REDSONJAMN

On 8/24/2024 at 5:51 AM, 0106 said:

Awoke to a rainy turn around day in Rotterdam.  Today we did a HAL tour The Windmills of Kinderdijk, built in the 1700s, collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site for $139.

The 19 windmills that remain intact today are lined up along the riverfront and were used to pump rising water to the canal and keep the village dry.

Beautiful garden outside  We were able to go inside inside one of them for an up-close appreciation of how these simple machines harness the power of the wind in order to work. ( Kept the video short to be sure it would post.)

 

IMG_1389.mov 2.25 MB · 4 downloads

It was interesting to watch the drawbridge to the windmill go up so a canal boat could pass through.

 

 

The guide was good.  There was a brief movie, a coffee shop and a gift shop.  
 

Looking forward to Sailaway and our next adventure.

THANK you so so much doing this excursion next year on my back to back in NORWAY--loving all your posts so much---

On 8/23/2024 at 4:32 PM, Bkguy said:

Missed signing up in time for the Rotterdam excursion to Kinderdijk.  Looks like we can do it using the Waterbus.  

I am doing this excursion next year---on my back to back in NORWAY---please post what you thought if you end up going----

It wasn't on HAL but I did take an excursion to CINQUE TERRE through NCL---I loved it--Basically it was by BUS and FERRY and I think we hit 3 of the island villages out of the 5-- I bet it would be similar---I took the same cruise for 2 weeks so one week while at LIVORNO I did FLORENCE and the NEXT week I did CINQUE TERRE--Really hard to pick--

I remember eating in CINQUE TERRE REGION the best PESTO on some GNOCCHI I have ever had--supposed to be invented there-- I also love ART and bought the best leather goods and scarfs in FLORENCE as well as the MUSEUMS--You can't go wrong---

I loved your recap and and you can tell it was honest and from the heart----I am so glad both kids had the best time--CRUISING as family usually everyone has fun-----

THanks--This helped me decide to do CANNES on my own---:)

THANKS so much------:)

REALLY--No one knows any of this? Well I guess I tried.....:eek:

Does anyone happen to know how early we can use the SPA in the AM--we will have SPA PASSES. Also is the fitness center open at the same time? My cousin needs to run on a treadmill and continue training for her marathon coming up even on vacation. Any help on the hours would be great. I tried using the search function to find this out and nothing came up.

LAMINAI IN BELIZE----( I agree with the poster above)

HELMET DIVING when they still had it in GRAND CAYMAN-----

DOG SLEDDNG ALASKA--------

THE ROYAL DOLPHIN on ISLA MUJERES off of CANCUN

I have not done B2B with Norwegian in Barcelona, but they were very good about it when I sailed as an 'in-transit' passenger in Europe.

 

They put a letter in my cabin the night prior with a special baggage tag as I was changing cabin as I had been upgraded on my second sailing. The letter included instructions for exactly what I needed to do.

 

If you are staying in the same cabin, it should be even easier.

 

They are actually able to close out your account with NCL and then just transfer the account to the next cruise. You do have to go by the Reception in the morning and get your new 'key card'.

 

This is then what you need to get back into the terminal later. I would take the passport or copy of the passport with you.

 

I really liked that NCL let me book the shows and spa services for the next cruise when I was already onboard as that made day 1 of the second sailing completely stress-free.

 

While they might offer 'in-transit' tours, I have no idea. Barcelona is very easy and you can even just buy a round-trip with the port bus to take you into the city.

Letting me book ahead for the next week is great to know----I was hoping they would let me do that--THen it would be really relaxing---THink I might even try for the CHEFS TABLE for the 2nd weeks since I will be on board already.

Not sure which ship you will be on but you might have excursion options if it is the Epic. We are boarding the Epic in Rome so Barcelona will be a port stop for those of us doing the Rome/Rome cruise, while others are leaving the ship to go home we will be mid cruise touring Barcelona.

I thought the same thing too---When I go look for shore excursions on their site for that day--it is just the transfer ones---I am sure this is due to boarding in BARCELONA--maybe when I am on the ship they would let me sign up for another excursion available to the ROME passengers---

I am both roll calls for my cruises and have all my trips set with many different groups. NO one as of yet was facing my dilema that is why I posted this question----

Everyone on the roll calls is getting in or leaving the day I am talking about---

I also stated earlier I could just wait and not plan anything and do the HO HO BUS--I wanted to know if I could book a tour----others ahead of you on this thread I think got my question answered---and it looks like I should be able to leave when I want and take a tour if I set one up.---

Thanks I will get planning a day trip then----

I have read in my research that I do not think I need to re-board since I started in BARCELONA and will end there after 2 weeks---I just wasnt sure if I get my key the night before how long I have to wait to get off the next morning if I want to do some sightseeing or set up a tour. I am in the same stateroom for 2 weeks----Maybe I should just wing it and get off when I can that day and hop on a HO HO bus for that day and call it good.

Hello---fellow CC'ers---

Since I will board in BARCELONA then COME back to BARCELONA on the 7th DAY I would like to schedule a tour on that RE-BOARD day. Is there someone on the ship that I can get off early and RE-board later or must I wait to RE-board and then get off ship to go sightseeing----All the ship tours assume you are going to the airport or hotel--I am not even sure I could join one of those since I need to get back to ship.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hello---fellow CC'ers---

Since I will board in BARCELONA then COME back to BARCELONA on the 7th DAY I would like to schedule a tour on that RE-BOARD day. Is there someone on the ship that I can get off early and RE-board later or must I wait to RE-board and then get off ship to go sightseeing----All the ship tours assume you are going to the airport or hotel--I am not even sure I could join one of those since I need to get back to ship.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

When I would travel with my son when he was their ages I would mix it up. My son happened to love HISTORY so he was okay with MUSEUMS but I would always try and mix in some fun or a break.

The Rome TOURS are so expensive from the ship I would try on your roll call to get together with other families to make your own tour especially for ROME so you can customize to suit your needs.

NAPLES you might want to consider a ships tour for ease and comfort for POMPEII and some other sites.

I have always had the best luck using the roll calls to help find tours with others. I am going ont he EPIC in SEPT and have all my tours booked with other people and doing one or 2 SHIPS tours that worked for me--

You know your kids better than anyone and you know how much they can take before they need a break for some GELATO or LUNCH or to get out of the car/bus etc.-----trust your instincts---

BEST Of LUCK----

I too bit the bullet and am going solo...Europe this fall....epic...did the studio

I'm 46 but our roll calls are good mixture...I did the studio and can go for

2 weeks now....Sept 14 and 21st... have set up tours with others on

Both roll calls....the 1st week also has a singles cruise on board...should think about it or go check out the roll calls.....