For those who prefer smaller (private) tours but want some assurance - check out HAL

[cruisemom42]

 

I do have an itinerary so I will bring it with me and discuss with the guide which I have told the group we shall do.

 

 

I know you've been trying to figure out Constanta. I just wanted to say that my sister and BIL just returned from a river cruise and had a day in Constanta. Despite some very negative reports here on CC, they enjoyed their day and saw a lot. They thought the archaeological museum was much better than advertised. If you've done the research and know what to expect, I'm sure you'll have a good tour.

 

I'll be in Constanta in 2015 on a land trip to Romania and am already researching. ;)

[Keith1010]

Look forward to your additional feedback.

 

Keith

[kazu]

I know you've been trying to figure out Constanta. I just wanted to say that my sister and BIL just returned from a river cruise and had a day in Constanta. Despite some very negative reports here on CC, they enjoyed their day and saw a lot. They thought the archaeological museum was much better than advertised. If you've done the research and know what to expect, I'm sure you'll have a good tour.

 

I'll be in Constanta in 2015 on a land trip to Romania and am already researching. ;)

 

thanks cruisemom42 - if they were on a river cruise I am assuming they were escorted with a guide and/or in a group and did not do it on their own?

[sapper1]

I have never had a problem getting payment on board for small things. I just get passed an envelope - very discreet. I don't solicit or ask - everyone knows the way we are doing it in advance. I keep all my tour participant informed with emails. So all the final arrangements are known well in advance by everyone.

 

I don't think HAL would complain in any case since it is THEIR tour :D

 

In this case, I am asking people to pay now as I am and everyone is in agreement. I am with some very reliable travellers and have no worries that they won't send the $.

I did the same thing for the Oasis on our Westerdam cruise and everyone simply mailed me a cheque or paid me via paypal.

Again, this is a HAL tour

 

Don't forget the person who gave you cash on the barrel head over coffee at Tim Hortons. :D

[cruisemom42]

thanks cruisemom42 - if they were on a river cruise I am assuming they were escorted with a guide and/or in a group and did not do it on their own?

 

Yes, that's right. A guide was provided. They booked the cruise only about two weeks out (:eek:), otherwise they'd have researched other options. (And I'd be happy to share the info.)

[kazu]

Yes, that's right. A guide was provided. They booked the cruise only about two weeks out (:eek:), otherwise they'd have researched other options. (And I'd be happy to share the info.)

 

If you don't mind, it would be really appreciated.

 

If you want to email me, just click emailme in my signature.

 

It would be very appreciated.

 

I will happily share with you our experiences and recommendations when we return. Histria is on our itinerary :)

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

It is a great idea thanks for the tip ..

[kazu]

Don't forget the person who gave you cash on the barrel head over coffee at Tim Hortons. :D

 

Now how could I have forgotten that:D We had such an interesting chat that day:D

[cruisemom42]

If you don't mind, it would be really appreciated.

 

If you want to email me, just click emailme in my signature.

 

It would be very appreciated.

 

I will happily share with you our experiences and recommendations when we return. Histria is on our itinerary :)

 

They literally just returned. As soon as I can get the details, I'll email you.

[kazu]

They literally just returned. As soon as I can get the details, I'll email you.

 

Thank you so much. It is very kind of you to share and very, very appreciated.

[HokiePoq]

 

Stymied with Constanta we did some digging and I discovered something that I should have taken note of earlier.

 

HAL offers mini vans and mini buses on a lot of tours. They come with a driver and a guide. (yes, they are supposed to be knowledgeable).

 

If you have a decent roll call (doesn't have to be large - just participants) then you can potentially do this. Smaller group - like a private tour and yet, with the safety aspect of a HAL tour :D

 

Prices vary from port to port but for Constanta - the price has little difference with the larger group.

 

We don't care to be herded or wait as someone is late or wait for the washrooms.

 

So we are getting our cake and eat it too. We will have our own group - but have the protection of a HAL cruise.

 

It's worth taking a look at and yes, we are HUGE private tour fans.

 

I will report back when we return but I suspect it should be very good quality as I did one of these once before :D without realizing it when we did the Vatican secrets tour in Rome :D

 

Just thought I would share as it is definitely worth taking a look at - depending upon the cost in a particular port and the number in your group/roll call

 

 

Perhaps HAL's are more reasonable, but the ones on every NCL cruise I've taken have had an astronomical cost, even divided among more than one couple. I, too, will be interested to hear how this works out as a possibility for the future with my decreased mobility.

Edited June 15, 2014 by HokiePoq

[Lizzie68]

Now how could I have forgotten that:D We had such an interesting chat that day:D

 

Sounds like an interesting meet-up and chat. So nice when members can actually meet one another.

[kazu]

Perhaps HAL's are more reasonable, but the ones on every NCL cruise I've taken have had an astronomical cost, even divided among more than one couple. I, too, will be interested to hear how this works out as a possibility for the future with my decreased mobility.

 

HAL offers a mini bus for this port - so we have a group of 10 which makes the pricing decent. Most of the mini vans hold 7 from what I have seen for this cruise in Europe. Some of them are semi-reasonable if you have a small group. Prices do vary from port to port so it is certainly worth taking a look.

I won't forget to report - I promise:D

[kazu]

Sounds like an interesting meet-up and chat. So nice when members can actually meet one another.

 

We have cruised with sapper1 and her DH but met before our cruise. sapper1 is a lovely person, a pleasure to chat and cruise with. Very sharp witted:D

[dcinmb]

Yes, that's right. A guide was provided. They booked the cruise only about two weeks out (:eek:), otherwise they'd have researched other options. (And I'd be happy to share the info.)

 

Sorry to "eavesdrop," but I'll be in Constanta on the Celebrity Constellation in early October and would be forever grateful if I could also get the name of the guide your sister and BIL used for their river cruise. My email address is dcinmb at yahoo dot com.

 

Thanks, as always, for your help, cruisemom42!

 

dcinmb:)

[cruisemom42]

Sorry to "eavesdrop," but I'll be in Constanta on the Celebrity Constellation in early October and would be forever grateful if I could also get the name of the guide your sister and BIL used for their river cruise. My email address is dcinmb at yahoo dot com.

 

Thanks, as always, for your help, cruisemom42!

 

dcinmb:)

 

They were on a river cruise, they didn't hire a guide, they had an included tour of Constanta (and maybe an optional afternoon tour?)

 

Still waiting for the details.

[6travelers]

A couple of years ago on a Greek Isles cruise my family used the HAL vans offered in Greece and Turkey. They were terrific. We are a family of seven and the price per person was very good. I paid thru Hal of course like all other excursions. Ahead of time for each port we received a questionnaire on what we wanted to do with our time. Really some of the best tours we have ever taken. Just like any private tour, we were completely in charge of our day. I would do it again in a heart beat. Can not recommend it enough. You will love it.

[idiebabe]

A couple of years ago on a Greek Isles cruise my family used the HAL vans offered in Greece and Turkey. They were terrific. We are a family of seven and the price per person was very good. I paid thru Hal of course like all other excursions. Ahead of time for each port we received a questionnaire on what we wanted to do with our time. Really some of the best tours we have ever taken. Just like any private tour, we were completely in charge of our day. I would do it again in a heart beat. Can not recommend it enough. You will love it.

 

We did the HAL vans, too, in two of the Ports in SA in March. Would also do it again depending on the Port. Thought it was a little more pricey than some of the private Tour Ops but it was nice having the comfort of being on a "Ship Excursion" so, IMO, worth it!

 

They gave us a questionnaire, too, at the start of the cruise to fill out with a tentative "Itinerary" of things we wanted to see but there was also flexibility with the Guide during the tour.

 

I collected the money ahead of time via Paypal or check which is a wise thing to do with any private tour in order to avoid a "no show" on the day of the tour!

[kazu]

We did the HAL vans, too, in two of the Ports in SA in March. Would also do it again depending on the Port. Thought it was a little more pricey than some of the private Tour Ops but it was nice having the comfort of being on a "Ship Excursion" so, IMO, worth it!

 

They gave us a questionnaire, too, at the start of the cruise to fill out with a tentative "Itinerary" of things we wanted to see but there was also flexibility with the Guide during the tour.

 

I collected the money ahead of time via Paypal or check which is a wise thing to do with any private tour in order to avoid a "no show" on the day of the tour!

 

Thnx so much. Please forgive typos 1 finger

typing

Edited June 18, 2014 by kazu