Adriatic Cruise

[LISADAVENATHAN]

Hi All

 

We are due to go on the Adriatic cruise from Corfu in August, we travel to Koper, Venice, Zadar and Dubrovnik.

 

Has anyone been on this cruise, if so what are the best excursions to book and is it better to book before we go or with Thomson when we board the ship?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Travelling with Parents (aged 65) and son (aged 12), on the Majesty.

 

Also can someone let me know if much entertainment for boys aged 12, do they have pool table/table tennis table on the ship?

 

Many thanks in advance.

[kruzseeka]

Hi All

 

We are due to go on the Adriatic cruise from Corfu in August, we travel to Koper, Venice, Zadar and Dubrovnik.

 

Has anyone been on this cruise, if so what are the best excursions to book and is it better to book before we go or with Thomson when we board the ship?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Travelling with Parents (aged 65) and son (aged 12), on the Majesty.

 

Also can someone let me know if much entertainment for boys aged 12, do they have pool table/table tennis table on the ship?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

If you do a search in the 'Search this forum' box (top right of the threads table) you can type in the ports you are visiting to find other threads with reviews on the ports, excursions and DiY options. Here's a thread I did from a couple of years ago - most of your ports are covered - but there are lots more threads if you do a search.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1645063&highlight=adriatic+explorer

 

Can't help with Zadar but I'd say all the other ports are easy DiY.

 

If you are sure you want to do a Thomson trip there's no problem in booking ahead (use debit card though as credit cards carry a surcharge) as once on board you can cancel any excursion up to 24 hours before it departs and get a full refund - so if you change your mind after seeing the port showcase for example you can go to the Destinations Desk and just say you want to cancel. The money will be credited back to the account you paid with, but you don't lose anything by booking early. It's a good idea if there is a 'Limited Availability' trip as once these are full, they don't put on extra coaches.

 

Can't help with children's activities.

[FIFE1]

Hi you will find it very easy (plus very inexpensive to do all exploring DIY, even Venice). We found Zadar nice (it was tender to shore). Not sure on 12 year old, I think kids club stops at 12 (but best check). Majesty a great ship, staff great and we found lay out very good. Also if you check an earlier post they are building a new buffet.:):)

[FIFE1]

Sorry should have added Outside plus deck 4 (we have been in 448) is well positioned.

[ormy]

We did this cruise last June, great itinerary - you will love it.

From Koper we did Caves & Castle trip - half day, then just strolled around Koper afternoon, not a lot to see or do.

Venice we just used Thomson to get to Doges Palace and back - but did our own walk around Venice, it was very hot and just nowhere to have a sit down, you will need a nap when back on ship.

Dubrovnik easily done on your own. Beautiful place, if you have time do the cable car.

Kotor again you can DIY lovely little town - very picturesque, we did do a two hour escorted walk, this way you get some history of the town and of Montenegro the country.

On our cruise we did Sibenik, no point in telling you what we did.

Enjoy !

[jojo67]

We are doing this itinerary in July and haven't been able to find much information on Zadar? Is this a new port to Thomsons? The current itinerary doesn't show it as a tender port either :confused:

[Cappers]

I can heartily recommend the trip to Lake Bled from Koper. It was just beautiful and the views from the castle on top of the mountain are amazing. I completely fell in love with it. People talk about stunning scenery all the time but this really is stunning!

 

One thing I'd say about Venice,,make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship if you DIY that day. It is easy to get around but there are thousands of people all doing the same thing! It's an excellent itinerary:D

[Little Nell]

Lake Bled is on my bucket list since my parents went in the 70's and I saw their snaps. Must make it back to Koper one day.

[happy v]

We are doing this itinerary in July and haven't been able to find much information on Zadar? Is this a new port to Thomsons? The current itinerary doesn't show it as a tender port either :confused:

 

We went to Zadar and did an excursion to some waterfalls in a national park (Kyku or something simillar) and then a boat ride down the river absolutely stunning scenery but the thing I remember most is the Sea Organ. It's on the prom and has a big sign, the waves work the bellows and it plays tunes. I loved it.

[Julessmiles]

This is a review I did when we went on the Adriatic Cruise in 2010 - some ports have changed but some are the same

 

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1266729

[Red Scorpion]

There is absolutely no need to take an excursion in Venice. From the port you can get the monorail for 1Euro to Piazza Roma. There you can buy either a ticket to Piazza San Marco or get an all-day ticket for the vaparetto. This is essentially a water bus service and is dead easy to use.

 

There are so many things to see in Venice that you could spend days there. I would reccomend the Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica which is next door (and free). One of the best things in Venice is wandering into the back streets, getting lost and finding yourself again. There are no public toilets so if you want to go to the loo you will need to go to a cafe and buy something. The nearer you are to Piazza San Marco the more the food and drink will cost you. There is an area called the Giardini which is the last remaining working class area of Venice which is just a few vaparetto stops from Piazza San Marco and food there is much cheaper and some of the customers in the restaurants are acutally Italians!

 

Whilst the outer islands and the ghetto are both very interesting I would reccomend staying central and make sure you allow at least an hour to get back to the ship for safety's sake.

 

In Dubrovnik there is one Thomson excursion that is worth looking at and that is a boat trip to the Elaphite Islands. You won't actually see Dubrovnik at all but it is a lovely little trip to some quiet little places. Some of the islands are so small that there are no cars on them. They give you lunch on the boat as you sail between islands with plenty to drink and there are local musicians who play a mix of local music and well known Brit favourites. There is only one boat and spaces are limited.

 

I hope this is helpful.

[Tony1878]

When you get into Kotor, just jump on the hop on hop off bus (it's a big mini bus with roof off) it costs about 10 euros each and takes you on a tour that the official tour costs about 40 euros.

The ship pulls in right in the town and you can literally cross the road and jump the bus.

I have posted a review of this cruise, i will try and find it and post the link.

In Dubrovnik, the taxis are waiting for you as you step off the ship, we shared with another couple (everyone is heading to the same place) the taxi was only 10 euros to the old town, great value, mad drivers though.

Fantastic itinerary by the way.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Tony1878

[Flopsy]

 

re Venice

'There are no public toilets so if you want to go to the loo you will need to go to a cafe and buy something.'

 

Ah but I found public toilets- signposted on the route from St Marks Square to Rialto Bridge- follow the signs on the wall, but get 1euro ready to pay to get in! Calling in a bar or cafe would make more sense lol.

 

Flopsy

[Julessmiles]

 

re Venice

'There are no public toilets so if you want to go to the loo you will need to go to a cafe and buy something.'

 

Ah but I found public toilets- signposted on the route from St Marks Square to Rialto Bridge- follow the signs on the wall, but get 1euro ready to pay to get in! Calling in a bar or cafe would make more sense lol.

 

Flopsy

 

We found public toilets just off St Marks Square. We had pre-paid for toilet cards.

 

This site may be handy - we also pre-booked & paid for admission to The Basilica & Vaporetto tickets via here:-

 

 

http://www.veniceconnected.com/visit-venice

[Little Nell]

We took the water bus to St Marks Square and walked back to the ship, along the banks of the canal. It is a lovely walk if you enjoy walking.

[Cappers]

Pre-paid toilet cards..excellent stuff :D:D

[hall4me]

 

re Venice

'There are no public toilets so if you want to go to the loo you will need to go to a cafe and buy something.'

 

Ah but I found public toilets- signposted on the route from St Marks Square to Rialto Bridge- follow the signs on the wall, but get 1euro ready to pay to get in! Calling in a bar or cafe would make more sense lol.

 

Flopsy

very good chance i will land in a bar flopsy not long now