edinburgher

And HAL is another often including Glacier Bay scenic cruising. There may have been changes in recent years, but both Princess and HAL used to have more GB permits than some other lines so could be worth looking at both lines once itineraries come available..

We will stay well away from the city centre, and plan a coastal walk. There are several other options which would keep you out of the city centre. Local city buses most likely to be affected due to road closures and diversions, but trains should be running more or less as normal even on a public holiday albeit with a reduced service.and the train station is not far from the port. You could eg consider the short train journey to Fuengirola and stroll the lovely seaside promenade and beach area, lined with restaurants, bars, cafes. And check buses from there up to pretty Mijas Pueblo.. Usually around 3 an hour as it is such a popular route. If there are fewer you could stay in Fuengirola, if not go up to Mijas. or take a taxi from Fuengirola to Mijas. And many of the other resorts are served by the same Malaga to Fuengirola train route. Info on both Fuengirola and Mijas can be found online.

8 people with luggage Simple solution All 8 of them and their luggage do not need to travel in the same carriage as there will be several carriages to each train. Split up,into 2's X 4 or 4'sX2 or even a 6 and a 2

Our Mediterranean cruise has a stop in Valletta, Malta, and we were wondering about doing a boat tour of some sort. You will actually have a spectacular sail-in to Valletta and out again too, as you arrive and depart the Grand Harbour. If this your first visit, be out on deck early to enjoy it to the max. I would rank this arrival as one of our top 3 favourites but others may disagree. So spectacular is it, that boat tours of the Grand Harbour are offered locally, but you will experience most of it from your cruise ship for free. If you internet search something along the lines of "boat trips Malta" or "boat trips from Valletta", you should find several options in the results and the websites should have info on whether or not you need to book ahead. Once you docknand exit the port area, turn right and walk a few hundred yards until you see the lift opposite. 1 euro pp to go up, free to come down. (you would usually see the lift from your ship as it makes its way past there to the docking position).It takes you up to the Barrakka Gardens which have one of the best panoramic views on Malta. Exiting the gardens you will be in the heart of Valletta.

want to explore Portovenere this summer from La Spezia. Do not go to any individual thread, go only to the main ItalyBoards Forum then use the SEARCH box under your username rto find previous threads about Portovenere. (insert portovenere then hit the little spy glass)Faster than back paging as some references are sort of disguised under the names of different ports.. This quite recent thread has info and some images but there are others too, https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2911139-la-spezia-anything-to-do-within-a-short-drive/#comment-64868150

My bad.I may have skipped through it too quickly first time. The shuttle bus/navette info is also on the english version of the airport website. Hit bus then Gare St Charles.

take us to see the Pont du Gard, then drop us off at our hotel at Nimes. If you are prepared to DIY this plan and save money too, it appears there is a train route from Arles to Nimes and a public bus fom Nimes to Pont du Gard. Should be easy to find info on both by internet searching eg "Arles to Nimes" and" Nimes to le Pont du Gard". You could also consider a train/taxi combo but should get an approx. price before getting into a taxi in either Arles or Nimes.

The Luberon villages are very scenic and there is a small chance of seeing some lavendar in the area, although it really only starts around late June with peak flowering more in July. Having looked at your Luberon tour link which names some really pretty villages, you could internet search "lavendar fields in the Luberon" and compare the locations with those areas named on your tour, because if there is a match, you would probably be better with the Luberon tour, but of course that is only my opinion and others may disagree.

cannot find any company to take us to La Seyne from the Marseilles airport. no need for an expensive company or a taxi all the way. There is a shuttle bus/navette which runs between the airport and the main train station in Marseille. (la Gare St Charles) It used to run from early morning until late evening approx every 20 or 30 minutes( but you would need to check online for a timetable and current ticket prices) as there may have been changes since we last used it in September 2019. We bought the tickets from a little ticket office beside the bus stop outside one of the two terminal buildings and showed the driver when we boarded.. if arriving or departing early or late and the ticket office is closed, the driver could be paid instead. It drops you just outside the station on the upper level, you only need exit the bus and go in a station entrance door a few steps away to access the platforms and ticket machines so quite easy with luggage. From there you can get a train to la Seyne, or, if Toulon has more frequent trains, travel to there instead.Your choice. A taxi from either station would take you to the dock. This would be a much cheaper way to get from A to B and relatively easy even with luggage as there are not really any stairs involved, unless at Toulon or la Seyne stations and I know nothing about either. UPDATE I had a quick look at the airport website. Top right corner to select english language. Rather unusually, I found the timetable and all info on the shuttle bus on the french version of the airport site, under "bus" NOT the english version. Having clicked "bus"on the french version look to the left for the options and click on the Marseille St Charles train station option. It still runs and if you are trying to find it online, search for L91 Marseille airport shuttle bus" Current cost pp is euro 8pp and a few cents one way. If returning, it is cheaper to buy a return than it is to buy 2 singles.Just hold onto your return tickets to show the driver. Last time we were there, train ickets were bought from machines and required payment by card. There was an actual ticket office but the lines were enormously long and it was well understaffed so if the same now, be prepared to use a machine and card.

We have cruised multiple times for over 25 years and all we ever picked up was the dreaded "cruise cough" which we caught a number of times. That also happened a few times after longer haul flights too, so it isn't unique to cruise ships. We think the forced air or a/c is the culprit as we Britsare unused to it. It has not put us off flying, but what the chances of catching it on a future flight are, I would have no idea. Many years ago, 3 of our four family members caught Noro on a land based hotel stay in Spain. Nasty at the time but it didn't put us off staying in hotels for ever more and it never happened again. What were the chances? We are cautious on ships, not touching hand rails or elevator buttons (use elbows for these) and avoiding touching surfaces wherever possible.(Eg when moving dining or other chairs, use a napkin/serviette to touch them) We are also alert to any signs that there may be Noro onboard and tbgin extra precautions. Should you see staff have removed condiments from dining tables and that the buffet is no longer "self serve" these are very good ealy warning signs as these are usually the first precautionary changes staff will make in public areas which passengers will notice, although additional cleaning/wiping down handrails and in public areas and elevators would be another indication. Noro is actually on the rise in the UK right now, as it is every winter. Most know it as "winter vomiting bug".as it comes around every year usually between Oct/Nov and March/April. In England case numbers are currently the highest they have been for a number of years. Chances of catching it if visiting the UK? Who knows. chances of YOU catching it on a UK land trip, again who knows?

I'm not looking for tourist destinations like the Blue Lagoon, but something else entirely. You don't say what that "something else" might be so difficult/impossible for others to guess your thoughts. Are you hoping to hike, or ride horses, or whale watch, or do some climbing or kayaking? I will say that, should you decide against a car rental in Akureyri there are local companies offering shorex which highlight the natural wonders of this area of Iceland. A much easier day with none of the hassles of picking up a car, returning etc. and the rental cost may be higher than you expect it to be. There have been many past threads about Akureyri, simply use the SEARCH box under your name to find them, but this very recent thread might be of interest to you, although you need to read it through as it doesn't begin that way: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2910739-akureyri-activities/#comment-64715461 And have you checked your Roll Call to see if any others have already set up tours and looking for fellow pax to share? Alternatively, if you set one up, you could ask on your Roll Call if others want to join you to share the cost. A fabulous well recommended by cruise pax in the link above with sights you would not find anywhere else in the world. As for Reykjavik, if you only have one day there, the Golden Circle is the "must do" #1 tour and offered by multiple companies and as shorex. There is no need to go to the Blue Lagoon should you have no interest. as that is not normally included in a Golden Circle tour due to its location near the airport and the additional time needed.

Warnemunde is actually a pretty seaside resort to explore and is a suburb of Rostock. For a really easy and interesting day, combine Warnemunde with Rostock. Very very easy to DIY both as the cruise berths are a 2 minute walk from the train station, and to get into Warnemunde itself, you pass through the train station and you are there. We went into Rostock in the morning, had a quick late lunch onboard then explored Warnemunde in the afternoon. All very easy as warnemunde into Rostock is no more than a half hour journey, possibly a little less, although once there you might want to take a tram from the station to the historic centre to save a long walk. There will be much online info about Rostock if you search. There have been a good number of previous threads about Warnemunde and possible sightseeing options, very easy to find if you use the SEARCH box under your user name. You can read all the results at your leisure. Note that before using this option, you should not be on any individual thread, stay on the main N. Europe and Baltic Board. So easy to use and I had a quick look and found 50 plus threads, this being a typical one which you should find helpful https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2689783-suggestion-on-what-to-do-in-warnemunde-germany-for-one-day/#comment-58176680

Second day we are looking at tours to Sienna or Lucca. A good suggestion from Hank one worth considering. I would take Sienna out of your plans. A very long journey each way (around 2 hours or so)so not ideal for a port day. OTOH, Lucca is aTuscan gem and an easy DIY by train from Livorno. It is very popular with cruise pax and can be combined with a stop at Pisa, or not, as it is your choice. Once in Lucca, there is really no need for a guide as the historic centre and the walls are a joy to stroll around. One entrance to the historic centre is only a two minute walk across the street from Lucca train staion. As so popular, there have been many many previous threads on both Pisa and Lucca which you could find easily by using the SEARCH box under your username as that is faster and easier than back paging.

Where to have dinner in Oslo? Definitely as advised above, as being on the correct board will hopefully generate responses.

We love architecture, history, vista's, walks in the towns. I should have pointed out that post #4 above has a link to the excellent thread which Roger b keeps up to date. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2697012-palma-de-mallorca-diy-new/page/6/#comment-62640735 Once on that thread, look at page #1, post #5 for info on walks with architectural themes.

How difficult is it to move around the city during this week? No personal experience of Seville during Semana Santa, but twice in other towns in Andalucia. Malaga was one of them.. We would actually deliberately avoid that period anywhere in that region.in future. Expect Seville to be rammed with people. Pushing your way through crowds at the pace of a tortoise or a snail should be expected. Google is your new BF. Try searching for" Seville Semana Santa 2023" or "Semana Santa Seville 2023"to find details of the many processions taking place that week, their timings and their routes, also if you need to pre-book your tickets for certain viewing areas.. My understanding from the other locations is that tickets are usually sold out several months ahead.. i would also try searching for "tips for Seville Semana Santa", or "reviews of" or somethng similar, as make no mistake, this is the biggest event of the year in Seville (apart from their spring fiesta) with major traffic and public transport diversions, closures of many sights and crowds everywhere. Any advice on how to navigate your way through it all would probably be helpful .

private tours from LeHavre to Normandy - le Havre is actually IN the Normany region so it isn't obvious where in"Normandy" you are interested in visiting as you gave no indication. If you are looking for a tour to the Normandy Beaches, there have been many previous threads with private tour recommendations. You could either back page to find them, or use the SEARCH box under your user name. Or would pretty Honfleur interest you? So easy, no tour needed. Taxi or public bus each way as the distance is short. Again, many many previous threads about Honfleur, one of the most popular side trips for cruise pax who have no particular personal connection to the Normandy beaches... Or Rouen is another oprtion. An easy train ride each way from le Havre. A little less than an hour. Ancient, medieval, the capital of Normandy. Think Joan of Arc. Or the Alabaster Coast? Thinking about Etretat and Fecamp as an example. Scenic, we did it using public buses but a private tour would be better for this area. Most of the above options would give you the freedom and flexibility to spend as much or as little time as you wanted. Much info on all these locations can be found online, and reading "homework" should help you decide where it is you are wanting to visit, because if you cannot tell a tour company where you want to go (eg travel distance ) and for how many hours you would need their services, rhey cannot quote you costs. Google could become your new BF

We will have a 5-year old and a 7-year old on our European cruise. Maybe you could have a beach day in either le HAVRE or in Honfleur? If there is a nice one in Honfleur, you could mix some beach time for the kids with a wander around this really pretty town for the adults and it would be easy to do using either a public bus, or a taxi each way. I don't think there is much in le Havre otherwise as it isn't the most attractive town, although it is a good base for sightseeing elsewhere in the region. Paris would not only be a very expensive shorex for you as a family, but it would also be an exhausting and very long day for the kids. If searching le Havre or Honfleur beaches, or something like "le Havre(or Honfleur) for kids", for best results be mindful that it is le HAVRE and not le Harve.

Has anyone parked in Marseille ( either cruise port or other secure, longer term facility) for longer than a week that can advise please? Marseille Provence airport is around 30 mins by taxi from the cruise terminals at Fos. Might that be an option? Or could you reverse your plan and find parking at or near the port of Genoa for your return and make your way to Fos by some other means than your car?

Valdemossa was one and i forget the name of the other. But you'll likely have to take an excursion from the ship or third party vendor like Viator or Trip Advisor to see them. Can travel to Valdemossa by public bus or taxi. It isn't a long journey. Guesstimating no more than a half hour or so depending on traffic, but the city itself has much to offer with no need to go out of town on a first visit. OP you said we are too worried about going it alone on a brand new (to us) independent guide/tour without some background. That "background" is very easily found, you only need to do some pre-trip homework to find everything you need to spend a lovely day doing what interests YOU most, not others. The official visitpalma website has much info and many suggestions for visiting so you should start with that one. They even have suggested itineraries for 1/2/3 day visits which you might find helpful. And others including Tripadvisor for inspiration and images. And post#4 above gives the link to the CC thread with info specific to Palma. We love architecture, history, vista's, walks in the towns. Palma offers all of that so do your homework/research, loosely plan your day around your personal interests and enjoy your day without worrying about going out alone. And manylocals in Palma speak english which is an extra bonus if, like us, you have no knowledge of Spanish.

For sighseeing in Bordeaux itself, I really don't think a guide is necessary. The city is well served by public transport and most of the main sights are easily walkable from the very central docking location. One of the main transport hubs (Quinconces) is only a 5 minute walk from the usual cruise docking area, as is Place de la Bourse, the park with the monumental fountain is almost across the street and the botanical garden only a few minutes walk in the opposite direction. There is also a little tourist train which does a circuit with commentary. You could do that to get your bearings and an overall impression of the city, then follow your own walking tour. Suggest you spend some time looking at the official Bordeaux Tourist Info website which has much helpful info on it. Top right corner of the home page to select your preferred language. There is also a section on it about wine tours and private tours.. And look at other info sites such as tripadvisor for inspiration.

You should have been able to find that info in the ticketing section on the official Sagrada Familia website, so if you could not access first time (was the site temporarily down?) , try again. And if you want a tour, book that too. Many many previous threads and replies about accessing from the cruise terminal, timing and much more so do read past threads. Instead of back paging you could use the SEARCH box under your user name.

As the OP didn't mention being in Reykjavik for two days, I sort of assumed it was a one day call, same as the other two named ports. Yes, would agree that a south coast tour would be ideal if they had two days or a very very late night departuire time on a one day call as the south coast would need a longer time to complete.

I would not recommend a HOHO for Cadiz as most of the historic centre is pedestrian only and the bus route runs around the outside alongside the sea and to part of the more modern area. Read the many many past threads and replies about Cadiz by using the SEARCH box under your user name for Cadiz info the results of which you can read as there have been many suggestions for sights in Cadiz and the old town is very close to, and just across the road from, the port. Valencia is a little bit similar although not quite the same as there are two areas in Valencia, the ultra modern futuristic area and the Old Historic area, both very easy to DIY. Take a public bus to either from close to the port then explore on foot. Many past threads on Valencia, sameSEARCH process as for Cadiz, actually for all your ports. And the Valencia Tourist Info website is an excellent source of info so do look at that. Even has bus toutes, bus stops and all sorts of useful info on it. Once in the historic centre from the dock, The Old Town is flat with most sights in close proximity to each other so very easy to DIY before you take a different bus back to the port. OTOH Barcelona HOHOS are an excellent way to get an overview of the city as it is large and quite spread out. There are two routes so you cover most of the city highlights with stops at the top sights, but on a first visit you might just want to sit back for the full routes and enjoy what you are seeing with the absolute exception of the Sagrada Familia which you should definitely visit in person. Book a time slot ahead of your visit.. Malaga, sorry no idea of HOHOS as we usually DIY on foot there, unless going out of the city and we would use a train or public bus for those visits. HOHOS are not your only option for sightseeing. Many places can be just as easily visited using minimal (or no) public transport, you only need to spend some time doing online homework before you leave home, as information is all there waiting for you to find it, and sometimes strolling around stopping for drinks or a meal or snack is the nicest way to sightsee.

same response to all your other threads about suggestions. Try internet searching "Barcelona for teens" as there may be good results with suggestions for their ages. Also have them read about Barcelona as they might be tempted by some of the sights/sites described.. You don't say what their interests are, but a really obvious sight/site for teenage boys would be a tour of the world famous Camp Nou, home ground of FC Barcelona.. And for everyone,, #1 on your plan should definitely be the Sagrada Familia.. Barcelona is really quite easy to DIY as long as your do your own homework about public transport although you may not need that at all. The HOHO routes are worth looking at as the city is large and quite spread out and they give a really good overview of most of what the city has to offer. And if you stay onboard for the full routes, they are an easy and relaxing way to get a great city tour There are stops at both Camp Nou and Sagrada Familia.. As for the Sagrada F. you would need to pre-book that. Do search for and read previous threads and replies for all your ports by using the SEARCH box immediately below your user name, making sure you are on , eg France Boards for your French ports, SPAIN ports for your Spanish ports etc etc. I think that if you do both HOHO routes, visit Sagrada Familia also Camp Nou, and have a bite to eat somewhere along the way,most of your day will already be taken up, although there should be time for a short stroll around some of the historic centre before returning to your ship.