European Transfers

[Hblanton]

I'm looking at taking the April 11 TA from Miami to Hamburg. The ship stops in La Havre for Paris and Dover for London. Those stops are 15 and 11 hours respectively. We don't ever take ship tours,but also know that it is a long way from these ports to the cities and using normal transit (trains, busses, etc.) might cut things close.

 

So the question is whether anyone knows if Celbrity sells transfers to Paris and London without any associated tours. That is, can you pay whatever and grab a ride to the city and then a ride back knowing the ship will be waiting? If so, what are the details?

 

Thanks.

[Andym]

Just checked on the website on Shore excursions and found the following

 

Dover to london is a very long ride, why not do Dover Castle, its very interesting.

Cantebury is very good too.

 

 

 

London On Your Own - DV17

 

Location: Dover, England

Approx Duration: 9 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

*Current Price: Starting from

92.00 Adult (USD)

49.00 Child (USD)

0.00 Infant (USD)

Activity Type: Sightseeing and/or City Tours

Activity Level: Moderate

Restrictions: N/A

Advisements:

 

 

 

Some of England's finest architecture can be found among the Georgian squares and terraces in the area of central London. The past is everywhere in this ancient corner of the capital. This non-guided tour is designed for those who desire independent sightseeing, shopping and access to Britain's wonderful capital city. Your coach will take you to the city center, a journey of approximately 2.25 hours, where you will disembark in Lower Regent Street. In close proximity are the major shopping areas of Regent Street and Oxford Street, and the attractions of Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace and Westminster. Your escort will designate a meeting time and place and then you will be on your own for approximately 4 hours. Leaving London in the mid afternoon, the tour returns directly via the motorway route to Dover.

 

Note: This tour does not include lunch or entrance fees. An escort will be on the coach to/from Dover. If guests should miss the return coach, transportation back to the vessel in Dover will be their own responsibility and at their own expense. The amount of walking is at each guests' discretion. The drive to/from London is approximately 2.25 hours each way, dependent upon traffic conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

Paris On Your Own - LH01

 

Location: Paris (Le Havre), France

Approx Duration: 10 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

*Current Price: Starting from

106.00 Adult (USD)

82.00 Child (USD)

0.00 Infant (USD)

Activity Type: Sightseeing and/or City Tours

Activity Level: Mild

Restrictions: N/A

Advisements:

 

 

 

If you have already been to Paris, you may want to explore this historic city at your leisure. In Le Havre, you will board a coach for a 2.5-hour drive to Paris. An escort will answer any questions you may have while en route. You will be dropped off in the city center and informed of when to meet the coach for your return to the ship. You will have the day to sightsee at your own pace, shop, or dine.

 

Note: This tour involves approximately 5.5 hours on your own. An escort will be on the coach to Paris. Please be mindful that this excursion is non-guided and does not include lunch or entrance fees. If guests should miss the return coach, transportation back to the vessel is their own responsibility and at their own expense.

[Hblanton]

But thanks. Serously, for some reason I thought it was hard to find this stuff on the line's site. Obviously I was wrong.

 

As to whether its worth the time invested in coach travel to/from vs. seeign th local sites -my thinking is 4 hours in London or Paris is - four hours in London or Paris. Too short, but I'll take it. Weve been to London probably 25 times so we know our way around and can always enjoy a half day. Ditto Paris (though only about 10 times.) I spent some time in Dover last year and while I have nothing against it, a day in London would be more to our liking (I had considered hiring a driver to go to Hastings which I've never seen, but apparently as historic as it is, its not all that well set up for day tripping.) I've not been to Le Havre (except en transit) so I guess thats an option. Some of the ships stop in Cherbourg which would make for a great day driving the D-Day Beaches. With La Havre Paris is just a tease - so close but kind of out of reach.

 

But again, thanks for the info. At least I now know that an easy trip into either city is viable and we can have nice visits if we want. We are not big port people (we love cruising but prefer days at sea.) When we want to visit a city its usually for at least 3 or 4 days. Oddly, as huge as London and Paris are, I'd sooner spend a short day there than some smaller town I don't know. With London I know what is there and I can pick to do one or two things I've been thinkig about revisiting.

 

All the best

 

HLB

[luvtocook]

We did a TA from Dover to NYC a year ago and the bus ride from London to Dover is a nice ride but takes over an hour depending on traffic. BUT--I would definitely do it. We spent 3 days pre cruise in London, so we went the opposite way.

We also did the Paris on your own through Celebrity and loved it. We rode the Batobus up & down the Seine, wandered all around the neighborhoods, stopped for crepes, it was WONDERFUL even if only 5 hours. It is definitely a long bus ride--at an actual 3 hours! The busses are VERY nice & comfortable. They also stop half way for a potty break.