edinburgher

The mystery only deepens. Out of curiosity I checked and found this: 02.05.24 MSC Euribia 08:0018:0010:00

You could try reading about the hotel on the many online review sites, including reviews from visitors who booked through any of the hotel booking sites and gave feedback. And Tripadvisor.

And N. American 1st floor is European ground floor.😀

I personally would take Ajaccio over la Goulette. Ajaccio is very easy to explore independently and you dock in town. It is also quite a pretty town. la Goulette I am not familiar with at all. Messina is the better known port for first time visiting Taormina, but Giardini Naxos is closer. Have not visited Sarande, only Durres, but several past threads indicate that Sarande is a town where you would probably book a tour to Butrint. Reading tourist info for all of the above might help you decide, also Tripadvisor, YouTube, and guide books as doing so would help you decide which port calls would suit your personal interests. And reading past threads might also help . If you have not already done so, Olympiahttps://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=olympia&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463 Sarandehttps://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=sarande&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149 la Goulette https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=la goulette&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149 Ajaccio https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=ajaccio&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462 Messina https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=messina&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464 Taormina https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=taormina&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464 Giardini Naxos https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=giardini naxos&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464

We once had the same early departure flight time. We booked an airport hotel, one which offered a shuttle bus, but which was also within a few minutes walk of the terminal as walking would be our Plan B should the shuttle not run or be full. Given that you will need to be at the airport usually 2 hours before departure for short haul flights, usually 3 hours for long haul, (info should be on your ticketing) you might have to be at the airport by around 0300. For Athens, maybe 2 hours so with an 0400 airport arrival. Do check your ticketing or with your carrier, or maybe the info can be found on the Marseille-provence Airport website. The airport shuttle bus to/from Gare St Charles runs until around midnight, and takes around 30 minutes, maybe a bit less as late as that when traffic would be lighter, You can check the timetable online.https://www.marseille-airport.com/access-car-parks/access/bus/marseille-st-charles-station Or it might be more practical to book an airport hotel, if you can cancel without penalty the one you already booked.Doing that would mean you would already be at the airport the night before which would give you peace of mind, but you won't be getting much sleep in any hotel with such an early check-in anyway.

It could perhaps happen if you are on a teeny tiny ship or a river cruise, as I believe these smaller ships/boats still use San Basilio in the city itself.

You will barely scratch the surface of the city with that short a length of time, therefore I suggest you book a hotel in a central area with easier access to some of the sights, several of which are central and walkable, .also close to metro, bus or HOHO routes for any others which may be further away, although taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced. And remember that if at all interested in visiting the Sagrada Familia, it is essential to pre-book a time slot. Once you have researched Barcelona sights and attractions and decided which best fit your own interests, and their location, you will have a better idea of a convenient hotel location. I understand there may be some beaches near El Prat airport, but the nicest ones are in the opposite direction of the city closer to Barceloneta. You said Any recommendation for mid price accomms welcome Only you know what you mean by "mid price" but Barcelona has never been an inexpensive city for accommodation, hotel prices across Europe have greatly increased in popular tourist towns and cities post Covid, and Barcelona hotels have always been in demand, and at times can be tricky to find at all. You could investigate accommodation costs in Barcelona very easily online to get an indication of what you might need to spend. Google could be your best friend. It is a wonderful city to explore. Enjoy.

Reading some of the past threads might give you some ideas. I found these for you, because unless you use the correct spelling for a town/city when you are searching here on CC you will get no results. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=argostoli&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463 And even should you not want to book one, look at the shorex for that port for ideas, also internet search eg "Tourist information for Argostoli" or similar, also YouTube, Tripadvisor and others.

Sorry you didn't get any furher info despite your efforts. I would still consider contacting the local Tourist Information Office where it is hoped you could get additional information. (and the Tripavisor forum where you may not even need to post if your question has already been asked and answered.)

Hank, I am thinking that "the thin pieces of toast" are actually what we folks over the pond call Melba toast, which is also a popular accompaniment when serving fois gras, or pate or similar, (named after Dame Nellie Melba, as is Peach Melba). Blinis are of course the more traditional accompaniment.

I just had a quick look on the official www.flamport.no website and your ship is listed as arriving on July 23rd this year from 0700 to 1600. Viking Star is also listed for the same day. Just a thought which may be wrong, but is it possible you maybe accidentaly accessed an older port schedule for LAST year rather than this?

Have you looked at the official Nafplio tourist Information website? They should have info on ways to reach eiher or both, or you could contact them and ask. Should you decide to stay in town, I can recommend a visit to the Archaeological Museum located in a main square, which we thought had some excellent exhibits, a number of which came from Mycenae. and the #1 exhibit is a bronze set of armour from there. We had not seen anything like that anywhere else.

There is a dedicated website with transport options from all four possible docking or tendering ports for Edinburgh. Go to https://www.cruiseforth.com/ then "ind my ship" to be certain no change has been made, followed by "getting around" which will confirm the excellent info supplied by fruitmachine.

Korimako, if you don't get relevant replies on this board, maybe try cross posting on the River Cruising forum, as more river cruisers could have overnighted in Lyon? And internet search too.

And the Old Elbe Tunnel will be open. It is located next to Landungsbreucken which is a busy area where the ferries come and go from. Ferry trips are a popular way to sightsee the docks which are enormous, but also to get from A to B, and one or two of the routes are recommended for a short sightseeing trip along the waterfront. Info online for the tunnel and the ferries.

It is only a few hundred yards from the ship which will usually dock next to the train station. You only need walk through the train station, cross the bridge and you are there. Note that, as Warnemunde is a suburb of Rostock, you could have a very pleasant and easy day visiting both, by travelling the short distance into Rostock by train.Once there, go down to street level and take a tram along to the mostly pedestrianised centre as this will save having to take a longish walk along and back again. Including two trams,you might want to consider buying a day ticket as you will have four rides on transport and won't need to look for change or machines each time. Note that on first use at the train station in Warnemunde, you must validate your day ticket in a machine before boarding or you risk a fine. With a day ticket you only need validate one time. Without a day ticket you will need to validate each ticket whenever you use it. Lots of online info for both Rostock and Warnemunde to help you decide which sights you might want to visit in Rostock, also train and tram info. Some past threads you might want to browse for ideas: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=warnemunde&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=116 Trivia. In Germany, Sundays are legally designated days of rest and quiet, so you won't hear anyone using nosy machinery or any tools which would constitute "noise", and most shops will be closed.

PS I should have mentioned just in case it has not already occured to you, that smaller towns in many regions usually have fewer tour operators available for private bookings, and it would not be unusual for a cruiseline to fully book their services for all or most of the port day in order to accommodate their own shorex, leaving little or no availability for private bookings.

I am not at all surprised at that pricing. I hope it is for an actual race and not one of the practice races. Should you be tempted, I would first ask on the Azamara Board about the experiences of others on these very costly shorex.

Have not done this, but suggesting a few options. Ffirstly, you could contact the monument directly, either via SM, or e-mail if they have an address and ask about taxis. Or, have you read any online reviews such as those on Tripadvisor as there may be some information to be found there. Or ask on the relevant Tripadvisor forum, where your question may have already been asked and answered. Alternatively, contact the official Trieste Tourist Information Office where staff should be able to advise. Hopefully one or two of these suggestions will get you the information you would like.

A number of years ago we embarked Azamara Quest in Nice, where she was docked. laurieb, with two calls and two ports fairly close to each other, I am guessing you may be there around the time of the Monte Carlo Grand Prix? We embarked in Nice but the following day docked in MC, the day after the F1 ended when the town was in "clear away all things F1" mode.

Viator is not a tour operator, but a middleman, so you would not know which company you are booked with and any issues or questions you might have would need to go through Viator And you would need to read their Ts and Cs very carefully especially re refunds in the event of your ship not making it into port for whatever reason, or having a later than expected arrival.. Viator has been cautioned against in many threads across several boards so you might want to read some of these before booking. And be aware that Villefranche is a tender port, and you would need to allow extra time for tendering both off the ship and to reboard. slightly confused by these comments. I don't want to take the trains or buses anywhere, and We are wanting to stay around Nice If you"want to stay around Nice" you will need to take either a taxi, a bus or a train the very short distance to Nice. If you would prefer to spend your time in Villefranche, there will be lots of tourist information to be found on the internet, in guide books (borrow from a library?), Youtube and Tripadvisor. Also restaurant reviews. Doing that means you can plan your day around your own interests.

Cruiselines do love these "headline" ports, Rome, Seville and Florence are others,as these names are the ones which sell, but they omit to tell passengers the distances from where the ship will actually port to the "headline" cities. You don't say which year or month you might want to travel, but if this year, keep in mind that Paris is hosting the Olympic Games which could cause some road closures and/or diversions during that period, plus additional visitors to the city. Should you not visit Paris, le Havre itself is not terribly attractive, but it is a "gateway" port to a number of interesting/pretty locations in Normandy including the D Day beaches, and Honfleur so there are alternative sightseeing options. Here are some previous threads , some of which you could browse for ideas: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=le havre&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462

Not all of these ports must be visited only with a shorex as several are easy to DIY independently. If you have not already done so, I suggest you read some of the previous threads for all of your ports as you will find lots of helpful info. Easy to find using the SEARCH tool. The below is one example for Edinburgh, but others can be found here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=edinburgh&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=148 Independent sightseeing requires some pre-trip homework/research, but doing so can bring huge $$$ savings and give you sightseeing days which meet your own personal interests. #3 Posted December 20, 2023 (edited) I have copied below, a reply I recently gave to a question about whether a tour in Edinburgh was needed or not and you may find it helpful to read if you will be a first time visitor to the city. No tour necessary for Edinburgh. Once in the city most on a first visit will head to the Royal Mile and neighbouring streets. Including visits to eg the castle, museums, cathedral and other points of interest this area alone can easily use up most if not all of your time. This is super easy to DIY on foot. For information on reaching the city from whichever port or tender point your ship will use, go to https://www.cruiseforth.com/content/ship/ and "find your ship". The full 2024 schedule may not already be posted and you may need to check back. Once you know your ship location go to the "how to get around" section. Much tourist info about Edinburgh can be easily found online or by reading past threads which you can find using the SEARCH tool, and reading about the city will help you decide the sights of most interest to you personally. And of course if you internet search something like "Tourist information Edinburgh" or "what to see and do in Edinburgh" there will be a huge number of information websites in the results and many will also have images. One piece of advice. If you decide to visit Edinburgh Castle, buy your tickets online ahead of time and at the same time, pre-book an entry slot to save waiting in very long lines on the day. #5

Appears so. These small towns do not have the facilities to handle any more. I cannot remember how long we waited to tender in either direction in each town over both trips, but we were on small ships and it would have been a lot faster. Tendering challenges are one of the reasons we prefer smaller ships. I was trying to alert you that you may not be able to meet a timed pick up with an independent operator, (and possibly lose your money) unless of course you are in a priority group for tendering, such as a suite or have high level loyalty status, but as you didn't mention you had either, I thought to alert you. If you have not already read it, you could perhaps get some additional info from the quite long thread mentioned above which morphed into a more general info thread. .https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2812546-qaqortoq-greenland/ There are a few challenges to sailing Greenlandic ports, but also many benefits. Keep an open mind and make the most of it and I think you will love the trip as it is quite different from other geographical areas, and I hope you see as many of them as we did, because icebergs really are beautiful.😀

Indeed it can do especially on a big ship and even more so when only one tender can be used. I was warning about tender waiting times in both directions, because If you read the general discussion thread I linked to in post #7, you will know that one member mentions in two different posts (nos 26 and 37 I think) that when they returned onboard an NCL ship around 3pm, tender numbers for those waiting to go ashore were still being called, so unless booking an actual shorex, be wary of a pick up time with an independent operator.