swixpat

49 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

This site is one of the best sites for train info around the world, I agree. But still would recommend buying directly from the individual vendors "in country".

 

He links you to the train service providers directly. And importantly for many, to the English pages where they exist

There is a website run by a British man known as "The man in Seat 61" with train information and updated links to train companies worldwide. It's an excellent starting point for any train journey you want to make. I have used his information in South Korea and in different European countries. www.seat61.com

Thanks cabosal. That is exactly what i was afraid of. It requires more thinking, maybe the swimming will be enough. 

I am looking at a cruise end Oct this year that has a number of Italian stops. On the Seadream website they write that all tours in Italy currently are in bubble format. Would that mean that I have to book a paid excursion to get on land at all and cannot even step off ship to look at the local towns in Italy?

is it the Daugava River?

If you both are passengers, just be aware that each seat on the Emirates 380 in first is really a cubicle, and to talk to the person on the other side (we had the two middle 1st class cabins) you still have to stand up and peek across the wall.

The shower is definitely worth it, it is spacious and they will leave you plenty of time, just talk to a cabin attendant early on. And you will get a pyjama in its own bag. The last one was in a felted cover, reusable as laptop cover. Nice.

I like the bar at the end of business class, which is of course also available for first class passengers. It gives a bit of a walk, there is an attendant all the time, they have snacks, make mugs of tea or give you other drinks, whatever you feel like, and you can chat even to other passengers. Try it out.

I've been on both airlines and they are ok for the trip you are looking for. Vueling and Iberia sometimes code share, and then it can be advantageous to book Iberia as their price includes a 23kg bag in the hold. It is really the luggage policy and pricing that makes the difference. And make sure that you understand their in-flight price model. You may want to get a bottle of water after security and before gate to avoid high prices for drinks during the flight.

How warm are the ships inside? Lots of draughts? I’m familiar with the weather conditions, I’m more worried that we might never get warm on the ship except in the shower.

In October, I would be heading south of Rome rather than to the north of it. It will be autumn time, and the weather will not be as benign in the lakes region, nor in the piedmont which is my favourite italian region.

If your previous cruise did not take you to Naples, I would start there and head further south to Calabria and the Basilicata. Rental car. Matera, in the Basilicata, is European city of culture this year, not in 2020, but this will have given it a big push for renovations and cultural developments. Then maybe over to the Puglian coast, with Lecce that seems to be overlooked by cruise companies as the main focus, and eventually from Pescara (in the Abruzze region) back to Rome, there is a good road network for the transfer. If the weather is clement, you could even go via the national park Gran Sasso rather than use the tunnel.

There is so much to see in Italy, not only in the big towns, you cannot go wrong.

On 9/6/2019 at 8:25 PM, Redtravel said:

Wondering if the woman who complained about jeans had a good time on the cruise.  I also wonder if the woman booked another Windstar cruise.  It would be a shame if loyal Windstar guests have to wear pants that make an unhappy guest who is not on the ship happy. I would bet that she won’t be booking another Windstar cruise. I will be on the Legend this winter.  I would appreciate it, if you see anyone wearing jeans at dinner, let me know if they are not permitted in Aamphora or Candles.  My husband loves wearing dark pressed jeans with a collared shirt.  It looks good. Never been told to change at dinner.  He also packs cargo pants and zip off nylon pants. They look grungier than jeans.  However, if jeans are banned, he says that he will wear the zip offs.  Jeans look better than zipoffs.

Not sure why the passenger complaining to Windstar milepig wrote about has become a woman complaining to Windstar? Maybe I missed the additional information and would apologise, but I don’t think it’s correct to assume the original complaint was made by a female person. 

If your trip has been booked as one ticket, then in all likelihood Lufthansa check-in in Rome will accept your second piece of luggage for the hold as they will see your forward booking luggage allowance.

The snag with this would be that you cannot retrieve your second piece in Frankfurt, should you need it, it would be labelled for Dulles as well as your main. They could label it to Frankfurt only, but then one needs to go to baggage claim in Frankfurt and retrieve it themselves.

The laundry is by the piece or a flat rate for the cruise. I thought the flat rate too expensive and we went by the piece. There is wash, pressing only and dry cleaning. Two days before the end of the cruise we got an offer for 1 full bag of wash and press for probably 50$. And you can specify if you want your shirts on hangers or folded. Of course I took this offer and had the shirts folded, ready to put in the suitcase for going home.

In the drinks compartment, I found the barmen very willing to learn - I wanted an Americano (which was a coffee for them) and not a Negroni - so they checked it quickly and made me one. So they will not struggle with a Mai Tai.

18 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

In going to another country within western Europe (not sure of the correct term, Schengen or not) we have not had an additional security check.

This was exactly the reason why I worded carefully my answer for cruisingator2 with his/her trip.

When you originate in a Schengen country and end in a Schengen country, even with a change of plane in an intermediate Schengen country, you will only have a security check at the originating airport, not even a passport check (except maybe at the gate). Example: Oslo - Berlin - Warsaw. You will have a security check in Oslo (Norway), but not in Berlin. The reason is that Norway is in the Schengen system, although not in the EU.

When you originate in a non-Schengen country, be that EU or outside EU, to end in a Schengen country with an intermediate stop, you will have a security check at the originating airport and at the intermediate airport. Example - Zagreb - Vienna - Frankfurt. Passport and Security checks both at Zagreb and Vienna, but not in Frankfurt. Zagreb (Croatia, in EU) is not part of the Schengen zone, but both Frankfurt and Vienna are, so Vienna is your entry into the Schengen zone and will perform security and passport checks on behalf of the Schengen countries.

The list of Schengen countries can be found here, among others of course. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/

On 7/11/2019 at 5:36 AM, CruiserBruce said:

You will have a passport check only. I would ge pretty comfortable with 2 hours.

In flying in to FRA from the US you will have first a passport control and then a security check within the terminal. But when you get then to Barcelona, there is no passport check on arrival, you can go straight to the baggage hall.

When you leave Barcelona airport you will need to go through a customs area - green or red gates. If you are not importing into Europe anything that is to be left behind of higher value (gifts) or large quantities of alcohol/tobacco, you can walk through the green gates, but customs officials may still do spot checks (btw, even if you have only hand luggage). Otherwise you need to go through the red gate and declare.

Luggage that has only been on the FRA-BCN sector in the hold will have luggage tags that have well visible green stripes on them. Your luggage from the US won't have the stripes, so the customs officials will quickly see that you have started your flight outside of the European Union.

Just back from the trip .... overall absolutely great.

to answer my own questions: the range of clubs seem fairly modern, but I did not do a detailed check as the simulator was still broken.

The bicycles are routinely transported on the tenders. There are two models, one with a slightly lower entry. Saddles can be adjusted, handlebars not, unfortunately, which can make for uncomfortable cycling. No baggage racks. Locks were available at the reception, helmets are standard with the bicycles. The bicycles are in good shape, have 27 gears (3x9; shimano).

Now a bit more on the subject.

David the Wonderer is spot on for me. We travelled intermittently on Seabourn, Celebrity Equinox in Celebrity suites, Royal Caribbean in a suite and Windstar. We tend to keep to ourselves but won’t decline shared tables if invited. I found the most snobbish behaviours in the Michael’s lounge on Celebrity where there were still 2or 3 different types of suites.

The most easy going, respectful and friendly passengers were on Seabourn and Windstar. The other passengers on Oceania were ok particularly in hindsight, as it was our first cruise. But they had the best cruise director and he made all the difference for our perception of the other passengers.

Gut2047 you’re brilliant!

Our first Seadream trip is coming up. Would any of you experienced Seadream passengers know if they have ladies' clubs on board? Graphite shafts? Just so that there would be a further element to look forward to.

And the bikes - do they transport them on the tenders? And again, are there any models with a low level entry for ladies? And what safety and security features does Seabourn provide? Helmets? Vests? Locks? Is there a baggage carrier mounted?

Thanks in advance for your replies

Swixpat

Our so far last cruise on sb (before we started on windstar) was to these greek islands in July 2016, so here my experiences:

We've done on our own:

Monemvasia - tender place - nice walk across the dam into the old town up the hill that is mainly deserted, with the occasional coffee shop and an interesting church. But, besides the small alley ways between the houses there is no shelter from the sun. And it is cobble stones only. There is a transport from the port to the entrance of the old town (€), but it is doable on foot.

Nafplio - not an island, but still good. The town centre is nice, reminded me of some French small towns. Central square to sit in and observe. The old fort above offers great views, the hike up is a bit steep. There is a luxury hotel at the foot of the old fort, and they have an elevator that takes you pretty much smack into the town centre when you are done with the visit.

Patmos - tender. At the tender place is a public bus taking people up to the monastery. This is worthwile going to, and the views are great from up there too. Price very low for the bus, was a good investment.

Agios Nikolaos was my swimming place. From the port up the hill and down on the other side - large beach in front of you. Was great!

Rhodes was very crowded in the old town. We went to the new parts in search of a daily newspaper (found it), a coffe and a view of the small port.

Mykonos was ok, the walk through the town and up to the windmills is doable. Again, cobble stones for large parts. Mykonos has two ports for cruise ships, I hope you get the spot in town. The more modern one requires transport to the town.

Santorini - don't get me started. The only way for me is making sure I get on the very first tender boat that takes the pilot/customs man into the old harbor. The climb up to Fyra, or Thyra as it is also known, is in the shade in the morning, so I get my workout from this. The donkeys are not yet out, the other tourists neither, so that is my recipe. The town though is still pretty much asleep if you are looking for souvenirs. The advantage to my trip there is that the cable car down did not present a challenge with queues for tickets and pods. I have tried all other non animal related ways to see Santorini from a cruise ship tendering to the old harbour, they all require patience and quick feet.

the refurbished Breeze starts in Feb 2020 in Barcelona, with a cruise to Lisbon and then the transatlantic to Miami - an unusual time of the year a further novelty factor

Maybe a bit late but here it goes. Lucerne as a day trip from Basel is feasible and easy.

Your hotel in Basel will give you as part of the deal a mobility voucher that allows you to take busses and trams in Basel.

Take the tram or combination of trams that take you to the train station SBB. In the station hall on your left are counters and self serve machines where you can buy your return tickets for Basel.

There are at least 2 trains every hour taking about 75 minutes.

In Lucerne, when leaving the station, turn around and look at the station. It burned down many years ago and the portal was the only thing they were able to save.

Outside the station you can either direct yourself to the left and start walking to the old town. Or right and take a look at the Kultur and Kongresshaus on the right. Off the top of my head the architect was Jean Nouvel. Or, my favourite if the weather is good, you can leave the station straight ahead and go for the boats. Various lengths. I probably would do Küssnacht and back with a timed stop in Meggen where Richard Wagner lived. The view on the boat returning to Lucerne with Mt Pilatus behind is beautiful!

At the end of your day you hop back on a train to Basel. You will be tired but see plenty of other people having naps on the train. The trains run until late you could even have dinner in Lucerne and return only afterwards.

We did the same start and end port last summer on the Breeze, but mostly other stops, so not much help. However, in Malage it was shopping with the chef time (Olven), there were only 3 of us and it was really special and great experience.

If you’re interested in architecture and design, the vitra design museum in Weil am Rhein is well worth it. It can be reached by public transport.

And check out the Fondation Beyeler for the current exhibition. It is in Riehen, which is a part of Basel really. Stunning museum and often incredible shows. Again, accessible by public transport.

The countryside south of Basel is great for walking and hiking with beautiful views. Rolling hills (part of Jura mountains), green, lots of fruit trees in bloom in spring. Look for “Basel Land” and places like Waldenburg or Gelterkinden or Aesch. Short and frequent train journey from Basel. Cannot be beaten on a beautiful day.

Harlan Cobhen has good reads with a lot of action and not obvious plots.

Myron Bolitar series but also the others.

You may want to look at Hurtigruten which transport mail in addition to being an increasingly popular cruise line. The stopover time is short but it gives the opportunity to really see a lot of Norway.