Whether you’re cruising the tropical Caribbean or Europe’s Mediterranean Sea, shore excursions offer don’t-miss opportunities to see more of the world and dive into adrenaline-fueled activities.

If Mexican resorts like Los Cabos and Cozumel are your ports of call, why not take the plunge and learn to dive on your shore excursion, or kayak and snorkel with tropical fish? Sail around the palm-fringed coastline on a catamaran, dive beneath the waves in a submarine or just chill out for a few hours at a private beach resort.

Caribbean ports like Nassau, Barbados, Montego Bay, St. Lucia and St. Thomas offer resort diving and cultural tours combining history, nature and world-class water sports. Spread your wings on a zipline adventure above the jungle canopy, or go off-roading into the countryside on an ATV.

If you’re cruising the Mediterranean, shore excursions take you on a journey through history to explore Renaissance cities and cultural hot spots. In Italy, your liner might anchor at Naples for a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the poignant ruins of Pompeii, or a day cruise to the captivating isle of Capri.

Civitavecchia is your port for Rome, and a day tour taking in the Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican and other must-see sights of the Eternal City is a great way to spend your time on land. Sorrento is the gateway to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, where coastal roads wind around cliffs to picture-postcard villages like Ravello and Positano.

Step off your cruise liner at the Spanish port of Barcelona, and a wealth of tapas bars, stylish cafes and the Gothic old city lie before you.

On the Bosphorus, you’ll dock at the ancient city of Istanbul, where shore excursions visit the city’s mosques and churches, exotic bazaars and the fabled sultans’ palace of Topkapi.

Whichever relaxing or action-packed shore activity you choose, book ahead and organize port transfers to make the most of your time ashore for a truly memorable vacation.