Want to offer cruise guests flexible, multilingual, and immersive experiences—without the logistical headache?

For cruise providers, offering memorable excursions is a key part of the guest experience. But managing onshore tours in every port of call—across dozens of languages, cultures, and time zones—is a logistical puzzle that’s hard to scale.

That’s why more cruise lines are turning to a powerful new solution: GPS-based, self-guided audio tours that guests can download and enjoy directly from their smartphones. Whether it's a port city, botanical garden, historic town, or coastal trail, these tours unlock new possibilities for curated exploration—without requiring buses, guides, or fixed schedules.

With platforms like Sulu,  providers can now deliver premium self guided cruise excursions in any port, with zero operational overhead.

How Cruise Providers Are Unlocking New Ports With GPS-Based Excursion Tours

Why Traditional Shore Excursions Are Limiting Growth

Onshore tours have long been a staple of the cruise industry, but they come with challenges:

• High operational costs for buses, guides, and partner coordination
• Limited flexibility for passengers who want to explore on their own
• Language barriers that reduce accessibility for global guests
• Capacity issues during high-volume disembarkations

These limitations not only strain your team—they can also frustrate guests who want more independence and immersion.

The Power of GPS-Based Audio Tours

GPS-based excursion tours solve these problems by giving guests the freedom to explore while still receiving a professionally curated experience.

Here’s how it works with Sulu:

1. Define Points of Interest in a port or nearby city (museums, restaurants, landmarks, markets, trails, etc.)

2. Add Narration Content for each stop, sharing historical context, cultural insights, or insider recommendations.

3. Sulu Auto-Generates natural-sounding AI voice narration and translates it into multiple languages.

4. Guests Download the Tour via the Sulu app and receive a code from your staff or booking system.

As they explore, the app plays location-aware audio triggered by GPS—just like a personal tour guide in their pocket.

A Better Shore Experience for Guests

Cruise passengers are increasingly looking for flexible, self-paced options that don’t require joining a large group or sticking to a strict itinerary. With GPS-based cruise excursions, they can:

• Explore solo, in small groups, or as couples—on their own schedule
• Choose their preferred language
• Take the tour at their own pace, with the ability to pause, linger, or skip
• Enjoy immersive audio storytelling without being rushed from stop to stop

This creates a premium, private tour experience—without the cost of a private guide.

Scalable, Multilingual, and Maintenance-Free for Cruise Providers

For cruise companies, GPS-based tours with Sulu unlock huge operational advantages:

• No guides or transportation required
• Multilingual narration in 20+ languages at no added staffing cost
• Reusable content across sailings and ports—build it once, use it forever
• Easy integration into shore excursion offerings or onboard upsell packages
• Great for underserved or smaller ports where traditional tours aren’t feasible

Plus, content updates can be made in real time through Sulu’s intuitive content management system—no printed materials or partner coordination needed.

Unlock More Value in Every Port

GPS-based tours don’t replace traditional excursions—they enhance and expand what’s possible. Whether you’re sailing to big-name destinations or smaller hidden gems, platforms like Sulu give you the tools to:

• Offer high-quality tours in any location
• Serve more guests without increasing staffing
• Deliver a contactless, modern experience that aligns with current travel expectations

Let your passengers explore more—with less effort on your end.

See how Sulu can power flexible, multilingual shore excursions. Explore the platform here.