muri96

Point taken.

It would be very helpful if cruise ships would discuss when a ship "overnights " in their embarkation and disembarkation information, the differences between the two, and what is allowed and not. There would then be no more questions about exceptions.

I have been cautioned by a Holland America rep not to try and do this because of the unknown about a possible delays in clearing a ship, and cutting the time too short to departure. But, I can't see port authority delaying a large ship. Surely, with flights only departing for the US twice a day, they must be aware of logistics. Holland allows arriving passengers from 9:45 pm flights to embark late, when the ship doesn't actually depart until the next afternoon. So why wouldn't it be an acceptable practice to depart early, after the ship docks, for the reason of travel. And why written approval? The other alternative to wait all day for the next evening flight. Then your choices are to shop, get a day room, or rest on the floor of an airport, because you aren't allowed access to the gate area until two hours before flight departure.

Our Holland America cruise is scheduled to dock in Papeete at 8pm (sat ), and disembark the next day at 6am.

Is it too ambitious to attempt to disembark after the ship is cleared on Saturday to catch a 11:45 pm flight?

Anyone ever done this?

We have taken the early arriving flight many times, again this coming July. If Holland America will take your bags definitely take that flight. Taxi to the waterfront and drop your bags. The market is 3 blocks from the pier and is open at about 5:00 am. I would have breakfast along the waterfront after getting rid of my bags. If you want, the ferry terminal to Moorea has a decent "restaurant" upstairs and they serve coffee, Danish, etc. Nothing fancy but a nice place to sit and relax while watching the ships. I would then head to the market. There is also a very pretty park along the waterfront, walk to your left when facing the water, that is work exploring.

Great ideas!

We have been drawn to the early arriving flights so that we can embark on the ship when its first available, and for this reason. If your flight gets delayed or cancelled, you have the possibility of getting on an upcoming late evening or another early am flight before the ship leaves port. I'm also hoping that Holland will allow some flexibility at embarkation as Norwegian did. There embarkation was at 1pm and we were on the ship at 11:45.

Fingers crossed!

Thank you. Sounds like something you'd like to forget, but I'm sure glad you shared this information.

Holland America's rep said that basically there are two arrival times in Papeete. Very early am (5:30) or late evening ( 9:45 iish ) Late arrivals can easily embark. Early arrivals are greeted by "longshoremen on the pier, who

take and tag your luggage, and do a partial checkin " Then you are sent on your way, with instructions to return at 1PM boarding process. Disembarking is easy as you can take your self and your luggage off the ship after its cleared to catch a late night, or early am flight. Taxi service hours are an unknown, however. A new cruise terminal is under construction for completion in 2020. I just wish I knew if there is even a building that is in existence now. The mental picture of longshoremen tagging luggage isn't reassuring.

Its obvious I need to have a conversation with my cruiseline. Trying to find the best airfare and times is impossible. Can have one or the other, but not both.

Thanks for your response

We are leaving on a cruise from Papeete with Holland America on Oct.14th. The ship is overnighting on the 14th with departure on the 15th, and returning the 27th with disembarkation on the 28th. Were does that leave passengers with late evening flight arrivals on the 14th or 5:30 am arrivals on the 15th? Then there is disembarkation. What about those passengers who have late evening departures on the 27th, or early am departure on the 28th? I am assuming that embarkation and disembarkation, because of "overnight" status, is now like checking in and out of a hotel?

If this is true, I have also heard that the cruise termainal and the airprort are not open 24hrs a day.

Does anyone have any firsthand knowledge of this process?

Thanks

We have planned a 12 day Norwegian Jade cruise to the North Cape in July.

We want to plan an independent shore excursion in Leknes ( Lofoten Islands ), a

tendered port.

Given the size of this ship it this even a possibility.

Muri, I found the 2014 elegant danube port schedule. Scroll down to page 8 of the site. I think this is the info you need. There May be some more detail on the excursion s here too.http://www.tui-incoming.at/workspace/uploads/pdf/tuirivercruise_en.pdf

 

Mary

Thanks for the info. I have printed out the schedule that you described. I have another question.

When you are on the land portion of this tour, does your bus arrive at a reasonable time in late afternoon? I am hoping to preplan some evening activities in Prague. Most begin around 6p.m., especially if you want to do a dinner/concert or dinner/river cruise.

Thanks for your input.

Muri

Hello Mary,

We are scheduled on the October 2014 Elegant Danube cruise/tour, and I can't thank you enough for your thorough review.

My main concern has been the absent of general arrival and departure times at cities along the Danube in YMT trip information. I find this crucial if we decide to pursue an independent area tour. Thank you for providing that!

Did you speak with anyone on your tour who did the "trails of the Sound of Music" from Linz? The description of the tour is a little vague, and I'm wondering if time is spent in Salzburg, or only on the outskirts. We were in Salzburg last year, and its not to be missed.

Thank you. Your pictures were fabulous too! :)

Muri