O & shuttle service ?

[TERRIER1]

Thanks Winegirl. I tried that but there is no information out there.

[caroak]

It appears that one of the reasons for O not to provide shuttles is it would force some passengers to take the ship's tours. We do not want to take a tour with 50 people on a bus with the ship's itinerary and prefer to do it on our own or organize a group. From what I am reading I can see we will be inconvenienced at some of the ports and we'll have to do a lot of research and make arrangements well in advance.

 

Next May we'll be on Pearls of the Riviera and these are the ports we're not familiar with even though we've been to some of the towns: Valencia; Palma de Mallorca; Marseille (we plan on doing Aix on our own); Saint-Tropez (if I recall the marina is near the waterfront restaurants); Monte Carlo (we'll need to get to the car rental area); Florence (how do you get to the train?). We are very familiar with Sorrento and Amalfi and have a driver we've used in the past whose rates are reasonable.

 

Any information would be appreciated.

[jaga04]

 

Bruges is served by a huge commercial port in Zeebrugge, about 8 miles from town. Passengers were warned that they would not be allowed to walk through the port. There was no shuttle. I pre-ordered taxis, for 90 euros round trip per van carrying 8 passengers. The ship offered transportation to and from town on their schedule (one trip only) for $ 109 per person. I thought that was exceptionally expensive, when the taxi ride on a shared taxi cost about $ 12 per person. Of course, the taxi had to be ordered in advance and there were a limited number of taxis in the area, so I imagine some people had to wait for a taxi time. From the communication on board, it appeared that O was strongly suggesting that passengers use their transport.

 

To me, Bruges is a great example of a place where a shuttle from the ship to the town would have been really helpful. We didn't plan ahead (or know about roll calls at the time), and the taxi cost $50 euros each way. We met another couple who shared with us, so it was more reasonable.

 

One of the great things about Oceania itineraries is that they go to smaller, more unusual places (as well as major cities). I'd be happy to pay for a shuttle from the more out-of-the-way ports to the town.

 

The issue of whether the shuttles would be competition for the excursions is an interesting one. Probably to at least some extent, but it may be that different types of travelers do the excursions. We opted for taking cabs, long walks, and some interesting adventures to get into the towns, since we prefer to be on our own than take the excursions.

[ClaudiaF]

What is a minimum cabin?

 

I think that is being polite for cheapo:D

[DOJO466]

We just got off an O cruise from Barcelona to Amsterdam. In certain ports, Bilbao, Valencia and Bruges specifically, a shuttle is useful.

 

Valencia port is not close to the major attractions in town. We took a ship tour, which was OK, others took taxis, but to see both the old town and the City of Arts/Sciences, would mean 3 separate taxi rides to see the major sights.

 

Bilbao was about 15 miles from the port area of Getxo. The port did arrange a free shuttle to town, for 50 people at a time. The shuttle ran from about 8 am to about 4 pm as I recall. The other options would be to find a taxi (the fare was about 23 euros each way--we took a taxi back to the ship because we came back later than 4.) I don't recall how plentiful the taxis were at the dock. The shuttle offered a valuable service to passengers who wanted to get into Bilbao. There was also a metro system, but the closest stop was some distance away from the port.

 

Bruges is served by a huge commercial port in Zeebrugge, about 8 miles from town. Passengers were warned that they would not be allowed to walk through the port. There was no shuttle. I pre-ordered taxis, for 90 euros round trip per van carrying 8 passengers. The ship offered transportation to and from town on their schedule (one trip only) for $ 109 per person. I thought that was exceptionally expensive, when the taxi ride on a shared taxi cost about $ 12 per person. Of course, the taxi had to be ordered in advance and there were a limited number of taxis in the area, so I imagine some people had to wait for a taxi time. From the communication on board, it appeared that O was strongly suggesting that passengers use their transport.

 

In some ports, you were dropped off close to the main attractions, but in others, you were very far away, and in an area that taxis would not normally be available. The ship docked in downtown Bordeaux on our trip, which was very convenient. However, next year, it will be in an area very far from the city of Bordeaux, at Verdon. It is close to a 2 hour drive and 62 miles to Bordeaux city proper. Tours of the Medoc would be possible, but St. Emilion and Graves are quite a bit further than the City of Bordeaux proper. I am guessing that the change will require more passengers to use a ship tour to see any of the Bordeaux region.

 

I agree, a shuttle would be great in Bruges. We paid 90 euro for a taxi for 8 which we had arranged many months in advance of our trip. There was a very limited amount of taxis available.

[TERRIER1]

Next May we'll be on Pearls of the Riviera and these are the ports we're not familiar with even though we've been to some of the towns: Valencia; Palma de Mallorca; Marseille (we plan on doing Aix on our own); Saint-Tropez (if I recall the marina is near the waterfront restaurants); Monte Carlo (we'll need to get to the car rental area); Florence (how do you get to the train?). We are very familiar with Sorrento and Amalfi and have a driver we've used in the past whose rates are reasonable.

 

Any information would be appreciated.

 

Hi Caroak. We have ported in Monte Carlo and Livorno. In Monte Carlo we took a bus to Nice and Eze so I do not know where the car rental is.

 

We docked twice in Livorno. Livorno can be tricky since you can dock either in the commericial section or the cruise section. If you dock in the cruise section (where Oceania often does) then you get off the ship and walk to the main plaza. From there you can catch a bus to the train station which is not far. The train runs to Florence (and Pisa/Lucca as well) and takes about 80 minutes to Florence. The first train is around 8 am and then another around 9 am. Then there is a big time break to the next train. If you dock at the commercial section then you cannot walk. It's a crap shoot if there is a shuttle or not and Oceania needs to provide that info. The shuttle (if there is one) will leave you at the plaza where the bus is. The site below is really helpful and will explain clearly the Livorno set.

 

 

http://www.ftroute.com/LIV_FIR_LIV.htm

[JimandStan]

While these Shuttles are still operating in Imagination-land they sound like a wonderful idea. :D

 

I would suggest, however, that real World implementation would make them an expensive proposition that would cause almost as much controversy as they solve.

 

This thread started, for example, with a Shuttle scheme to provide transportation to the nearest public transportation hub; this has ALREADY evolved into shuttles being offered directly to Tourist destinations.

 

Oceania has a high repeater rate, and because it attracts more seasoned travelers this is sure to quickly degenerate into demands for shuttles to secondary destinations. "Half the ship has already DONE Amsterdam twice, Purser, why can't one of the Shuttles run into the Hague instead?"

 

Once Oceania commits to running these shuttles, please keep in mind that they must be operated according to schedule, and regardless of occupancy, which is a convenience that SOMEBODY will have to pay for.

 

I would suggest that the costs associated with that type of "rain or shine" operation, combined with administration costs, will negate most of the savings that the previous posters are anticipating before Oceania takes a penny of profit.

 

The Shuttles will never be as inexpensive OR convenient as they are being painted.

 

I don't know about you, but I'd much rather that Oceania focused their efforts and money on the onboard experience, where it belongs.

[MightyQuinn]

I agree, a shuttle would be great in Bruges.

I'm surprised that a shuttle wasn't available in Zeebrugge. When we were there on HAL Prinsendam, a free shuttle was provided from the ship to the nearby town of Blankenburg. From there, you could get a direct & convenient train to Bruges. The shuttle was provided by the port & operated every 1/2 hour between 9:00am-4:30pm. We were in port with a P&O ship and they also had a free shuttle to Blankenburg. So it's surprising that Oceania wouldn't have the same.

[Druke I]

No shuttles when Regatta was in Zeebrugge Sep 05, and it would have been handy, as my scheduled excursion was cancelled (lack of customers I'm supposing). There were no other scheduled excursions that grabbed my interest.

 

I spent a nice quiet day aboard, which was fine.

[caroak]

Terrier1, if we dock at the commercial section and no shuttle is available would there be taxis? If not then how would we get from the docking area to the bus area in order to get to the train station? Sounds like it would be difficult to plan in advance.

 

We've been to Florence many times and do not need or want to do a tour. Also, we don't like the idea of possibly having to take O's "On Your Own" bus tour in order to get to and from Florence to the tune of $240. This is a very disappointing prospect.

[LAexNY]

FYI, we are presently in Norway on board Insignia on the Land of the Midnight Sun cruise. So far, there have been two ports where O has provided complimentary shuttle buses from the ship to the city center.

[BaltiGator]

While these Shuttles are still operating in Imagination-land they sound like a wonderful idea. :D

 

I would suggest, however, that real World implementation would make them an expensive proposition that would cause almost as much controversy as they solve...

 

Your post suggests a lot of thought about the shuttle issue, and that is much appreciated. But with all due respect, it also comes across as if you're trying much too hard.

 

In particular, your comments about how the shuttle service would "evolve" and "degenerate" and the details about operational schedules and high costs, well, that all sounds a bit convoluted to me. Mostly it's just predictions on your part, not facts. Other cruise lines have managed to implement shuttles successfully, some limited and some broad. So obviously there are cruise line business models in which it works.

 

What you seem to be saying is that you don't think it can work for Oceania. Okay, but maybe Oceania executives and management think otherwise. We know from FDR's comments in another thread that they've at least considered some kind of limited shuttle service, and that they intend to revisit the issue. I'm sure they'll discuss all the details about how and where the shuttles would operate and the costs of doing so and whether or not they would have to raise prices and by how much and how that would affect their overall business model and so on. Complex stuff. I'll leave it to them.

 

There are a lot of comments in this thread from people who are interested in shuttles. Perhaps Oceania will decide to offer them on a trial/experimental basis, as many businesses do when they try something new. Perhaps they won't. But the interest is there. Enough said.

[Dreps]

I agree BaltiGator. Regent, which is owned by the same parent company as Oceania, has managed to have shuttles for years. I do not recall ever hearing complaints about which detinations the shuttles should go to in a port city. They just are an expected ammenity. I'm not arguing that Oceania should attempt to replicate Regent--I think that there is every intention of keeping the two lines distinct--but while I don't know the costs of having the included shuttles, I don't think that they would pose a major challenge for Oceania nor a major source of controversy among the passengers.

[Palmetto Lady]

As I mentioned previously HAL offered shuttle service to Oslo on it's Voyage of the Vikings. I believe it cost $5 each way. I don't remember if it was offered for any other port because we either took tours or the port was small and close enough that you could walk on your own. The reason we planned to take the shuttle was that we has toured Oslo previously so just wanted to walk around. If I take a taxi into town, I am always concerned about being able to get back which is why I like the idea of a shuttle. I do not mind paying a reasonable fee (amount depending on the distance). I do not expect that it be free unless provided by the local business association. As it turned out, we did not go into town as it was raining fairly hard and it was not like we had never seen the city.

Also as some people mentioned, many people can walk short or moderate distances, but cannot walk long ones.

[TERRIER1]

Terrier1, if we dock at the commercial section and no shuttle is available would there be taxis? If not then how would we get from the docking area to the bus area in order to get to the train station? Sounds like it would be difficult to plan in advance.

 

We've been to Florence many times and do not need or want to do a tour. Also, we don't like the idea of possibly having to take O's "On Your Own" bus tour in order to get to and from Florence to the tune of $240. This is a very disappointing prospect.

 

I totally agree with you about the "Florence on your Own". The time we were in the commercial section we took the tour so I do not know how you would get out of the port. The link in the email explains the options. I do know you can't walk out. Perhaps others who came into the commercial area could better help you.

[Ms Understood]

FWIW, I just returned from my first O cruise, Windmills and Wonders. The only port in which a shuttle was offered (free) was Portland/Dorset. For whatever reason (traffic, lack of actual vehicles?) when the free shuttle bus finally showed up there was a stampede of people, many quite elderly, motivated I guess by the fact that they had been standing out on the pier for nearly an hour with no place to sit. I watched from my balcony and it was not a pretty sight and of course not all of the waiting folks got on. I saw my BIL and nephew grab the only taxi out there after they were left behind. When I left later in the day for my shore ex, I heard more than one VERY ANGRY person yelling at the destination services desk. Point is, I guess, that IF O is going to provide the service, they have to insure that it is adequate for the demand.

-----------------

Helen

[Paulchili]

Sounds like a mess :(.

I agree - if you are going to do it - do it right (true for pretty much everything else).

[JimandStan]

Sounds like a mess :(.

I agree - if you are going to do it - do it right (true for pretty much everything else).

 

And so it begins........uuuuggggghhhhhh! :mad:

 

Why does everything have to be boiled down to accommodate the laziest, most disorganized, and unmotivated amongst us?

[orchestrapal]

And so it begins........uuuuggggghhhhhh! :mad:

 

Why does everything have to be boiled down to accommodate the laziest, most disorganized, and unmotivated amongst us?

 

Again you "hit the nail on the head."

Plan ahead , use your feet and make a few taxi fares part of the expense and the whole shuttle issue becomes a non-problem.:)

[Palmetto Lady]

And so it begins........uuuuggggghhhhhh! :mad:

 

Why does everything have to be boiled down to accommodate the laziest, most disorganized, and unmotivated amongst us?

 

I find this remark extremely insulting. I am neither, lazy, disorganized or unmotivated. It is a matter of reliability. If I take a taxi into a city, I am not always sure that I can find one to come back. If there is a shuttle, I know that if I arrive at the designated point at the proper time, there will be a vehicle waiting.

[Paulchili]

J&S, Orchestrapal,

I was responding to Ms Understood's post.

If you re-read it more carefully you will have to agree that it was not a good situation. Waiting on the pier for an hour for a shuttle (apparently many of the passengers quite elderly, with no place to sit) which then cannot accommodate everyone is NOT acceptable.

Using taxis in this case was not an option as apparently there was only ONE taxi which OP's SIL grabbed.

In this case only O shoreex (which OP took) or a private tour would have avoided that mess. You are both being unreasonable by suggesting that booking an O excursion or a private tour should be THE option for everyone all the time.

I think most posters who would like to see shuttles have expressed that they do not want "automatic" shuttles in EVERY port - only where other options are not readily available (like this particular one); and yes, if you are going to promise and provide shuttles in this port - do it right and make it work (even when it's free).

[Benita]

I have a really good idea - if Oceania can make it work, provide shuttles, at whatever fee the company decides is reasonable. Those of us who want to take them, can and those that want to look down their noses and insult those who want to take them, don't have to.

[MightyQuinn]

Why does everything have to be boiled down to accommodate the laziest, most disorganized, and unmotivated amongst us?

WOW. This thread is about Oceania providing shuttles & thus far has been an interesting discussion. I don't see any value in making negative judgments about those who may wish to avail of shuttles.

[wripro]

Seabourn and Silversea provide shuttles with no stampedes or rushes. That is because they usually depart every fifteen or twenty minutes and if you miss one, it's not that big a deal. They are. imo, a great service and obviously work for those who spend a lot of money on their cruises on luxury lines. I personally would be willing to pay a bit extra to have them available when i want them at ports. If I book private excursions (which I usually do) and don't use them that's okay too.

[cbb]

But if we were lazy, disorganized and unmotivated we wouldn't be trying to see these places on our own and would get on a shorex and let the guide do his/her thing. Instead we have spent months on research, loading the gps with all of the metro stops, maps, port locations and walking tour stops. We know what we want to see and have saved time to "get lost" (well as much as one can get lost holding a gps!) as well as learning the history of the port city and country to put everything into context. How can wanting a port shuttle to get us to metro or bus stops be considered lazy? I think it is an efficient way to get more people on their way from the ship. Wouldn't a shuttle hold more people than a taxi?