cknic

Thanks for your review. We are booked on this cruise--Barcelona to Venice in April. Do you remember how long it actually took to be off the ship once it docked? HAL tells me that if the arrival time is listed as 1pm, we can leave then. Is that true? I'm trying to coordinate tour times, especially in Venice. I know for the tender ports, the ship excursions go off first but otherwise, could you walk off at arrival time?

Thanks,

Carolyn

After we take the People Mover to the Piazzale Roma please tell me how long it takes to walk to San Marco. Are there many sights to see along the way so would it be wise to have a guide to explain what we are seeing? I know that would take longer but is it worth it? Sad to say, we are limited on time.

Any insight will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Carolyn

We arrive Sunday May 3 on HAL Nieuw Amsterdam for our first ever visit to Venice. The ship does not dock until 1pm so that limits our sightseeing time.

The tours I have found that are available on Sunday start in the morning. The visitor website says The Basilica is only open 2pm to 4pm and I can't find the actual closing time for the Doge's Palace. Bad timing on HAL's scheduling:(

Any suggestions will be appreciated on how to wisely spend our one afternoon/evening.

The ship is our hotel that night and we fly home the next morning.

Thanks for taking the time to post your awesome review and pictures (even including links to other reviews). We will be doing the reverse of your 2nd leg-Barcelona to Venice- in April so really appreciate your tips regarding that segment. In addition to visiting some ports new to us, it was fun to revisit those we saw on previous cruises that we will miss on this one. Thanks again.

On Princess, we got chocolates every night at turn down. Do they do that on Celebrity? I'm assuming no, or the chocolates wouldn't be such a big hit!

We got chocolates every night on our 8/5 Celebrity Infinity cruise.

Thanks everyone for the help about the tours. Since I didn't get any tour operator recommendations for Paris, it sounds like we should just take the Celebrity tour to Paris. The big question is which Paris tour to take. In addition to the $119 per person tour I mentioned in my earlier message, Celebrity is offering three other tours. After looking at these three tours and the previous one I mentioned in the earlier message. Is anyone of them better than the other one??? All of these tours are all day, about 10 1/2 hours. Thanks again.

 

John

 

 

 

A Taste of Paris (for $129 per person)

 

Overview :

This full-day tour of Paris (10 1&2 hours) offers a guided orientation drive through the

“City Of Lights”along with free time to explore and shop at your own pace.

Highlights:

 

-Paris: Tour the city by coach and see the historic sites including the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs-Elysées, Madeleine Church, the Opera House, the Louvre Museum, Island of la Cité with Notre Dame Cathedral, the Latin Quarter, and the Hotel des Invalides.

 

-Free Time: Enjoy approximately 3.5 hours to explore and shop at your own pace.

 

Full Description: Your guide will meet you at the pier as your excursion begins with a 2.5-hour drive along the superhighway. You will cross the Seine Valley, pass Rouen and ride through the dairy country of Normandy as you make your way to the "City Of Lights". Entering the gates of Paris, you’ll ride down the famous Champs-Elysées, the principal thoroughfare of the city. You will see the 164 foot Arc de Triomphe and pass the Opera House and Madeleine Church. You will see the world famous Louvre Museum with its modern glass pyramid. The tour goes to the River Seine, the island of La Cité and past Notre Dame Cathedral. You will ride down the left bank; pass the Latin Quarter and the Hotel des Invalides, the burial place of Napoléon. Your coach will drop you off at Concorde Square and you will have free time for independent exploration and shopping. The guide will inform you when to meet the bus for your return trip to the ship. Your guide will say goodbye to you in Paris a you re-board your coach for the return ride to your ship.

 

Important Notes

-The tour includes approximately 3.5 hours on your own.

-Lunch and museum entrance fees are not included in the price of the tour.

-Some museums such as the Louvre and Orsay are closed on Tuesdays.

-Department stores and the majority of shops, boutiques and small stores are closed on Sundays and public holidays but souvenir shops will remain open.

 

Paris on Your Own ($109 per person)

 

If you have already been to Paris, you may want to explore this historic city at your leisure. In Le Havre, you will board a coach for a 2.5-hour drive to Paris. An escort will answer any questions you may have while en route. You will be dropped off in the city center and informed of when to meet the coach for your return to the ship. You will have the day to sightsee at your own pace, shop or dine. Note: This tour involves approximately 5.5 hours on your own. An escort will be on the coach to Paris. Please be mindful that this excursion is non-guided and does not include lunch or entrance fees. If guests should miss the return coach, transportation back to the vessel is their own responsibility and at their own expense.

 

 

Paris Sightseeing with Lunch at the Eiffel Tower ($229 per person)

 

 

 

Entering the gates of Paris, drive down the famous Champs-Elysées, the principal thoroughfare of the city. You will see the 164 foot Arc de Triomphe, planned by Napoleon to celebrate his military successes. It was not completed until 15 years after his death. Drive past the world famous Opera House, Madeleine Church, Concorde Square, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral. The coach will arrive at the Eiffel Tower where guests go up to the 1st floor of the tower for an approx. 1 hour 30 minute luncheon in a very nice restaurant with a beautiful view on Paris. After the lunch, guest can stay on the Eiffel Tower to go up to the 2nd or 3rd floor (extra cost for elevator have to be paid by the guest) or go down and have leisure time for rest or shopping at the feet of the Eiffel Tower. Your guide will meet you down at the Eiffel Tower to board your coach before to drive back to Le Havre with "wonderful souvenirs" in your mind.

 

 

We booked the lunch in the Eiffel Tower excursion for our 8/5 Infinity cruise. Can anyone tell me which restaurant the lunch will be? the description says only first level. I called Celebrity and was told the only information available is what is in the write up. Besides the Lounge and Buffet areas, I see 58 Tour Eiffel where a 3 dish lunch is 38.50 euros. It is described as "picnic chic" on the official website. I was hoping to experience Jules Verne for the amount of money the tour is but it is on the 2nd level:)

Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks, Carolyn

Just had a look around the internet and found a site that lists places in Liverpool city centre with free wifi. I think it was done some time ago, as it doesn't list Starbucks at Mann Island and I think one or two places may now have closed. However, it is interesting to note that all Liverpool museums (which are all free to enter) also have free wifi. The Museum of Liverpool is right there on the Pier Had. You won't miss it. It's the big horrible ugly wart on the once majestic waterfront!!;)

 

http://www.sevenstreets.com/8699/free-wifi-internet-in-liverpool/

Thanks for your research! And I see that Rococo also offers it.

If you do walk, there is a nice coffee house on your route that I was introduced to by some friends from Atlanta! It's called Rococo. Here's a link to their website, with directions. The window seats are a good place to people watch. There are some stairs to negotiate though, as it is on the first floor (or second floor to you!).:)

 

http://www.rococoliverpool.com/

I hope your weather is just as nice when we visit in August:) Are there any free wifi locations in the Dock area? Cafes?

We had a family lunch two years ago, and everyone enjoyed the occasion, in Chez Max, Palace Street.

 

http://www.chezmax.ie/palace/

 

They serve French bistro food and it is situated at the entrance to Dublin Castle, a three minute walk from Christ Church cathedral.

Thanks for the suggestions..it is wonderful to have choices and know a bit about them ahead of time.

Now just arrange for nice weather on August 9!

Carolyn

There are some pubs, some with food, on the way. If I was walking from Christchurch to the Jameson Distillery, this is where I'd go:

http://*******/maps/LpWSK

The Brazen Head serves proper food (as opposed to a toasted cheese sandwich). http://www.brazenhead.com/

 

I'd walk down the hill from Christchurch to the river, stay on that side of the river and walk down to the next bridge, where the Brazen Head is. Staying on that side of the river gives you a full view of the Four Courts. After having a pint/bite to eat, cross the bridge and continue to Jameson's.

Thanks for the great info! BrazenHead is exactly what we are looking for and it is on the route I had mapped out.

Carolyn

Hi Carolyn,

 

I am not a whiskey drinker and my knowledge of prices is limited to buying a bottle as a Christmas or birthday present. But I would expect prices to be similar at the Celtic Whiskey shop and the Old Distillery. Supermarkets discount the price of basic quality Irish whiskey as a loss leader, especially at Christmas. However, in my experience, the price of the good stuff is always the same wherever I look in Dublin.

 

I have never eaten in the Old Distillery restaurant, nor do I know anyone who has, so unfortunately I cannot help you there. Reviews on TripAdvisor are mixed as is often the case.

 

Dermot

Thanks Dermot. Are there pubs/restaurants along the way between Christ Church area and the Distillery?

Hi,

 

The Celtic Whiskey Shop is located within an eight minute walk of the main entrance to Trinity College where most cruisers pick up the HoHo bus. You can either walk there directly or take the HoHo bus and get off at stop 7, St. Stephen's Green.

 

http://www.dublinsightseeing.ie/cityTourStop7.aspx

 

Dawson Street runs from the Trinity College library entrance, which is just around the corner from the main entrance, to St. Stephen's Green. The whiskey shop is situated at the St. Stephen's Green end of Dawson Street, across the road from the Mansion House, the official residence of the city's Lord Mayor. The HoHo bus goes down Dawson Street, and passes the shop, but the nearest stop is St. Stephen's Green. The bus driver will direct you where to go if you need assistance.

 

My normal Christmas present for my brother-in-law is a bottle of 12 year old Jameson Irish whiskey from the Celtic Whiskey Shop. As well as Irish whiskey, they also have a decent selection of Scotch whisky, Cognac and Armagnac.

 

Dermot

Hi Dermot, This shop looks very interesting! How do the prices compare to those at the Distillery? And do you recommend the restaurant there? I took your advice and have booked the 4pm Jameson tour and from there we will go on to Guinness..Hope we can find our way back to the ship..ha!

Carolyn

Thank you both! I was just getting ready to compile my own list but you have done it for me! And now we have a fresh start. Perfect!

Carolyn

I'd be grateful to anyone who is on a cruise that is visiting Liverpool if they would post a link here to their CC roll-call thread, so that I can perhaps post updates on those threads. I have looked for some, but it is a bit of a tedious task and I know I must have missed a load of them.

 

Thanks:)

You found us for August 5 on Infinity. Thanks for thinking of all of us!

Carolyn

I wouldn't buy them in advance for a couple of reasons.

 

1. The ticket office is right next to where your cruise ship docks so it's no big deal to get them on the day.

 

2. The weather here can be very unpredictable, so you should decide on the day whether you want to ride the ferry or not. It is usually ok, but you just never know.

 

I definitely recommend a ride on the ferry if you can do it. Whatever you do, have a great day in our city :)

Oh, we will I'm sure! Between you and Emily and all the other posts on this thread, we know what we want to see. It's been a tremendous help!

Thanks to all. Carolyn

I think the "return" to Liverpool being half an hour is juat when the ferry is doing the scenic "River Explorer" route, which I recommend. I have taken several friends from the USA (and will be taking more in May) on this cruise and it has always been enjoyed by us all. Here is a link to the site with information on the Winter schedule. The summer timetable/route is not shown yet but keep an eye on the site, as I guess it will change around the end of March.:)

 

http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/Content/Cruises/RiverExplorerCruises.aspx

Do you recommend buying ferry tickets on line before we sail or is it not necessary? We will be in Liverpool Sat., August 10 on Infinity.

Thanks..

Or you may be planning to do this tour that is only 30 minutes.

www.tcd.ie/Library/bookofkells/tour-attractions/

 

Alice

Yes, this is the one I'd planned on. Thanks for both links. Carolyn

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful information with us. My husband and I will be on the same August Infinity cruise with Carolyn. I have already booked our 3:00 Trinity tour. That is going to limit activities with 5:00 last tours. I appreciate having the times so I can plan carefully before and after the Trinity tour. We are planning to use the HOHO to move more quickly than walking though that is what I would prefer.

Hi, Aren't the CC people great!! Just wondering who you booked your Trinity tour with? From what I read, there are no reservations/bookings--just join the queue. Thanks Carolyn

Hi Carolyn,

 

I called into Kilmainham Gaol today to find out how easy, or difficult, it would be to get a place on one of the tours on a Friday afternoon in August. The prospect does not appear that promising, I am afraid. Tours can only be booked on the day by going to the Gaol in person. As it states on their website, 'Tickets are sold on a first come first served basis and cannot be booked in advance'.

 

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/dublin/kilmainhamgaol/

 

The staff member at reception said your best chance would be to arrive early, before midday at the latest. When I explained this was impossible due to your arrival time in Dublin, she could only suggest you phone the Gaol as soon as the ship berths to find out if there were any places still available. But even if there were, there is no guarantee that by the time you reached Kilmainham they had not been filled. The phone number of Kilmainham Gaol is: 00 3531 4535984. The Dublin Pass does not confer any priority entrance.

 

There is no problem visiting the Guinness Storehouse as people go round the centre on their own. The Old Jameson Distillery is also organised into tours which, especially in August, should best be booked in advance. If you have the Dublin Pass this does not appear possible. The Pass website states, 'Dublin Pass holders must queue for the next available tour.' If you intend to visit the Old Jameson Distillery, I would advise you to book your tickets, and reserve a specific time slot, via their website.

 

http://www.tours.jamesonwhiskey.com/Home/The-Old-Jameson-Distillery-Dublin.aspx

 

Please let me know if you need further assistance.

 

Dermot

Thank you Dermot and to Elsa for all your information. Elsa, your map was a big help.

Dermot, I think your extra effort in calling the Gaol has definitely spared us some stress and grief in trying to see too much. The timing and distance eliminated that site. By the time we see all we want to see in the Trinity College area and go on to Jameson Distillery (with prebooked tickets) I think we will be done:)..Again, I really appreciate all your input. Thank heavens for Cruise Critic friends.

Carolyn

Hi Carolyn,

 

The best option to visit the three sites you mention, Guinness Storehouse, Kilmainham Gaol and Old Jameson Distillery, is to take the HoHo bus which calls at them in that order. Kilmainham is three miles from Trinity College and it takes me 40-45 minutes to do the walk. The Storehouse and Distillery are mid-distance between the two locations on different sides of the river Liffey.

 

Please note the closing times of the three locations. The last admission to the Gaol is at 5pm, the last Distillery tour starts at 5.15pm and the last admission to the Guinness Storehouse is at 7pm. Visiting all three sites would, I feel, make for a very full day and would not allow much time to see the city centre or relax over a meal and a few drinks. Are you, perhaps, trying to fit too much into the time at your disposal? Only you can decide that.

 

As you would not have time to visit any of the other sites that are included in the Dublin Pass, I do not think it confers much benefit other then having an admission ticket for Kilmainham Gaol. Tickets for the HoHo bus, Storehouse and Old Distillery can all be booked online with discounts. I will try and find out how long the queue for admission to Kilmainham Gaol is likely to be on a Friday afternoon in August and revert.

 

Dermot

I think you may be right about trying to do too much..It is a shame that we don't dock until noon! My hope is to do a student tour at Trinity College and then move on to Dublin Castle, St Patrick's Cathedral and Christ Church for sure. Depending on what you find out about the line at the Gaol, we will decide between that site and Jameson. I think there are 2 ships in town that day so am worried about the lines. That's why I thought the one day pass might be a consideration b/c all those sites (except Trinity College) are included. Appreciate your input. Carolyn

Hi Nicki and Nigel,

 

To get in a relaxed mood for your visit, you can listen to the Dublin Saunter, sung by Noel Purcell.

 

 

When you disembark in Dublin port take either the cruise company's shuttle bus or a taxi to Trinity College. A taxi should cost around €10-12. From outside the college you can take the HoHo bus tour or else explore the city by yourself. Dublin city centre, where most of the tourist sights are located, is compact. The National Museum, National Gallery and St Stephen's Green park are within ten minutes walking distance of Trinity College. The HoHo bus will bring you to the Guinness Storehouse visitor centre and after that it goes to the Phoenix Park. A pint of Guinness in the Gravity bar is included in the cost of admission to the Storehouse.

 

There are lots of famous Dublin pubs in the streets that adjoin Grafton Street where your husband can indulge further his taste for Guinness. Enjoy your visit to Dublin.

 

Dermot

Hi Dermot, We will be in your city Aug 9 on the Infinity (noon to 10pm) and I have made notes from your previous posts--they have been very helpful. I would like to know how far the Kilmainham Gaol is from the Trinity College area? And do you advise buying the one day Dublin Pass to save time in lines? I think, with the exception of the Trinity tour, all the entry fees for the sights we want to see are included with it. We do want to visit the Guinness Storehouse and Jameson Distillery. Overall, how many miles are we looking at here:)..If we don't purchase the one day pass is it a good idea to purchase the tour tickets on line? And if we decide there would be too much walking (we are not young) is it wise to get the HoHo pass?

You have probably answered these questions before and if so, sorry for the repeat.

Carolyn

Great review! Thanks so much for sharing.

Agreed..this is by far the best review I have read on CC. And all the additional questions and posts are a big help in planning our cruise on Celebrity (pretty much the same itinerary) next August. Thanks for posting.

Carolyn

We brought our own wine and soda on board in San Diego for our Sea of Cortez cruise in April. We drank it in our room. We restocked again when we came back to San Diego before going up the coast to Vancouver. There was no issue taking it on board. I wonder if you are in a foreign country that the rules could be different?

Thanks for the information..We know we can buy some pretty good wine in Rome for a good price. I just wanted to make sure we would have not problem taking it on board in our carryon. We did so on a Celebrity cruise 2 yrs ago but they limited it to 2 bottles. Do you think if it was in your luggage, HAL would confiscate it? Carryon is better?

1. No drinks at bars.

 

2. We cruise HAL and Princess so we bring our own wine on board - usually a case per week.

 

3. No pictures - they are all lousy and overpriced.

 

4. No gambling - I live in Las Vegas where the games are honest and the odds better and I don't gamble here.

 

5. No souvenirs bought on board - they are all junk

 

6. No spas - I look great without one.

 

7. Almost no ship tours - I do private tours

 

8. Minimal but some extra cost dining

 

The last trip I did, my bill exclusive of tips and a few tours that I had to take through the ship was about $60.

 

DON

Have you had any trouble with your wine being taken and kept until end of cruise? I've read a few posts about HAL (we will be on the Noordam next week) that cruisers take wine on board at the beginning and during the cruise with no problems. Friends tried it in Feb and their wine was taken; also, HAL's policy says wine is allowed but you have to pay for decorking..We want to take some bottles on in Rome at embarkation and drink the wine in our cabin. Input please. Thanks, Carolyn

Big help Joanie..I knew about the plexiglass/steel issue but not about the deck. Now I have more to go on when I see my TA next time:). Hope an upgrade is offered! Thank you so much. Carolyn