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Whether it’s the sun-drenched islands of the Caribbean, the majestic coastline of Alaska, or the centuries-old cultures of Europe, taking a cruise is one of the best way to test the waters of whatever region you’d like to visit. 
One of the reasons for this is that cruise ship passengers can comfortably visit more destinations in a week or two than would be possible on a similar land vacation. After all, cruise ships sail between ports of call during the night, leaving days available for excursions ashore. And ships seldom get stuck in traffic jams.
As a result, cruising is a great way for travelers to discover a wide variety of cultures and countries in a relatively short period of time. And it gives them the opportunity to determine which ones they like best and might like to return to for a more in-depth land vacation in future.
Of course, there’s no need to wait for a future trip to reap the benefits of a combination surf and turf vacation. In fact, many experienced travellers insist on adding a pre- or post-cruise land vacation in the port where their voyage starts or finishes. This strategy not only provides a great opportunity for passengers to explore a particular region in more depth, it also eliminates some of the stress of making tight plane connections to and from the ship.
While just about every region in the world lends itself to pre- and post-cruise land excursions, six of the most popular are the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia, the South Pacific and Asia – and usually for different reasons.
For example, people who travel as far as Europe, Australia, the South Pacific and Asia usually want to amortize the cost of their flight and cruise with an extended land stay.  In addition, there are so many things to see in these regions that a cruise can’t possibly cover it all.
On Alaska cruises, many people add a land excursion into the interior so they can see more of the majestic mountains, forests and wildlife. These excursions usually involve a train trip to a remote lodge in the interior with the opportunity to experience Alaska’s natural beauty at its best.
In the Caribbean, some people like to arrive a day or two before their cruise departs mainly as a precaution in case bad winter weather up north delays their flight. Others simply want a few days at the beginning or end of their cruise to enjoy the warm weather, shopping and night life available in places like Miami, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
When it comes to pre- and post-cruise land stay, there are plenty of options to choose from, including package deals offered directly by cruise lines. The advantage of booking a land package through the cruise line is that everything is pre-arranged, including transfers to and from the ship and airport. The disadvantage is that, with the exception of the Alaska tours, the cruise line packages tend to be more expensive than the cost of booking a similar land stay on your own.
But whatever option you choose, a pre- or post-cruise land package is a great way to extend your vacation, see more of the region you’re visiting, and leverage the investment you’ve already made in your trip. Simply put, surf and turf vacations represent one of the smartest and most efficient ways to see the world.