BLine

We did the ships tour called 'Palermo and Monreale' - left ship 0930 and back on ship 1300 and termed 1/2 day trip. Monreale is not that far away from Palermo, just over 4 miles but if it's a DIY excursion then stick to Palermo and the church mentioned by cruisemom42

Hi - was on Ex2 a few months ago and here is a drinks menu, which may or may not help

No doubt you will be aware that the 8th May 2020 will be the 75th anniversary of VE day so lots of activity, visitors and possible restrictions at WW2 sites around that date. We had an excursion to Monte Carlo cancelled a couple of years ago on 8 May because of expected WW2 parades and road closures, ended up walking round Cannes so better than nothing.

2 hours ago, CruiseAdict218 said:

Is this for all the itineraries? 

google 'tui atozguide' and go down to section u

There are direct trains from Southampton to Portsmouth and it takes about 50 mins, there are 3 stations in Portsmouth, Fratton is the 1st, Portsmouth & Southsea is the 2nd then the one you want is the last one on the line and is called Portsmouth Harbour so make sure you ask for that station and your ticket may say ‘Any Portsmouth Station’, which is fine.

Historical Dockyards is a short walk (head left) from Portsmouth Harbour station and you can buy a multitude of tickets to see specific attractions or a one ticket does all, I am sure you have visited the website. The submarine ‘Alliance’ was our favourite and you need to use the frequent boat service (included in ticket price) to get to it, it will all become obvious once you are there. The Mary Rose exhibition requires an extra ticket if interested in that one.

Enjoy your trip

Rouen has a charm and two places come to mind, the church of Joan of Arc where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake and the magnificent Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Rouen, which is a straight walk past many shops from Joan of Arc church. Have not been to Honfleur so unable to comment

Depends what floats your boat if you pardon the expression, have been to Hamburg a few times and the Miniature Railway exhibition is really excellent (Baumwall S-Bahn station is nearest). An area we liked (short walk from the Miniature Rail exhibition) was St Pauli Landungsbrucken and there is the walkable old Elbe tunnel, shops/cafes and the usual harbour boat tours start there as well.

Venice airport to Piazzale Roma which is a big square and contains the bus station, as mentioned the ATVO bus is direct and more comfortable but there is another easily confused bus run by ACTV, which stops for locals.

ACTV also run the Vaporetto (ferry) service. If using a Vaporetto you obviously buy a ticket from one of the many kiosks, we prefer a day ticket and every time you start to board a ferry you must scan the ticket at the scanner machine, scanner is not on the ferry so don’t forget.

Venice is very walkable and getting lost is part of the fun. St Mark’s square is the hot spot and very expensive to eat/drink in that area.

As for hotels we just picked one near Piazzale Roma to save hauling luggage too far, google ‘hotels near Piazzale Roma’

You have to be on the ship to find that out and even then the times can be adjusted during the cruise to fit in with local or ship problems. Excursions will not start as soon as the ship docks as the ship will have to clear customs first and the ship’s crew will have to setup the gangway and necessary safety barriers and so on. ½ day trips can be anytime so don’t assume it is the morning and think you have the afternoon to yourself.

Tourism does not stop for a holiday and most shops will be open as normal, it’s the Banks, Post Offices and some offices and works that will be closed. Most transport will be as normal although some may run a Saturday service. Public or Bank holiday weekends usually means engineering works on the railway but they can’t be everywhere and buses will replace any trains not running.

We landed at 1pm, no buses available so stuck on plane then slow delivery of luggage and finally after ‘the walk’ we were on the bus at 2.30pm.

Going home and the 30 minute transfer time ended up at just over an hour. Airport was hot and no seats at all in the departure area we were in, things were running late and the heat was getting to people. The only good thing is bonded luggage going home worked well but will not be flying to Naples again bonded or not.

Depends what interests you, there is the Guinness experience but I preferred the Kilmainham Gaol (old prison) both best booked in advance. Sometimes it’s just as easy to wander about, go shopping and perhaps see the Molly Malone statue, cross the ha’penny bridge, visit a pub and so on. Please don’t waste the day on the ship.

This one is from the Squid and Anchor on Explorer 2

Just back from a B2B (Adriatic Splendours and Island Discovery) on Explorer 2 and a very nice ship.

Naples arrival, slow delivery of luggage then the long walk with luggage to the buses, not good if you have walking problems or the wheels on your luggage were damaged.

We found the Explorer 2 spacious with lots of seats but not keen on the 19th hole where here you can listen to golf balls getting whacked on the golf simulators, no thanks and it’s not a crowded bar.

Indigo is best place if you want peace during the day.

Market Place/Terrace (buffet) is massive compared to the buffet on Discovery

Broadway shows were good but you don’t get in until ½ hour before show starts and either take your own drink or grab something from what they offer from the table, queues form before doors open.

The touch screens round the ship has the weather forecast and all the info you want including Cruise News and you can now access all that for free with no download from your mobile or tablet so I can see the paper version of cruise news disappearing the same way as maps, news and puzzles have.

Boat drill is done inside the ship, new one on us

More shops than the Discovery but sadly just more of the same stuff

One of the best things is the glass door on the shower - no cold flappy curtain. Usual continental and US socket in cabin and noted a few UK sockets in coffee port. There is the usual safe, kettle and hair drier in cabins.

Bonded luggage going home only and not impressed with Naples airport, lack of seats and little or no air con. 

We have done the Black taxi tour and the Titanic experience in a one day trip from Dublin and would pick the Black taxi tour every time. Even our hard to please son preferred the taxi tour over the Titanic experience but it all depends what interests you.  

Have just checked our paperwork for the cruise this year from Naples and on the original booking done last year there is no mention of luggage and Naples but I did book a cabin last week and on the updated paperwork it now says exactly what Pensioncruiser said. Can’t find anything about that on TUI/Marella website.

We were there mid April a few years ago and went with a local tour operator and no problem with queues. I don’t know where you are looking or what the cost is of any tickets you have seen but Keukenhof themselves offer combined entrance and return bus ticket to Amsterdam for €30 each (2019 price). It’s a lovely day out and to see it all takes a while, the whisper boat trip costs extra and well worth it. One tip, if you visit one of the many souvenir shops at Keukenhof then don’t waste time with the others as they stock the exact same stuff.

You will need a standard European 2 pin adaptor, there is a USA socket as well but no UK sockets.

Stockholm - check your time of arrival and count back at least 5 hours and make the effort to get up and grab your camera as it is something not to miss. We gave up on the sail out as evening dinner/activities get in the way.

4 hours is not long and keep in mind the need for toilets and refreshments. Depends where you get dropped off but the castle will be nearest and by the time you have done that (don't forget the one o'clock gun) and wandered the Royal Mile area and the souvenir shops, listened to the bagpipe players you will have used up most of your time. The Britannia is just over 2 miles away in Leith and unless your really interested in an old ship I would give it a miss as you just don't have time.

Marella (used to be Thomson's) have everything except excursions in one price, which includes flights, tips, drinks, transfers etc so life is made easy for everybody. As for cabin, it's all down to what you want and can afford, I prefer inside as it's dark no matter what time of day when lights are out and I sleep better. You can book a specific cabin for £48 extra, if you do (I always do) go for mid ships or slightly forward and not above or below noisy areas.

Hope your trip is a good one

A bit early to book excursions but you can view them - on Marella/TUI main cruise web page scroll down to bottom of page and to the right of heading 'already booked' you will find 'book shore excursions', click on that then browse and view what you want.

Have just tried Marella/TUI website and if you put in Western Med instead of Eastern Med Porto Torres comes up on the excursion lists

What would happen if we asked for a double ? - would they oblige or would we have to order singles at a later time as other lines tend to do ?

I see you are going on the Discovery in Nov so All Inclusive, I was on the Discovery this year and had no problem asking for doubles. It was the only way a drink would taste like the ones at home.

Amsterdam Central Station is shortened to Amsterdam C.S. on the station notice boards and on your journey make sure it is Central Station before you get out as there are a number of others such as Amsterdam Zuid or Amsterdam RAI.

Tickets are normally from the machines, you can't miss them.

Like most big cities there is always some level of bag snatching so keep you and your cases together.