edinburgher

5 hours ago, Okie Pirate said:

Apologies if this has been covered, but I scanned a few pages in the forum and didn't see anything

Much quicker and easier to use the excellent SEARCH tool under your username and you can use it for all of your ports.

Go to the main geographical forum for each port, not an individual thread as that won't work

In the empty search box under your username insert the name of the port then hit the little spy glass next to the box. Note that the dropdown next to it should have defaulted to THIS FORUM.   Within seconds, all previous threads which contain that word should appear ready for you to choose which to read.

Athens

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=athens&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

Piraeus

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=piraeus&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

https://www.cruiseforth.com/content/ship/ is your "go to" website.  Find my ship then getting around.

This should be a very easy journey should you opt for the express bus X99 from Hawes Pier to the city centre.  Express and direct to either St Andrew Square or to a stop on George St very close to it. (Edinburgh roads are subject to quite frequent road closures and diversions so it could be either)

As trams to Ocean Terminal for Britannia  leave from St Andrew Square there will be  minimal walking distance between getting off the bus and boarding a tram. As a bonus your X99 ticket also gives you free use of buses and trams so no need to buy tram tickets.

9 hours ago, ebs0303 said:

Going on a Celebrity cruise in July that stops at Zadar, Dubrovnik (overnight) and Split. Also stops in Kotor, Montenegro.

Zadar we docked in an out of town location at the new cruise terminal  and used the 9for fee) ship shuttle to get into and back from town.  It dropped off/picked up very close to the Sea Organ on the waterfront, from there only a couple of minutes walk to the centre along the promenade.

Split you dock only a 10 minute or so walk from the centre.  Walk past the bus station and ferry docks and you are there. You can see the town from your berth.

Kotor you will either dock or tender, if the latter the tender point is in the center, as is the dock.  You only need cross the main road to enter the old Town through one of the gates.

Dubrovnik has public buses which run to the port at GRUZ from Pile Gate .  My understanding is that they can run until around midnight, but you can easily check bus timetables and routes online. Given that Dubrovnik is a very busy tourist city, there should also be taxis available from Pile, but I have no knowledge of the working hours of taxi drivers in the  late evening, nor do I know the timings of ship shuttle buses in the evenings.  As the town can be very hot and crowded, you may find that after a full day sightseeing, you may be ready to return earlier than you might anticipate.

As they will contain lots of useful info, have you searched for past threads for each of your ports?  if not, choose from these:

ZADAR

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=zadar&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

SPLIT

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=split&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

KOTOR

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=kotor&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

DUBROVNIK

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=dubrovnik&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

Or any of the hotel booking websites as they too show customer reviews.

15 hours ago, PghCouple said:

From my research, I believe you misunderstood. If you take the helicopter, they fly you to the mushers' camps that are still in the snow, so the amount isn't my concern.

Sorry about that as I did indeed misunderstand, but given the pp cost of these excursions, you understandably want to get the "best bang for your buck" and hopefully some of the Alaskan members can help you make the best decision.

Noting that Ketchikan is another of your port calls, you could consider Totem Bight, a State Historical Park a few miles out of town as it too is ADA compliant and may be more easily navigated than Ketchikan itself, especially if it is a busy tourist day.

https://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/southeast/totembigshp.htm

Past threads for Totem Bight some of which you may want to read.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q="totem bight"&quick=1&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy

6 hours ago, elsplace2 said:

  I believe I read there are 5 chocolatiers,(I'm sure there's more that sell chocolates) in the city....which is the best one?

 

3. Where is the best place to try a Belgium Waffle?

 

4. Where do you suggest get some Belgium Beer flights?

Google would be your best option for replies to these questions.  Try searching for something like"best waffles (or chocolae or beer flights) Bruges"

The "best chocolate" one could be tricky as I never heard-or tasted- any Belgian chocolate which was not "the best" although given a coice,  I usually pass on it as my personal preference is for a higher cocoa  content, darker chocolate.😁

Like the beer.  "Best taste" for one person  may be different for another as it is really personal preference which decides which is "the best" for you, which means you have the fun of sampling various samples.

7 minutes ago, PghCouple said:

I am trying to figure out what is the best helicopter dogsled for the amount to actually be on the snow with the dogs

I think if it were me, i would start a separate thread about the amount of snow you might expect in July specifically for dogsledding, as there are several members who are Alaska based and should have more knowledge about local conditions at that time of year.

My understanding, admittedly only from tv programmes, is that, when there is little or no snow in summer, (and you will visit in July) the dogs still need to be exercised and will be run on dirt tracks, but that is not really the reply you are hoping for, so best you ask the Alaskan members.

There is a possibility that some of the past threads about Genoa might throw up some info on how to do it. 

1)

If you have not already done so, choose which to read from these:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=genoa&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464

2)

You could also check trains from Genoa to Santa Margherita (Liguria) as from there you can travel the very short distance to Portofino on foot, by public bus, taxi, or the really scenic 15/20 minute ferry ride.

3)

And as Genoa, SML and Portofino all have ferry services, you could check ferry travel too.

For my last two suggestions, google would be your new best friend.😀

2 hours ago, PghCouple said:

One last question is: How many of the stops will be scooter accessible

Should you get few or no responses here, perhaps you could consider also crossposting on the Disabled  Cruise Forum, where members who had similar challenges would be more likely to see it and respond? And as you are asking about  scooter accessibility in all your ports, maybe list them all?

This one.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

5 hours ago, jeffyd said:

.edinburgher - I think they need 12. I did post on our Roll Call but got no takers.

 

Unlucky because an active RC would usually find a few willing to join☹️

 I hope you find a different way.

 

1 hour ago, Judyrem said:

Our first visit included the Tattoo and the Fringe Festival after that we were hooked!

August.  The most crowded time to visit, for some the best time, for others the worst, but evrryone usually loves the Tattoo.😀

2 hours ago, rbslos18 said:

We prefer a van or car service. 

Have you checked the actual CDG website as airports usually have a section on how to  travel to/from the airport.

9 hours ago, Judyrem said:

BTW, you joined CC on my birthday and you are from one of my favorite cities in the world.  I have been there four times!

Thank you for kind words, and yes, Edinburgh is not a bad place to live.

With four visits behind you, you would have had time to visit some of the excellent museums, gardens and galleries which others on one day visits usually do not have the time to visit.😀

5 hours ago, jeffyd said:

both said they don’t have enough people to go.

How many would they need?  Could you ask on your Roll Call if any fellow passengers would be interested in joing the small group?

7 hours ago, Judyrem said:

his place looks magnificent!  Philip of Macedon and son Alexander lived there.  Vergina is the modern name.

i think only one member so far

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=aigai&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

Vergina past threads here

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=aigai&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

On 4/29/2024 at 4:45 AM, didlysquat said:

can someone tell me what the cost of the ship tour from Alesund to Trollstigen is now in 2024? I note that this post is quite old

I personally would not be too focused in tour details as they will all follow much the same itinerary. 

I would be more inclined to book by price, because do remember that, should the weather be less than perfect that day, if rainy and cloudy you won't see too much anyway, so the less it cost the better.

Trollstigen (we went from Aldasnes, a shorter distance than from Alesund) and Mt Dalsnibba from Geiranger were the two most expensive tours we booked on our Norway itineraries, and we did stress a little  in case one or both would be spoiled by poor weather.  As it turned out the weather gods smiled on us and all was well,but it could have been very different.

Should you decide to instead stay in Alesund where there is lots to see and do, reading past posts might help you decide.  Choose from these

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=alesund&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=116

the following two past threads would likely be of most interest to you.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2942612-alesund-norway-my-75hrs-trolls-rd-tour/#comment-65505188

And should you decide to stay in Alesund instead, a favourite with cruise pax, there are many suggestions on this past thread, again only one of many to be found.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2826391-alesund-norway/#comment-62526938

This current thread would be a definite to read if you are planning to take  the Trollstigen tour in the next few weeks.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006356-trollstigen-closed/#comment-67332014

On 4/13/2023 at 3:06 AM, Ben2travel said:

I have been looking at a company called Sail Croatia who run small ship cruises along the coast of Croatia. Other than a number of excellent reviews on Trip Advisor, I have not been able to find out much about them if anyone has any experience with this company, I would love to hear your impressions.

 

Thanks so much!

On 5/2/2024 at 3:18 PM, rjp50 said:

I am also interested in this topic along with any of the other small (under approx 100 pax) lines that serve Croatia).

no experience sadly, although we have seen a few of these small ships/yachts docked at Gruz Dubrovnik just a little further along the harbour from the cruise terminal and very lovely they looked too.

A friend was interested in taking one of these and has booked a "Croatian Coastal" through ROAD SCHOLAR as she had read and heard many good comments about their programmes and thought booking on one of their small boat/yacht private charters rather than booking with strangers would give her more confidence in the overall trip.

Cannot yet report on her experience as it was only recently booked and isn't until next year, but she will be onboard a 38 passenger ship/yacht called the Vigor or something similar to that.

Maybe check the Road Scholar website for insiration? And also other companies which do similar small group exclusive charters.

12 hours ago, Softball20 said:

we already have our train tickets (CT train cards) from Trenitalia.

In that case, fingers crossed that, in any emergency situation, she never needs to use a cruise ship lifeboat!😉

Enjoy your dau in SM/P however you decide to spend it.

12 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

I am guessing that the crowds will be pretty high then as well?  

VV, you will know from your other European cruises that nowadays  Europe is busy almost year round, numbers slowly increasing throughout the summer season, but taking a huge leap in August. Sorry to say that, unless in Europe in winter months such as January or February, crowds are to be expected, only fewer of them. Sadly, overtourism has no boundaries.

Friends and neighbours have been remarking this past month or so that Edinburgh appears to be more crowded with tourists  than usual for the time of year.

4 hours ago, fruitmachine said:

There are two distilleries in Edinburgh now:

some competion then for the several gin distilleries!😀

35 minutes ago, eric4395 said:

Anyone had recent experience flying from UK if this  should be enough time to clear passport control

Sorry, no, not recent experience,  but unless there has been a very recent change, timing could be tighter than you expect as it was until recently at least, the norm to have to collect your hold luggage on arrival at your connecting airport, (for you JFK) then recheck it for the next flight.

2 hours ago, nlooser said:

Does anyone know if NCL provides shuttle stools Town Dubrovnik?

Should they provide one, (and most do as they are a good money earner for the cruiselines) it will probably cost more than the public bus both ways.  Or a taxi if there are more than two of you.

There is not a lot to gain using a shuttle as it starts at the port and will only run to Pile Gate, the last vehicular access to the Old Town.  The buses and taxis also  run to there, with taxis also at the dock and public buses just outside the port gate.  For the Old Town buses stay on that same side of the road, do not cross,  but when returning you would get off on the opposite side. For the return, shuttle buses, taxis and buses all leave from Pile Gate and  depending on how many they are running and the number of passengers wanting to return, there may be long lines for ship shuttle buses..

In addition to running from A to B, taxis also offer tours.  Buses are regular and quite frequent.  LIBERTAS is the local bus company and timetables can be easily found online. NCL ships are "big girls",😀 so assume you will be at GRUZ harbour not tendering into the Old Town, so look for GRUZ (and Pile) on the timetables.

Past threads for Dubrovnik. choose which to read from these

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=dubrovnik&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149

On 5/1/2024 at 8:42 AM, edinburgher said:

Exit station on to main road, look for the entrance gate to the old walled city, which should be slightly to your left if I remember correctly, and you are there.

Only now noticed that i should have pointed out tha, having once exited the station to the main  road, it is necessary to cross that road to enter the historic walled section of Lucca.

8 hours ago, js10 said:

Our port is Chania.

Reading some of the past threads might help, in addition to the usual Tripadvisor, Frommer's, Fodors, YouTube, Rick Steves and anything else which appears when you google eg "Chania (or Mykonos) Tourist Information". You could also google something like "self guided walking tours Chania (or Mykonos)"

I take it you are not planning on walking all of Mykonos island either?

if staying in the main town on both, you really would not need any tour guided or self guided,  as both are quite small but pretty towns and it would be difficult to get lost in either..

Choose from these

Chania

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=chania&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

Mykonos

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=mykonos&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463

7 hours ago, Beach Basket said:

an easy train ride to and from Rouen?

it is only a little under an hour from le Havre to Rouen by train, direct with  no changes.

There have been a number of past threads about doing this, and if you have not already done so, reading some of them might help.  Choose from these:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=rouen&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462: