Pearl64

Thank you Hank and John Bull. I think your suggestions are great but my husband is not favorable to driving. He has driven in France before with no issues but that was10 years ago. Plus, I would have to listen to his displeasure doing so. I added up costs and ease. We would have to return the car to LeHavre as the drop off cost was around $300. We would need at least one and probably two nights in Bayeux as we would not get to Bayeux in time the day we disembark the ship. All of this for two-3 days. Right now our thinking is to do the Road Scholar tour before the cruise. It ends in Paris. We may leave the tour early so we are in Lisbon the night before. We realize we could fly down the day of the cruise but that is not in our comfort zone. The tour hits all the major sights as well as sights in Paris. We have been pleased with their product. Thank you again.

We will be on the Nautica next June and would like to see the Normandy beaches. The ship disembarks in Le Havre. My question is logistics. We can do a Road Scholar tour that ends in Honfleur or Paris. We would leave one day early. No biggie--just wouldn't have the last lunch. This would be before the cruise and would need to get to Lisbon in order to pick up the cruise. We saw that there are direct flights of under 3 hours. Or, we take the cruise first and then try to see the beaches from Le Havre afterwards. We would need transport to Bayeux, hotel for 2-3 nights and then make our way to CDG for flight home. I know there are trains but we will have luggage which makes it difficult. Possibly we could rent a car but not sure my husband wants to drive as we don't know how much traffic that would entail or how difficult the route is. I don't know how much a private transfer from LeHavre to Bayeux and then from Bayeux to CDG would be. I have found tours from Bayeux for under 500 euros for both of us. Which would be easier? Taking the Road Scholar tour would probably be more expensive but I don't think that much more. We are getting to an age where we are starting to look at easier ways to accomplish travel. Thank you for all responses.

I was going by what the cruise line said. Yes, I believe Piazza del Popolo is where we will be dropped off. concerning CoopCulture, are tickets not out yet for November 2023? When will they be available? I know we must do them online. Is my timing good. Thank you.

Will be in Rome Nov13 . Am taking ship tour to Peoples Square. We only want to see the Coliseum but we can pass the Spanish Steps and Trevi either on the way to or way back to meeting point. I did not see tickets available. Is it because tickets are not out yet for that date? We leave the ship at 8:45 with a return at 6:30. I’m thinking ticket time of 1 pm. Or are there tickets that are flexible on time but on one date? We plan on walking leisurely to and from the drop off. I know a long way but we can try. If it is too much we can get a cab. We will take a picture of meeting point and address. Is CoopCulture the site to use? So confused by options. Are there places near the People's Square for something quick to eat? We have seen the coliseum from the outside but would like to see the inside. There are 2 of us. Thanks.

Agree: Athens Gate Hotel. Beautiful views of the Acropolis.we walked all over even to the changing of the guard. The guide/driver who picked us up at the port said we picked the best hotel in Athens. We’ve booked it again for November.

We had the same issue when bookings on Vista first opened. We were assigned an HC which we do not need. That was awhile ago. Just in the past month I noticed there were openings in the B5s. I asked my TA to see if we could get a regular cabin. She was able to do that. Our cruise is this August. I am sure after final payment you may find changes. I agree with the waitlist for a regular B5 cabin. Just keep watching it. No need to panic yet.

Unfortunately we are tendering from Dun Laoghaire. We will be on Oceania’s new ship the Vista. We will just allow extra time to get where we need to be. The city will be packed. Thank you for your prompt response.

We have a port stop in Dublin on the day Notre Dame and Navy Play. Inferring from your post, VMax1700, DART will be crowded. We need to meet our tour PaddyWagon in Dublin around 1 pm. Our ship is is port until 11 pm. I was trying not to take a ship tour. I thought this port would be easy but I am finding the opposite to be true. We will figure it out but it sounds like a stressful day.

Thanks to all. I had checked the Oceania website plus the couple joining us called their TA. Both said all dock. However, someone on our roll call checked with their tour companies who told them at least Kirkwall is a tender port. Consensus is Newhaven and Dun Laoghaire are both tender. That leaves Stornoway to figure out. I wonder why Oceania is adamant about stating we dock at all port stops. I guess we will know for sure in August.

SueMo, The Vista is 251 meters long so I guess we tender. Thank you for the information.

We are on Oceania Vista cruise this August. The cruise line says there are no tender ports but I have been informed that Dun Laoghaire in Dublin is a tender port. Also, Newhaven in Edinburgh is one as well. Kirkwall and Stornoway also come up as tender ports. The port websites claim they are tender ports but Oceania claims we dock. Does anyone know for sure what is the correct information? It makes a difference in timing private excursions. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your response. Not happy that this is a tender port as the stop may even be cancelled. I had contacted Butlers Tours but they are completely booked. And, yes I know the afternoon PaddyWagon tour does not go go Powerscourt. Just trying to look at options. I will check out your other suggestion.

We are arriving on Oceania Vista August 26 at 8 am. All tours that go to all three leave between 8 and 9. We cannot guarantee we can get to the meeting place in time. It's either Molly Malone Statue or O'Connell Street Lower. It looks as though the O'Connell street is closer but not sure how to get there--public transportation or taxi. Which one would have other things to see? We are in port until 11 pm so have lots of time. Is this a tender port? If so, that enters into the thinking. We can take a ship tour just to Powerscourt but travels through Wicklow to get there. There is a shopping component at the end which really does not interest us. Suggestions please. And, which pickup point would be better? We have been to the Book of Kells and the Post Office on a previous trip. Is there a way we could just walk around without a guide? It seems as though few tours have a pick up at the port. I have found an afternoon tour to Wicklow and Glenadough through Paddy Wagon Tours which has mixed reviews. We do understand that weather will impact the garden experience. Thanks for all suggestions.

Thank you John Bull and Globaliser. I value your expertise. I left the flights as they were and will hope for the best. Thank you again!

Globaliser and John Bull, advice please. Disembarking Oceania Vista on August 30. Our Delta flight to Atlanta is at 2:05pm. We are Premium Select if that makes any difference. Supposedly the ship arrives at 7 am but I know it must clear customs. Our previous port is Portland. We will prebook a car service, not sure which one yet. Are the odds on making this flight good? I know we need to check in by 11 am, right? There is a later Virgin Atlantic flight that leaves at 4 but it connects at JFK, not our favorite. It doesn't get in until 1 am. That is too late to drive the 2.5 hours home. Yes, I know we could spend the night in Atlanta but would rather not. Should we keep this flight or change it to a later one? You two have always been spot on with advice you have given. It is much appreciated.

We are taking a cruise round trip out of Southampton August 18-30, 2023 on the new Vista. It is too early to book flights but I am trying to figure our best routing. We would like a nonstop flight from Atlanta or Charlotte. Leaving out of GSP risks cancelling the short flight. Prices seem high and don’t know if they will come down so not sure if we should wait or book when flights open up. We have miles with both Delta and United but not sure we have enough. United has crazy connections which we don’t like. Delta seems our best bet but am wondering if Virgin Atlantic could be an option. I read they are joining SkyMiles next year. We would like to be in Comfort + or Premium Select. I also checked Premium Economy on British Air. BA has flights out of Charleston but not every day. There will be two of us. I know this is a crap shot but trying to figure out our best options. Thanks to any suggestions given.

Thanks to all of you who responded, especially the German phrasing. It sounds as though the bus is the way to go. My husband will be glad not to walk the distance. This will be an experience but should be better than sitting in Schiphol for 11 hours which was our original ticket. i am always so appreciative for you regulars who take the time to respond to all my questions.

We are on(well, we hope) a Delta flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt on a Monday morning. We are then taking the train to Nuremberg. Can someone detail this process ? From what I have gleaned from the airport website we need to go from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1. Where do we go through immigration and customs? Terminal 2? Pick up luggage with the hope it is there? Do we walk from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1? I read there is a bus or a Skyline. I also read it takes 30 minutes. Is that accurate? I appreciate any help as we will be trying to maneuver this after an all night flight. We have our flexible train tickets already. Thank you.

Maiumary, Did you start in Amsterdam or someplace else and just connected? We connect there in less than 3 weeks from our flight from Atlanta. I know we need to go through passport control and possibly more security before our flight to Nurnberg. Just trying to get an idea of the chaos and time in line. We have 10+ hours so not worried about making the connection if it is flying. Thank you.

On our Nautica cruise from Southampton before the pandemic, it was open. I thought I would beat the rush. Wrong. I waited a long time to get a machine. I had to work around muster drill and dinner. It was insane but I persevered and got the laundry done. Also, the laundry room often opens early in the morning. I went one time right at the time it was to have opened only to find all the machines taken. On the smaller ships there is only one laundry so it can get crazy especially on sea days. Good luck.

We have stayed in C1 deck 4 several times. We love them. Personally I would go for 4049 as it is more midship and opposite side of the entrance to medical center. You do not need to take an elevator to go most places as they are usually only up one floor. We never heard any noise. It is also convenient for the outside area on deck 5 which is usually very quiet. We are on the cruise prior to your getting on and are in a C1 again, just couldn’t rationalize the extra money for a balcony. We just hope this cruise goes as Japan has yet to open up to tourists. We would not hesitate to book deck 4.

The exchange rate is not good and there is usually a fee getting them here. We have some already but husband wanted more. He can wait until we get to Nurnberg. Thank you.

We have a 10.5 hour layover at Schiphol. We thought we would get some euros. Is there an ATM after security? We certainly don’t want to have to go through security again. I also do not want currency exchange as those rates are high,Also, if our KLM flight to Nurnberg is cancelled, are there alternative ways to get there? I am thinking train but just a quick search indicated it was 12 hours with many connections. We will have luggage so it would be difficult. Thanks for any suggestions.

Thank you, Meg. We have flown into ATL many times so we know what to do. We may be a little slower but we keep up. We will have a backpack each plus a CPAP machine. My concern was the actual flight from GSP making it on time. I really don’t want to drive to Atlanta and then we would have to go through security in Atlanta on a Sunday. GSP should be much easier. There are earlier flights but since the KLM change we are talking 30+ hours of travel and that is without any hiccups. Just trying to plan our options.

Thank you Zach. If we decide to head into Amsterdam what do we do with our luggage? Will our checked luggage continue to go through or do we need to claim it? We just can’t do carryons. Fortunately we are coming in several days early before our Insight Oberammergau tour.