edinburgher

Unfortunate timing given the upcoming changes..

Sorry I do know it is close, but we have not used the metro in Naples since the new lines and stations opened, only diverting around the works to install them as they took ages and they were in front of and along the main road from the port terminal. We got them twice, lucky us. But really, the walk from port terminal to the Cloisters is really quite short, maybe 15 or so minutes. .eurocruiser in post #2 gives directions. For the name of the metro station closest to the port and its location, try internet searching "Naples Metro lines" or similar and you should find it easily. As for the Naples Underground tour, we have not done that either, now wondering what we actually did in Naples city despite thinking we covered a lot of ground and visited a number of attractions on two or three city visits.☹️We even went to Pozzuoli by train and nowadays there is a metro line running there. Should nobody else know, you could read the tour description as there should be an address given for the meeting point, and/or one of these "how to get here" links. .With an address you can simply internet search the name and you should see it appear on a map, ideally one which shows metro lines and stations.

Cyprus and Crete It would have been helpful to members had you actually named your ports, not just given the names of large islands where there is more than one port option.😉 Once you know the names of your actual ports, there is lots and lots of online info to be found, you only need look for it, also look at shorex offerings even should you not want to book one as they give an indication of highlights from that port and what can be accomplished within port timings.. You can look to see if anything you liked on the shorex can be done independently. And read past threads too. So easy to find them using the fast search tool, and many will contain info and suggestions. And yes, Rhodes is very easy to self explore as Rhodes Town is literally a few minutes walk from the dock and isn't huge.. You could if you choose, do what we often do and search online for "self guided walking tour of Rhodes Town" (or indeed any other location) as these often come with full descriptions and a map. For your restaurants, should replies here not be what you are hoping for, try Tripadvisor and other restaurant review sites for "(name of port) restaurant reviews". as recommendations for a place on the opposite side of an island to where you are wouldn't be very helpful. Google could become your new BF, also past threads.😀 Lots of reading, but doing your own research means you get to spend your shore time doing and seeing only what interests you and at your own pace, rather than doing shorex where "one size fits all" with a guide telling you where and when you can stop and for how long. And think of the $$$s savings. .

Having never come across this so far, I have no idea if any other Spanish city offers painted line walks, but looking back at any photos or notes you still have of that trip might help to confirm if you did indeed visit Cadiz and if so, whether a second visit would be OK or if you would prefer somewhere different. Our first visit we mostly stayed in the historic centre including museums, the second time was mostly outdoor following the walk alongside the sea, but in reverse as we took a public bus along to Parque Genovés and walked back to the dock from there. This is the largest park in Cadiz and very different from the little parks and gardens along the seaside route. Should you have an interest, info and images can be found online. We visited a number of times, staying in Cadiz twice, visiting Jerez twice,once by train once by bus, and on one of the visits, as we could not attend an evening performance of the famous horses, we instead paid to watch a rehearsal and a tour of their deluxe stables, and one time taking the little boat ferry(very close to cruise ship dock) the short trip across to El Puerto de Santa Maria which we explored including a visit and tasting at the Osborne sherry bodega. We did all of these independently, but as we have not yet toured any of the "white villages " I cannot comment on that option. Decisions decisions, whichever best suit your interests..😀

If only we had been as fortunate, but we opted for cruising V a land trip. We enjoyed the trip and didn't regret doing it, it, but the visa process was not to be repeated.

Too bad as the timing is unfortunate unless friend and her sister decide to join you in Norway..

Do you mean the cable car? How lucky you are to be the only ship in that day, but you will be tendering from a big ship, so unless you have a cruiseline status which will give you priority tendering, it could be some time before you can get off. Lots of weather info to be found online by simply searching something like "average weather Santorini October"(and maybe November too if you are right at the end of the month) or simply "Santorini weather October" As for sightseeing, where you go and what you do is entirely your own decision, ideally something which suits your interests. While many cruise pax choose to visit Oia and/.or Fira, you do not have to do that. You could look online at something like "Santotini sightseeing" for ideas. And the usual Tripadvisor, Youtube, Frommer's,Fodors, Rick Steves and any others which appear in your "Santorini sightseeing" search. results. Should you decide to visit Oia and Fira, many many past threads you could browse, simply use the search too to find them quickly and easily. and there is the "pinned" thread at the very top of this Greek ports forum, full of Qs and As. This one https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2739131-find-it-here-santorini-firá-and-oia-q-a/page/12/#comment-67499183 October is good as less crowded and cooler too.

Too bad, but it isn't as if all fjord cruising will be banned, it will only be more logistically challenging to sail certain ones on certain ships should a shorex be needed. Just a thought, but could you switch the one for next year to the Med to a Norwegian one without incurring a financial penalty?

if you never before considered a Norwegian fjords itinerary, you may not be aware of some upcoming changes to fjords cruising. These were mentioned some time ago and some folks are considering bring forward their fjord cruising plans to next year before the changes come into force in 2026, any you might also want to consider doing the same. This is only one thread but there are others which you can find by using the search tool. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3017563-need-advice-booking-cruise-to-norway-norwegian-govt-ban-on-cruising-unesco-heritage-fjords/

How sad, but exactly my point. Way too close for safety..

In recent years, European areas, towns, cities and islands have become more and more popular meaning they are busier than ever, sometimes uncomfortably so.Expect crowds everywhere you go, although off season dates will be quieter ( ie less crowded but not actually quiet) than peak season. and weather is becoming more and more difficult to forecast. This summer, once again very high temps in Greece have forced the temporary closure of outdoor monuments and sites during the hottest hours of the day, some days authorities advised residents and visitors to stay home, and a small number of tourist died from heat related illness when hiking during the hottest hours.

Google will be your BF for this as the quality will vary, and there are some in tourist areas which will serve a mediocre meal instead of an authentic one, but charge a high price. Try searching "Best Boullabaisse in Marseille" or similar then take it from there with reviews etc, and note opening hours as not all could be open when you want to visit,(eg not all will open for lunch) also whether or not you need to -pre-book. You might want to choose one which abides by the "Bouillabaisse Charter" code. where you are more assured of authenticity and quality. There are a small number of past threads which mention bouillabaisse which you might want to read. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=bouillabaisse&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462

Cadiz is actually both a "destination" port and a "gareway" port for Seville, Jerez and for touring white villages, which poses a conundrum for most if not all cruise passengers who need to look at the pros and cons of Cadiz V Seville (usually the first choices) on one port day when the journey to and from Seville can eat up to a total of 4 hours depending on traffic. Reading what you wrote, Cadiz would give you all of that, and as ships dock centrally, it is much easier as you can simply cross the road and enter the historic centre or turn right and follow the seaside walk along the perimeter which is lined with little parks and gardens and cafes along the way, and from it you could cut into the old town at any point. The tourist office can give maps to help you find your way around as the suggested walking routes are colour coded and you follow the painted line on the ground for the route you chose, although you can choose to follow more than one. Seville ison a different level, but merits a stay of a few days rather than a very few hours. We twice sailed upriver in smaller ships and docked in the heart of the city, both times overnighting as far as tides allowed. And as one itinerary ended in Seville, before flying home we stayed on for a few days in a hotel. VV Can only suggest you read read and read more of the past past threads for both Seville and Cadiz to get the views of others, also internet search sightseeing options and reviews of both. to help you decide. choose from these Seville https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=seville&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465 Cadiz https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=cadiz&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

Toulon itself is not a "destination" port but a "gateway port" as it is well located for touring in several different directions, and as you have discovered,given the variety there are choices to be made and it will come down to whichever suits your personal interests more., and for that you need to read and look at images. There are references to private touring and which routes to take on some of the past Toulon threads. le Castellet for me is thumbs down, but only because I remember it how it was many (too many!) years ago. Nowadays when visiting the area with local friends, we prefer la Cadiere d'Azur which still retains some authenticy, but that is subjective and many visitors continue to visit, presumably because they like it. To help you decide, you could check Tripavisor reviews of "le Castellet VILLAGE". for us, the best thing there now is to be found just on the outskirts, and should you want a rose wine testing this would be the place. You could have a 2 4 1 with both locations in close proximity and could decide whether for you le Castellet is a thumbs up or a thumbs down because reviews are very varied. For the rose wine tasting, Maison des Vins de Bandol Very scenic drive through the vineyards behind Bandol to the outskirts of le Castellet. This is a really beautiful location, being surrounded by olive trees and vineyards, in total contrast to the stark modernity of the Oenotheque des Vins de Bandol in Bandol itself. Both locations showcase and sell direct every rose from every domaine/producer in the immediate area with a small number of open bottles for free tasting before you buy.They also have free parking. If you can only visit one of the two, this should be it for the charming setting alone.

As you didn't say, but assuming you are describing the beautiful sail-in to Kotor, that is not actually a fjord,(fjords are created by glaciers) but a bay formed from a flooded river canyon. It gives a very good impression of a fjord but isn't actually one. And yes, a Norwegian fjords itinerary would be the closest match, especially one which included deep fjords,but why don't you decide after reading replies from members about Alaskan fjords? As an aside, most first time visitors to Alaska prioritise glacier viewing over fjords.

Others will be quick to correct me if i have this wrong, but this is a more unusual question as there are fewer actual "fjords" in Alaska than you might expect, and unlike in Norway, cruise ships don't actually sail many in the way you might have imagined, especially if you have "cruised the Norwegian fjords" in the past and hoping for a comparable experience. For fjord viewing, the itinerary you would look for would include some of the better known which include College Fjord, Tracy Arm Fjord, Misty Fjords(usually a flightseeing trip from Ketchikan), Kenai Fjords (usually small boat touring from Seward.) and any others which you find when you internet search "Alaska Fjords" or similar. You would then have to match them up with itineraries, and doing this will give you the names of the cruiselines.

I could be wrong and others will correct me if so, but I don't think this is an actual tour operator, more of a "middleman or broker" which books you onto a tour run by others. If correct, it means you won't know which company your actual tour is with unless you can track it down online. by looking for the same tour offered by a local company. It also means that the actual operator has to pay a commission to Shore Excursions Group for giving them your business, which reduces their income and in smaller towns and seasonal ones especially, it is quite important to support local business. And as third party vendors quite often have Tcs and Cs which are difficult for cruise passengers and the actual tour company may have better, they need to be carefully read. And all communication must go through the third party which isn't always easy especially if something goes wrong. Many many past threads about using third party companies. Are they offering you something you cannot do independently? Or have you visited Ketchikan a number of times previously, because if not, Ketchikan is a very easy DIY port of call and offers a number of varied sights and attractions, more than enough for a one day port call.

That sounds too close to comfort for me in respect of safety should there be a larger calving which would create waves and chunks of ice, not always the best when a small boat such as a Zodiak is in the vicinity. Maybe others would disagree?

There may (or may not) be a beach somewhere nearby, I honestly have no idea although others may know, but as the port is one of the largest seaports in the whole of Portugal, views may not be the prettiest. And you would need to check if any beach offers services such as chairs, umbrellas etc, or if you need to bring your towels from the ship to lay on the sand. Try googling for the info, as few if any cruise pax will stay in Leixoes itself as Porto itself has much to offer, including a historic area, the amazing Luis 1 bridge from which there are incredible views, and a beautifully tiled train station building. The most attractive area is Vila Nova da Gaia alongside the river and next to a number of port houses where you can tour and taste. And boat trips too. You can take the tram from close to where you will dock to both the Historic and Vila Nova da Gaia areas. Info and images of Porto can be found online, and past threads could also help you decide. the usual Tripadvisor, youTube, Frommer's, Fodor, Rick Steves and many others. Choose which to read from these, which I already gave you in my earlier post. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=porto&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

The port is not actually in Porto itself, but several miles away at Leixoes (sp?) and there is really nothing of interest there so a tour of any description would be a waste of time and money, although that is only my personal thought and others might disagree.. Most passengers will travel into Porto by either taxi, public bus or the very easy to use trams. If you have not already searched for and read some past threads for info and suggestions, choose from these https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=porto&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

I think I would suggest passing on Marseille this time around as you have an opportunity to visit smaller, lesser known towns and villages most of which have interests or scenery to offer.. Ajaccio is an attractive enough town in its own right whether or not you have an interest in "all things Napooeon" and there arefor sure plenty of these. Napoleon aside, Nice seafront walking, some beach, parks and squares, many places to choose from for lunch, and best of all, ships dock in town and you only need turn left to find the HOHO or the little tourist train to take you around if you prefer not to walk everywhere. There is also the option to head along the coast to the "Iles Sanguinaires" if you want to walk the promontory, but if not, both the HOHO and the little tourist train drive along the quite attractive coastal route to the large parking area, the last point for transport. Past threads you could browse for info and suggestions. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=ajaccio&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462 Toulon is ideally situated for tours to rose wine country behind Bandol. This area is one of the top areas for rose wines although that early in the season you won't see huge bunches of grapes growing on the vines. Looking at the options you wrote, I think the first three, Bandol, (was wine tasting mentioned on this shorex?)Cassis (does this tour mention boat trips of the Calanques? )and le Castellet(a once attractive perched village usually reached by driving the route from Bandol with vineyards on both sides)will be grouped together as one excursion le Castellet is IMHO nowadays "overtouristed" and not much remains of the original village as most of it is now aimed at tourists with souvenir shops predominating, although several of these are quite upmarket stores, many with quality items.You can read le Castellet reviews and see images on Tripadvisor. Past threads for Toulon. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=toulon&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462 Apologies for adding that it is BORMES LES MIMOSAS not Borge's les Mimosas. Known for flowers and gardens, pedestrian only, although I do not know how "fleuri" it will be that early in the season. There will be lots of info and images to be found online to help you decide. And do dip into the wonderful Marvellous-Provence.com website which has wonderful town and city guides info. A number of towns and cities are indexed, but for others you can use their search box above the list.

Rouen is also worthy of consideration. Very attractive old own, historic, think Joan of Arc and very easy to sightsee independently on arrival. Only approximately an hour by direct train from le Havre with no changes required.

should you decide against an actual "tour", there is a "pinned" thread at the top of this forum which is FAQS about transport options in Barcelona which would probably be of interest to you. This one https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2976917-transport-in-barcelona-taxi-metro-bus-etc-to-the-city-port-and-airport-all-information-and-questions/page/2/#comment-66710099

Agree with eurocruiser that you need to pack and plan for potentially mixed weather. Definitely pack layers and good waterproof jackets and shoes with good grip soles as cobbles can be slippery when wet. And just in case, maybe have "Plan A(outdoor) and Plan B (indoor) options for each port call. Your ports will certainly be less hot than they are in the summer months so that is a bonus, and sites such as Pompeii will be quieter than in peak season, but many European destinations have visitors year round so don't expect to have sites/sights to yourselves.

Thanks for that update as many don't bother to acknowledge. When looking for that pastry(?) try to wander some of the back streets which parallel the promenade and/or visit a market or two.