edinburgher

5 hours ago, jeffyd said:

both said they don’t have enough people to go.

How many would they need?  Could you ask on your Roll Call if any fellow passengers would be interested in joing the small group?

7 hours ago, Judyrem said:

his place looks magnificent!  Philip of Macedon and son Alexander lived there.  Vergina is the modern name.

i think only one member so far

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=aigai&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

Vergina past threads here

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=aigai&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

On 4/29/2024 at 4:45 AM, didlysquat said:

can someone tell me what the cost of the ship tour from Alesund to Trollstigen is now in 2024? I note that this post is quite old

I personally would not be too focused in tour details as they will all follow much the same itinerary. 

I would be more inclined to book by price, because do remember that, should the weather be less than perfect that day, if rainy and cloudy you won't see too much anyway, so the less it cost the better.

Trollstigen (we went from Aldasnes, a shorter distance than from Alesund) and Mt Dalsnibba from Geiranger were the two most expensive tours we booked on our Norway itineraries, and we did stress a little  in case one or both would be spoiled by poor weather.  As it turned out the weather gods smiled on us and all was well,but it could have been very different.

Should you decide to instead stay in Alesund where there is lots to see and do, reading past posts might help you decide.  Choose from these

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=alesund&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=116

the following two past threads would likely be of most interest to you.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2942612-alesund-norway-my-75hrs-trolls-rd-tour/#comment-65505188

And should you decide to stay in Alesund instead, a favourite with cruise pax, there are many suggestions on this past thread, again only one of many to be found.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2826391-alesund-norway/#comment-62526938

This current thread would be a definite to read if you are planning to take  the Trollstigen tour in the next few weeks.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006356-trollstigen-closed/#comment-67332014

On 4/13/2023 at 3:06 AM, Ben2travel said:

I have been looking at a company called Sail Croatia who run small ship cruises along the coast of Croatia. Other than a number of excellent reviews on Trip Advisor, I have not been able to find out much about them if anyone has any experience with this company, I would love to hear your impressions.

 

Thanks so much!

On 5/2/2024 at 3:18 PM, rjp50 said:

I am also interested in this topic along with any of the other small (under approx 100 pax) lines that serve Croatia).

no experience sadly, although we have seen a few of these small ships/yachts docked at Gruz Dubrovnik just a little further along the harbour from the cruise terminal and very lovely they looked too.

A friend was interested in taking one of these and has booked a "Croatian Coastal" through ROAD SCHOLAR as she had read and heard many good comments about their programmes and thought booking on one of their small boat/yacht private charters rather than booking with strangers would give her more confidence in the overall trip.

Cannot yet report on her experience as it was only recently booked and isn't until next year, but she will be onboard a 38 passenger ship/yacht called the Vigor or something similar to that.

Maybe check the Road Scholar website for insiration? And also other companies which do similar small group exclusive charters.

12 hours ago, Softball20 said:

we already have our train tickets (CT train cards) from Trenitalia.

In that case, fingers crossed that, in any emergency situation, she never needs to use a cruise ship lifeboat!😉

Enjoy your dau in SM/P however you decide to spend it.

12 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

I am guessing that the crowds will be pretty high then as well?  

VV, you will know from your other European cruises that nowadays  Europe is busy almost year round, numbers slowly increasing throughout the summer season, but taking a huge leap in August. Sorry to say that, unless in Europe in winter months such as January or February, crowds are to be expected, only fewer of them. Sadly, overtourism has no boundaries.

Friends and neighbours have been remarking this past month or so that Edinburgh appears to be more crowded with tourists  than usual for the time of year.

4 hours ago, fruitmachine said:

There are two distilleries in Edinburgh now:

some competion then for the several gin distilleries!😀

35 minutes ago, eric4395 said:

Anyone had recent experience flying from UK if this  should be enough time to clear passport control

Sorry, no, not recent experience,  but unless there has been a very recent change, timing could be tighter than you expect as it was until recently at least, the norm to have to collect your hold luggage on arrival at your connecting airport, (for you JFK) then recheck it for the next flight.

2 hours ago, nlooser said:

Does anyone know if NCL provides shuttle stools Town Dubrovnik?

Should they provide one, (and most do as they are a good money earner for the cruiselines) it will probably cost more than the public bus both ways.  Or a taxi if there are more than two of you.

There is not a lot to gain using a shuttle as it starts at the port and will only run to Pile Gate, the last vehicular access to the Old Town.  The buses and taxis also  run to there, with taxis also at the dock and public buses just outside the port gate.  For the Old Town buses stay on that same side of the road, do not cross,  but when returning you would get off on the opposite side. For the return, shuttle buses, taxis and buses all leave from Pile Gate and  depending on how many they are running and the number of passengers wanting to return, there may be long lines for ship shuttle buses..

In addition to running from A to B, taxis also offer tours.  Buses are regular and quite frequent.  LIBERTAS is the local bus company and timetables can be easily found online. NCL ships are "big girls",😀 so assume you will be at GRUZ harbour not tendering into the Old Town, so look for GRUZ (and Pile) on the timetables.

Past threads for Dubrovnik. choose which to read from these

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=dubrovnik&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

On 5/1/2024 at 8:42 AM, edinburgher said:

Exit station on to main road, look for the entrance gate to the old walled city, which should be slightly to your left if I remember correctly, and you are there.

Only now noticed that i should have pointed out tha, having once exited the station to the main  road, it is necessary to cross that road to enter the historic walled section of Lucca.

8 hours ago, js10 said:

Our port is Chania.

Reading some of the past threads might help, in addition to the usual Tripadvisor, Frommer's, Fodors, YouTube, Rick Steves and anything else which appears when you google eg "Chania (or Mykonos) Tourist Information". You could also google something like "self guided walking tours Chania (or Mykonos)"

I take it you are not planning on walking all of Mykonos island either?

if staying in the main town on both, you really would not need any tour guided or self guided,  as both are quite small but pretty towns and it would be difficult to get lost in either..

Choose from these

Chania

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=chania&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

Mykonos

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=mykonos&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

7 hours ago, Beach Basket said:

an easy train ride to and from Rouen?

it is only a little under an hour from le Havre to Rouen by train, direct with  no changes.

There have been a number of past threads about doing this, and if you have not already done so, reading some of them might help.  Choose from these:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=rouen&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462:

4 hours ago, llbiopoet said:

So, I've been researching Scotch tasting tours from Edinburgh.

There is also the Johnnie Walker Experience on Princes St.😀

11 hours ago, Softball20 said:

Thanks for the input.  I originally thought we would head right to Portofino, but we will have just come from time in Cinque Terre and Lucca, so it seemed to be a good fit for us to stay put in SML and enjoy the lovely Italian Riviera.   One of the people in my group likely won't get on the ferry, LOL, although walking is always an option.  Too many choices!!

One of the people in my group likely won't get on the ferry,

How strange , because if that same person is also visiting Cinque Terre, I assume you are all doing it by train, not by ferry?

5 hours ago, CruisingSince1982 said:

know this is an older post, but did you have any issue using a credit card in Split? 

Unless you are trying to use AMEX, (not at all popular with businesses in Europe and may not always be accepted) Croatia is a member country of the EU and their currency is now the euro. You should in theory have no issues using Visa or MC.

14 hours ago, Softball20 said:

We don't necessarily want to go to Portofino

sorry, I have no knowledge of beaches there, but I wanted to add to your about Portofino.

I would still consider it as it is so close and so pretty, even should you only spend an hour or so there as it is tiny. You can choose to get there from SML on foot, by public bus, taxi, or ferry.  Should you decide to go, take the ferry at least one of the two directions as it is a truly scenic  15 /20 minute ride with wonderful views of both towns.

But I recommend you dine in SML as Portofino is more expensive with  fewer choices.

2 hours ago, ssummer said:

It seems a difficult cruiseport...and I have some questions:

 Perhaps there may be info to be found in past threads?.  If you have not already done so, choose which to read from these

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q="le verdon"&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy

1 hour ago, js10 said:

Mykonos and Crete.  I plan to do self-guided walking tours from the cruise ports.

There are several ports of call options on Crete, but as you won't be porting in all of them, for best replies which one or two are you referring to?😀

On 4/28/2024 at 9:49 AM, Free and Easy said:

Wonder if we are pressing it too much as I understand travel time one way is already 2.5 to 3 hours.

Of the past threads available from the link above, this is probably the most helpful.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2993076-looking-for-ideas-for-kusadasi-other-than-ephesus/#comment-66965930

6 hours ago, Rainbow3fe said:

he Archeological Museum. 

I would appreciate any input. 

the Archaeological Museum for sure.  World class, and if you are passionate about history, you could easily spend an entire day, or more than one day, inside. You don't need to see it all, but can choose which of the various halls to visit depending on your interests.

We spent  almost entire day in there on our first visit,(there is a cafe) less on our second a few years later.  By contrast we were in and out of the Acropolis Museum in around an hour.  Maybe just us as we felt it didn't meet our expectations,and we were a little disappointed , but visiting the Archaeological Museum first may have influenced our opinions.

Having said that, others who have visited both  may have a preference for the Acropolis Museum.

8 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

any of this new information from what I provided?

For sure the last paragraph, IMHO the most important info source for first time visitors which nobody had mentioned until then, otherwise I had an "oops/senior moment" as had not noticed that I was replicating some of your post albeit in a different way from your own. Sorry you took umbrage as that wasn't my intention.

On 4/30/2024 at 12:15 AM, roupa said:

Looking for info/suggestions for Tapas and Flamenco show

Lots of info for your topics  on posts #5 and #6 on this thread currently almost next to your own, so I recommend you look at them.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006102-hotel-1898/#comment-67323739

3 hours ago, Katemusical said:

I am trying to find a company that 6 of us can see all of the main sites with line passes, plus Burano and Murano. There is a company on Viator that offers it, but only has 2 seats available.

An astonishing itinerary promise  for one day, so assume that there are no inside visits and that Burano and Murano must be really really brief stops. Any tour offering all that in one day  should have you reading the tour description very very carefully so you are clear about what is included and what is not..

And remember that Viator is not a tour providor, only a middleman and your contracted T's and C's will be those of Viator rather than whichever tour company they book you with.

You could very very easily complete your wish list independently, by following the advice from eurocruiser in post #6 and taking the public vaporetto to Murano and Burano.  Without a guide you can visit whichever glass factories or showrooms (or none) of your choosing and enjoy a nice lunch somewhere.  You can also go at your own pace.

It reads as if this will be your first Venice visit. 

Have you read any of the previous threads which mention the excellent and highly recommened website https://europeforvisitors.com/venice/.? It should be your first info source for all things Venice and the more you look into it, the more you will find. In addition to the obvious questions, it will answer questions you didn't even know you wanted to ask.😀

58 minutes ago, alserrod said:

It's quite popular there.

(the dance of Barcelona and all of Catalonia is the Sardana)

We watched some local residents dancing this outdoors next to the Cathedral.  It is performed 2 or 3 times a week in public places.  Google for info on the where and when.

And if you  are in the Montjuic Park, look for the sculpture which depicts a group of sardana dancers. You will probably recognise it from images on postcards and from souvenirs.

1 minute ago, lisa928 said:

Either way I am sure it will work out.

Any where away is better than any other day at home!😁