A whole slew of questions re: Capitals of Europe Cruise optional tours

[SteveinPhilly]

Hi all. I'm a newbie here - used to use AOL Boards. We are booked on the Rotterdam Great Capitals of Europe cruise. (Our second HAL - last year was Alaska.) Anyway there are no reviews of route on Cruise Critic so I'm hoping others might be able to help.

We've been to major places like Paris and Rome so the long -and expensive - optional tour doesn't interest us. We are looking at the other optional tours for the Ports we are in. In some cases we would just like to explore that city (Lisbon for instance - we were there on a land tour two years ago.) So here are my questions:

For the ports listed below: How far is it to the tourist areas or metropolitan part of town and what is access and cost to get there from the Cruise terminal on your own? Also, has anyone taken HAL's Optional tours from any of these ports? And if so, any comments good or bad?

Here we go:

Kusadasi, Turkey (Ephesus)
Malta
Civitavecchia (spend the day there?)
Monte Carlo
Marseille
Barcelona
Cadiz, Spain
Lisbon
Le Harve, France

THanks for your help! WE chose HAL (THe Rotterdam) first because we loved their ship size and "non party boat" Atmosphere. No we're not senior citizens, and love to see things.

Thanks for your input.

SteveinPhilly

[dakrewser]

You'll probably get much better advice over in the Ports of Call forums for each port...

[SteveinPhilly]

You'll probably get much better advice over in the Ports of Call forums for each port...

Thanks Dave! I'll check there too but since HAL uses their contracted companies for the optional tours, I wanted feedback on any that CC Board members have taken.

SteveinPhilly

[dakrewser]

Thanks Dave! I'll check there too but since HAL uses their contracted companies for the optional tours, I wanted feedback on any that CC Board members have taken.

SteveinPhilly

I think you'll find that, in most ports, it's the same tour companies servicing most cruise lines...

[trubey]

I'm a bit confused as to what an "optional tour" is. Perhaps you can explain.

The general information you are requesting about the cities is usually found in the Europe forum. Last year I started some threads called Do-It-Yourself (Cityname). You might try searching for them and bumping any that you want more info on. Also, start some yourself. You will have better luck asking about each port in a separate thread or they will get lost.

As far as the cities you mention in your post, I have taken the HAL tour to Epheseus. It was absolutely wonderful. The guide was great, the site was marvelous. Beware, though, that afterwards they will take you to a rug dealer in the center of the city. Don't bother to go. It was just a few moments from the port and was an absolute waste of time for me—but, hey—maybe you want to buy a rug. susana.

[Suite 16]

Of all the cities you will visit, I think the best bargain is in Barcelona. They have Bus Touristic, which is three intersecting tourist bus lines. We have done this a few times, and have referred friends who have loved it. The Green line is near the cruise ship pier, and will intersect with the r\Red and/or b\Blue lines. You are given a map, there is naration, and you can hop-on hop-off at any of the tourist sights, or just stay aboard and get an overall view of the beautiful city. The fare is about $17 euros.

In Malta, we used Joan Sheridan, the best guide we have ever had, anywhere. She was knowledgeable in the history, art - everything about this different and beautiful island. She introduced us to the "Crown Jewel of Malta," as she called it - the Carravagio of "The Beheading of John the Baptist" describing the artist's use of light - made this so interesting! We saw things, and got to places the bus tours from HAL weren't able to visit. We were a group of eight, so the price was much better than HAL's. She can be reached at www.touringmalta.com and you can visit her website at www.maltatravelnet.com. She can plan the tour for the hours and places you would like. You can mention her Connecticut friends recommended her.

For Monte Carlo and also Marseille - we used the same wonderful guide - Eva of Provence Sightseeing cote d'azur (you can view the site) and she can be reached at www.provencesightseeing.com. She, too, planned our days to accommodate our wishes, even to having a lunch at Le Celle, an Alain Ducasse restaurant in an old abbey in the country. Again, we were eight, so the price was right. Again, you can mention her Connecticut friends.

Nothing could convince me to spend a day in Civitavecchia - stay in Rome as long as possible.

In your other cities, we have used ship's excursions, either HAL's or other cruise lines. After years of waiting for shoppers and laggards, and being directed to shopping, we much prefer to find our own guides. So far, on many cruises, we have been lucky and have never been disappointed in the guides we have found on the internet. We check them out with local tourist boards or "chambers of commerce."

Have a wonderful time!

[Aussie Gal]

SteveinPhilly,

When we docked in Le Havre we took a taxi with another couple and got him to take us to Honfleur. It was a Sunday and there wasn't a lot happening in Le Havre. We asked him to return for us about 4 hours later and we did not pay him until we returned to the ship.

We had a lovely day there. It is a beautiful town with good restaurants. At the time we requested our taxi driver to meet us, he arrived and took us back to the ship. It was a wonderful day.

Friends of ours on the ship went to Rouen on their own and said that was also a great day.

Jennie

[SteveinPhilly]

SteveinPhilly,

When we docked in Le Havre we took a taxi with another couple and got him to take us to Honfleur.
Jennie

Thanks Jennie! I think we have our heart set on Giverney tour when we are in Le Havre.

Truby: By optional tours I meant tours that HAL offers - or similar companies. In some cases they are more efficient and even a better value than booking on your own. In cases where you stop at factories, it's not. So I was asking if anyone had BAD experiences with any particular tours.

At moment it looks like we'll book HAL Ephesus tour (it's the first stop the day after we fly to Athens - so I want tro make it easy. And possibly Malta as well. Though I'll check out Suite 16's suggestion as well. We are only 2 and I'm tall so squeezing 8 in a van might be tough. But we'll see.

Thanks for all the ideas. On another Board someone pointed out the Destinations link at top of CC page. WOW, lots of great info, especially on location of Cruise Terminal in each port!

SteveinPhilly

[Marialivia]

Hi Steve -- Can't help you with your specific ports (but the itinerary sounds glorious!). However, I can recommend a fabulous site that has answered all my excursion questions for my upcoming Baltic cruise next month. I URGE you to go into www.portreviews.com (http://www.portreviews.com), which no doubt will have a wealth of info for you, including currency, "must see" sites, whether or not you can navigate the city on your own, etc. And there are beautiful photos too. Have a fabulous time! ML:D

[love to cruz]

Hi Steve:
So glad to see you are researching our itinerary, as we are sailing with you on the 26th. We truly enjoy booking our own tours rather than going on a ships 50+ passenger bus. We see much more and nearly always save quite a bit of money.
If you are interested in sharing any tours let us know. There are four of us as we are sailing with our friends Mike & Carol ("Glowing Amber").

[pinepond]

HI all,

We are also on this cruise and have been exploring options. We too like to book our own tours or go it on our own, and would be happy to join in with others if it works out.

In Valetta, we are considering the Malta capitals old and new as we would like to see Mdina and are not sure we could find transportation. We have been to Valetta before, but would also like to see the Malta Experience, a film which I have heard good things about. Any thoughts?

For Rome, we have decided to take the local train from the port - very cheap 4-6 eur. http://www.trenitalia.com/ If someone would like to share a cab to the station that would be great, since it is quite a hike. Since we have been to Rome before, we decided to try the Hop on/off tour bus unless something more intesting comes up.

Monte Carlo we are considering the Nice/Esa tour offered by the ship. Does anyone know anything about transportation to these cities? Would be interested in sharing some arrangement here.

Marseille - Not sure what to do here. HAL tours to the countryside are way too expensive. Thoughts anyone?

Barcelona, We have decided to go to Montserret Monastery on our own. Re Rick Steves it sounds easy enough at a fraction of the cost and site sounds great. The train trip, cable car or rack railway up to monestary, and rides on two funiculars up on the mountain are 20 eur. Again we would love company and to share a cab off the dock to town as we are told it is not safe to walk.

Cadiz - As of now we plan to stay in Cadiz or explore local sites. Believe there is a ferry to an island?

Lisbon - still open here - any ideas?

La Havre will take a taxi or bus to Honlfeur. Heard there is a local bus near the port that goes to Honfleur?

Happy to hear any suggestions and share arrangements as appropriate.

Martha

[SteveinPhilly]

Hi Martha!

Did you also sign up for the Roll Call for the cruise? there are already about 40 people there (well one group is a family of 18!). There's more specific discussion going on there.

We decided on the HAL Ephesus tour as it will be our first day on on jet lag. (BTW, our PBS station showed Rick Steve's Turkey show last night - but it was filmed in 1995!).

Also booked HAL's Malta Capitals Old and New. Thought about the "Experience: but spending 45 watching a movie made no sense to us though folks say it's excellent.

Our big splurge is Giverney. It's expensive but 10 hours and includes lunch and I want to see this in my lifetime.

All the other tours were not "limited capacity" so we can book on ship if we want. Thinking of Train to Rome also. I'm sure there will many sharing cabs.

Anyway, we are better discuuseing these in more detail on the Roll Call Board. I don't THINK you are signed on there too.

Steve in Philly

[love to cruz]

Hi Martha:
Welcome aboard. I agree with Steve to check the "Roll Call" board for our sailing.
We have six people so far a full day tour at Ephesis, Turkey and the van holds eight. With lunch inlcuded the price is $37 per person. More info. is on the roll call site from "Glowing Amber."
We found tours in Malta for less than $50 for all day. We have not made a decision yet though. Yes, we would like to share a cab to the train station for Rome as you are planning on doing the same thing we were. There are four in our little group since we are joining friends from N.Y. on this adventure. I am sure there are mini vans for taxis in Italy.
If you would prefer emailing us directly, our email address is i_12step@yahoo.com. Please remember to underscore (or underline) between the i and 12.
If you check the roll call please note the Cruise Critic group arriving in Athens early is meeting at the Elektra Hotel Thursday evening at 7:00 and going to dinner and you are welcome to join us.

[cruisegirl]

Steve,
Of the places you mentioned we been in LeHarve and Lisbon on cruises. For France, we choose to spend our time going to Honfleur. I would certainly recommend that - either as a ship excursion or own your own. We did it with 3 other people and simply engaged a taxi who took us there and then came back and got us. It's a beautiful village. I think you'd enjoy it. Had a wonderful lunch of warm bread and brie! Yum! In Portugal we went to Sintra and saw sights there and in the surrounding area. Again, we did it as a private tour with other couples. One of the couples had made the arrangements ahead of time. I wish I knew who they arranged the tour with as they did a super job.

[hsrendeb]

On 5/27, My wife and I have booked a guide for Ephesus to do the ancient sites and the renown museum. We need 4 more people to join us for the tour -- $42 includes admission fees, english speaking guide

5/28 - -open for Santorini - -suggestions?

on 5/30, we were thinking of taking the train to Herculeum - -if someone has a guide or other arrangements we would be interested in joining them

on 5/31 we would like to join a group going to Rome, but everything I have seen so far is more expensive than HAL. Anyone have a suggestion?

We are interested in joining a group for Marseille, Barcelona, Cadiz and Lisbon -- open to all offers

on 5/9 --We are interested in booking a taxi to Hon Fleur - -would like to join with others doing the same.

on 5/10 - -we have a 1 PM flight out of Heathrow - -would like to join someone for the trip to the airport - -

Please email direct: souvenirspoons@yahoo.com

Thanks Wayne

[RuthC]

I have two suggestions for you, hsrendeb:
First, it would be a good idea to post this on the rool-call thread for your particular cruise.
Second, it would be better not to resurrect a 2-year old thread to ask a new question. Start a new thread, or add to an existing thread on the same topic, for that.