Bruin Steve

10 hours ago, heatherb1958 said:

 

We have stayed on decks 2,3 and 4 on Royal ships. 

Close to getting off the ship, when the lift arrives on your floor it will be empty 99% of the time ..

Port intensive cruise , you'll be fine.

Well...the main reason I am unhappy is not so much the location (which, yes, doesn't thrill me)...It's with what Royal Caribbean categorizes as an "Ocean View" cabin.  Now, as a disclaimer, I have NOT yet seen these cabins.  In over 70 cruises, I've never cruised on Deck Two.  Our last three cruises have been on Celebrity--in Concierge class twice, then in Aqua class.  When I booked this--OVER 14 months prior to the sailing--OV Guarantees were all that was available.  You see, this was marketed first as part of the "World Cruise", then as larger segments...and then, 14 months ago, they released what was left in smaller segments--and we booked two,

And here's the rub:  I sort of assumed an "Ocean View" cabin would have a reasonable window.  We could live without the balcony for 15 nights ...or 24 with both legs...BUT a window--something with a nice view outside, something to let in some decent amount of natural light...that's what I expected.  This ship has something over 220 non-handicap OV cabins on OTHER decks...ALL with decent-sized windows...and 12 on Deck Two with tiny portholes.  The rest of Deck Two is all CREW cabins.

And THAT description is only from what I gather from research here and elsewhere...but it's a bit sketchy.  The tiny portholes are mentioned by some--on Radiance Class ships.  And ALL RCCL ships are NOT the same.  Some may have ordinary windows on Deck Two.  BUT, assuming my research is correct...and we paid for an OV and get a small porthole the size of a dinner plate that you'd have to stand on the bed to even see out and that allows in minimal light...well...that sucks!

Well...

I just checked in for my July 26 segment of the Serenade of the Seas World Cruise (our first of two)...

Normally, we book balcony cabins or better...and we stay away from guarantees.  BUT, when we booked these, all they had to offer were insides or OV guarantees...So we took the OV guarantees.  

So, having now checked in, I did the barcode thing...and it looks like we've got #2018...Might be about as bad as one could get...There are only 14 OVs on Deck Two (Is the window even above the water line?).  The rest of the deck is crew space and the Med Center.  And, because of the Med Center, it appears there is access to only one set of elevators.

My wife said, "it's okay...we'll make the best of it"...I am hoping that since it still officially says "Guarantee" that it could still change...but I'm not counting on it.  Steerage, here I come!

Thanks, everyone, for the advice…

Looks like we will just pre-book the 11:50 and add an extra piece of luggage since I am certain my wife will never travel with only one suitcase.  

We’re headed to Southampton next month for a cruise.  Been several times, but, looking back, most of the time we’ve done extensive land tours prior, so we’ve usually hired a car.  But, this time, we’re only going 4 nights early and spending our time in Southampton (likely doing a day trip by ferry over to the Isle of Wight one of the days).  Hiring a car doesn’t make sense for a short stay due to high one-way drop-off charges.

Looking at National Express…which gives rise to lots of questions.

1). It looks like you need to book a time.  There’s a bus at 10 am and another at 11:50 am.  Our flight from Los Angeles is scheduled to arrive at 9:00 am.  With luggage retrieval, customs/immigration, etc., 10 am seems tight…and there’s always the possibility of flight delays and such.  Looks like there’s a “flexible” fare that’s about 10 pounds pp higher.  What do you book?  Or do you just wait until arrival to figure it out?

2). Looks like there’s a luggage weight restriction of 20 kg.  We’re traveling for a full month. The airline allows 23 kg per checked bag…and even that is hard to do…especially for my wife.  She expects to pack a 23 kg suitcase and a second hard side wheeled carry-on.  As I read the website, we’d have to pay for an extra piece of luggage for the carry-on, but It sounds like they’d weigh all three together for a total weight of 60 kg.  Is that correct?

in addition to the cost of the tickets and added luggage, we’d also be paying for a taxi from wherever they drop u# off to the Holiday Inn…so, altogether, we’re, if I got this right, looking at around 70-80 GBP…or maybe a bit more if we wait to book it until we get to LHR.  
 

I suppose a shuttle or car service of some sort would be a little simpler but also come with a significantly higher cost.  Is it worth the trade-offs?  If so, who to use?

thanks.

4 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

45 days before the cruise departs I believe.  Is it possible the time zones are messing you up?  I'm on the east coast, and it's 9:08P on 5/30.  But in Southampton it's 2:08A on 5/31.  So midnight in Southampton on whatever 45 days before your cruise is would still be the previous day in the US.  

But...Check-in, supposedly, opens at 12:01 am local time wherever the ship is.  Would that not be the same date whether you're on the website or the app?  Where I am should be irrelevant.  45 days would be the 11th either way...

Same cruise...

On the RCCL App:

On the RCCL website:

So...Does check-in open on June 10?  ...or June 11?

Or does it open on the website on the 11th...but open via the app on the 10th??

Our last three cruises on Celebrity, we were marketed the AI "deal"---included classic drinks, lower level WiFi and, on the first two, included gratuities (those first two, we booked in 2019 when AI was all they offered--and those got lifted-and-shifted multiple times for the pandemic.  Of course, the AI deal rendered the Elite Plus perks completely moot...though we received no discount on the packages for being Elite Plus.  Pretty much convinced me to never again purchase an AI package.  Hereafter, when cruising on Celebrity, we'll carefully use the free 240 each WiFi minutes and the 5-7 free drinks that we get as Elite Plus...and we'll just pay by the drink for anything we drink after 7 pm.

On Royal Caribbean, as Diamond Plus, we get two days free WiFi each per cruise...so, sharing passwords, we're covered for 4 days of a 7 night cruise...and we'll do the off days on port days where we can find free WiFi in port.  The drink voucher thong works out MUCH better.  We get 10 drinks per day between us...and my wife rarely drinks more than 3...So I get 7--more than enough.  And we can spread those drinks out all day and night...which is all we need.  As Diamond Plus, we also get a half dozen free bottles of water and a free bottle of wine in the room.  In addition to all that, on Royal, we get the Diamond (now "Crown" I guess) Club--which has a 24 hour espresso/cappuccino machine, cocktail hour appetizers and a better atmosphere and service.

Celebrity Elite Plus gives us two free bags of laundry each, RCCL Diamond Plus gives us one each--only makes a difference on LONGER cruises.  So, overall, the RCCL C&A Diamond Plus perks blow away the Celebrity Captain's Club Elite Plus perks.

All of the small print makes it a bit confusing...

But, from all I can see, none of this helps me at all.

I am, independently, Diamond Plus AND Elite Plus...and well into both.  IF only they'd COMBINE the points, we'd be only a cruise away from Zenith!  As it is, we're pretty far away from Zenith and Pinnacle.

All this does for me is to increase the numbers of Elite Plus and Diamond Plus around me, insuring any benefits are overstressed so that  the lines cut those benefits back further.  As it is, all we really get for Elite Plus is an extra free bag of laundry...and, for Diamond Plus, at least, we get those 5 drink vouchers and two days of WiFi--making it certain we never again buy a drink or WiFi package.

AGAIN:

Celebrity had previously reintroduced the Elite Cocktail Hours held in the SKY LOUNGE 1-3 nights per cruise--supposed to be restricted to Elite and above only--several months ago.  We were on three cruises that had announced restricted access space in Sky Lounge.  It failed miserably as they never cleared space for it.  What yesterday's announcements did was:

1)  Rescind the dedicated lounge space thing.

2)  Add embarkation night to the 5-7 free drinks.

What many of us had been hoping for was a return to the dedicated lounge and appetizers so that we could have better service and a more restricted space in which to socialize.  Free drinks are immaterial to anyone with a drink package.

Okay...

First, this is NOT much of an addition...more of a disguised takeaway.

I've recently completed three cruises for a combined 30 nights of cruising--back-to-back 12 nighters on Millennium and a 6 nighter on Summit.  And the experience with the Elite Cocktail Hours was interesting, to say the least.

First, us longtime Elite and above members recall when the event was really special--held in Michael's Club...with waiters who were incredibly attentive and with passed appetizers nightly.  Then, they converted Michael's to a Suite Lounge and moved the nightly event to Sky.  Not as intimate a room, but still, appetizers and outstanding service..

Then, because of the increasing numbers of Elite members (what happens with "reciprocity" and with free PUP credits), they went to in addition to the dedicated lounge, the ability to order free drinks at any bar (or, rather, many bars).  Some people liked that option, others of us didn't--we weren't availing ourselves of the free drink aspect (especially as we had been sold drink packages), but rather of the great service and the uncrowded room and those appetizers.

Then, the pandemic hit and Celebrity discontinued the dedicated lounge space in favor of just those meaningless uncharged drinks.

Well, a few months back, Celebrity announced the return of the Elite Cocktail Hours in a DEDICATED LOUNGE for 1 to 3 nights per cruise depending on the length of the cruise.

So, when we got to Millennium a few weeks ago, we looked forward to this,  The flyer in our room gave the three nights this was to be held and the location:  The Sky Lounge, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

So, on the first of these nights, we showed up...only to find out that the Sky Lounge was filled to capacity...not a seat to be found.  That many Elite and above?  NO.  They booked the room for Music Trivia at 4:00 pm and General Trivia at 4:30 pm.  When 5:00 came, Trivia was not yet over...and NOBODY in any of those chairs/tables had any intention of leaving.  Of course, none of them even knew that a limited event was scheduled for the room.

This same pattern held for the next two Elite Cocktail nights as well...AND for the three on the following 12 night cruise.

On my 6 night cruise, they had one scheduled...and, again, same thing.  The Captain's Club hostess TRIED to put up signs to section off part of Sky...but no one paid attention...and she wasn't about to move anyone out..  A few of the least desirable tables opened up--the ones near the stage, tightly crowded and not near any windows opened up...and she tried to direct Elite members to those...BUT there was no special service...In fact, there was almost NO service as the understaffed bar waiters were overloaded and weren't even passing by that part of the room.

I read this "new" policy statement as Celebrity giving up on an Elite Cocktail Lounge completely.  But, rather than announcing that, they are trying to phrase it so it SOUNDS like a positive:  See--we are adding a night!  So, for those without a drink package, you've been granted a couple of extra drinks embarkation night--IF you can find a bar waiter to serve you!

So...I just booked a couple of cruises for next summer...one on RCCL Explorer of the Seas...followed by one on Celebrity Constellation.

As always, I book the My Time dining option...So, I head over to the websites to make reservations.  No problem for the Celebrity cruise--booked 7:00 pm every night.  Head over to RCCL...Can't find a way to do it on the website or on the app.  So I go over to the shore excursion options...and there are LOTS of options.  None for Day 3 in Katakolon... but there are lots of great choices in Dubrovnik on Day 2...

Except...we're not going to Dubrovnik on this one!  Day 2 is at sea...

So...I head back over to the Celebrity app...where I see it has us in Cabin #9095.  Nice cabin...except it's not the one we booked.  THAT was our cabin on our last Celebrity cruise earlier this month on Summit.

It's all fun...  😁

Back in 2021, we had a cruise planned which ended in Venice...after which, we had plans for an extended post-cruise circling Austria by rental car.  Of course, that all blew up with the Pandemic.

So, now, we have B2B (sort of...two days in Ravenna between cruises on two different ships) cruises booked for June 2025 which start in Ravenna (Alas, no more Venice!)...So, we're looking at an extended pre-cruise to roughly duplicate the canceled one.

Both of us have been to Innsbruck but neither has been to Salzburg or Vienna.   I looked at doing it by rental car--but cars have gotten expensive  as has gas...and parking while in Vienna...plus, I'd rather avoid driving--though my wife prefers doing it by car to see more scenery.  I'm thinking the compromise is to do it somehow by train.

The initial thought is, rather than our intended 2021 route (Venice-Innsbruck-Salzburg-Vienna-Graz-Villach-Venice), that we simplify it by flying into Vienna rather than Venice...staying maybe 3 nights in Vienna...then train to Salzburg--2 nights--then train to Innsbruck--1 night--then train to Ravenna the day prior to embarkation and spend that last night in Ravenna.  So, 7 nights total pre-cruise.

WAY back, when I was in college, I did an entire summer in Europe, traveling everywhere by Eurail Pass.  In those days (pre-internet, pre-cell phone), it was EASY.  You got a paper card, you got on any train (in second class) and, when they asked to see tickets, you flashed the card.

I'm sure things have changed...and there are options.

Now, we COULD just buy tickets for individual train rides each time we need one--but I'd prefer less hassle.  The Eurail website has a tool where you input your intended itinerary and it tells you which pass to buy.  For us, since it's two countries (Austria and Italy), it says to buy a "Global" Pass with four days of usage over a 30 day period.  Since we're now both "Seniors". it gives the price for that as $550 total for second class or $698 total for first class.  It says there's an extra charge to reserve seats...but that's only necessary on some routes at some times.  I assume we'd use it the first time when we leave Vienna to head to Salzburg...second day of usage would be the trip from Salzburg to Innsbruck...third usage would be Innsbruck to Ravenna.  We'd be entitled to a fourth...so, maybe between the two cruises, when we have 2 nights in Ravenna, we could use it to take the train to somewhere else in Italy (Bologna?  Venice? San Marino? Verona?) and back for a "day trip".

Questions:

1)  Does the Eurail Pass make sense over trying to book individual rail trips for each segment?

2)  What is difference between the First Class and Second Class?  Worth an extra $148?  The site also mentions an extra $22 pp for "Plus"...but doesn't say what that is...What is it?

3)  Do those time frames sound reasonable (3 nights Vienna, 2 nights Salzburg, 1 night Innsbruck) or should we fly in even earlier and add nights?  Or, what other schedule adjustments would you make?

4)  Any favorite hotels in these cities?  (Back in 2021, we had booked the Hilton Vienna Park...I think it was the Hotel Innsbruck in Innsbruck...and I don't recall where we booked for Salzburg).

5)  Anything else we should consider?  Or not to miss?

All advice is appreciated.  Thanks.

We used this service when departing our Quantum of the Seas Alaska cruise this past late August...

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.  We wish they did the same everywhere.

We gave the ship the info on our flight home (late afternoon) and they procured our boarding passes for us.  And they got us Alaska Airline luggage tags.  They even processed our baggage with our zero fees--which I get with Alaska Airlines due to my American Airlines Million Mile Gold status (I was worried there might be issues with this--but there were none).  We placed our luggage outside our cabin the night before...and didn't see them again until we got to the baggage carousel at LAX.

This allowed us to leave the ship disembarkation morning with very little to carry (I just kept a small knapsack for my toothbrush/toothpaste and a very few items)...which allowed us to grab a quick Uber or Lyft down to Pike Market...where we spent some time walking around at our leisure and later eating a lunch.  Then we easily grabbed the train from there to the Airport...where, without luggage, we easily went through security and to the gate...Never before have I had such an EASY disembarkation from a cruise.

51 minutes ago, Acrusa said:

We have Hyatt points and staying at the Hyatt Recency So.Pine. Any good restaurants within a short walk?

Depends on what you consider a "good" restaurant...

There are quite a number of national chain eateries a very short walk away, along the waterfront just across Shoreline Drive:  Bubba Gump, Hooter's, Chili's, Outback, PF Chang's, Famous Dave's BBQ, Yard House...plus small local chains and restaurants--Tokyo Wako, Gladstone's (Seafood), Tequila Jack's, Shenanigans and Parker's Lighthouse (Seafood--and great views of the harbor).  A short walk up Pine St. (away from the water) and you'll pass California Pizza Kitchen and Islands and get into the heart of Long Beach and more local places and local chains--like Kinbg's Fisdh House--another good seafood choice...So, lot's of choices--though I wouldn't go out of my waya to call any "don't miss"...It all depends on what you want to eat.  BUT all are short walking distance from the Hyatt.

Okay...I'm a "local"...

I love the Doubletree...AND I have stayed there pre-cruise (We now live a little over an hour from the port, so, often, we extend our holiday and stay nearby for a night pre-cruise.

The area is very safe.  And, visually, attractive.  It is a little removed from the port and from most area restaurants --Though the 22nd Street Landing--Seafood restaurant--is walking distance around the marina.  For any of the nice restaurants in Downtown San Pedro (San Pedro Brewing Co,. the Green Onion-Mexican, Rafaello's, Niko's. etc.), the Doubletree will shuttle you there and back for free.  There are a few things to see and do in the area...or a short Uber ride into Long Beach to see the Queen Mary or the Aquarium...But after a long flight, you may just want to relax...and the Doubletree is good for that.

Here are some photos from our last stay there--the room itself ...and the view from our room:

I've been cruising BOTH lines from back in the late 80s...I'm Diamond Plus AND Elite Plus (without any benefit from "reciprocity"...by the time that began, I was already beyond Diamond and Elite independently)...and I have NEVER received a single point or credit on one line from having cruised on the other.

They changed the system from one point per cruise on both lines around 2014-2015...But that change only affected how points were awarded (per night on both lines with Celebrity going to higher multipliers for cabin categories) but NOT for which cruise line you were on.  Levels up to Diamond/Elite became reciprocal, but points were NEVER accounted to a line other than the one sailed.

2 hours ago, Northern Aurora said:

 

As someone who likes to live in a clean and organized environment I am still wrapping my head around the fact that our OP has luggage tags from a December cruise in their home. 

Actually, I didn't have old paper tags.  It was a file on my computer.  When the tags are available, I save them to a file so I can type in my name in the blank space provided, then print out the file and insert them into my plastic tag holders.  Every now and then, I clean out the old, no longer needed files...but I still had this one from December--it's less than 90 days old.

4 minutes ago, Northern Aurora said:

We board the Millennium on March 28 to start a B2B.  We do not have the words "Captain's Club" on the tags.  We are Zenith members of the Captain's Club and are traveling in a Suite.  I find it best not to overthink situations like this.  The luggage will find us.

We are on that same B2B--March 28 to April 9 and April 9 to April 21.  I'm not worried about the luggage getting there...just curious about the inconsistency.  I don't know what good it does for them to print "Captains Club" on the tags. Everyone gets to be a member of Captains Club after one cruise...Seems like the overwhelming majority of passengers will have Captains Club on their tags...Unless they are just wildly inconsistent on the same cruise. 

We recently printed out our luggage tags for our Millennium cruise coming up in a couple of weeks...

I noticed that these tags, along with the ship/sailing/cabin number, said "Captains Club".

I thought, I could swear, they used to be worded differently...So, luckily, I found I still had a tag from my December Eclipse cruise.

And, lo and behold, that one didn't say "Captains Club".  The Eclipse tags, in that spot, said "Concierge Class"...

Just to add specifics, we are, and have been for both of these cruises, ELITE PLUS Captains Club...and for BOTH of these cruises, we are in Concierge Class cabins...So, nothing has really changed.

So, who knows why the change in the tag format?  Or, is it just lack of consistency?

Only two good hotels in San Pedro:

The Crowne Plaza:  In the heart of Downtown San Pedro.  Walking distance (about 3 blocks) to the pier...though they also have a shuttle (for a fee) or you can do a quick, cheap Uber. LOTS of good, casual, local restaurants withing two blocks of the hotel (Try the San Pedro Brewing Co. or the Green Onion-Mexican- within less than a block.  Also a couple of good Italian restaurants very close.

The Doubletree:  A couple of miles from the pier in a very pretty setting on the small boat marina.  Only one restaurant on my list in walking distance--the 22nd Street Landing (seafood) but the hotel will shuttle you to restaurants in Downtown San Pedro for free.  Also free shuttle to the pier.

I have personally stayed in both for various pre-cruise nights (both offer Cruise and Park options which I have used).

First, the LAX-it thing is not that bad.  When they discontinue it, it probably gets worse, not better.

With LAX-it, the shuttles are continuous--one after the other...very little waiting.  Only thing we don't like is dragging our luggage up and down the bus steps.  At the lot itself, things are organized well for finding your ride.  And, if you arrive at terminal 1 or even 2 or 8, you don't really even need the bus...You can walk--it's right across a small street from Terminal 1.

But, as to getting rid of it, the idea is they will do that when the planned Peoplemover is done with construction...and, then, if I read between the lines, you will need to take the peoplemover to a new off-airport multi-story parking facility, farther from the terminals, which will have an area for Uber/Lyft/Taxi.  And you will compete for space on the peoplemover with everyone parking at these off-airport structures or heading to the off-airport car rental center. They really want to move as much traffic as they can away from the inner terminal loop.

30 minutes ago, desertdwellingsailor said:

That makes sense. I think we came on the 710 last time and our cab driver got confused by the signs for Long Beach.  So, if Waze takes me that way I will just expect to go through Long Beach first and over the Vincent Thomas bridge and off at 1C.  It will just be my wife and I and one or two rolling bags and a backpack each. Any reason why we can't just park and walk in over the crosswalk? Thanks for your help with this. Seems like if Waze takes us down the 110 it will be harder to get confused since we wont go through Long Beach first.

Easy enough to park and walk...the lot is right in front of the terminal.

7 hours ago, desertdwellingsailor said:

Long story but last time we cruised out of the San Pedro port our cab driver got lost both ways trying to go to Long Beach instead. I'm looking at Google Maps right now and plan to use Waze the day of (March 2nd) but on our cab ride the driver (who didn't speak English) seemed unsure of which exit to take. Are their any tricks you can share, maybe if you live in the area? We are driving our own car this time and parking at the port for the week.

 

It looks like we would end up going west on the 710 coming from Fullerton. Google maps says "Take exit 1C for Harbor Blvd toward Catalina Is/Ports O Call Village/San Pedro" Seems simple enough but in my cab ride the driver was confused. Are there any tricks or am I over thinking it?

 

Thanks!

Bobby

I'm accustomed to driving in from the other direction--down the 110...but it's the same exit either direction--Exit 1C--HARBOR BLVD...if you're coming down the 710 through Long Beach, you'd cross Terminal Island, then the Vincent Thomas Bridge...it's the FIRST exit after crossing the bridge...At the end of the offramp, you will cross Harbor Blvd. and you will be facing the terminal...the loop road parallels Harbor Blvd...You can turn into the lot...or continue around and first drop off passengers and luggage if you like, then circle around again and enter the parking lot.

You could drop off your luggage at the pier, return the car and walk back to the pier...it's only about 3-4 blocks...

Or, you could call an Uber...The CP charges $5.95 pp...An Uber to take you that less than 3/4 mile won't cost that much.

Or ask Enterprise if they'll drop you back at the pier. They may do it as an accommodation.

We've done a few Northern Europe cruises over the years...So, we've been to the major ports several times each--Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Tallinn...We're fairly comfortable visiting these on our own if we don't have a tour.  But, this July/August, we're doing a couple of legs on Royal Caribbean's World Cruise...and there are a lot of smaller ports that will be new to us.  Here's our itinerary:

Fri., 26 July Southampton, England Departs  7:00 PM

Sat., 27 July Bruges/Zeebrugge, Belgium 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sun., 28 July at sea

Mon., 29 July Skagen, Denmark  7:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Tues., 30 July Warnemunde, Germany 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wed., 31 July at sea

Thurs.,1 August Riga, Latvia 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Fri., 2 August Tallinn, Estonia 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sat., 3 August Helsinki, Finland 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sun., 4 August Stockholm, Sweden Arrives  9:00 AM

Mon., 5 August Stockholm, Sweden Departs  6:00 PM

Tues., 6 August Visby, Sweden 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wed., 7 August Klaipeda, Lithuania 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thurs., 8 August Ronne, Denmark 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Fri., 9 August Kiel, Germany 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sat., 10 August Copenhagen, Denmark 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sun., 11 August Aarhus, Denmark 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Mon., 12 August Oslo, Norway 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM

Tues., 13 August Kristiansand, Norway 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wed., 14 August Haugesund, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thurs., 15 August Olden, Norway 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Fri., 16 August Alesund, Norway 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Sat., 17 August Bergen, Norway 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sun., 18 August At Sea

Mon., 19 August Amsterdam, Netherlands Arrives 6:00 AM

Now, the ports new to us are:

Skagen, Visby, Ronne, Kiel, Aarhus, Kristiansand and Haugesund.  We've been to Olden and Alesund before, but only once each and it's been a while.

We already have tours booked for Bruges, Warnemunde, Riga and Klaipeda.

Royal Caribbean's shorexes seem awfully expensive and, since they started selling the full World Cruise quite a while ago, many shorexes are already sold out.  Others, even though they keep running "sales", they haven't been discounting most of their shorexes.  The ones they do are like 5% off.

Usually, if we haven't been to a port before, we'll book some sort of tour...but $300-$400 for a 3 or 4 hour shorex seems excessive.

So, for the above list of new, unplanned ports, I'm wondering:

1)  For which of these ports does the ship dock close enough that you can just walk into town and visit easily on your own?

2)  Is there anything in these ports that we just should not miss?

3)  Are there any nearby towns worth finding transportation to that are worth the extra journey...better than staying in the port town?

4)  Any providers worth using either prearranged via internet...or do any just set up near the port and offer group tours?

Thanks.