edinburgher

You should probably read some past threads before deciding as an informed decision is better than an uniformed one as it may not be as simple as you are expecting, and of course you need to take it both ways unless one way was enough for you and you opt to return by taxi or a public bus to the port gates, which would be an even longer walk.. In the past I have seen at least one member posting about the very very long lines at the port with anything up to a couple of hundred cruise pax waiting in line for the free port shuttle but you may be lucky with only your own ship in port that day and even luckier if you are sailing a small ship.. This post from a thread a few months ago. Posted November 14, 2023 (edited) The Port has a free shuttle service, from the area of Joliette Metro. Not easy to find, runs 1/2 hourly, very crowded. RTM 35T runs from Joliette to Port. Both end at the port gate for document check on entry, then a long walk to the terminals. Taxi isn't cheap, I'm thinking maybe 40 euros or more, but a lot more convenient. Walking is not practical.

In that case, a good Plan B is deefinitely possible Popular with cruise pax as you dock centrally, it is super easy to DIY and there are a number of sights for you to choose from. Many past threads with info and suggestions so do use the easy search tool to find them if you have not already done so. This to help you get started and do use the link in post #4 for even more info. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2860877-alesund-in-7-hours-help/#comment-63424351

Should replies on here be disappointing, as nowadays just about everything and anything appears to be found on YouTube, you could try there, inputting the words "Sailing the Caldera of Santorini" in the search box.

The Mayor of Barcelona has announced that ALL tourist accommodation in the urban area in tourist apartments, VRBOs, Air BnBs etc are to have their licenses revoked BY 2028 due to the shortage and affordability of rentals for local residents. Apparently there are currently around 10,000 licenses in place. As the word "BY" has been used, it means it is currently unclear what the actual date will be. Maybe best to book only actual hotels until more is known. There is much info on this to be found online.

Civitavecchia actually has beaches of its own with at least one only a very short stroll from the port. Find locations and descriptions of type of beach and the availability of umbrellas, chairs etc online.

If you are already in Rome, you could probably replicate these "great" tours with other providers. This means you could tailor your tours to your own personal interests (and timings) rather than having to follow the cruiselines "one size fits all" tours.

As you didn't name all your Greenlandic ports and one or two may be more "iffy" than others, as a general rule, there could be a number of reasons why you would not be able to tender or dock on a given day, but I think the two most likely would be fog or icebergs. We cruised Greenland twice and made all our ports each time, (five in total although one was twice) and even managed to cruise the extremely scenic Prince Christian Sound (possibly the iffiest of all) which can only be passed through if both ends are clear of icebergs as it is too narrow for most cruise ships to turn around. I hope your itinerary includes this passage as it is a highlight. We were to have two chances to pass through, one in each direction, and Captain told us we could miss both if conditions were not perfect, or we could be lucky and get one, but which he would not know until the day. We got through on our first chance as conditions were perfect and as it was open both ends the captain took the opportunity. That was on the now gone HAL Prinsendam. Both our Iceland/Greenland trips were with HAL and very good they were too.. However two weeks before our second one, a cousin and his wife missed either one or two of their Greenlandic ports as the entrances were blocked by icebergs, and although the area can be foggy, we mostly got that sailing between Iceland and Greenland, also the reverse, and it didn't cause us to miss a port. As an aside, "proper" icebergs are stunningly beautiful and you will probably fall in love with them just as we did. Their beauty was one of the reasons we booked a second trip a couple of years later. Nature is nature and you can neither plan for it it nor fight it. Embrace the opportunities this itinerary will offer and make the most of it even should things not quite go to plan.😀

As the Trollstigen excursion is offered from more than one port,you may get suggestions if you say which port it is.😀

In that case, you would probably enjoy Brugges from Zebrugge and Honfleur from le Havre. You can bring up all past threads for each of your ports by going onto the correct georgraphical forum and using the quick and easy SEARCH TOOL as . reading some of them will give you lots of information and suggestions. And the usual official Tourist information websites for each, and the likes of Tripadvisor, YouTube, Frommer's, Fodors, Rick Steves and anything else which appears when you internet search eg (name of town or city) Tourist Information. To help you get started le Havre https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=le havre&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462 Hamburg https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=hamburg&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=116

It isn't actually clear where you are thinking of going and that makes it difficult to reply.. By posting on this N. Eirope and Baltic board, do you mean the UK, Ireland, Amsterdam, Brugges, or are you thinking more like Scandinavia, Estonia, Poland or Latvia? . Plenty medieval towns and cities in the former, but Scandinavia, Iceland and Greenland , with the exception of a few, are more famous for nature and scenery.than for medeival towns. I think you need to look at itineraries (and not only with MSC as the constant "passengers off and on at different ports" doesn't suit everyone)) and decide which itineraries suit your own interests best. You didn't name the ship, but when you ask about inside cabins/staterooms and best deck level on the MSC board (as suggested above by TheOldBear) you should give the name of the ship. to help those who will try to answer, and with that name, you yourself could go to the REVIEWS section of this website and read what others wrote about their onboard and ashore experiences. The MSC Forum can be found here https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/49-msc-cruises/

Sorry to read this as you won't be the ony ones affected. What a tough decision to have to make as the drive up and down on the twisty road is part of the dramatic overall experience. And we stopped for a short time at Trollveggen on the way back, even watched a small number of climbers. Without both of these elements I don't think we would have enjoyed this tour as much as we did.

My apologies as this should have read The market in town sells many cheaply made counterfeit designer items of dubious quality which are of course illegal IN MANY COUNTRIES

And thanks for acknowledging as many don't bother. Enjoy your time there.😀

"the ruins" are the #1 reason your ship will port there and are generally acnowledged to be amongst the finest in the world. They are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And definitely do as suggested above and include the terrace houses. The market in town sells many cheaply made counterfeit designer items of dubious quality which are of course illegal and may be confiscated on your return to your country..

Did you find this individual thread? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2972598-seeing-alicante-on-your-own/#comment-66395455

As you didn't give your la Spezia sailaway time on day 2 it is difficult for anyone to comment, however, .la Spezia is further from both Lucca and Pisa than Livorno and I question whether you would have time for both, although one of them should be possible depending on your available time. On the other hand, you may want to consider a shorter more relaxing day after your long and probably tiring previous day. Reading this thread could offer suggestions Ignore the reference to driving as it isn't that at all. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2911139-la-spezia-anything-to-do-within-a-short-drive/page/2/#comment-65567136 If nothing on there tempts you, here are some past threads about la Spezia for you to choose which to read. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=la Spezia&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464

This link has info on the frequent public buses which should be able to accommodate more than 8 passengers, otherwise there is always the next one, because as cruise pax, you should always have a margin of safety and aim for at least the second last one which would get you back in time... There should be additional info to be found online to double check, but this to get you started. https://www.porto-venere.com/en/how-to-get-to-portovenere

You could look at your own "see my activity" posts to see how far back they go, otherwise you might need to contact CC directly to ask. And you could SEARCH this Italy Ports forum, or the SEARCH "everywhere" option using the SEARCH tool,but for that you would need search words other than "private tour" or "Amalfi "or "restaurant" as you could otherwise risk getting a few thousand results to wade through as these words are amongst the most frequently used on the Italy forum. Why is it so important? If you are returning and want to repeat the tour, there are still several well recommended private tour operators and no doubt some well recommended restaurants to be found. And since you last visited, times have changed and the "Amalfi Drive" has become more and more congested leading to delays, so there may only be time for a quick "on the go" snack instead of a leisurely restaurant meal.

Another consideration which nobody has so far mentioned are the number of daylight hours in January Do check average sunrise and sunset times for all your ports as your daylight hours will probably be shorter than you may be used to. And January is quite a dreary month as all the Christmas decorations and sparkly lights have been removed by then.

Did you take any photos that day? Looking at them may answer at least part of your question. Or did you perhaps post a restaurant/B and B review on Tripadvisor if you were a member at the time? If so, it woul be easy enough to review your older postings. or consider posting on the cruiseline thread of the ship you sailed with the name of the ship, the travel date and the private tour info in case somewhere who shared with you sees it.

Should you want to consider a different option, , public buses and taxis will also take you the short distance from Portovenere to la Spezia in a short time.😀

Do remember to check when buying the tickets if "composting" is still current or ancient history.

Never heard of ALCANTI, but if you mean ALICANTE, Spain, no tour is actually needed as the town is fairly compact, and although hilly in parts, much of it is flat. There is a lovely promenade and marina and several other sights to discover. Should you decide to go up to the castle, look for the elevator at street level rather than climb up.. Reading some of the past threads for suggestions might be helpful. Be aware that if using the CC SEARCH tool for past threads of all your ports, correct spelling is essential otherwise you will get no results. For Alicante .choose from these: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=alicante&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465 There are of course many other online resouces including the OFFICIAL Alicante Tourist Information website, Tripadvisor, YouTube and many others. when you search for "tourist information Alicante" or "what to do in Alicante" or similar.

We also bought ours on the day when we arrived at the station Do remember to "compost"/ ie punch/validate your tickets in one of the machines before boarding the train otherwise you risk a fine, although . I think things have changed and if bought in advance it may or may not be necessary. And tickets on regional trains may no longer require validation if they are dated for the day of purchase. Check with the ticket office when you buy.

Riverside Museum Glasgow is actually the TRANSPORT Museum should that be of interest..