numbersix

We are on the Rotterdam Nov 30 sailing (Athens to Rome, 11 nights) and we just received notification on upsells yesterday, and were able to grab a Neptune Suite. So the timing should be just about right, if there are any upsells coming on your cruise.

We love to cruise--sometimes just the 2 of us, and sometimes with our 2 kids--twice in 2007, when they were 10 (DS), and 8 (DD)--Princess, and Carnival (Christmas); again in Aug 2010 (they were 13 and 11), and soon, on Nov 30, on HAL--so far, they have accompanied us on 2 Caribbean cruises, and, soon, on their second European (Med) cruise.

I always wonder why so many coddle and cater to the younger ones in the family or group.

We have never catered to them when travelling--well, not much, anyway. They come with us, and do what we do, and go where we go. They are old enough now, that we do let them go off on their own sometimes, but that they always represent the family, and must always behave as such.. They are well aware that the alternative is that they stay home---I (we--my DW and I) are travelling anyway--the only question is whether the kids come along with us, or not. I know some may think it harsh, but it's my money, and my cruise--and if the kids come--my rules.

But, nonetheless, they love the ships and the sea, and love trying new and different things in the Main Dining room--they are really looking forward to the Dutch High Tea on the Rotterdam, and they especially love dressing up for formal nights (I know--wierd, huh?). They never really cared for the kids' clubs, but really enjoy the shows and entertainment and activities on the ship. They are reasonably sociable, but also realize that whether they make or find friends on the ship has little bearing on their cruise experience. They love travelling and exploring along with us--museums, churches, archeological sites, shopping, exploring, villages, beaches, the great cities of Europe, the local culture, the local people, et cetera.

I see my role as parent as trying to educate them and to challenge them; in the case of travel and cruising, by exposing them to the joys of travel-- by giving them the opportunity to explore the world. I do not see my role as facilitating trips to European water parks, or to pick a kid-centric cruise line, vacation, or itinerary to suit them. I try to instill in them that travel is a gift--and our time here is short--I think they have figured out that it's a shame to waste precious travel time by doing things they can do at home (video games/hanging out, et cetera)--isn't the point of travel precisely to do things that we can't do at home?

I think that, especially here in North America, we sell our kids short by catering to them, and coddling them. We should give them more credit than that...and they might just surprise us by how resourceful, mature, and grownup they can be...given half a chance.

To the OP--personally, I think your 15-year old will love a European Cruise, and Holland America will be a fine way to go.

You'll have a great time!

Thank you both! I guess that we will have to be content with viewing the Haghia Sophia from the outside, and hope to be able to visit another time (always be optomistic, huh?). I see that shorex listings for the Monday tours in Istanbul include 2 or 3 tours which list it as a stop ("visit"), but I could not face the prospect of an 8-hour ship's tour!! We will, for this time, have to content ourselves with Istanbul's (many) other treasures!

Thanks again.

We will board the Rotterdam on Nov 30th for 11 nights, Athens to Rome. Thanks so much for this--I can't imagine how much time and effort it took! We were looking forward to our cruise--and even more so now after reading and enjoying your illustrated review!!

Great stuff!

We will be on the HAL Rotterdam, departing Athens on Saturday, Nov 30th (2013)...on Sunday, we cruise the Dardanelles, and are scheduled to arrive in Istanbul (our first visit there) at 4 pm.

We are faced with the problem that the Hagia Sophia's 'winter hours' are to 5 pm, with last tickets sold at 4 pm; it is closed the next day (Monday).

Can anybody comment on their experience with afternoon arrival times in Istanbul---i.e. does the ship regularly, or even ever, arrive early? I'm hoping we might arrive early and that we could scoot over by 4 pm--or are we just out of luck and should resign ourselves to missing the Hagia Sophia?

Thanks, all!

Yes it is Seyne-sur-Mer

 

I contacted the TI and they told me that the Ferry to Toulon takes 20min for 2 euro and is within a short walk from the ship (the details are posted on previous threads here) . She will have a TI booth set up as you get of the ship if you need maps or information

Wise guy, eh??;)

I wonder if that was the same lady that went far above and beyond the call of duty when we stopped there in May of 2010, when Sixt had 'lost' our car reservation. The TI lady called around and found us a car (from National/Europcar)--she was a great help.

The local TI sets up a trailer/tent near the gangway when ships call, and are very friendly and helpful.

Is La Seyne-sur-Mer closer or farther from Avignon versus Toulon?

It's a few kilometres closer, as La Seyne is just across the bay (to the west) of Toulon.

However, Avignon is a long drive (2 hours) from La Seyne. I wouldn't, unless there are special reasons to go, or unless you've seen absolutely evrything there is to see that's closer...like Aix, Cassis, Sanary-sur-Mer, Bandol, Hyeres, Le Castellet (fabulous hill town), or, even, Marseilles.

Enjoy your day in Provence, whatever you do!

Great job Stacy!!

Thanks--I can only imagine what time and effort went into all that! We've have been fortunate enough to cruise in the Med a few times, and have been to all your ports, save Messina--your great pics and commentary just brought it all back, and I got to relive some sunny days in some of the most beautiful places on the planet, on this, a rainy spring day in Toronto.

Fabulous job!

And, if I might say---I, and I'm sure, all hot-blooded males north of the 49th parallel, think you to be quite delectable (said in my best Wayne's World/Stan Mikita Donuts voice);)

(I have achieved, and struggled, and re-achieved significant weight loss, and know what a struggle, and what an achievement, it is--good on ya, kid!

Kevin

You can put the Birg ticket into the turn styles at the metro to open the gates.

 

The train station for the Vatican and St Peters is St Peters I have never heard of it called San Marco.

:o:o:o:o:o:o

Ay carumba!!! I meant to say San Pietro.

Dreaming of Venice, I guess! Thanks for waking me up!!

I'll try to help. It's been a couple of years since we used the BIRG ticket, but here's my recollection:

On a port day, you would depart the ship--the port at Civitavecchia is a large working port, and you you can't just walk out, but rather must take the mandatory (free) shuttle bus to the port gate. From there, it's a, maybe, 10 minute walk along the waterfront to the train station (opposite side of the street). You buy a BIRG ticket from the window, and proceed to the proper track for the train to Rome (Termini, but also stops at San Marco, for the Vatican, Tratavere, Ostiense (connect to Metro; 2 stops to the Coloseum), or Termini ("ter-meen-ee"), the main station. You'll see an ancient-looking yellow machine on the wall or on a post--cancel your BIRG ticket here--the BIRG ticket is (or, was) a heavy paper ticket, much like a parking garage ticket/receipt, with a magnetic stripe down the back.

This is not a BIRG ticket, but the BIRG ticket looks just like it:

Get on the train to Rome, and alight where you wish. Your BIRG ticket is also good for the Metro (North American 'subway', or 'underground', or 'tube'), Rome buses, trams, 'Electricos'--really cool, small, electric buses that wend their way through the historic center of Rome.

For buses and trams, I believe you just get on, and show your BIRG ticket to the driver. For the Metro, I seem to recall that you show it to the ticket agent at the turnstile/ticket wicket.

You use your BIRG ticket all day for transportation. I seem to recall that you only validate it once--before use.

The BIRG ticket is good for all Rome transportation, and 'Regionale' trains (i.e. not 'high speed' trains.

Be aware that the Metro in Rome is not overly useful for visitors--it's just 2 lines, and only a few stops that may be of use.

When taking the train back to Civitavecchia at the end of the day (check times at trenitalia.it), you may catch it at Termini -- some trains also stop at Ostiense and/or Trastavere and/or San Marco. Trains take an hour from Termini; 40 mins from San Marco. Catching the train at Ostiense, Trastevere or San Marco is rather easy, as there are only a few tracks, so easy to find the right one. Termini is a huge, busy place--the trains for Civitavecchia (almost--check the screens) leave from 'satellite' tracks 25-29, which are a FAR walk from the main concourse (tracks 1-24)--walk a couple of hundred metres next to track 24 to reach them. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to find out from the screens/signs which track your train will be on ('bin.' ("binario") = track), and to walk to it.

Termini station map, showing satellite tracks (25-29):

I would recommend that you avoid Termini unless you really want to see a huge European train station inaction--use the other stations. On the way in, use San Marco for the Vatican, Trastavere for walking/exploring, or Ostiense for a quick metro transfer to the Coloseum, and any one of those on the return.

Good luck--enjoy Rome!

We have rented cars (once in Toulon when docked there, and once in Sanary-sur-Mer) and explored the local towns and beaches. Driving in France is easy and civilized; roads are well sign posted.

We quite enjoy Le Castellet, a picturesque hill-town, Sanary-sur-Mer (cute town, harbor, beach), and Cassis. Bandol was 'ok'. Lots to do/see in the area, some good wineries to visit, too.

Enjoy Provence!

Kevin

Agree with Hank...we rented from DIAS in August...nice people...40 Euro (all-in) for a Fiat Panda 5 seater for the day...120 kms incl, which is plenty for Ancient Olympia, and back, plus nearby beach...we had a great day. I can't see needing to book unless it's very high season, or there are several ships in that day, and you're one of the leter arrivals, or unless you might need an automatic (always in short supply in Europe). Drop them an email about the availability of a van, or larger car.

Kevin

hi,we also haven t decided how to get to olympia yet,so the taxi you hired waited for you or u took another one back,will there be taxis available at olympia to get back on time.

We were there in 2004, just before the Athens Olympics, and long before the train started running (can't imagine the taxi drivers were too happy about that!), and we will be there again this August, unless the whole place is under martial law by then (just kidding!) Our preference would be to take the train, but last time we hooked up with another couple and shared a taxi to olympia (I forget how much it cost, though), but the price included round trip transportation, and he waited there for us--I think we had 2 or 3 hours there--I guess you can negotiate however much time you wish--it's about 35 kms (22 miles) and takes about 40 minutes or so, each way to drive.

We really enjoyed Olympia!

Kevin

Probably by vaporetto (water bus) either from the terminal. Info here:

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/vaporetto_routes2_table.htm

Both Murano (glass) and Burano (lace) are moderately interesting, but if you only have one day, and haven't been to Venice before, there are far more spectacular things to see and experience. The glass and lace can be purchased all over Venice, and if it's glass blowing you wish to see, there are some workshops around San Marco. But they are nice diversions for the repeat visitor, or if one has a few days in Venice.

Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy your day!

Thanks, John, for those great pics of the Noordam III...brought back a great memory. There's just something "je ne sais quoi" about that blue hull, though...doesn't suit the white hull at all (IMO).

Thanks again,

Kevin

Thanks, John, for those great pics of the Noordam III...brought back a great memory. There's just something "je ne sais quoi" about that blue hull, though...doesn't suit the white hull at all (IMO).

Thanks again,

Kevin

Great thread!

Our first cruise was in March 1995...Honeymoon...(the old) Noordam...Western Caribbean...FLL-Key West-Ocho Rios-Cozumel-Grand Cayman-FLL.

Arriving at the cruise terminal and seeing the ship for the first time was absolutely magical! Soon we were thinking, "This is cool...we get to travel on this floating palace, eat as much great food, and whenever we wish, have great entertainment, get treated like kings and queens, AND, they take you to exciting places we only could dream about when we were kids!" And yes--we were hooked. And...that first glance of the ship remains just as magical.

Kevin

Great thread!

Our first cruise was in March 1995...Honeymoon...(the old) Noordam...Western Caribbean...FLL-Key West-Ocho Rios-Cozumel-Grand Cayman-FLL.

Arriving at the cruise terminal and seeing the ship for the first time was absolutely magical! Soon we were thinking, "This is cool...we get to travel on this floating palace, eat as much great food, and whenever we wish, have great entertainment, get treated like kings and queens, AND, they take you to exciting places we only could dream about when we were kids!" And yes--we were hooked. And...that first glance of the ship remains just as magical.

Kevin