marazul

No hotel has shuttles to the airport or cruise port. That is not an European thing. The only exceptions could be some American hotel chains in the immediate vicinity of an airport. However, all hotels will be happy to call you a taxi.

Hera Hotel or the Cocomat Athens next door.

Go to this link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/787-viking-star-roll-calls/ Then click on "Start new topic" on the upper right side of the page. You can also look for existing posts for cruises that include yours, for example a cruise on May 8-30 or something like that.

The price is 80 euros for 30 minutes. It goes up to 100 euros after 7 pm.

Many times the port is a gateway to other places. Just as many times the port is a destination. This is one of them. There are things to do for for the whole family. You can then get the kids back to the ship and the two of you can go back to town for great tapas and sightseeing, maybe even the museum.

Train. Look at sncf.com/en for the schedules.

It makes no difference, but be aware that mondays most museums are closed, but the Vatican and Colosseum are open.

Stay in Bilbao. Plenty to see and do.

Late June is the time to see lavender in either tour. They are two very different experiences. In the Luberon tour you will see a number of lovely villages and plenty of lavender. In the Lavender tour you will see more lavender, but you will also get to see Moustiers and the "Grand Canyon" of France. Moustiers is in a dramatic setting under rocky peaks and on the edge of a natural park area of the Loup river gorge. If you are interested in pottery, it is the center of some of the most beautiful and iconic faïence in France. https://www.moustiers.fr/en It is a tough decision. I love both areas and have visited both a few times when we lived in the area. For a first timer, you may have more to see in the Luberon tour. I am glad the Moustiers/Gorge tour is now offered. It is a spectacular area.

The station is 3 miles from from the port. You need a taxi or shuttle there. By the time you walk out of the ship, find a taxi, or load the shuttle bus, get to the station, buy the tickets, etc, you won't make the first two.

The station is not near the port. You are not going to make the first two trains. I would set the time for 10:30 to be safe. It's fine if you get there early. There is a lot to see on your way to the Duomo.

Should you change your mind about walking, a taxi from your hotel to either place is around 10 euros.

Last summer our friends were staying at a different hotel, not that close to ours. Rome Cabs picked them up at no extra charge.

You are looking for 4*. Do look at the Athens Gate and don't miss breakfast at the rooftop restaurant with views of the Acropolis. You have the whole morning for a walk in the Plaka before you need to get to the ship.

The Athens Gate hotel would be perfect for you. Search this board for lots of info. Also the Hera hotel.

The best and fastest is a private transfer. Even if you disembark at 9 am, you would be at the airport by 10 am, 3.5 hours before your flight. That's plenty of time.

Terry, the picture you posted is from Casa Batlló, not Casa Milá. They are three blocks apart on the Passeig de Gracia.

George's taxi will be right dockside. Even if you walk out at 7:30 you will be fine. The traffic will be very light sunday morning.

That's always best. We are the bistro type with a few Michelin stars added now and then. But, the JV also has great food. The OP is looking for memorable. The JV qualifies in all categories.

Hadn't heard about Ducasse-sur-Seine. Hank, why don't you volunteer and check it out? I will follow on your footsteps.😁 But for that kind of $, you can't go wrong with the Jules Verne.

I would also add the virtual reality experience at the Domus Aurea.

You need to call and reserve. Or ask your hotel concierge to do it. That could work.

Plenty of time. You do not go through customs to get off the boat. Look at taxigreece.com for transfers.

Well, I have been to Alaska and also gone to Denali, so I am ok there. 😉 I have also lived in France and travel there often. I have also been to Seattle several times. I realize you are impatient and wanted to achieve a dream, but you misread what I said. What I actually said is: 1) "Do not expect the best of French food on a cruise." That is, the food in those cruises is not what you would expect in a fine French restaurant, not that it was terrible. (It's like going to Seattle and having dinner in the Space needle. There is much better food in Seattle.) 2) "Also, you could miss seeing a lot of details because you are busy with dinner." That means the sightlines are fine, but you will be distracted while eating and might not get the full experience of a cruise. 3) "Why not take a cruise and enjoy the sights and then go to a wonderful dinner?" I did not say you would be wasting your time. I suggested you do both, take the cruise first and enjoy the experience and then go to a fine restaurant. The cruise (without a meal) takes 1 hour. Plenty of time to go to a restaurant afterwards. You chose to read my suggestions as a dream destroyer. I saw them as a dream enhancer. You said "ambience is more important than price." For magnificent French food and an amazing romantic experience, look at the Jules Verne restaurant on the Eiffel tower. https://www.restaurants-toureiffel.com/en/jules-verne-restaurant.html In fact, you can get on one of the cruises near the Eiffel tower and you would be really close at the end to go up for your reservation. Here is the location of the Port de Suffren pier: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+de+Suffren,+75007+Paris,+France/@48.8583584,2.2948685,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x47e6701d7de603f3:0x9b7660da10b073f8!8m2!3d48.8580476!4d2.2906805?hl=en Apologies accepted.

To answer the question. All river cruises are the same and will serve similar food. Pick any.