska and Hawaii.

Carnival’s shore excursions can be purchased online from 120 days up to three days prior to departure date.