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Dorset Cruiser

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    Lantau island on own

    in Asia

    Posted

    On our first day in Hong Kong I was thinking of doing Lantau Island on our own using public transport. We stay overnight on the first port day in Hong Kong and disembark on the 2nd day.

     

    Is this doable or am I being too ambitious. We have a further 3 nights in Hong Kong but they will be 24, 25, 26 of december so not really sure if that would be the best time to do this day trip.

     

    If it is possible any ideas or suggestions regarding the best route to take.

    Thanks in advance

     

    Lantau Island is easy. Metro there, then either get the cable car (not running when we were there) or the bus up to the Big Buddha. We loved it.

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Thanks all for the updates. We are on QV 20 Aug 16 (14 days), atm the itinerary still showing Marmaris and Kusadasi. So not sure whether they will be cancelled!

     

    Dorset Cruiser: Any advice for Volos?

     

    Regards Maria

     

    Volos we visited a mountain village and then went to a beach. It was a ship excursion and we enjoyed it. Rhodes we hired a car for 55 euros and drove all over the Island 😀

     

    Captain said all Carnival brands were cancelling all Turkish ports for the foreseeable future.

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    We loved our Rhodes overnight and did not miss Marmaris one bit, likewise Istanbul (but we have visited there three times before). Think Cunard gave enough notice of the Marmaris cancellation - we thought there was no way they would actually call in there in any event. We were also pleased with our call into Volos and would happily return there.

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    As trouble continues in Turkey, QV has cancelled calling at Marmaris and will have two days in Rhodes instead. The Captain announced at his mid-day's announcement that all Carnival brands have cancelled callings at Turkish ports for the foreseeable future.

     

    Incidentally, as many here certainly know, Turkish president Erdogan was in Marmaris when the coup started. Just an hour after he left, military action took place and his hotel was bombed.

     

    Surely they bombed his palace in Istanbul not his hotel in Marmaris 🤔

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Reports still seem to be unclear about the extent of the intended coup. Istanbul certainly seems to be at the centre of things with bridges closed. If this develops further Turkey may be cancelled altogether. It will be interesting to see what happens to all the package holiday trips to Turkey that are approaching their peak at the moment.

     

    No flights from UK into Istanbul. Somehow I cannot see us going into Marmaris either.

     

    What a world ☹️

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    v

     

    We have already had an assigned cabin 2 weeks ago which was an upgrade and that has been removed , given to someone else according to out TA who spoke to Cunard and we have gone back to 'to be assigned'

     

    I am more concerned about overbooking .... I have heard that Cunards over booking compensation is money back and a small discount of another cruise.

     

    I am a bit of a control freak and like to have all my ducks in a row .

    I am keeping my fingers crossed 😳😳😳

     

    Hope you got the assignment you wanted. We are at the Sofitel Terminal 5 ready for our flight tomorrow 😀

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Is BF the lowest grade of balcony? If it is. Then you will either get what you booked or an 'upgrade'. Think positive 😀

     

    We booked a BC guarantee as I was a bit worried we would get one of the metal-fronted forward balconies if we booked the lowest grade. It cost us a little extra but it was worth it to us. As it was we only avoided an obstructed midship balcony (due to lifeboat equipment) by a couple of cabins - would have been annoyed if we had been allocated one of those. Fingers crossed for you but I am sure you will get a nice surprise 😀

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    We booked a guarantee balcony for QV leaving Athens on 16 July

    and received confirmation of a cabin number over a week ago.

     

    Just looked at VP now and the ports are correct at last , still no excursions, but our cabin number has disappeared.

     

    E ticket not available due to cabin not being assigned and consequently no luggage labels .

     

    What is going on?

     

    You are probably being upgraded 😀

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Why is my cruise personaliser saying Thessaloniki then?

     

     

    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

     

    Sorry, sorry - just looked at personaliser and it has changed to Marmaris. Not impressed - would rather stick to the Greek ports. Wonder when Cunard or my TA are planning to contact us over this. Nothing from either of them 😠

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Cruise critic news was correct

     

    VP has been updated overnight it is now

     

    July 18th Volos

     

    JUly 19th at sea

     

    July 20th Marmaris but it is still showing Genoa when you look at excusions

     

    Why is my cruise personaliser saying Thessaloniki then?

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted · Edited by Dorset Cruiser

    I think that is wrong as Cunard had Volos and Thessaloniki on their own website now. We are on this upcoming cruise but are still awaiting confirmation! Has anyone had an email or anything off Cunard yet?

     

    Nothing from Cunard or our TA but someone posted on Facebook that he had been emailed by his TA confirming that Volos and Thessaloniki are the substituted ports. Those ports are showing on my CP but it showed details of Genoa and not Thessaloniki.

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Cunard are damned if they do cancel Istanbul, and damned if they don't cancel Istanbul and God forbid there is a terrorist attack either at the port or on a passenger excursion. There is a recognised very real threat of further terrorist activity in Istanbul and I for one accept that Cunard felt it right to change the itinerary.

     

     

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    Istanbul Update - cancelled port

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    There have been warnings of other terrorist attacks in Turkey and I for one am pleased Cunard have changed their itinerary but I have been to Istanbul twice before. Will make the most we can of Thessaloniki and Volos.

     

     

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    Turkey Lira Question

    in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

    Posted

    Is this the same Istanbul that we visit quite frequently?????

     

    Most places accept plastic and/or euros, I've also seen USD being used.

    Tour boats (southern end of Galata Bridge) actually price their trips in euros.

    In the Bazaars they'll probably also trade for your wife, your first-born, & any camels that you might own. ;)

    Restaurants & cafes which sell alcohol will almost certainly accept euros - the majority Muslim inhabitants don't drink.

     

    For admission to Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and now the Roman Cistern all accept debit/credit cards, but no foreign cash. There's no admission charge for the bazaars. Or for the Blue Mosque although donations (as you leave) are accepted.

    Check the days of the week that these places are open.

     

    The exchange rate for euros can vary a great deal - even from customer to customer. ;).

    To avoid being ripped-off, if prices are only quoted in lire ask whether euros are accepted and what the price is in euros.

     

    Lire only on trams, some taxis, & shops which are clearly for locals. Ferries don't accept foreign currency, and because fares are ridiculously cheap I doubt they accept plastic.

     

    Euros are certainly more acceptable than other currencies, and I'm guessing you'll be visiting euro ports on your cruise.

    But I always like to have some local shrapnel in my pockets , and I suggest you get the minimum lire that an ATM will dispense.

     

    Flying in to Istanbul?

    Do fix up your transfer in advance over the internet, it'll be cheaper than taxis on the rank. There are several large well-respected transfer operators such as http://www.istanbulairporttransfer.net/ Their prices are all very similar (22 to 25 euros Attaturk airport to Sultanahmet, more like 30 euros airport to ship). No payment with booking, pay the driver. In euros or lire, I don't know about plastic.

    If you're expecting to arrive at the ship early morning before the baggage drop opens, there are left-luggage lockers at Sirkeci train station, quite close to the Spice Bazaar & not far (but uphill) to Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Roman Cistern etc. Then it's a two-mile taxi hop (with luggage I suggest you avoid the tram) to the ship.

    Bear in mind that if flying in you will need a Turkish tourist visa. Use the official govt website https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/

     

    I don't understand the reference to "unwelcome in the current political climate". The locals are very friendly & helpful, and although it's a year since our last visit this forum is full of similar comments from those who've visited recently. Tourists, and their money, are very welcome in Istanbul - one of our favourite cities.

    JB :)

     

    Most shops will only accept cards or lira, not dollars, sterling or euros.

     

     

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    Istanbul - visa requirements for cruise passengers

    in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

    Posted

    Re

    According to the Law on Foreigners and International Protection which entered into force on 11th April 2014, those foreigners who arrive at sea ports and intend to visit the seaport city or nearby provinces for touristic purpose are exempt from visa provided that their stay does not exceed seventy two (72) hours.

     

    Where does it say you have to leave by ship?

     

    I was going to arrive by cruise ship and leave by air within 48 hrs. They ding us poor Canadians $60 USD which for a family of three puts Istanbul off the list

     

    Everyone pays $20 each. Think thats not unreasonable.

     

     

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