sunfan03

Considering Royal Caribbean cruise from Seattle to Tokyo in early October 2024. Anyone have experience with crossing the North Pacific Ocean during this time? Wondering how rough the ocean will be during this time since we'll have lots of sea days. Any experience, advice (if there's a better time to travel) or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks!

Yes! We were there in October on NCL and took the shuttle into Soulac. I think it was $10-$20/pp round trip. if you’re interested in wine tour out of Le Verdon, I can check my notes. Her name escapes me now, but highly recommend her tour!

@Jandrman, were there taxis that you could take into Soulac or it was necessary to use NCL Shuttle from cruise terminal into town?

@Cruisingmarmi, were there any other options outside of the NCL shuttle to get to Soulac? Was hoping we could take a taxi there but perhaps it is not available.

@Ladybug18 - good question - did you pay cash or use credit card?

THAT'S the term I was trying to recall - lol. "All aboard". Thanks, @ontheweb! yes, so for a 5 pm departure, aim to be back at boat around 3:30 - 4 pm.

On the Star leaving Southampton on Oct. 23 and got a slight schedule change from NCL (either arriving later/departing earlier for 3 ports). Not surprised, but need a refresh. Here's my question for the DIY tour folks: When in port, how much time in advance do you aim to be back on the ship prior to departure? It's been a while since we've cruised. E.g. if boat departs at 5 pm, what time would you (safely) want to be back in line to get on the boat? (and this is not in regards to embarkation day...it's for the different ports on our itinerary). I want to make sure that the on your own tours I've arranged will still work for our schedule.

@BoundForSea, we travel in late October, so I'll let you know. We'll have a full day tour with them (including pick-up from cruise ship and drop off at hotel with luggage after tour).

@njkruzer, how much time did you give yourself from arrival to pick-up? I'm not sure how much time to allow for deplaning, clearing customs and collecting luggage when we schedule Meadway pick-up. Also, what time did you have them pick you up at hotel to go to Southampton?

@Ladybug18, how many people in your taxi? I'm guessing 4 pax? Thanks for sharing!!

I guess I'm wondering average cost for a taxi that carries 4 pax from cruise terminal to Bilbao. I have a quote for a minibus to take us around Bilbao at roughly $125/pp, so I'm wondering if this is worth it. Or if we can save money and catch a cab to Bilbao to sightsee on our own.

@Ladybug18, what did you end up doing in Zeebrugge? I'm curious if there were taxis available in port...thanks in advance for sharing!

Update: The family wants to overnight in central London with the hopes of being able to do some sight-seeing, so I'm planning to book private transfers for them from LHR to hotel (two groups of 6 (one from IAH, the other EWR) and then my dad and me). The next day we'll have another private transfer from hotel to Southampton. The private transfers will take the pressure off of them getting to the hotel with their luggage - 😅

We're on NCL Star - so in Le Verdon on Sun., Oct. 29. Now considering a private tour to a winery or two nearby.

Still looking at options for when in Port with my dad and his siblings (14 pax). Does anyone have experience with catching a taxi to Bilbao? Cost? I'm thinking if we can get to Bilbao, then we can explore on our own. We'll be there at the end of October.

Thanks @BAYA - I'm working with them now to confirm a trip.

@gbits, thanks for the invitation, but I think we’re in a different boat. We’re traveling on Norwegian Star in October

Ok, need some advice...keep in mind that we'll be in Bilbao at the end of October and we're not really wine connoisseurs....but when in I reached out to Spain Day Tours and have this option at €115/pp: We will start this day-tour with a photo stop at the viewpoint of Artxanda to enjoy a wonderful view of the city of Bilbao. We will continue to the city of Begoña where we will also stop for a photo break before heading to the old city of Bilbao. Here we will normally do a walking tour of approx 1.5 hours that includes the Cathedral, Plaza Nueva and the "7 Calles". You will then have some free time on your own to possibly do lunch. Our guide will be happy to show you some nice "Pintxo" places where you can taste and enjoy the delicious tapas of the region. We will then head towards the Guggenheim museum where you can explore this famous site and spend approximately 1.5 hours surrounded by exciting art and architecture from around the world (we would probably skip museum). On our way back to the ship we will pass "La Ria" and stop for at the Vizcaya bridge. Or with Best of Basque at €110/pp: Private tour Includes 1 winery tour (Tkakoli, local white wine) with 2-3 tastings Includes 2 pintxos and 2 drinks at 1 bar in Bilbao Or Best of Basque at €140/pp: This tour of La Rioja is meant to showcase both the quality of the La Rioja wines and the stunning landscape found in the Ebro Valley. Includes 2 winery visits (3 tastings at each) and delicious picnic lunch within the vineyards of a boutique winery. Or should we just get a taxi to Bilbao (what's average cost for 4 people/car) and roam on our own? Maybe we could find and arrange wine-tasting in Bilbao?

@gbits, thanks for reviewing Ophorus. I'm thinking of using them when we're in port in Le Verdon. They've suggested a visit to a chateau in Pauillac (about 1 hour drive from port) for wine-tasting...I'm not a connoisseur, but seems like the Pauillac wine would suit my palate. If you have other suggestions/thoughts, please let me know.

Yes, that's what I'm thinking of trying to arrange. Except that we'll probably need two minivans or one mini-bus. If you have any recommendations, I'd love to hear them. We'll be in Bruges, Le Havre, Le Verdon, Bilbao and Lisbon (disembark). Thanks!

Pardon my naïveté, what's the best way to pre-book 8 seater taxis?

We're on Norwegian Star leaving Southampton Oct. 23 - I didn't see your post there.

@Cruisingmarmi Can you let me know what you decided to do? We'll be there in late October and the option to just go to Soulac-sur Mer sounds appealing.

@coopster, did you find a wine tour (or two) in Bordeaux? We're going in October, so trying to figure out other options as well. Thank you!

I reached out to Overlord a few days ago - I think I saw a thread where someone (maybe you?) recommended them. I think for the history, it'll be worth it. They offer the following: Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, American Cemetery & Bayeux Longues sur Mer Batteries, Omaha Beach, American Cemetery & Bayeux Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Bayeux & Honfleur I need to brush up on my WWII history (which I will do), but I personally like "slow" travel...enjoying my sites and not necessarily trying to maximize photo opps. That being said, I appreciate the timeframe recommendations @John Bull. Right now, I'm leaning towards this itinerary: Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Bayeux & Honfleur - but I still have to poll my uncles and aunts 😅 Sounds like there will be a group of them going to Paris (but not my dad and I)