73 a destination with offering passengers an authentic experience? “It’s a bit like composing a great piece of music; it’s not just about the big crescendo, it’s about the subtle notes in between that make the whole journey unforgettable,” says Claudine Pohl, founder and CEO of hospitality and tourism consulting firm, Lemoneight. Pohl believes shore excursions are a crucial part of the cruise experience and says lines must design them to bring a destination to life. “Guests come eager to see the postcard moments, such as the cathedral, the ancient ruins, the famous square, but if that’s all they experience, they leave with photos, not with stories,” she says. “The real magic happens when you guide guests beyond the obvious, when you spark their curiosity and gently open the door to something they didn’t expect. It comes down to storytelling. Imagine standing before a landmark – everyone’s seen it on social media – but instead of rattling off dates and facts, the guide weaves a tale. Suddenly, that building isn’t just stone and history; it’s alive with human drama, with laughter, with secrets only the locals whisper about. That’s when guests lean in, when their minds open, and when the experience shifts from sightseeing to soul-touching.” Just as a story has chapters, Pohl believes the best shore excursions have rhythm. “After the ‘big scene’, you guide guests into quieter, more intimate moments: tasting bread from a family bakery, meeting an artisan in their workshop, or joining a community activity that feels unrehearsed and genuine,” she says. “These staged but authentic touchpoints become the heartbeat of the experience. In the end, the balance isn’t about choosing between the iconic and the authentic; it’s about weaving them together into a journey that feels complete.” In the face of rising concerns over sustainable tourism, ports, destinations and cruise lines are collaborating to limit the industry’s impact on both local communities and the wider environment. Ports across the globe are installing shore power infrastructure, and upgrades are being made to cruise terminals to ensure operations run smoothly while reducing carbon emissions. There’s also growing demand from cruise guests for shore excursions that incorporate low-impact transportation, support locally owned enterprises and provide conservation and heritage preservation education, helping to deepen Photo: Mifsud Brothers
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