edinburgher

I'd search the Internet and US Customs sites instead of relying on random input from strangers on the internet. It is likely your question here is too vague to answer, anyway, as I expect Polar Bears might be treated differently than seals. The question was asked and replied to with references to C.I.T.E.S. Someone even mentioned signage in the Q tannery stating that sealskin was prohibited in the USA (it appears that Kdatcm double posted) https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2995710-nanortalik-and-qaqortoq/#comment-67060958

Your question asked and replied to on this thread, with references to C.I.T.E.S. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2995710-nanortalik-and-qaqortoq/#comment-67060958

Silly me, I thought these forums were a place for people to share information I thought giving you the link above did come under the heading of "sharing information", and this early in the season may currently be the most up-to-date unless others have something even more recent to share.

No tour is really needed for Alesund. A favourite with cruise pax as docking is central, most sights/attractions are easily accessed and the town offers quite a lot for the visitor. Reading this might be helpful to you, although there are other past threads if you search for them. This has a bonus link to a second informative thread https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2860877-alesund-in-7-hours-help/#comment-63424351 Tromso you will either dock in the centre or out by the Botanical Garden. If "out" there should be a ship shuttle but there is also a public bus outside the port. We visited three times and explored on foot each time. This current thread is only a couple or so further down than yours. The Tromso public bus https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2997530-tromso-norway-shuttle-to-downtown/#comment-67091014

Salerno I do not know, but all the others can be DIY although this means doing your pre-trip homework, as has already been pointed out in post #3. Google will be your best friend, as will reading past threads here on CC Being prepared means you can keep your costs to a minimum and plan your days to suit the interests and ages of all members of your family. If you have not already done so, search for each of your ports in turn. Here are some to start with. Choose which to read from these; CAGLIARI https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=cagliari&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464 PALERMO https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=palermo&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464 VALLETTA https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=valletta&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149 CORFU https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=corfu&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=463 KOTOR https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=kotor&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149 DUBROVNIK https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=dubrovnik&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149 SALERNO https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=salerno&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464 With that number of port calls, and to avoid confusion, I advise you focus on one at a time and only move to the next once the previous one is finished. You might also want to start a document for each as otherwise there will be too much info to remember. It is mostly a case of putting in the hours whilst researching each one, although as most of the hours will involve reading, it is really only time and you have that as August this year is 5 months from now. You didn't say, but if your kids are old enough to read about some places and make suggestions, that too would be a help.

Valletta is quite an easy DIY port. Purple Traveller has already given you some of the highlights, to find others to suit your personal interests and to check opening hours etc on your day of the week/date, check the Valletta Tourist Board website, also Tripadvisor, YouTube, Rick Steves and others which appear when you google something like "Valletta Tourist Information". and do read past threads for information and ideas. Here are some to get you started. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=valletta&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=149 Lots to do and see in Valletta and much of it is pedestrian. Two tips which you will also read on some of the previous threads. Be up on deck an hour or so before arrival for the sail in to the Grand Harbour, one of the most scenic sail ins anywhere. Forward facing or starboard would be best. Local boat trips are offered but you get to enjoy it twice for free. Ships are docked low down at the waterfront. Valletta city is uphill, and can be quite a steep walk up. There is a lift which takes you up to the Barrakka Gardens which Purple Traveller mentioned. There are incredible views to be found there. The lift costs 1 euro pp to go up, free to come down. To find it, at the port exit turn right and walk along that waterfront road until you see the lift entrance across the street. Depending on the month you will visit, Valletta can be very hot so dress accordingly and carry or buy water.

As your question is specific to RC, suggesting you cross post on the RC forum where RC pax who have take this tour in the past would be more likely to see it and respond. This one https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/51-royal-caribbean-international/

This is likely because some cruiselines use Palma as a turnaround port and new passengers are often flown in on chartered flights (eg Tui) which can arrive day or evening.

All three are easy to DIY with a bit of pre-trip homework which will be mostly reading, reading and more reading. Alicante can be quite hilly in places, but some is flat and it is relatively compact and the waterfront promenade and port are quite attractive. If venturing uphill to the castle, no need to climb, just look for the lift which will take you to the top. Valencia is mostly flat and walkable but public buses are a good option too as the city is in two parts, the old and the modernistic. Barcelona is huge and difficult decisions will need to be made to plan your day to your own interests and abilities. Public transport is good and taxis plentiful and fairly priced. Begin by googling eg "Tourist Information (name of town/city) and do look at the official municipal websites first as they are usually full of info. Also Tripadvisor, YouTube, any guidebooks (maybe borrow from your local library?) and other websites which result from searching "Tourist Information (name) and check HOHO routes too as these might appeal, the difficulty with these being that many historic centres are pedestrian only and buses cannot enter. And even should you not want to book one, look at the shorex on offer for each as they will usually show you the highlights and what could be possible within your hours. Google really will be your best friend. And time. Lots of time, but mostly reading. To avoid confusion, try to plan only one and finish it before moving on to the next. And reading past threads here on CC could also be helpful. if you have not already done so, these would be a good starting point. Valencia https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=valencia&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465 Alicante https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=alicante&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465 Barcelona (good luck choosing which to read on this one) https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=barcelona&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=465

We have only ported there 2 or 3 times but docked each time. As hank has mentioned, at anchor would only be used if the port is very busy that day. I suggest you look at the 2024 cruise schedule on the official Port of Monaco website or on cruisetimetables or similar where you can look at your date and see how many other ships will be in the same day. You might also learn if you are to be definitely at anchor or docked.

Check which shorex are being offered as they would give you an idea of the highlights and what could be possible within your hours there. Also check the local Brest Tourist information website, Tripadvisor, youTube, and results which appear when you google eg "Tourist Information Brest" or similar. And if you have not already done so, you could choose which past threads with the word Brest in them to read from these https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=brest&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=462

Had you simply googled the question as I just did, the Schipol Airport website with link to cruise terminal transportation info would have appeared in the results. https://amsterdam-schiphol-airport.com/transportation/airport-to-cruise-port/

downtown Ketchikan walking tour map https://www.alaska.org/guide/downtown-ketchikan-walking-tour

I would not be worrying unnecessarily as you won't actually have to "wander" unless you choose to. The shuttle buses drop off very close to the Vieux Port and almost everything I described above is in very close proximity to it, and should you take a boat trip and/or the little tourist train or a HOHO, in addition to visiting the port itself, MUCEM and the Fort, most of your time will be taken up within a very small area with no chance of getting lost. Shopping opportunities are also available very close to there. As with any large city, the usual advice is to keep your valuables safe and only take out with you the items you will need.. I think you will enjoy your time there.

There are both fast and slow ferries and a fast one would not necessarily be "lengthy". Or you could take a short flight to one of your choosing. For suggestions if you have not already done so, try internet searching something like "closest islands to Athens" or "best islands close to Athens" or similar wording.

Are you aware that Viator is not a tour operator, only a broker/middleman which books you onto a tour with another company? Their Tcs and Cs regarding refunds can cause issues for cruise pax in the event of a late port arrival or last minute port cancellation. Lots of warnings on CC threads about them. IMHO no actual tour is needed in Marseille. Ship shuttles usually run their shuttle buses to and from the VIeux Port area and there is a good selection of attractions, sights and options easily accessed from there, a number of which are described on the thread below. I would encourage you to read it as it would be a shame to only visit the Palais Longchamp and nothing else at all in the city, the second largest in France. Ignore the reference to "kids" in the title as these suggestions are suitable for all ages, and within a few minutes by foot from each other. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2982828-marseille-with-kids/#comment-66691124 As for the Palais Longchamp, I do know it can be reached from the Vieux Port in a few minutes by bus, metro or tram, and internet searching should give you more detail as I am not current with lines or numbers. You could use your saved $89 for a lovely lunch somewhere, but I caution not around the Vieux Port tourist trap area which mostly offers only "tourist" meals of poor quality for the prices they charge. This is a copy/paste of a post I put on a thread in response to a different Marseille question. More ideas for you here: Potentially additional useful information for others. Consider exploring le Panier district. The oldest in the city. There are entrances to it from a block or two behind the Old Port, but the main entrance/exit there is via Rue Poiriers, an incredibly steep street (the handrails are there for a reason) which is best avoided if you value your legs. 😀 An alternative with flat, easy access is next to the Cathedrale de la Major, (when facing the Cathedral, the small entry streets are to the right) barely 5 minutes walk from the Old Port and across from MUCEM , in turn next to the fort St-Jean. (These locations are where the cruise shuttles usually drop off and pick up) Entering from this direction also gives the opportunitiy to visit MUCEM and the Cathedral. Lacking the views enjoyed from the Basilica Notre-Dame-de-la Garde, the Cathedral is nonetheless worth visiting inside and is one of the largest in France. Entry is free. Le Panier offers a few sights, but it is mostly best for strolling the narrow streets. At the top is Place des Moulins, the perfect location for rest and resfreshments, although only two towers of the original windmills mills remain, and these are incorporated into homes. All downhill from there, means you can exit down the steep Rue Poiriers, much better for the legs than going up. The splendid looking Intercontinental Hotel is only a few steps away and has a lovely outdoor terrace with views of ND de la Garde and a little of the old port. Across from it is the "Maison Diamantee" a building with unusual design features. Info on MUCEM, the Cathedral, le Panier, Maison Diamantee, bouillabaisse etc can all be found online. And for history enthusiasts, Marseille, having been founded by the Greeks around 600 BC (or perhaps even earlier) has a rich history, and visting any of the museums which display this gives a new perspective of the city.

That is a normal amount of luggage, (some folks travel with more than that) especially if you are two persons as each would take one suitcase and one carry on and that would easily work for train travel.

If you are willing to pay for one excursion, and you like trains, then Skagway would be the obvious choice for the White Pass |route. Not inexpensive but worth it. There are various combos mixing train and bus, to choose from and some travel further than others so your length of time in port is important. we did as mentioned in the previous post, travelling as far into the Yokon as Emerald Lake and can highly recommend that one. Remember to take your passport with you. For Ketchikan, lots of options, but you might want to consider going to Totem Bight, a few miles out of Ketchikan. Public bus $2 or $3 pp each way, and as is a State park, entry is only $5pp. (info online plus tripadvisor etc) You could hike or bike both ways and only pay entry if you would prefer that. Ketchikan ideas here; https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2995995-ketchikan-self-exploration/#comment-67041614 Other port suggestions here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2982623-not-so-expensive-excursions/#comment-66756447 There will be many past threads for all your ports, you only need use the SEARCH tool to find them before deciding which to read.

Santa Margherita is super easy to combine with pretty, but tiny Portofino and combining the two makes for a really pleasant day. Many many past threads about both and you may find it helpful to read a few of them. Portofino https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=portofino&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464 Santa Margherita. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q="santa margherita"&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=464&updated_after=any&sortby=relevancy

If only planning one beach day, compare sightseeing options in both Ibiza and Palma and have your beach day in the one which offers the least amount of interest to you. Palma is actually a lovely city to visit, Ibiza less so. There is a"pinned" thread at the top of the Spain Boards which is full of info and suggestions so you could browse that in addition to the usual "Palma sightseeing" websites, YouTube, Tripadvisor, guide books etc. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2697012-palma-de-mallorca-diy-new/page/24/#comment-66879051

Lucca can also be reached by train from Livorno, and it is relatively easy to combine Pisa and Lucca. Really, the choice of which excursion is your own decision depending on which holds the most appeal for you. JB has already explained the pros and cos which might help you decide.

On Corfu, taxi tours are popular and the companies know which routings would work with your port timings. Check them out on the internet. A very scenc island. You could possibly find others to share with you on your Roll Call.

That sounds quite a lot to pack into a 7 hour tour and you would need to read the tour description very carefully to find out exactly what would be included. And as it is an MSC specific question, suggesting that you cross post on the MSC forum where any MSC cruise passengers who have taken this tour would be more likely to see it and respond.

Learning something new every day and thanks for that update. Just as well you are checking my posts for accuracy. 😁 Love 2 travel, apologies for my inaccurate information. It may be best for you to ignore my posts in favour of those posted by fruitmachine.

Wishing you an enjoyable walk down memory lane reliving your youth.