edinburgher

Past threads about Cartagena which you can browse for information, also the usual official local Tourism website which has already been given above, Tripadvisor, YouTube, Frommer's, Fodors, Lonely Planet, Rick Steves and anything else which appears when you google eg "Cartagena Spain tourist information" (include SPAIN as there is more than one Cartagena in the world) Check opening times and days for sights/attractions which interest you on their own websites. You dock opposite the town centre so you only need cross the road and you are there. Very easy to walk around as most of it is even ground, although wear good walking shoes as there is a lot of marble which can get slippery.. Cartagena is a working town in addition to being a tourist town so it won't close entirely at the end of the season, so Spanish shopping hours should be what they would normally be in Spain. Google is your best friend.😀 Past threads https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=cartagena&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

The OP was given all of the above information first time around, including links to past threads for EVERY port (post #6) and a recommendation to join any RC .https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2995576-island-princess-cruise-aug-152024-help/#comment-67031727 I added the last paragraph on this thread post #4 to reflect that, and also said All you had to do was read them. Asking again will bring the same advice, nothing different or new.

Apologies for messing up my post # 4 when I added a new paragraph at the end which was similar to the first one, only discovering I did so when it was too late to edit.

ALL of us and ALL of them? Really?

Not sure if this is helpful or not, but when we did a shorex to Delos, we went directly from the ship using ship tenders and returned to the ship the same way. Then we went ashore. Maybe, just maybe they operate the same way?

I think you already asked about these ports back in early March and were given a number of useful replies, including a recommendation to join any Roll Call for your sailing and to read past threads, to which you were given links for each. The first three of your ports(four if your Montenegro is Kotor) are all easy DIYwith some pre-trip homework, Corfu, you might want to consider a taxi tour as these are popular on this scenic island and you could share the cost with others, perhaps from your Roll Call? Should you decide to do one, best to pre-arrange and not leave it to chance at the dock. Do check your Roll Call as others may have already arranged one and are looking for others like yourselves to share with them. As JB has already pointed out, you can easily and quickly find past threads on all of them by using the SEARCH tool under your user name. You can then decide which to read and many will have lots of info and tips for the easiest and cheapest DIY sightseeing.. One thing to add about the search tool. Do not go to an individual thread, stay on the main forum to carry out your search. ADDED I think you already asked about these ports back in early March and were given a number of useful replies, including a recommendation to join any Roll Call for your sailing and to read past threads, to which you were given links to past CC threads for each of your ports. All you had to do was read them. Asking again will bring the same advice, nothing different or new.

Are you on a Canal du Midi itinerary?

Monaco also has a famous harbour stuffed with luxury yachts, parks and gardens, and the usual selection of museums.

The majority of visitors and cruise passengers who port there will not be into gambling either, but will find many other attractions to occupy them for a day.

No tour is actually needed for Nice if you do a little pre-trip homework before you go to help you decide what to see and do here which matches your personal interests. On a tour you will be taken to wherever the tour guide has been instructed to take you. Direct trains between Cannes and Nice, no need to change anywhere, journery time a little under an hour. As for Monaco/Monte Carlo, there are only two or three casinos there, and the only one which tourists might be aware of or come across during their time there would be the historic and very famous Casino de Monte Carlo with its gardens, the exterior of which many visitors like to view and take pictures of, otherwise no other opportunity to gamble that I am aware of.(unless others know better) Although small the city has several sights and attractions including an old Town, the Royal Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and the Cathedral where the tombs of Princess Grace and her husband Prince Ranier are to be found. Again, reading about MC might help you decide so read eg the Official Monaco Tourist Information website, Tripadvisor, YouTube, Rick Steves and any other online or guidebook options to help you decide whether you might enjoy a day there or not. And read shorex descriptions even should you not want to book one as they will give you an indication of sightseeing options. And past threads, the same for Nice. Although there are direct trains, it is a longer journey from Cannes than the one to Nice.

Sorry that none of my suggestions were any help at all as I expected that at least one would be successful. As it is still a little early in the cruising season for this part of the world, maybe not too many members have already visited this year. Cruise calls to Katakolon should increase over the next couple of months and you might get more up-to-date information then.

Some suggestions. You could always ask terminal staff on arrival as there may some circumstances when normally available free WiFi is not available that particular day. Ask any of the crew as they know absolutely everywhere that free WiFi is available as they themselves will use it. Most coffee houses and others will have free WiFi for customers to whom they will give an access password, so for the price of a coffee or a burger or another small purchase you should find accessing WiFi quite easy.

Volos to Meteora is too far for a short port day, you will need to find something else to do which is more local. there should be lots of online info, you only need look for it in the usual places. Begin with something like "Volos Tourist Information", Tripadvisor, YouTube, Rick Steves and others, also read past threads. Choose from these: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=volos&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463 Kusadasi as others have already mentioned is a super easy DIY port as Ephesus is only a short distance and there should be tours and/or taxis at the port. At Ephesus, in addition to the main site, you or your guide if you have one should buy tickets for the terrace houses as these are not included in the general admission ticket. (at least in the past they were not, but post pandemic times have seen changes in all sorts of places.) The terrace houses were where the elite lived and definitely worth a visit.

You could try either contacting the company direct via their website if it is possible, or consider contacting the visitkatakolon Tourist Information Office because they should be local and be able to answer your question. There really isnt anything much in Katakolon, and having visited Olympia on our first visit an walking this one street town, on our second we mostly stayed onboard catching up with some laundry, editing photos from the trip so far, and otherwise enjoying a welcome restful day on a quite busy itinerary.

As already mentioned, Captains will usually turn the ship around at some glaciers. Having said that, on Alaskan itineraries it is common to spend more time on deck for views forward or on both sides. A balcony on whichever side will restrict your viewing to one side only unless you have an aft facing one. And on our Alaskan itineraries with HAL, the bow areas which are normally closed to passengers were opened up to give passengers more access to best viewing in especially scenic areas, Glacier Bay as an example. If on deck, it is good to position yourselves near a doorway as it is then easier to move from one side to the other depending on scenery, or whale sightings, or whatever, as some passengers on outdoor decks keep a close eye on water movement and will call out if whales are spotted and you may not hear anything when sitting on your balcony.☹️