Corfu -- only 3 hours in port?

[aaaaa]

The Oceania website for the June 5, 2010, Insignia sailing indicates that the ship will dock in Corfu from 8:00 a.m. to only 11:00 a.m. (The 2010 mini-brochure instead lists a full-day stop.) Is it really possible that the ship will be in Corfu for only 3 hours?

[LHT28]

I wonder if it could be a typo?

 

You would just get off then have to return ;)

 

Lyn

[dougt1957]

I am booked on the Insignia for May 24th, 2010, and noticed several differences in the times compared to the brochure. I hope it's due to errors on the part of the web page designers. Five hours less in Rome, which is 1 and 1/2 hours from Livorno would mean limited options for shore excursions. I guess at some point I will call and verify the times before final payment.

[aaaaa]

An Oceania telephone representative claimed that the website times were accurate, although perhaps she, too, is mistaken.

[Bruin Steve]

Actually, with disembarkation fitted into the time window and noting that the cruise line requires you to be back on board at least an hour before sailing, it's an even shorter time in port than that...But, be that as it may, I was able to locate the offered shore excursions for this sailing:

 

Excursion 1: Discovery Walks Tour of Corfu Pier

Tour Code: CFU-G

Tour Length: Approximately 30 minutes

 

There is no better way to get acquainted with a pier than on foot. With lightweight audio players and a detailed map of the pier, this program offers an easy walking tour of the Corfu Cruise Ship Pier, one the most popular piers on Corfu at your own pace.

 

The Discovery Player is a full-stereo iPod that is worn comfortably around your neck as you explore from the ship, door, clear to the end of the pier and back. The headsets or earpieces provided allow you to listen to all the facts and history of this memorable pier while walking at your own pace. Simply consult the customized map to find each plank and piling and then go to the indicated number on the player for a detailed description.

 

The Discovery Player is yours for the hour, so you can go as fast or as slow as you'd like. Follow the suggested route or set out on your own adventure, moving about the pier with ease following the detailed map and audio directions.

 

****************************

 

Excursion 2: Wonderful Dockside Taxi Stands of Corfu

Tour Code: CFU-B

Tour Length: Approximately 45 minutes

 

Corfu, as a playground for Europe's aristocracy, has many beautiful palaces. Taxis travel to all of them and now you can visit the stand where these taxis wait to pick up the rich and famous. Originally built for the horse carriage of Empress Elizabeth of Austria, she was assassinated a few years after it was completed. It was then used by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. The stand is adorned with a sign saying "taxi" in both English and Greek lettering and is simply magnificent. Following the visit, your tour will return to the pier.

 

Please note: This tour includes over 6 minutes of walking and/or standing, at times on uneven ground. It is not considered suitable for wheelchair guests or those with mobility concerns. Caps and flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

******************************************

 

Excursion 3: Corfu Town & Achilleion by Helicopter

Tour Code: CFU-D

Tour Length: One and 1/2 hours

 

You will fly by helicopter from the port away from the city area and over the fertile area of orange and lemon groves to reach the Achilleion Palace for a flyover visit. On the way back to town, a short hovering maneuver will be made over a vantage point, offering wonderful view of the bay and Town of Corfu clearly visible to those with a window seat. Back at Corfu pier, a short walking tour will traverse the pier and into the ship. You may choose to remain on the pier to further explore on your own or return to the ship. Actual flying time will be 18 minutes.

 

**********************************

Excursion 4: Explore Corfu Port Area By 4x4

Tour Code: CFU-H

Tour Length: One hour

 

This unique tour gives you a completely different means to explore the less traveled areas of the pier and harbor area. Waiting for you on the pier is your 4-wheel drive vehicle and climbing behind the wheel, you'll embark on a truly memorable and exciting journey. Your caravan will first make its way along the pier, enjoying vistas of the beautiful coastline before turning onto the small harborside road that passes in front of the Old Town. Continuing on, an exhilarating U-turn, then complete the circuit with a return drive on the starkly different opposite lanes--lanes that edge even closer to the waterfront than the outbound lanes. A stop will be made so that you can stretch your legs and take a short walk on the narrow, cobblestone sidewalk that fronts this delightful harbor and take a striking photo of your ship from 500 yards away! Before leaving, you'll be treated to a bag of Doritos - a traditional light snack, accompanied by a swig form the local drinking fountain.

 

Please note: This tour travels over some paved roads and negotiates a turn. Guests must bring a valid drivers' license. The vehicles are manual gear-shift and four guests will travel per vehicle, following a guide vehicle.

 

:) :) :)

 

Okay, seriously? It's got to be a mistake...No one would make a 3 hour port stop--except for the ships to Hawaii that do this in Ensenada to beat the Jones Act...But Corfu is not Ensenada...

[hondorner]

Now, THAT was funny. But, you forgot the tour of the harbor by ship's tender, loading from the off-pier side of the ship.

[meow!]

The Oceania website for the June 5, 2010, Insignia sailing indicates that the ship will dock in Corfu from 8:00 a.m. to only 11:00 a.m. (The 2010 mini-brochure instead lists a full-day stop.) Is it really possible that the ship will be in Corfu for only 3 hours?

That more or less happened to us last October, and it was totally inadequate (even though it was our second time to Corfu, the Nautica sailed on to Sarande in the afternoon). They should allow a whole day at Corfu (as happened to us in 2004), not half a day.

[brian_uk]

Steve........I could not have done better myself......

 

Sheer genius

 

Brian

[LovesSicily]

Steve:

You missed your calling! Where do we sign up for Excursion #4?

We are on that sailing and also noted the time changes. I was going to call Oceania but since someone already has done that, thank you. We're not too pleased with some of the time changes that have been made from the original itinerary and hope there will be future adjustments. If not we'll make lemon out of lemonade and use it for some onboard R&R that day.

[Paulchili]

Steve,

The only thing missing are the prices for these attractive tours...

[Carolina Cruiserr]

Bravo, Bruin Steve! You've just been declared the winner of the Most Humorous Post contest. Sorry, the rest of you didn't get a chance to enter. Now, where did that brief thread go?

[Paulchili]

Bravo, Bruin Steve! You've just been declared the winner of the Most Humorous Post contest.

 

CarolinaCruiser,

Steve already won that award some time ago.

If you missed it - check post #2 on:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=977577

about packing lists. That was a great one!

[Carolina Cruiserr]

Just read the packing tips post; also terrific.