Travelntrike

On 8/13/2023 at 12:46 PM, Labanos said:

Santorini

Alternative route - After the tender from the ship to the Old port of Fira, by a ticket from the ticket shop (Sea traveler) on the quai, for transportation to Oia. This costs 30 euro per person and includes a water taxi to Amoudi Bay, bus transfer to Oia and a bus transfer to Fira. A few remarks:

 

• The trip to Amoudi take about 15 minutes and is a nice sea ride
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• You then have to walk up a few 100 meters on a VERY steep hill. 
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• In 5-10 minutes a bus takes you to Oia center
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• Every hour from 10-16 a bus leaves to Fira. So you can take your time in Oia and leave when ready
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• We found this a perfect way to go against the flow of all the people wanting to go to Fira first by cable car
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• Even when Enchanted Princess was the only ship in Santorini (lucky us) it was busy everywhere. The lines for the cable car going down were long!
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• We took the donkey path down from Fira to the old port. We did this at 14:00 in the full sun. Well what should I say 😅😟. Yes it’s doable for any fit person but it’s not an easy task. The steps are sometimes high, the path uneven and you have to watch for slippery parts and donkey poop. Really watch out! We did it in 30 minutes as untrained persons with how should I say it, not fat but a quite a few ponds to much.

The water taxi from old port Santorini sounds fantastic. Does anyone know if you can purchase tickets with credit card? I'm finding many things in Greece that must be paid in cash with Euros. Thanks

On 3/23/2024 at 7:54 PM, Hlitner said:

I want to mention a real life scenario.  On one visit to Civitavecchia, DW and I made our way to the train station (we probably walked from the pier), bought a BIRG ticket, and were heading to the platform to catch the next regional train which was just arriving at the station.  We passed some folks from our cruise who were sitting on a bench and made a quick stop to see if they needed help.  They told us they had pre-purchased IC tickets (to Rome), had reserved seats, and were waiting for their train which was running nearly an hour late.  In the time those folks waited, they would have missed at least 3 regional trains/Freece.  Their train into Rome was, perhaps, 20 minutes faster, but it also took away some of the other train stations (such as Trastevere).  Those folks wasted more than an hour of their day in Rome waiting for that "faster" train.

 

We have long preached a simple rule of independent travel, which is to try and keep the maximum flexibility and be willing to change your plans "on the fly."

 

Hank

Ive always been a believer of plan, plan, plan, then be prepared to change your plans as needed!

On 4/15/2024 at 4:23 PM, jjt said:

I just booked a roundtrip cruise for our family of five out of Civitavecchia and started reading this board for transportation advice. We arrive into FCO the afternoon before the cruise and plan to spend 3 days in Rome after the cruise before flying home. Based on what I've read it sounds like the best plan after the ship returns is to take the train from the port to the Roma Termini and stay in a hotel close by. I checked and there are tickets from Civitavecchia, but not from the port. However, it sounds like I can just take the bus over to the train station and pay the bus driver (credit card?).

 

What about before the cruise? Should I go directly to Civitavecchia from the airport? I am leaning that way to make the logistics easier and to also make sure we don't miss the ship. Also, it seems like there are some interesting sites and things to do near the port. If we do this, what is the best way to get there? Thanks!

 

I'm also planning to go straight to Civitavecchia from FCO as I've been to Rome multiple times. You would think it would be easier to get straight to Civitavecchia but most trains (& busses) go into Rome & back out to Civitavecchia. I've been trying to find the simplest way to get there allowing time to get my luggage & find the correct stop & it looks like I'll miss the direct bus once every 4 hours. Can anyone advise easier for solo traveler to transfer Ostiense or Trastevere station? 

On 9/6/2023 at 3:03 PM, mapleleaves said:

the boats don't do a return trip; it's just one-way. .

 

Google Santorini Port to see how many ships will be in port with you, plus their arrival/departure times, and # of pax.  That information will help gauge the situation but it's not a guarantee. 

ie our ship (2800 pax) arrived at 1:30pm and the only other ship (2700) was 7am-4pm.  I assumed the other ship's pax would have gone to Fira hours earlier so there would be no line for us at the cabl car. WRONG!  We stood 2 hrs. The other ship left at 4, so there was NO ONE in line when we returned to the ship around 6:30 or so.  

I found this on the scc.gr cable car company website   Santorini's Cable Car serves 1200 persons per hour total.

So that line may have been all from your ship. I'm researching alternate options as I'll be on a ship with 4200,and 2 other smaller ships in port. That's the bummer of traveling in the high season!

I have some British coins left from a 1999 trip.  Two are dated 1982, and 1 is1992

Can anyone tell me if they need to be newer than a specific date in order to spend them? I'm getting some notes from my bank in the US but thought I'd throw the coins in my bag if they are still spendable.

Thanks

On 10/28/2022 at 3:14 PM, Johnkut said:

Hello all, we are going on a British Isles Cruise on May 24, 2023. Would like to get information on the below cruise stops. 

Iverness, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Holyhead, Wales

Liverpool, England

Cork, Ireland

Dover, England

Are there any stops that we can just get off the ship and walk into town and go on our own? What stops should we take an excursion, and any recommendations on excursions? We just came off a Holland Cruise, and we realized that some of the stops we could get off ourselves and get free transport by the ship into town. So any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

We docked in Greenock, the port for Glasgow,  several years back and walked a few blocks to the train station took the train for Glasgow, getting of first at Paisley for a visit to Paisley Abbey then on to Glasgow. It was a nice ride and we really enjoyed Paisley. At that time there several friendly locals to welcome & help with any information, including clan names & info.

On 8/17/2022 at 7:26 PM, ddled said:

I just looked on Carnival-no age restrictions, same tours in Cozumel,  Costa Maya.  I may have my last Royal cruise booked-at my age I can't remember where I put my money anyway!  What a rip off!   If anyone from RCL reads these boards, you are alienating an entire part of your base! Next thing on ship they will limit attendance into the lounge or some of the activities at 65.  If Carnival is doing it.....?  Insurance is a convenient excuse-I would not have led 30 of my friends on Royal if I knew this was there policy-Bah Humbug!!!

I was recently looking at RCL shore excursions & some I was interested in even cut off at 65! I usually cruise HAL & usually find/create independent tours, but i was invited to join a friend who had a casino deal. They don't seem to think gambling might  cause a heart attack!  😆

I might be interested in some groups you lead. Please email info to me Travelntrike [at] gmail Thanks

On January 15, 2019 at 1:50 PM, FrankNBrew said:

We will be on the LOTS next month on our first cruise in many years. We plan to catch the sunrise every morning and be in bed by 10:00 every night. We're not night club people, but more of the cocktails, humor, and good conversation types. Formal dress is out, so we will be skipping the MDR on formal nights. What do recommend we wear on other nights in the MDR, to catch some shows, or drop in one of the bars for after dinner cocktails? I'm a big fan of khaki shorts (sometimes plaid) and polo shirts or t shirt. Are there places where a polo, khaki shorts and open toe footwear would stand out as under dressed?

Don't skip MDR on formal nights. We quit packing formal clothes after our 3rd cruise. There is usually quite a variety of dress even on formal nights. I don't think the shorts will get you inMDR any night though.

Thanks so much for the information.

I have spent many years sailing with passengers when I worked as a captain and chief mate with the now defunct Lykes Lines, and even posted a web page www.captainmcd.com for prospective passengers and for my family. I am still licensed and active after over 50 years in the industry, but now sailing as a volunteer captain and chief mate for Mercy Ships and YWAM, visiting interesting places like Madagascar and Papua New Guinea. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about freighters carrying passengers but no commercial websites or advertising is allowed on this forum.

Hello Captain, I am wondering if it is possible to sail along with our Honda Goldwing Trike (Ride on ride off or crated if necessary)from east coast US port to pretty much any European port? If so could you give me a ballpark figure for the trike?

Thanks!

My fiance and I will be arriving in NOLA on September 14th for our wedding then cruising on the Carnival Dream the 18th. We are staying in the French Quarter and our hotels parking options are very pricey and they do not allow parking for the cruise. We would prefer to just park the car in a single location for the whole trip.

 

1st question is do you have any suggestions on the best parking for this? We plan to leave our cruise luggage in the car while in town and our wedding items while we are on the cruise so it will need to be a very secure location.

 

Secondly is there an ideal time to arrive at the port on cruise day? This is only our second cruise so we were not sure if it varies by port.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Congrats on your wedding! We cruised from NOLA a couple of years ago and there is a parking garage at the port. I believe one of the street car routes goes right by it. http://www.portno.com/parking

"Parking for Julia St. Cruise Terminal

• Once entering Port of New Orleans Place, proceed past the Erato Street Terminal to Julia Street.
  
• You will be directed to the Julia St Terminal drop-off area where SeaCaps will assist you with your luggage.
  
• You will then be directed to the parking lot located next to the cruise terminal.
  
• Parking costs $18 per day. The parking lot is a within a block of the terminal, but shuttle service is provided if needed. Parking lot is secured, lighted and patrolled. "
  

Sadie65 we disembarked from Eurodam yesterday, docked next to Regal Princess. From 7 till we left abt 9 we saw abt 12-15 taxis constantly in the parking lot. I don't know how long the wait really was as we took local bus 27 for $4 US to Ostreport for metro. This involved walking around corner to wait for bus. I heard also that there were shuttles for $15US and they were the large city busses parked right at terminal. I assume they were also parked at Princess.

I believe there is a small shop located at the terminal for cruise passengers. search for Wonderful Copenhagen thread by Danish Viking. Or OceanKaj by him he has picture posts step by step how to find bus/train to & from Port

How can I find bus/train schedules from Invergordon? Is there a day pass or multi day pass that we could use over the coures of a week various ports in Scotland?

1st want to say THANKS to Danish Viking for all the helpful info, and what a great thing the cruise critic boards are. We have used them for info at many ports all over Europe.

We had 1 day in Copenhagen on a previous cruise and just started walking from Langelinie Pier. We saw the Little Mermaid, lots of small boats in a marina, Gefion Fountain, old Anglican Church, a cool statue of Neptune/Zeus, Amalienborg Palace, a cool Ship/boat supply store, Nyhavn, Stroget, and I think it was Town Hall Square just across from Tivoli. Then we walked back and passed the old Navy housing then shopped along the pier shopping area. And I took my favorite Gate & Bicycle picture in Copenhagen. ( I love old architecture!):D

Can't wait to return this summer and explore some more!

Danish Viking...Please advise best public transportation from CPH to Copenhagen Crown hotel? and also from hotel to OceanKaj.

Thanks for all your helpful information.

Thank you so much !!!!!!! Mary

Thanks Tartanexile81 you've given us some wonderful information. I am wondering about renting a car for the 1st day and heading to Paisley where some ancestors are from. Is there a location close to Newhaven or will we need to go into Edinburgh? Any information would be appreciated.

Also, can you suggest sites we might easily include along the way ?