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We docked in Rostock last summer on the Eurodam. There is really nothing out there--no car rental companies--and getting to either Rostock or Warnemuende requires taking a bus first to the S-Bahn station. (I figured out how to use public transport to get from the port. Let me know if you want the details.)

 

As it turns out, HAL provided a ferry to get us from our ship to Warnemuende and a shuttle bus to/from Rostock. We ended up taking the ferry to Warnemuende in the morning, getting ourselves to Rostock on the S-Bahn in the afternoon (easy to do) and then catching the shuttle back to the ship from Rostock. HAL did not let us know of these options until the day we arrived. Hopefully, Celebrity will tell you now if you ask them.

GradUT,

May I chime in and first of all thank you for sharing your experiences. I have got lots of great information from your other posts. We'll be on HAL Zuiderdam and also docking in Rostock. Can I ask if you know where the shuttle dropped off/picked up passengers in Rostock? In the Rostock city itself or near the train station? We're planning to catch the train to Schwerin. If HAL does provide a shuttle to Rostock, we will have a choice between taking the bus+tram to Rostock Hbf, or taking the shuttle to Rostock.

I did too. But it just doesn't work for me. They might have stopped selling tickets online. Thanks anyway winniewinnie.

Just bought a ticket (for 5 people, but on one single ticket) and printed it out, a few minutes ago. It was quite straightforward. Perhaps you could try a different browser?

https://www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/prices/onlineticket/onlineticket.shtml

Thank you very much for your detailed reply about Ainola!

Its not possible to prebook a taxi for the Oceankaj terminals, its first come first served.

 

But the taxi will sit in the same traffic as the bus so you might try that one out and this heavy traffic is only on the road in and out of the Nordhavn area so the busses shouldn't be more busy.

 

Its summer so the locale are either on holiday or taking their bide on work (unless its Rain) so there should be more space on the busses and trains compared to other months.

Thanks for that Danish Viking. But we're heading to the port for embarkation on the day (not disembarking). You made a great point about there being more space on public transport! Thank you.

Hi Danish Viking,

Thank you so much for all the information you have provided.

It appears that during the Jazz Festival (1-10 July), there is a special discounted public transport ticket, DK 30 for 12 hours that covers the city area.

http://www.eventbillet.dk/events/jazz-2016/

http://www.eventbillet.dk/en/

But given that our embarkation day (4 July) is on a busy day that you just pointed out, we may consider catching a taxi rather than trying public transport. Our Airbnb apartment is near the Islands Brygge metro station. Do you think we can just grab a taxi (big enough for 6 people plus luggage) on the street, or should we be calling one?

Hi Jonza,

Thanks for all the information you are providing on this thread!

Our ship is in port on a Thursday in July, docking in Hernesaari. Our family of six are very keen to visit Ainola because we love Sibelius. We had booked a 5-hour private guide back in November last year who would take us there and back to the city. Unfortunately he just cancelled on us!!

It appears that we could catch public transport to Ainola, but it would take too long when we only have 8am-5pm in port. So the plan is to book a car + driver (without a guide, we will just have to do our own research). We will get picked up from the port, and be returned to the Senate Square where we will catch public transport back to the port. But to make the most of the vehicle and to minimize walking for my mother, we thought we may ask for stops at Sibelius Monument en route to Ainola, and The Rock Church on the way back to the city. Does that sound like an efficient route, and would you suggest other stops/another route?

Thank you in advance.

Since you & probably everyone else will have disembarked that morning, going thro immigration that second time is quick & easy - and of course only a small proportion of passengers will be going ashore then. I'd be very surprised if it cost you even ten minutes.

 

It'll be a bit of a rush generally because of going back & forth to the ship, but although day wear is OK for most evening excursions it isn't a great idea for the ballet. Hence IMHO it's best to return to the ship.

 

JB :)

Thank you John!

I'm wondering if anyone has returned to the ship after the day tour, before heading out for an evening program? We are heading out to ballet at Mariinsky (commencing at 730pm), and are wondering if it is a good idea to return to the ship to freshen up and change after our day tour. The tour operator advised that it is up to us, and that if we return to the boat they will issue additional tour tickets/visas for the evening.

Does anyone know how long it takes to clear customs in the evening?

If anyone is interested in a great car and driver from the Port of Danang, I can highly recommend a local man named Tommy to arrange it - here is his email address. : tommyxuanha@gmail.com . Tommy is very honest and very reliable.

 

since our original cruise on Diamond Princess in 2005 which visited Vietnam, we have returned to vietnam every year for 6-7 weeks, and we spend at least one month of that in Hoi An.

 

My cousin is cruising on Volendam into Danang Port in December.

so my question in my post before this about the distance of the port to Hoi An is for them.

Thanks for this recommendation. I contacted Tommy and he replied immediately, quoting us a reasonable rate for a taxi for our family of four, taking us from Danang to Hoian via Marble Mountains, and back to port. We will pay the driver at the end of the trip in cash. So it all sounds good! We're going to Danang in December - will come back and let you know how it went.

Just returned from our Med cruise. Having read the raving reviews of RIL we had very high expectations of our visits to Rome and Florence. And they did deliver! We had Vinny in Florence and Nick in Rome. Our party included my parents in their 70s, my husband and myself, and my children 11 and 7. Everyone had a fantastic time.

Vinny and Nick explained everything with such enthusiasm, it made us feel very special and very welcome. We could not possibly have seen so many sights without the private tour. Both drivers took us to every site we wanted to visit and more! In Florence Vinny suggested a vineyard (which my father really enjoyed). In Rome don't forget to ask Nick for the magic keyhole experience!!!

We have no hesitation in recommending Rome in Limo to others, including families with children.

More information would be required to answer that. Basically, Taronga is better as a zoo, whereas Wildlife world is better if you have limited time, and mostly want to see the main local animals. So it depends how much time you have and what your preferences are; both serve a purpose.

"Passing through" this forum only but saw this thread - some of the ideas are great!

Re zoo vs Wildlife Park - we go to the zoo a few times a year, so I thought I'd put in my two cents worth. If you have the time (you need at least 5-6 hours to get there, walk around, and come back) and IF it is a nice day, the zoo is the way to go. On a nice clear day you will get spectacular views of the harbour and the Sydney skyline. The ferry ride across (from Circular Quay) is part of the fun. I agree that Wildlife World is better if you have limited time, or if it's a wet miserable day (like it has been for the last two weeks :().