ShelleyK

A friend and I will be on a smaller Oceania ship, in Monaco on 4/15 at 8 am. (per schedule) An excursion we had booked was canceled so we are trying to do it on our own. We are 2 senior citizens and want to make this as easy as possible so that we can see as much as possible. We would like to head to Nice first, taking in The Flower Market, Old Town and we have a workshop at Molinard on 20 Rue St Francois de Paule in the early afternoon. Then, we would like to come back to Monte Carlo and do a little sightseeing before we board the ship again. Our ship leaves late evening, but we would hopefully be back way before then. 

Taxis sound cost prohibitive, so it looks to be train or bus. If anyone knows specifics, including the right stops, bus transfers etc - we would like to have a plan and not just "wing it." Thanks so much for any help!

ShelleyK

Sunlover12-

Monaco is our cruise stop - we want to go to Nice from there. Not the other way around. Some of the larger ships can't port in Monaco. We are on Sirena, one of Oceania's smaller ships. No reason was given. They also canceled an excursion we were booked on for Marseille/Provence. This is my first Oceania experience and I am losing patience. I was booked on Vista and they bounced us from that. We rebooked for this and they are cancelling excursions. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. My frustration is rapidly growing. 

An excursion I had booked was cancelled last week by Oceania. We are going to try to do it ourselves. We are on the Sirena in early April - does anyone know what is available in transportation to Nice from where we dock? Getting lots of different answers as to where the trains and buses are - trying to find the easiest and most efficient way to get to Nice. I think different ships disembark in different places in Monaco. Thanks in advance for your help! 

ShelleyK

I have 2 reservations ahead of a cruise in April 2023. One is at the H10 Port Vell and the other at HCC Taber. Anyone stay at either? Thoughts? The H10 is near the HOHO bus and that is important to me. 

Thanks! 

On 7/29/2022 at 4:38 PM, CaroleSS said:

ok, my first email as well, so I have a ton of questions!

 

I did a mock booking and the cheapest veranda is $799 with taxes, fees and port expenses of $142.42. Does this mean that my cost for the cruise would be $142.42 plus gratuities, drinks, etc?

Is there a single supplement associated with this? If I want to go, I'd have to find someone who wants to go on the cruise and pay full fare, right?

I booked as a solo and only paid the port charges . Go for it! 

I had a single cabin on the Edge - I booked it as a guarantee for a cheaper rate. It was almost double, but not quite. So, not a supplement per se, but definitely paying a lot for a single and there are a very limited amount of those rooms per ship. 

Trying to get more info on Riviera River Cruises. They have specific cruises for solos with no single supp. From what I gather, they are a UK company. They have the same itineraries as the other guys. I have done Viking 3 times, and am tired of their intolerance for singles. Paying double infuriates me. I am willing to try Riviera, if I can hear from others that I am not making a tremendous mistake. 

Thanks!

ShelleyK

Hi Jimmy,

I have done 2 cruises with Viking in December - the Danube in 2015 and the Rhine in 2016. I am doing a third this coming December to Paris and Normandy. I love Europe in December, and the Christmas markets are magical.

I think Viking does a great job. I have had very few complaints. It is winter time, but mild winter from what I experienced. The only buffet meals were at breakfast and lunch, and there were other options as well. I thought their food was excellent and I have cruised on many ocean lines over the years. I think you will be more than satisfied with the options.

There were no hidden fees. Tips are not included, but their guidelines were very reasonable. There was an excursion included in most ports that was more than adequate. If you desire more excursions, they are available for some locations. With the Markets at this time of year, you will be plenty busy without any added expense.

Have a wonderful cruise!

That's good to know. I hadn't heard that. I hope that all of the markets on the Rhine, as well as the Danube, will take extra care and provide extra security. One would think they would target larger areas for more publicity and casualties, so I was really surprised by this.

I just happened to catch it on the national news on Friday night. There was nothing in the newspaper and very few details anywhere. If anyone hears anything, please share. Thanks!

I am on the Viking Vidar- 12/15-12/24. (Basel to Amsterdam)

Hoping that they do not take Strasbourg off the itinerary based on recent events. May be safer than ever at this point? Has anyone heard from Viking about the situation? Have any of the other River Cruise lines reacted to any of this?

That's a nice website, very informative. I added the "translate" button to my Internet toolbar and when you press that, everything is then in English.

We are cruising the Danube in Dec. We are hoping for the best!

Beautiful pics!

Susan, map is on its way to you. As I said, please share with others.

That goes for everyone that I have sent it to. Please send to those requesting it. If we all share, it does not fall on one person. I'm just not in a position to keep up with this right now.

Thanks!

I requested the map about 4 months ago and it was sent to me. The sender also asked that I share with others. Murphey, I just sent it to you. Susan, if I had your email, I would send it to you too.

Again, this is not my map. I seem to be the only one currently sending this out. I have sent it to a lot of people and ask that they also honor these requests. I am not the "keeper of the map." I am just someone who tries to help out where I can.

Another vote for Bagus! we just go off the Star last week. He was so kind and thoughtful. It was hard to find fault with such an unassuming soul and spirit that he was. When we checked in, Omar (concierge) let him take us to Cagney's and to our room. Omar said he is one of the best, and we wholeheartedly agree! He was a pleasure to be around.

We just got off the Star on 9/13. When we checked in, our Concierge was there to greet us. (we were in a suite) I told him that we wanted to be included and he booked it for us then. It was $99 pp and was limited to 12 people. It was a lovely 9 course meal, with multiple wine pairings. Our Exec Chef had the photographer take pics of each of us with him, which were included with a signed menu as a memento of the night. It had been my birthday a couple of days before the dinner, and they brought out a beautifully personalized cake for me. We shared it with our table, as an addition to our desserts. It was a really unique experience and well worth the price.

Done and Done.

Have a great trip!

I so apologize for upsetting anyone in any way. I was looking for answers and obviously, according to several of you, I have gone about it in the wrong way.

As I said, no one should be made to feel bad for asking a question. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened.

Thanks everyone for the great information. I really appreciate it.

I love this website because we can all share information, and that's what most of you have done.

Cruisin and Relaxin, it would be nice if you keep your judgments to yourself. I was looking for information, not harsh comments. Yes, I guess I would have searched that at some point, if others did not answer.

When you answer someone on this forum, you should not make them feel bad for asking a question. We can all learn from each other.

My hubby and I are sailing on the Star in early Sept, nearly 4 weeks from now. We are in a suite, but have never rec'd the Welcome Packet/luggage tags that so many have referenced? We have no idea who our Pre-Cruise Concierge is? Or, how to contact anyone?

There really is no general help phone line for NCL, and my questions don't fall into a specific category as we are past the "planning" stage. I sent an email to the Latitudes dept and got a form email saying that my question will be answered in 3-6 weeks. I will be onboard by then.

This is our first experience with NCL and I am already disappointed. Any suggestions?

Just sent it to you.

Please share with others!

SK

Done and Done - have nice trips!

SK

Just sent - enjoy!

SK

Done- please share with others as needed.

Thanks!

Nope - nothing like that. Mostly Spa coupons, art auction coupons, booking a future cruise coupon for $100. off , additional internet minutes (waste of money for internet at sea) Nothing as good as what you describe! It wasn't worth printing I realized, after I had. :(

I just got my edocs for our Sept cruise on the Star. There was a link to the coupons within the document itself. I didn't think the coupons were very good at all. :(