ollienbertsmum

On 3/30/2024 at 2:28 PM, MajSteve said:

Going to be in Gibraltar on 16 April. The ship indicates docking at 10:00 am. (I realize that this is "flexible" to say the least!) Anyway, in my research, most folks say it is about a 30–40-minute walk to the cable station terminal from the cruise dock. I'm a good walker, so is this fairly accurate? Or would it be smarter to take the bus from North Mole Road as mentioned by Zana711 above in order to get to the cable station? Then I could always walk back to the cruise port to see downtown. (The bus fares are cheaper than a heart attack!) Thanks for the advice. 

You have already had your trip.  I hope that you had a good day even though the weather was a bit dodgy across the region.  For the benefit of others I would say that it is easily walkable from ship to cable car if you are a regular walker.  
 

The 2, 3, 4, 9 and 5/10 all go to the cable  car station.  I often walk by after visiting Alameda gardens with my nephew and notice the queues.  They can be longgg.  I recommend getting out there early.  

On 4/14/2024 at 5:48 PM, HMSDingy said:

Thanks. We've booked an excursion in Gibraltar for which I will pay the exact amount with no change coming my way and will do any sort of shopping in plastic. 

In Gibraltar you can use euro to pay for items such as ice creams.  Not recommended for larger items because the exchange rate a business would offer you is definitely not in the shopper’s favor.  
 

However there are very few places that won’t accept plastic.  Even a place I occasionally buy coffee from, only £1.50, will take a card.  
 

It is acceptable to ask businesses for change in sterling - we all know the issue of not being able to use local currency outside Gibraltar.
 

Enjoy your port stop in Gibraltar.

15 minutes ago, alserrod said:

 

 

 

OK broken engine and so on but..... bad weather in Malaga???

Ok so I am a very cautious person, and I was thinking how you can be late in due to bad weather during the last night of the cruise.  Storms are not completely unheard of in the area.  Last  month my plane (different to a ship I know) was diverted from Malaga to Seville due to poor visibility.  
 

Does this help.  I was looking for beach photos but didn’t see any.  It is a strange picture because it looks like the ship is on a car park.  It is 2012 so things could have changed.  We were just about to sail away, no idea what I was trying to capture in the photo.  

On 4/2/2024 at 11:36 AM, orla56 said:

Thank you Edinburgher and Zana 711 for your very helpful replies.

My husband has Parkinsons and thought a hoho would have been easier for him as sometimes his mobility isn't so good.

I really want to see the Arts and Science area as I had seen it on tv.

Its funny when I have seen it  I thought for some reason it would be in the city near the beach 🤦🏻‍♀️.We will get either the bus or a taxi to there and see how we get on for time to visit the beach or the old town.

Could you tell me when you are coming off the ship at the port do you go into a  terminal suitable for a wheelchair or is it just like a gangplank you walk off.

Thanks again for your helpful information.

We went a few years ago.   We took the shuttle to the old town - I wanted to visit la lonja de seda (worth it) then we took a public bus to the beach.  It was a Sunday in the middle of summer, it was easy to see which buses were beach bound.  I recall being really impressed by the beach.  I’m not a big fan of the pool deck on a cruise ship, it was nice to get cool with room to breathe.  

We have done it easily.  This was on a cruise that called into Schengen ports only.  I would want a plan B in case of bad weather, engine trouble or any of the other causes of delay.  I can’t go anywhere without a Plan B though. 

I’m not sure that I do know what French people are like.  I googled it and apparently they are famous for food, wine, love, art and fashion.  Sounds a good basis for a cruise.  

1 hour ago, afdds said:

 If I understand correctly,  You took the train station Santa Lucia back to the ship?  Did you have to make any connections?  Is there only the one station to get off at in Trieste.  Was there restrooms on the train?  I'm sorry for all theses question.  I'm trying to figure out if I want to book with Holland American in July 2025.  They have an overnight stop in Trieste.  The day tour is $319 each.  Im thinking I would rather spend that money on a hotel.  Thank you for the help.

To be honest you still have a whole year to go.  I think the route and options for Venice to Trieste are getting better.  We did fine taking the train from Bologna to Trieste and Airbnb the day before embarking and then using FlixBus to Venice for our return.  That was a year ago and I think it is getting to be a road more well traveled.  
 

So you have this season to keep on reading reviews and blogs.  Make that your summer homework.  You have time to make decisions during the winter 

You have not said when you are taking the cruise, that makes a great deal of difference - from my experience small children work better in the cooler weather.  If you are going during summer months then you can find some good beaches in Barcelona, Cadiz (brilliant beaches), and Cannes where a short walk from tender drop off is a public beach.  OR a short ferry to Ile Saint Marguerite for walks or beaches could make a great day out.  Just take swimwear and towels (I always carry those small towels you can get from sports shops) because you might come across the possibility of bathing when you don’t expect it.
 

I am sure that there must be some great play parks around these cities too.   I agree that you would be best to avoid long treks like to Florence, but difficult to advise without knowing if this is 1. A once in a lifetime trip to Europe with kids in tow or 2.  A great cruise where we want to find things for the kids to do during the day.  
 

Does that make sense? The two cruises require different approaches.  I have done both - and version 2 worked out better. 
 

13 hours ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

We are 4 ladies, all from different families and when we go out to eat in Italy or Greece, looking for advice on how to pay our share of the bill.  We really don't want everyone to bring along cash or have to ask the server to write 4 separate checks.  Has anyone else any experience with this situation?  TIA

Now that so many people pay by card splitting the bill is much easier.  In November on a trip with three other ladies, one used her card and we all sent her money to cover expenses of the trip.  When we go out at home we will divide the tip and bill by the number of people and all pay that.  The waiter goes around the table taking cash or uses the card machine.  Perhaps it takes a few minutes longer than if one person pays - but they are used to it.  It is how people go out to eat in digital times.  

1 minute ago, alserrod said:

I am preparing my DIY at Cannes with my family.

 

Plans are to have late breakfast and not to be the first to have a tender. I expect not having problems with queues for tender.

 

Walking around
- Port
- Rue de Saint Antoine and Rue du Suquet
- Trav de la Tour until church and Cannes castle (in this way we will cross Le Suquet without big slopes
- walk down to the port
- Forville Market
- and going to La Croisette

and hope to arrive back to the ship for lunch.

 

I have surfed... may we do not want to walk back to the ship, there's a bus along La Croisette every 15 minutes to the ship
 

Your day sounds pretty much like our first day trip to Cannes.  It was really enjoyable and a relaxing day after a couple of long port days.  Don’t miss the handprints of famous people in front of the film festival building. 

On 4/14/2024 at 3:09 PM, mlmdaisy said:

I can sometimes do without a scopolamine patch if currents aren't too strong.  This next cruise is new territory for me, so I don't know if I need the Rx.

 

We'll be on a small ship/ yacht during the first half of May.  The cruise is RT Barcelona, spanning the coast between Peniscola and Sete, deviating out to Menorca and Mallorca. 

 

Can anyone suggest how strong the currents might be?  At first I assuming calm waters since we're pretty much hugging the coast, but I have no experience in the Mediterranean.  Thanks!  

The Med has not given us much of a problem in our 8 cruises - unless there has been a storm.  We have been in big ships though.   I think your best advice would come from the company running the cruise - or the crew itself.  Why don’t you take the prescription anyway and ask for advice when you are on board 

On 4/14/2024 at 10:39 PM, Joan18 said:

We are planning for our 20th wedding anniversary Mediterranean cruise in November of this year.

 

We have the port of Cannes on our itinerary. The NCL website really does not give much information on reviews. Ugh. This is a big dream for us. We never took a honeymoon, and would really like to make best choice in each port.

 

We are set on take a ship tour. But not sure which one.

 

I was looking at Highlights of Nice or Nice & Eze view.

 

Originally - we were considering the Monte Carlo tour - but I read many reviews that it was more for gamblers.

 

TIA for your help.

 

J

We have always done our own thing in Cannes.  We actually spent our 30th Wedding Anniversary (like you we never had a honeymoon) at Cannes.  We had been a couple of times before and had enjoyed just walking around for the atmosphere - expensive cars, views, buying a croissant using schoolgirl French, Le suquet, swimming from the public beach -(in summer) but as this was in November we decided to go on a ferry to St Marguerite a little island that offered nice walks.  We had a lovely day.  
 

I always say ‘next time Monaco’ but in reality I think we would likely have a more enjoyable day taking the train to Nice.

You want to do a ship tour I think so you have different considerations to me, in your case I think I would want to include Eze view with Nice.  I hope that the weather is kind to you during the cruise - we have had several in November and I find it much more comfortable walking around than July.  You do risk a storm though. 

With a bit of research you can do some good diy days in these ports.  Check out the ports on google maps as you may prefer to get a shuttle to the town Centres.  I think you will be stopping in Cadiz not Seville - it is a lovely city with lots to see.   Without knowing your preferences it is difficult to know what to suggest

Just left the cold rainy uk that Graham has described.  On my way home after a trip to see my 95 yr old parents.  Trip was extended because my dad had a fall getting into bed while I was there.  The broken bone will heal but he is struggling to sit up - his blood pressure keeps falling.  My sister is taking over getting mum too and from the hospital.  
 

I left early this morning on a plane headed for Malaga where my car has been waiting for me.  There was fog over the airport in Malaga so we were diverted.  Now I am sitting on the plane at the airport in Seville.  Ironically I have been planning a trip here for months.  
 

look how interesting it looks

On 1/28/2024 at 6:27 PM, donnajoy said:

Looking for 1-3 hour wheelchair accessible tour with very little walking for my parents for the following: Santorini Aug 13 after 2 pm 

Ephesus Aug 14 after 10 am

Mykonos Aug 15 after 10 am 

Naples Aug 17 after 10 am
 

any advice would be great! 

It will be hot in August, so you have to factor that in to your accessibility search.  
 

I would say that Santorini will be hard. It may well be that the cable car is accessible - but even when you get up to the town, we were met with a wall of people (Sept 2019).

In Mykonos we berthed out of town.  There was a boat taxi into town, can’t recall how accessible it was.  There was also a nice beach the other side.  A shortish walk and probably a pleasant way to pass the time ashore.  Mykonos is an island for fun.  

On 1/30/2024 at 1:06 AM, new_cruiser said:

Falling short by $158 isn't bad. If you go for a policy with higher limits, it's likely that the policy will cost more. When buying insurance, I'm most concerned about it covering the big open ended costs - emergency flights home, medical costs (if not covered internationally by your regular medical insurance), loss of all or most of the trip cost. Over the years of traveling, I'm probably ahead even if I had to pay for a few high season hotel nights.

 I agree 100%.

On 1/31/2024 at 4:04 AM, JRG said:

 

Thanks for the tip...we also don't want to spoil anybody's Grey Poupon,  but for us the decision is pretty obvious:

 

Fish Soup vs.  Unesco World Heritage Site 

 

 

 

 

I am not sure that the decision is so obvious if you are referring to Chateau D’If which I am not convinced is a WHS Now if you are going to Avignon, that is a WHS and I think matches bouillabaisse for being a special part of your day. 
 

I actually thought that the soup IS an intangible heritage.  I checked. Gastronomy is, but soup  was not on the list.  
 

I have to agree with previous comments that Marseille is a port that we usually leave.  This has resulted in some great days out.  On one occasion, however, we walked up to the Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoyed the views.  On the way down we stopped in a kitchen utensil shop and I bought the best ever egg pricker.  We eat a lot of boiled eggs so I think about that cruise several times a month.  😂😂😂

On 1/31/2024 at 4:04 AM, JRG said:

 

Thanks for the tip...we also don't want to spoil anybody's Grey Poupon,  but for us the decision is pretty obvious:

 

Fish Soup vs.  Unesco World Heritage Site 

 

On 1/28/2024 at 11:23 PM, floridababa said:

This will not be our first visit. We will only have a carryon as the rest would stay on the ship. Don't know if the ship will have transportation from Trieste otherwise we have to figure out how to get there

I would anticipate that the ship provides transportation to Venice.  That would be their revenue for the day.    Probably the most convenient be more expensive method of transportation.  
 

What is your budget for the Venice hotel?   We stayed in a lovely but budget hotel near to the train station.  Even though it was ‘budget’ I think that it was the most expensive hotel I have ever stayed in 

Using info from Rome2Rio the public transport journey time from Venice to Ravenna is at minimum 3hours.  That would make me want to travel the evening before - but there still is plenty of time to go off at 8 am . 
 

It may well be that the cruise line puts on a shuttle from the airport.  I would look into that as my first option (and I rarely say that for shuttles).  
 

Bologna is a little more accessible.  I stayed overnight before a cruise from Trieste.  I have been to Venice before so was pleased to visit a different city.  As lovely as Bologna is, Venice is in a different league.  You have made the right choice going to Venice first

You can easily DIY in Barcelona.  I rarely see the point of a guide, although it can be enjoyable to listen on a bus journey.  I frequently refer to Rick Steves audio tours.  I have enjoyed some great walking tours - he has 2 walking tours of BCN.  There are also a couple of podcasts that would be great to listen to while relaxing on the ship.  
 

Hotels will let you leave bags from the morning, ask them before you book.   Just don't leave anything valuable in them.  

On 1/24/2024 at 10:01 PM, alserrod said:

Hi

 

I would try to be the first one to board.

 

Me too - but there still is time to do something in the morning.  My best embarkation day activities have been climbing Montjuic and seeing my ship waiting for me, being first in the queue to see casa batllo and visiting la Sagrada Famila.  

I have to disagree about attitudes to splitting a bill and paying by card, we do that frequently.  We do it when going out as couples when it might just be of each paying half.  We also do it as a group of single after-work friends who might pay very different amounts because there are those who stop for a water and others who have an appetizer and two drinks.  As long as you do the sums and say e.g ‘can i pay £25 please’ it is the easiest way when multiple people are paying with cards.  No one has ever turned us away or even questioned what we do.  

16 hours ago, Over from NZ said:

Just get breakfast delivered to the room that day.. jeepers 🙂 . 

It is true.  

Our ‘quick exit breakfast’ plan was first devised when we had a kettle in the stateroom (AOS) years ago.   I suppose I never thought to change something that worked so well for us.  In reality just a cup of coffee split between two though.  🤣🤣🤣