indigosails

Hi, OP here...UPDATE, I received my old passport, one week later than the new one, with holes punched only through the FRONT cover and info/picture page. Interestingly, the second photo I submitted with the application was stapled to it.

Starting to research doing a cruise up the norway coast to to the north cape and beyond... From any of you who have done that part of the world did you like earily like April or May or Late July- August September ? I like the snow scapes that earily would present, however thep possibility of an aurora in September is also interesting

 

That said what ports were the most striking in natural beauty to you... What were the ho-hum ports that were nice but you could live without

 

I don't want to do the ferrys that hit 3-5 ports a day. Currently Holland, Princess and Oceaina offer attractive trips... Any opinions on them?

I want a small under 1000 and all 3 lines do that.

 

You sagely advice is most welcome.... I know zip about the region ..

We did this itinerary two years ago (Oceania Nautica...or was it Insignia). We went the early half of July.

Murmansk was rather pitiful, but then it is in Russia and it was raining.

Bergen was a delight, the weather was glorious, it was a Saturday, and the joint was jumping.

Loved Oslo--so picturesque--and the Viking Ship Museum.

Wonderful museum in Svalbard, which is rather barren but it's something like 81°N...being that "high" (up) was pretty cool. And pretty cold.

Geirangerfjord was lovely, we did the Viking Boat Tour, had a lot of fun on that. Saw it twice actually, second time the captain did a 360 in the fjord.

It's a great itinerary. We also got to go to Belfast and the Antrim Coast (google Giant's Causeway).

The captain will direct the evacuation from his lifeboat.

*Like*

Yes to the HOHO bus. There are actually two different lines, and two different companies. Very easy to get around Oslo.

Don't miss the Viking Ship Museum.

I have been to Greenland, there's not much there beyond a half-day walkabout. Iceland, on the other hand, is spectacular, and closer than Copenhagen.

If you are into geology at all you must go to Iceland. Otherwise, choose CPH over Greenland.

I am beginning to question the direction CelX is heading so would be interested to hear from anyone who has been on recent Celebrity & Oceania and can give a few ideas on what the uses and minuses are for each

 

Many thanks in anticipation[emoji41]

First, I apologize for any repeats...I did not read all the replies. I love X, but I also love O. Sailed on both.

O is more sedate than X, no disco per se, although they will keep the Horizons bar open and the music playing as long as you are there. More fun events on X, and more bars.

X has a much bigger/broader buffet and their pizza is fabulous. O's buffet is small and (IMHO) has a European vibe. X has a much larger MDR which is not necessarily good. X's ships are larger, which is both positive and negative depending on your point of view.

O carries a very well-traveled, sophisticated clientele (perhaps a tiny bit older) who are usually in bed after the show. O has good shows and often brings on fresh, local talent along the way. Again, this would depend on the ports or lack thereof. As I recall, X only had the entertainment team.

O does not charge you for soft drinks and specialty coffees, or for bottled water, and there is bottled water in your cabin, as much as you like, free. I found it a hassle to have to get out of line and sign a chit to get a bottle of water to take on excursions. O sometimes has free shuttles to town (thinking of Bilbao).

The takeaway? Pluses and Minuses on both sides. I like them both. I choose by itinerary.

Yes, just call your TA.

Oh good. I'll be patient than. Thanks!

I have received my renewed passport (took 6 weeks, btw).

But my old passport didn't accompany it. I remember getting my old passports returned to me, I thought at the same time.

Question: Do they send them under separate cover these days? If not, how would I go about finding my old passport? It wasn't expired, just completely full. (And I really want it...:()

Hi. We will be on the Marina in late October. (Barcelona to Venice)

If you look at your paperwork you will [probably] see that O has automatically charged you for transfers both before and after. If you're happy with the amount you are paying, then yippee! But if you do a little internet legwork, you will find that you can save a substantial amount by booking your own rides to/from the ship. There are many private (and public) taxi services in Europe.

If you plan to arrive/depart a few days before/after the cruise, definitely get them to remove the transfer fee because you will pay for it even if you don't use it.

If you want to use your own air (e.g. miles), O will give you an air deviation, something like $100 (sorry, my DH takes care of that part) off your price to make your own flight arrangements.

Also, look for private excursions in the various ports and hooking up with other folks on your cruise. You can find your mates in the Roll Call section of this forum.

I can't imagine going in the dark of winter, but hey...

Try asking your question here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=192

Hi

 

Not sure where to ask these questions so I thought i would start here.

 

We are thinking of doing a European Cruise next year. It will be with either NCL or Carnival. It will be either Greece or Italy.

 

I have a few of questions and hope somebody can help.

 

Being the ship is large will it tender or dock? Is where the ship stops close to highlights or do we need to do an excursion to see the highlights of a specific area? (Ex - Rome)

 

I was looking at some of NCL's excursions and they very costly. Is there other ways to see the sights or other tours outside of the cruise tours?

 

Lastly - is it worth doing a cruise to Europe?

It is totally worth it. Ship's excursions are notoriously pricey, so do private ones. You'll find plenty of recommendations right here in this forum in the ports section.

The ship will tender at some locations, dock at others. You can look up each port to find out. Some ports are close (e.g. Portofino), others you have to go far afield (e.g. Rome).

Cruising Europe is a little different than a Caribbean cruise. There is a fair amount of pre-planning needed for Europe. But it's part of the whole experience.

I understand the Jones act but Vancouver is in Canada, so you would be going from Hawaii to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Alaska.

Can't you book both voyages separately? Go off the ship and then back on with a new start.

The airport is maybe 20--40 minutes (depending on traffic) from the FQ. If you could be one of the first people off the ship, and it wouldn't hurt to arrange a private taxi to be waiting for you, it should work.

As Americans we are conditioned to fear germs by the chemical companies that sell all of this.

This.

We humans need to be exposed to germs so we can build healthy immune systems.

I've been on 20 cruises and I've caught my share of colds (never noro). A ship's doctor once told me many viruses are spread through the air when somebody sneezes and you enter that air space. I used to be a cabin-wiper but no longer. I wash my hands a lot and haven't been sick for a long time.

Someone here said to stay out of the elevators--that makes sense.

We used Barcelona Day Tours a few years ago and we have booked them again for our autumn trip. Also for airport-->hotel transport. They're great.

Rian

The OP asked what would it take for you to stop cruising? My answer is terrorism. I've seen most of the world I want to see, so I'm lucky in that regard, and maybe it's my age talking, but I don't feel as safe out in the world as I once did.

That, and there's a lot of beautiful country to see in North America. I've been to Tibet but not southern Utah. Antarctica but not Oregon. Iceland but not the gold-rush area of my home state of California.

The 4.1 goes in one direction while the 4.2 goes in the other. The same is true for the 5.1 and the 5.2.

OHHHHH. I didn't know that.

Hi,

I am getting myself familiar with the water taxi system in Venice. I can see that the 4.1 or 5.1 bus will take me between Piazzale Roma and St. Mark's Square, and I have located the proper "terminals." But which direction do the boats go? I'm assuming they all go one direction? Does it even matter?

I guess what I'm really trying to discern is--if the 4.1/5.1 boats all go clockwise around--is it more "scenic" to make our way to SMSq on foot and water back to the ship, or do the opposite: take the water bus to SMSq and meander back to the ship.

Thank you.

Sounds wonderful.

Hi all.

We will be on our first cruise in June, and I'm wondering if Oceania do anything special the first night, in the dining rooms or about the ship.

No. It's business as usual, and the final night as well...no flaming baked Alaska parade. So nothing to miss by dining in a specialty restaurant.

Have a fabulous cruse...I know you will.

And even if they don't have an ACBL instructor on board they will set up a room (Polo or R. Ginger) with cards and even bidding boxes.

Ah, Luca and his wonderful double Macchiatos.... thanks for the memory. We sadly left the Marina two stops before you (Lima). But we'll be on Riviera in October (Barcelona - Venice), so we have that to look forward to.

Just a thought: Since you are sailing west to east, be sure to get a cabin on the starboard (right) side of the ship...it's warmer on the south (sunny) side.

Just a thought: Since you are sailing west to east, be sure to get a cabin on the starboard (right) side of the ship...it's warmer on the south (sunny) side.