easy spirit

My documentation says docked.

So tender from where? That's my question.  

Definitely very confusing

Why some cruise lines (in my case NCL) still lists Venice as a cruise port. We all know Venice no longer allows large cruises.

They also list Trieste as the embarkation/disembarkation port.

Any idea which port will be used for the Venice port? An overnight in Trieste?

Trying to figure out the logistics in order to visit Venice.

NCL customer service wasn't too informative about my concern.

Just suggested an independent private tour, which will be fine with me.

Any comments, ideas or suggestions.

Thanks, Doris. 

Yes,,, the Bacardi Rum Co. located in Catano.

You take a ferry at its pier in Old San Juan

If you get the chance, go to the andient Moorish citadel of Carmona in Sevilla province. I enjoyed it more than I did Sevilla itself, where after just one day, the masses of tourists, gaudy shops selling tourist tat and tacky terrace restaurants selliing ersatz paella to easy touch tourists, really got on my nerves. Just wandering the backstreets of Carmona, eating excellent tapas and drinking fino with the friendly locals was fabulous, and with Spanish being your first language you'll be 'en vuestra salsa'. Osuna is also very nice, but Carmona is very special. Flamenco stronghold too

:-)

Thanks so much... Really appreciate this info, sounds very off the beaten path....

Thanks...we' we done variations in the South a few times..last year, mass transportation and basing, and an earlier one with a car.

 

Would like to see what you come up with though, we just adore Spain, so much so, we might do a "three peat" sometime in the future. We loved Seville so much that it went to the top of our list of cities for a month long apartment rental once we are retired.

You welcome.. A monthly apartment rental in Seville sounds lovely. Even though we are retired .... for the moment will settle for just 5 days there & see how it goes. My husband doesn't want to be out of town more than 3 weeks in total.

So we are doing Extremadura, Malaga & Seville ending with a few days in Madrid. We also love Spain... Well that's were my husband's parents were from. Still he has some relatives up north. That why our interest going North but next time...

You have not included the most out of the beaten track part of Spain: GALICIA

Thanks,,,, I know but been there quite a few times. Really all over Spain. Just wants to concentrate in an area. Now doing Extremadura & going South instead of North...

Doris...when you come up with your plan could you post the itinerary? I would be very interested.

 

Trains to base towns is exactly how we like to travel. We did something similar last November for Andalusia (train, bus) and loved it. Would love to repeat with different areas in Spain.

Change of hearts from the previous itinerary.... Without a private car it was getting a bit difficult to coordinate navigating around the northern areas in order to see what we really wanted. Not impossible but too much hassle.

Still doing Spain ... same days ....but decided... Keep Extremadura and go south to Sevilla & Malaga , finishing in Madrid.

Will definitely move around in train & buses from the base towns but it looks that these places will be much easier to move around.

Do not know if you will be interested in these itinerary but will gladly post if that's the case...

Travelling 3 weeks to Spain end September to mid October..

Have been to Spain many times,,, very familiar with all the major sites. So this time will love to explore different charming towns off the beaten touristy places. As spanish is our main language, communication won"t be a major problem around those more rural areas.

Besides the cultural, architecture, main sites, local cuisine is very important for us & If any wineries come along the way on this route it will be amazing.

Will choose like 4/5 base hotels (preferably Paradores) & do day trips to important places around the area.

Won't be renting a car, will move around by train or buses.

Following is the preliminary itinerary that interest us:

Extremadura 5 nights

Leon 2 nights

Santander 5 nights

Oviedo 5 nights

Will arrive & depart from Madrid...

Depart Madrid to Caceres by train.

Train or plane from Gijon or Oviedo to Madrid.

I am pretty good in organization & already have some logistic - wise information but.... Please web sites, suggestions, tips , useful information, things & places not to be missed... will be so appreciated.

Thanks greatly..

Doris Garcia

Being to most of the suggested places except the Yagkarta, Indonesia & Myanmar. Leaning towards somewhere in Indonesia as will be easy & inexpensive to fly from Singapore. Will have to do a bit of research.... Thanks for all the suggestions

Thanks so much for posting the videos.... Being to Phuket & going again in the cruise... Any other recommendationr?

It really doesn't make a difference if that's what you want to know....a matter of preference.

We did it as a pre... just because the cruise departed from Singapore & ended in Hong Kong.

So as a logistic matter for us a very convenient, easy & inexpensive to fly from Singapore to Siem Reap.

As others said be prepared for a hot, humid, tiring experience the visit to Cambobia....

Nevertheless a wonderful experience which I enjoyed very much.

Whatever you decided Enjoy ....

Doing a cruise to India /Sri Lanka departing Singapore. Will be flying into Singapore & will like to do a pre cruise to somewhere accessible from that airport. Were in that area a couple of years ago for a Vietnam Cruise. Stayed 5nights in Singapore already so that will not be an option again. At that time did Cambodia & Kuala Lumpur as a pre cruise. This time is looking for some place besides Bali, Indonesia. Any recommendations?

Last year we along with two other couples arrange a private tour with Zoom. The tour organizer specifically ask for him to be our tour guide, which he promised. Unfortunately that was not the case. Upon arrival we were assigned one of his guide, which by the way, was average not outstanding. Zoom comes highly recommended in many forum & very probably he is a great guide, but we were extremely disappointed with his decision for not keeping the given promise. He decided to tour with another group which we met during the lunch break. At least as you are informed ahead of time that he is not going to be your guide, IMO either choice will be good. We were able to cover all the sights. We loved HCMC & the Rex Hotel was a great choice for our overnight stay. Whatever you decide have a great time in HCMC. Doris

the ship wants $3600 pp from Mumbai to see the Taj - I was thinking might as well just get off in Cochin and see a little more ... so just us with maybe another couple?

I figured it was going to be on your own. Yes.... the ship's prices are outrageous. Our plan also is to a private tour with just another couple.

Unfortunately we are not doing your Amsterdam sailing, so we could share.

I just love the planning & even though previously have organized some private tours this is going the more challenging of all as there are many days /cities involved.

I already have some notes from "Donna in India" from cruise critic that was so gracious to share.

If possible will appreciate keeping in touch to share the logistics involving the tour.

Doris

PD I noticed you are from Ecuador? We are from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I guess one more thing in common, besides travelling ... the language

we are on ms Amsterdam in 2015 arriving Cochin on the 17th of March - thinking of flying to Delhi to see Taj/Agra/Jaipur & of course Delhi then fly out on the 22nd or 23rd and rejoin the ship in Dubai

 

we would miss Mumbai - the ship is over night there on the 19/20 - any thoughts to share?

 

we have our visa's already for a trip that didn't happen - I would love to see Benteng Chittorgarh but think its too far to get to from where we will be

 

thanks in advance for your thoughts/input

 

Patrice

Are you planning on doing this on your own or with the ship's tour?

Hi Doris - let me know again your plan. You arrive Delhi? Want to see Agra & Varanasi and then go to Mumbai?

Yes ... that's the plan.

Arrive Delhi late at night the first day as the only non -stop flight from KL is at 6:25 PM.

Probably Varanasi will have to be left out?

BTW.... the ship's tour will be roughly around 4K p/p for 5 days/4nights.... outrageous :(

Thanks for your time

Having our plans in motion for our visit to the Taj Mahal next year.

Decided on the QE's sailing & will do the overland tour from Kuala Lumpur.

Have 5 nights for the tour, before returning to Mumbai to rejoin the ship.

The ship will offer the tour but very possible I could do it on my own for half the price.:)

Please.... "donna in India" can you give me some logistics here? Is it possible to visit Varanasi at all?

Thanks,

Doris

Nothing firm. We're looking at the Ocean Princess right now. We'll keep checking Oceania and Holland America. We're fairly flexible in our schedule.

The Ocean Princess (the Singapore/Cape Town segment) was my first choice but Princess is only doing "waitlist" for my preferred choice of cabin. Do not know if higher cabins are available or if Holland will assign a cabin. This seems to be a very popular itinerary.

At this moment am deciding between Holland America, Rotterdam VI or the Queen Elizabeth.

The Oceania looks good but went to Jordan (Petra) & Israel (Haifa) a couple of years ago & those two places covers 5 days of the itinerary.

Great info Donna! My wife and I just started our planning too. Your info and this thread is a good source to start getting data for trip next year in April 2015. Is April a cooler time to visit the Taj Mahal?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Which cruise line are you taking on April 2015?

Dorothy,

I case you did not notice, this thread has not been posted in in 3 1/2 years. So I don't know if Jennie will even see your post to her.

Jennie (Aussie Gal) is very active on cc. Have seen many of her posts in the Ocean Princess roll call. I hope she sees the post directed to her & replies to it

Dorothy,

I case you did not notice, this thread has not been posted in in 3 1/2 years. So I don't know if Jennie will even see your post to her.

It will be great if the topic Taj Mahal overland excursions will be re-activated for the benefit of us planning to visit the Taj in the near future.

For those planning on doing it, please post feedback/recommendations for either ship's tour or privately done excursions.

Donna.... thanks so much for sharing the sites. Loved the second one where you share your memories.... very touching.

 

Will have time to plan the trip very carefully as decided to change the cruise for the 2015 season.... now it will be a bit rushed, plus the international airfare was way too expensive.

 

Later on when plans are more firm will touch base for a follow/feedback.

Doris

LOVED your photos of Old San Juan.... that's where we live :)

P.S. If you're interested, I have written a lot of info about these places....

 

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/8295b/108bb3/

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/8295b/10ce6e/

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/8295b/10bd12/

Donna.... thanks so much for sharing the sites. Loved the second one where you share your memories.... very touching.

Will have time to plan the trip very carefully as decided to change the cruise for the 2015 season.... now it will be a bit rushed, plus the international airfare was way too expensive.

Later on when plans are more firm will touch base for a follow/feedback.

Doris

You'll have to work out the timings but...disembark Mumbai, fly to Varanasi, fly to Delhi, private car to Agra and onto Jaipur. Bus/train/private car back to Delhi for flight out.

 

So for example:

 

Day 1: Disembark Mumbai - fly to Varanasi - what time you do dock? Traffic to airport from pier esp. if it's a weekday is going to be rough. You need to be at the airport about an hour before your flight. Traffic may take 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Overnight in Varanasi.

 

Day 2: Varanasi. (early morning boat trip on the Ganges, evening boat ride & Aarti). Overnight Varanasi.

 

Day 3: Fly to Delhi and take a private car to Agra. This is where you might have some trouble. The nonstop flights to Delhi are later in the day. If you could get to Delhi early in the morning, you could take a car to see the Taj and then continue on to Jaipur in the same day. But...if you don't arrive until late afternoon, you'll most likely need to overnight in Agra.

 

Day 4: Then day 4 would be drive Agra to Jaipur. Overnight in Jaipur.

 

Day 5: Drive Jaipur to Delhi for flight out.

 

It seems very rushed to me. With that itinerary you'd be okay with the time in Varanasi but not enough time in Jaipur and I definitely think Agra Fort is worth a visit. If you drop Varanasi, you can adjust the time in Agra and have more time in Jaipur. With less than 5 full days this will be tiring. Only you can prioritize.

 

Deepa at Mumbai Magic can coordinate all the cities for you (http://www.mumbaimagic.com). She has connections in all the cities you want to visit but I don't think she'll be cheap. If you want to check things on your own take a look at http://www.makemytrip.com, especially for flight availability. The earlier you book flights the cheaper they will be. Don't book on a 3rd party site suchas makemytrip though. Book directly with the airlines in case you need to make a change or miss your flight. A lot less hassle! Cars/drivers can be hired at any hotel - and are inexpensive. Check reviews of hotels on http://www.hotels.com or makemytrip, http://www.cleartrip.com, or http://www.agoda.com. Sounds like a lot but it's easy to make your own arrangements. If it's something you really just don't want to deal with check with Deepa or post on http://www.indiamike.com. Someone over there might be able to recommend a tour operator.

Thanks so much... a wealth of info. Flying to Varanasi from Mumbai was my first choice but the latest flight will be at 8:30 AM. We dock at 6:00 AM. Not enough time to catch that flight. Will have to work the tour from another angle due to flight schedules. TRUE.... Mumbai Magic will be the most expensive. I will ck. other tour operators like http://www.realitytoursandtravel.com/ http://www.grandmumbai.com & legends and palaces. Thanks again :)

Wow, either one of those is a lot of running in a short amount of time! I guess the first would be a day in Delhi, travel to Agra and a day there, then travel to Jaipur and a day there. Yikes. Does it then go back to Delhi? Varanasi is completely out of the way from Delhi and unless you are flying I would definitely skip it.

 

My own suggestion would be to spend a day in Agra (Taj Mahal and Agra Fort) and then split the rest of the time between either Delhi and Mumbai or Jaipur and Mumbai. If you have to fly out of Delhi to get to Oman then you can do Mumbai, Delhi, and Agra. Yes, you can add in a day in Jaipur but you're going to be doing a lot of traveling. It's easy enough to book everything on your own (I'm sure the ships excursion costs a bundle). I prefer Jaipur over Delhi - Rajasthani forts/architect are beautiful.

Really ... my main interests are the Taj & Varanasi. Arriving in Delhi from Mumbai was just from a "logistic" point of view not from any ulterior interest per se. If decide to only do Agra, Jaipur & Varanasi... IYO how will the logistics work?. Please recommend a reliable tour operator. Thanks