O & shuttle service ?

[yorkiemomjn]

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.

 

We went on the Pearls of the Riviera on the Regatta this past April. I know next year, the Regatta is being replaced by the the Marina for this itineray.

In Valencia we purchased tickets in the terminal for a HOHO bus and a shuttle took us to the HOHO stop. We got off at the Old Town area and the Oceanografic and then boarded the HOHO back to the terminal/ship. In Palma de Mallorca, we walked to and from the Old Town area (It was quite a walk, but we traveled with another couple and we all like to walk). Because of high wind, we did not get to go to St. Tropez. I cannot even remember the name of the port that was substitued because there really was not much there. In Marseille, we had a private tour with 4 other CC members (total 8). The tour guide picked us up at the dock and we went to Avignon, St. Remy and Les Baux. We also had a CC private tour in Monte Carlo that took us to Eze, Nice and St. Paul de Vence (my favorite). Since the ship did not leave until late that evening, after dinner, the four of us walked back to the Casino area in Monte Carlo and then walked back to the ship. Again, quite a walk, but like I mentioned, we are all walkers and it was a beautiful evening. If you search the ports board for train to Florence, there is a lot of information about that. We had already been to Florence, so we had planned to take the train to Lucca, but again, the weather was so bad (cold and raining) that day, we just stayed on the ship and had a massage! :) I hope this was somewhat helpful. This itinerary is wonderful! We loved it! You will have a great time!

Judy

[yorkiemomjn]

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.

 

I agree with you guys! :)

[Paulchili]

Originally Posted by JimandStan

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.

 

Do we really have to choose one or the other? Could we have both – pretty please - with sugar on it?

[cbb]

absolutely right, Paul but make it with chocolate please!

[Ms Understood]

O prides itself I think on port intensive itineraries so doesnt it seem likely that they do some research into the ports and the infra structure there. I am sure they welcome feedback on pax port experiences, right? So in the ports where it is a chore to get out of the dock area or unsafe to walk or whatever, why isnt that as much a part of the O experience as the onboard amenities? I didnt actually take the shuttle that was offered in Portland/Dorset but I certainly dont think those who did were lazy or unmotivated. I am sure they think I was, since having failed to find anything much to do here, I opted for the 1/2 day ship's excursion. I dont really care if a shuttle is offered or not, if it is: good, if it is not: I am capable of finding my own way but really cant fathom why a request for the opinions of others results in name calling. Why so cranky?

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

Helen

[Benita]

Now, If we had to choose between chocolate sauce and shuttles, I can see the problem, but I don't think it will come down to choosing between running a great ship and providing shuttles - we will just keep the pastry chef in the kitchen and let somebody else drive the bus.

[CintiPam]

As I previously stated on the unhappy/angry O never again cruiser thread (11 days since my last visit to this forum!), where the port (or the ship's place in that port) is far from a source of either public transportation or taxi transportation to the major sightseeing destination which led to Oceania's choosing to visit that port, a shuttle (fee OK by me and most others) would be appreciated.

 

For example, it was extremely frustrating in Civitavecchia in May to wait and wait and wait in a dangerously large crowd with no room to safely stand off the road next to the shuttle bus stop for a port shuttle to bother stopping by our ship while bus after bus after bus dedicated to other specific cruiselines whizzed by honking to get us out of the road. On the return trip, it was almost a riotous situation near the port gate which I feared could lead to serious injury.

 

I planned and spent the entire port day at the Vatican Museums, where I, a learned art docent, indeed chose not to hire a guide to tell me what I already know or rush me through the place I was able to enjoy at my own very slow pace.

[caribbeansun]

So what do you really think? :rolleyes:

 

 

It also seems that the folks who want it most are the same ones who fight over the minimum cabins and brag about how little they spend on the ship.

 

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

 

 

At first I didn't understand why people would want shuttles, however, having read the postings of unsafe, industrial ports without access to public transportation or adequate cabs I can certainly understand now. It shouldn't be a requirement that you arrange a private tour or take a ship tour to safely exit the port.

 

I've not needed a shuttle on the O cruises we've taken. We did avail ourselves of a complimentary shuttle provided in Dominica which was appreciated by us. Ironically, on our return to the ship the driver wasn't particularly attentive and came extremely close to being in a serious accident - fortunately, it was only my DW and I plus an O employee on the shuttle. We had minor bruising from being thrown into the back of the seats in front of us due to a panic stop and had some of our older cruise mates been on this shuttle I have no doubt there would have been more significant injuries. I reported this to the reception desk although they seemed somewhat indifferent at the time.

[caroak]

Yorkiemomjn, thanks for all the helpful info. The HOHO bus in Valencia sounds like a great idea but who provided the shuttle to the bus stop?

[SunDapple]

Monte Carlo (we'll need to get to the car rental area)

 

Any information would be appreciated.

 

I haven't completely read through this thread yet, but here is a link to tripadvisor.com for the Hertz car rental in Monte Carlo. If you read down to CAjourneyman there is a post about the location of the Hertz office. We rented there last summer and it was very easy. Be prepared with your own maps and don't forget to ask for directions back into Monte Carlo from where ever you are heading. We found that with the one way roads, our outbound directions didn't work on the return.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g190409-i679-k2723744-Car_rental_provider_needed_Monaco_cruise_pier-Monte_Carlo.html

[yorkiemomjn]

Yorkiemomjn, thanks for all the helpful info. The HOHO bus in Valencia sounds like a great idea but who provided the shuttle to the bus stop?

 

You are so welcome! I am not sure who provided the shuttle to the bus stop. It was not Oceania. Either the city or the cruise terminal. When we bought our HOHO tickets at the terminal, they told us about it. There was no charge for for the shuttle.

[capecodder2]

the shuttle in Portland was provided by the port because it is a commercial and Navy port and security was tight, walking not allowed. When we got on it about 10AM, there were no lines on the pier. The driver announced that there would be a 2 hour stop in shuttle service around noon so that the drivers could have a lunch break. (there were 2 buses). We made sure we were on the last late morning one back to the ship and if not, knew it would be 2 hours before the next one. Some people do not listen. Whether or not this announcement made it to the ship and those looking to use the shuttle during the lunch break, I have no idea. All of the shuttles we have seen on our 8 O cruises were provided by a port, tourism board, or some other venue - NOT Oceania - even though it may seem to passengers that O is providing them. Whether or not O provides shuttles in the future is obviously up to them. I do think that if they are going to use out-of-the-way ports more and more in the future, that some thought and consideration must go to the question of how people are going to get to/from what they have come to see. Whether that means providing shuttle buses or negotiating with the port or other venues to do it for them, is another question. Portland, by the way, is also new to cruise ships and they are in a "learning curve", cute little place for an hour or maybe 2 and not much to see in the area.

[LHT28]

We just got back from Europe so have not read the whole thread but O does supply a shuttle of sorts... you can go for 4 or 8 hrs for the paltry sum of $109 usd pp

or you can arrange to share a taxi with others for 45E each way I had booked 3 taxi vans for 24 passengers ...the early bird gets the vans:D

We stopped in several ports where the town provided a free shuttle to town but most were 10-15 minutes from the port

 

Beware when they say a van or taxi will hole 8 you probably will get 6 comfortably

The seats can be small not made for the average North American bottoms :rolleyes:

[juli2020]

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.

 

Just got off the Silver Cloud. Their system works well. Silversea provided a complimentary shuttle into town and back to the ship. NOT all people want to take a shore excursion or a private excursion. Some people just like walking around the town. There were no stampedes or rushes to get on a shuttle. We only used the shuttle in two ports....after a private excursion...we wanted to stay in town and walk around.

It would be a great service if Oceania provided shuttles into town....I am sure that people would not mind paying for that service.

[2kiwis]

On our last cruise there were several instances when a shuttle was absolutely essential but none had been provided. For instance, at Brisbane we were so far away from everything that even the taxis did not come out to the port. There was nothing organised to get people into the city, but eventually a ship full of grumpy people meant that Oceania had to rush around and get buses organised. The same in Da Nang - we were out in the middle of nowhere and had to walk for miles in the heat to find a taxi. Many people just didn't bother.

 

We think shuttles should be organised at all places which are a long way from 'civilisation'. We are happy to get taxis but when there are none around what are you suppose to do?

 

Cheers

[KCRC]

We will be sailing 3/11/ thru 3/26/2011, Beijing to Honk Kong. Need advice regarding docking location for various ports (Seoul, Shanghai, Kyoto, Hiroshima,Okinawa and Taipei). Based on recommendations in these threads, we are listening to the sage advice offered and planning to do our own shore-ex rather than purchase those offered by O. However, we are a bit concerned we may be disembarking at remote locations with several other frustrated passengers. We would also appreciate any other useful "golden nuggets" of info. regarding this particular voyage.

Thanks.

[2kiwis]

We will be sailing 3/11/ thru 3/26/2011, Beijing to Honk Kong. Need advice regarding docking location for various ports (Seoul, Shanghai, Kyoto, Hiroshima,Okinawa and Taipei). Based on recommendations in these threads, we are listening to the sage advice offered and planning to do our own shore-ex rather than purchase those offered by O. However, we are a bit concerned we may be disembarking at remote locations with several other frustrated passengers. We would also appreciate any other useful "golden nuggets" of info. regarding this particular voyage.

Thanks.

 

Hi

 

Seoul is OK - you can catch a train into the city and it is very easy.

 

Hiroshima is very close to the city - we caught a tram outside the port to the Peace Park etc.

 

Shanghai we were in the city but we had a private tour organised so we were picked up.

Mind you Shanghai is great and I would seriously recommend you have a private tour organised as there is so much to see

We used Leigh and she was great - lee_gong@126.com - Make sure you go to Keelung park to see the locals out doing all the various activities - it is amazing

Also The Old Town and a water village are great.

 

Taipei we caught the train from the port into the city which was OK

 

The other places you mention we didn't go to on our trip

 

Hope that helps

[KCRC]

Hi

 

Seoul is OK - you can catch a train into the city and it is very easy.

 

Hiroshima is very close to the city - we caught a tram outside the port to the Peace Park etc.

 

Shanghai we were in the city but we had a private tour organised so we were picked up.

Mind you Shanghai is great and I would seriously recommend you have a private tour organised as there is so much to see

We used Leigh and she was great - lee_gong@126.com - Make sure you go to Keelung park to see the locals out doing all the various activities - it is amazing

Also The Old Town and a water village are great.

 

Taipei we caught the train from the port into the city which was OK

 

The other places you mention we didn't go to on our trip

 

Hope that helps

 

Many Thanks 2kiwis. This info is most helpful and appreciated. I will contact Leigh based on your recommendation.

Rich & Karen