aloha123

Thank you for this information!!!! Luckily I already checked with my Oia tour who said if this happens the tour will swap also. 

Perfect, thank you for clarifying!

Sorry if this is explained elsewhere. Did some searching and just need some clairty.

What I do know is that I will have unlimited internet on the ship according to my booking. Is this only in my room? Only one device or only one device at a time? 

I guess I would like to know if there are any free wifi areas on the boat. For example, if I am sitting on the sundeck and want to do some research for the next day's port on my ipad can I do this with my unlimited internet package? Are there free wifi areas on the boat so my husband can do research on his device?

Thank you, Lily.

On 4/20/2019 at 2:10 AM, excitedofharpenden said:

This is the port schedule on the 16th May when we are due there that I've posted on the roll call. I think whatever you do on Santorini that day is going to be very busy. I've never been there with so many ships and whilst it might inconvenience private tours I wish they would swap the ports around like has happened before if it's feasible distance wise. 

 

Phil 

So at what point will they decide to swap ports?

On 4/15/2019 at 8:45 AM, mrbluesea said:

*Its was just the sheer number of people at the wine tasting location.  If you are there when other ships are in they will also visit the same location and getting to taste the wine was a bit chaotic. Having said that, the view from the location was excellent, it was just the number of people that was the problem. 

If you Google *toms port guide* you will get a good idea of the docking issue at fira.  There is a good picture on the first webpage.

 

I assume downloading from this webpage is legit? It looks like a great website. Thank you.

17 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I second the suggestion to take a boat from the Fira tender dock to Oia.  That way you beat the crowds into Oia, and when you go back to Fira the crowds will be disbursed from there [at least somewhat].  There are two caveats with this plan:  (1) you must get off the ship as early as possible or risk missing the last boat to Oia [this happened to us]; and (2) at the end of the day, you will be in the midst of the hordes trying to get back down to Fira port for the tenders [and there is no way around that].

 

Another option – best for those who have already visited  Santorini and have seen Oia and Fira, is to charter a boat that will pick you up at either the Fira tender port or the Oia port and take you around the caldera.  It is a very relaxing trip, and you can swim in the hot springs at Nea Kameni in the middle of the caldera [and/or climb to the top of the volcano] if you like.  Most importantly: they can drop you back at the Fira tender port – so you avoid the lines for the trip down the cliff!

Thank you!

19 hours ago, hubofhockey said:

We love Paris and it's one of our favorite, if not favorite cities.  The loss of the Notre Dame is devastating and I'll assume that it will lead to crowds at the Sacre Coeur, which is beautiful in its own right.  

 

I'll agree on train and the traffic between CDG and the city of Paris can be pretty bad and also pretty expensive.  

Thank you hubofhockey, I also wonder what the crowds will be like at other sights now that Notre Dame will be closed down. 

19 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

So sad about the fire at Notre Dame,  hope visiting this wonderful landmark was not part of your plan.   It is heartbreaking.

It is devastating. Yes, visiting this landmark was part of our plan. Yesterday morning I was researching hotels closeby so we could walk there, unbeknownst that at the time it was burning down. So sad. My husband has been before but he was so sad I won't be able to see it now. 

19 hours ago, travelberlin said:

I am going by train from Nice to Paris. The train is a duplex TGV and it has first and second class. It takes almost 6 hours but it looks very confortable. I find this way of travel much nicer than taking a plane. Prices are quite reasonable also and you can take as much luggage you wish as long you are able to manage it.

 

this Webpage was very helpful to me when looking for information https://www.seat61.com/Paris-to-Nice-by-TGV-train.htm

Thank you travelberlin. We have now booked a train also. Nice to have that part taken care of. 

14 hours ago, flyingshoes said:

 

Depends.  Tender ports, other than special cases like Santorini, an hour minimum.  Docking  ports less.  Tour operators that meet you at the pier will often be flexible and monitor arrival times in real time.  If you book a private or small group tour they will always wait for you, within reason of course.  The ones you have to join in town or wherever may leave without you if you are very late.

 

Tip for Santorini: skip the tours, tender to the base landing, take a boat (several operators available in kiosks before you get to the cable car) to Oia that includes transfer to Oia town and return bus to Fira.  Easy, cheap, reliable, and you see the picture postcard spots.

Thank you Flyingshoes. Yes, I do have a backup plan in my notes about the kiosks where you can get a transfer to Oia. I might just go with this regardless. Thank you for your information!

Thank you for all your responses. Looks like 9am might be a bit tight for a shore excursion. That was my worry so thank you for the confirmation. The Azamara one would be less stressful but it says you can't book online (check onboard) so I worry it will fill up before we get a chance to sign up. Santorini is going to be a challenge with all those people that day yet I want to see whatever we can fit in. 

In general with ports, how soon after the arrival time would you tend to book shore excursions, especially if it's not through the ship?

7 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

Glad you decided on the train, should be fun, we love trains in Europe, especially high-speed ones.   The 5th Arrondisement is close by, across the river, and is charming area to stay, or the 6th, both on the Left Bank.  

Thank you Wendy. I'm actually excited to take the train! I will look at your recommendations right now. Thanks!!

I am looking to book a shore excursion for this port as advised by members here. As a newbie, my question is where would the ship would tender us to. Fira?

We arrive in Santorini at 8am. So is it safe to book a tour that leaves 9am leaving from the Fira port? This tour is very simular to one we can book onboard but I worry it will be full so would like to book this private tour instead. Thank you again everyone. I am researching like crazy but really feel l need the confirmation from those who have done this before.

4 hours ago, tv24 said:

Train is fine if you enjoy train travel and if your luggage is easy to manage.  It's not easy to move a lot of heavy luggage on and off French trains.  The train is fast and comfortable, but the food on board is not good.  Arrival in Paris will be at Gare de Lyon, which is a nice central location and a short cab ride to a hotel, etc.  A flight might make more sense if you have lots of heavy luggage.  The flight will take a lot less time, but you will arrive at an airport that is 50 to 60 minutes by cab into the city.  Both the Nice train station and the Nice airport are short cab rides from where your ship will dock.  And as Phil suggests, check out the prices.

I will make sure I manage my luggage! The train just sounds easier to me especially knowing we will be dropped off in a central location. We hope to find a nice hotel in this area.

4 hours ago, snowglobe said:

Both the train station and the airport are a quick taxi ride from the port. I agree with Phil about scheduling a flight for 11am. Train from 9am onwards.

Check out RailEurope.ca for the TGV fast trains schedule to Paris - you could easily book through them, or directly through the French train website SNCF.com.

Personally, I would prefer the train because it’ll make arriving in Paris much easier, and as already mentioned, give you a chance to appreciate the scenery on the way.

Thank you and I agree, the train is our preference so we can take it all in!

8 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:

Lily, we arrive in Nice at 6am. Disembarkation usually starts at 6.30 with those who want to walk their own luggage off. Last time to disembark is usually 9.30am. I'd agree with uktog that the train is a nice way to see the countryside, but check the prices. Train is often quite a bit more expensive than flying and depending upon how much luggage you have can be more of an exercise. Literally!

 

The airport in Nice isn't too far from where we dock and you will be able to book a transfer to there with the ship (depending of course on what time your flight is).   If flying, personally I wouldn't book a flight before 11. 

 

Phil 

Thank you Phil. I think we are going to take the train and I appreciate your knowledge and experience regarding this.

10 hours ago, uktog said:

A great way to see France is by train.  There are direct trains between Nice and Paris, they take about 5 hours and avoid the hassle of airports, liquid restrictions etc. 

You can book ahead etc, a train around 10am would be ideal, though you could go earlier. Docking in Nice is about a 15 minute max taxi ride to the station. 

 

https://en.oui.sncf/en/tgv/route/nice/paris

Perfect. Thank you for this information!

11 hours ago, ellbon said:

Means it is the earliest. I got off around nine or later if possible.  AZ tends to empty their ships by 9. Bigger ships a bit later.

Thank you! I did not know this. Thought 6am was the time we needed to be off the boat. 

That's the time listed to disembark. 6am.

Hello everyone,

We are thinking of heading to Paris for a couple of days once we disembark from our ship. We disembark at 6am. Can anyone tell me the easiest way to get to Paris from Nice? And also, if we take the train what time should we book it for if we disembark at 6am? Is it a long process to disembark? Thanks so much....again.... Lily

Thank you capriccio! 

What is it like in mid-May usually? Can it be rainy?

Perfect!

Is Ravello an option if the port is Sorrento and not Amalfi?

Oh my gosh, just stunning photos! Absolutely going to go to Ravello. Thank you!