Lambo62

Thank you all for the excellent feedback!

Hello, we are investigating a couple different cruises for this fall and hoping we could get some information on the following ports. Generally, we prefer to do excursions on our own, as we find them more intimate and cost effective. However, from our previous cruises, i understand this isn't always the best option. I was hoping someone could answer the following questions on the ports below. 1) is it walkable from the port to attractions 2) is public transit easily available and easy to use. 3) or is an organized excursion recommended.  Once we decide on a cruise, i will of course do a lot of my own research but i was just hoping for some general help from people who have been to these ports. The cruise line would be NCL if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance.

Astoria.

San Francisco.

Santa Barbara.

Ensenada, Mexico.

San Diego.

Los Angeles.

Hello,

   My review of Bruges is almost identical! We were to meet my cousin that i hadn't seen in 40 years at a square in Bruges. Unfortunately we slept in a bit, and were a bit late but the day was still great.  We too took the port bus to the station. I had printed directions to get to Bruges from a forum post. Tram to Blankenberge, train to Bruges simple as easy to do, and as Ken said, much more economical than the ships excursion.  We were worried a bit if we were at the correct tram pick up,  had it read just wait in front of the church steeple it would have been spot on.  The train ride was fairly short and easy. Like Ken, we stopped for directions at the tourist info, "follow the park", he said, that was not the best advice as we got somewhat lost. Finally met up with my cousin at the Z'stand square he had mentioned and spent a lovely day exploring the city. My father is from Aalter a town about 20 minutes from Bruges, so they were excellent guides!  Another fanatastic day weather wise we really lucked out.

Hi Ken, we had over 15,000 steps that day! I agree the cruise critic roll call worked out well for this port. A shared taxi was more economical and convenient that the ships bus! We enjoyed Honfleur very much. Honfluer has to be one of the most picturesque places we have been to. Sitting in a french cafe, enjoying a glass of wine and a panini overlooking the water was lovely. I took so many pictures that day, and the weather was perfect.

I did a review on cruise critic for MSC but will likely hijack your thread along the way.

Glad you enjoyed this cruise Ken. Looking forward to your port reviews.

Being on the same cruise, and first time MSC'ers we thoroughly enjoyed it as well. We enjoyed the MDR for dinners as well. All were good except i wasn't keen on the cuttlefish either. Breakfast buffets were excellent. Plenty of variety, sometimes a bit cold though. I questions the expectations of those that bash the food, as we found good variety, fast service in MDR and pleasant staff all around.

One thing we were extremely impressed with was the cleanliness of the ship. Always cleaning they were, guys out first thing in the morning sterilizing the railings and all round the ship.

I'll do a full review later, but wanted to chime in on your review.

We will be in Zeebrugge in September and looking to get to Bruges. I've researched how to get to the train, but this also looks convenient. Any experiences with Cruise Express?

(our cruise has a ridiculously priced shuttle and i am looking to do it on our own)

Thanks in advance

How is parking availability in Honfleur?

Our cruise finishes on Oct 1 in Southampton. We have still not arranged for transportation to LHR and was wondering if MSC offers a shuttle? I've tried to find it on their website but no luck.

If they don't can anyone share how they got to the airport?

Thank you,

Hello, I have searched and read some review regarding renting a car. So I am aware of the rental company at the cruise port in Le Havre and have been to their website. I am not fond of the cruise's excursion of 4 hours total, Le Havre on your own for $75 per person US. I would like more time there. I have thought of the Bee bus, but quite frankly, I can rent a car for E50.

My question is this. My concern would be finding my way to Le Havre, and parking at Le Havre. Is it easy to find? Is parking easy? Does one have to pay for parking? I do not speak French, is this a problem at the rental office?

Experiences of those that have rented from there and gone to Le Havre would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Has anyone done this excursion...in particular with MSC. I am considering this and would like some feedback from people who have done this.

Thank you.

We did this same cruise a few years ago, at least I think it is the same cruise, I am not sure of your ports. In Naples we took the hydrofoil to Capri on our own (easy to do). In Rome and Florence we used Rome in Limo tour company https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiA2bSlhOfZAhXo7IMKHZtOB2QQFggvMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.romeinlimo.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw1sTotNUQC-G3epzMyHRs1Iwhich I would highly recommend. We posted in our role call and formed a group to save money. Not only did we save money we saw a lot more than people who used the ship's bus tours. Good luck.

Thank you, so what time are we able to depart the ship?

Let's take a break from seaside questions ;-), We have a cruise booked for September from Southampton. I have two questions.

1) Just starting to look at flights, and one of the airlines that has a good deal flys to Gatwick. We are spending a few days in London pre-cruise, is travel to London from Gatwick just as easy to do as from Heathrow? What about the return from Southampton?

2) Return flight on said airline departs at 12 noon. Is there enough time to get off the ship and get to Gatwick by 10 am?

Thank you in advance

Wow, thank you very much everyone. Le Havre is the first stop on our cruise, so no we can not get off the ship there. We have never been to London either, and chose to spend a few days there pre-cruise this time. I will keep thinking about what to do in this port and do a bit more research. Perhaps when I plan out the rest of our excursions, that may reveal how much time we want to spend off the ship our first day. Thanks again for the info.

Hello,

We have Northern Europe cruise booked for the fall of 2018. I am penciling in some excursions, and seems I can do Amsterdam and Bruges quite easily on our own, but we really think that if we have gone this far from Canada, we should do a planned tour to Paris from Le Havre.

Does anyone have any recommendations of private tour companies? We had great success last year with private tours in Italy. I am tempted to book the MSC tour but looking for feedback from private tours.

Thank you in advance.

Just sayin, so many Seaside posts!

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Beamafar, you've peaked my curiosity, what is the weather Preziosa experiencing at the moment? Since I am not familiar with that region at this time a year I wouldn't mind knowing the average temps etc., since it will be approximately this time of year in 2018 when we plan to go. Thank you so much

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level 12 has more sq footage, but level 14 probably has better views....opinions?

We will be doing Northern Europe Sept 24th 2018 out of Southampton

Thank you all for the feedback and Beamafar for the links. The more research I do the better it sounds to me. I will probably book as soon as I book my vacation time for next year. Thanks again

Oh, and thanks Cruiseireland for the ports info

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Thank you all for the feedback and Beamafar for the links. The more research I do the better it sounds to me. I will probably book as soon as I book my vacation time for next year. Thanks again

I really like the itinerary for MSC out of Southampton in September 2018, have read some mixed reviews. We are low maintenance cruisers, spend lots of time relaxing on the balcony at night. We plan good excursions and like good food drink but doesn't have to be fancy. Would love to hear from other first time MSC Cruisers.

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Question, Since we will be flying in and out of Buffalo for our cruise from Tampa, will we still have to do the "international" customs during disembarkment?

yes, I was talking about the zip part...thanks for the reply, we have reserved:)

Somewhat a sensitive subject. but we are interested in this excursion. Zip lining and then beach visit. The sensitive part is my wife all up for this but is full figured. Are they accommodating? will she feel out of place? We don't want embarrassment day of tour so anyone with experience with this would be appreciated.

Thank you

Thanks so much for the replies. I think it is official, we will plan something for Rototan and Belize and play it by ear for the other Ports. We haven't been to any, so wandering around Costa Maya and Cozumel is ok.

Thanks again