EnthDegree

This is very frustrating. They say that the site is live yet many of the existing roll calls are still "Under Construction". Why launch something half-cock? Can somebody in authority let us know when it will be properly up and running?

Continuing to enjoy your excellent reports. Just watched you sail out of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on their live webcam. Any word on Rich Spacey’s tour of duty end yet?

Keep up the good work and leave the girl in good shape for us boarding next month!

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Paul and Edward

Could you possibly find out if Rich Spacey will still be Cruise Director for the sailing on 28th May?

Thanks - enjoying your daily postings and pics.

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Can anyone suggest a nice hotel in Barcelona. We are staying one night before flying home.

H10 Port Vell is a boutique hotel overlooking the marina and only ten minutes from the bottom of La Rambla - stunning views from front rooms

Room Mate Anna is near Placa de Catalina (top end of La Rambla) and close to Gaudi’s Casa Batllo. It is also a boutique hotel and the staff are magnificent.

Taxi to airport from either cost us about €40.

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This is on my list -- "registration counts stay the same and aren't increasing when new people register".

 

 

 

Laura

Laura

Did your meeting with Celebrity happen and if it did what was the outcome of the Registration for Connection Party issue?

Tom

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9th October 2016 - cloudless skies and temperatures in mid twenties.

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Nick

So sad that all your good work has been ruined by the decision by Photobucket to remove all free links. They are now trying to hold millions of users to ransom by charging $400 per annum to use their service!!

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Hi

You don't say how you will get into Glasgow but assuming that you are taking the train from Greenock you will alight at Glasgow Central station. I'd walk through 'downtown' area via Buchanan Street to George Square then catch the "Shoogle" (Glasgow's Underground) from Buchanan Street to Kelvinbridge then walk Bank Street to University Avenue. That gets you to Mackintosh House and Hunterian.

Then walk down through Kelvingrove Park to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

Return to Central Station by taking Underground from Kelvinhall station to St Enoch station or a number 3 bus city bound.

My suggestion covers both your ideas and doable given maybe five hours minimum in the city itself plus 45 minutes each way to/from Greenock.

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Usually listed as a tender port and tenders deliver you into town but if berthed at the new port then a free shuttle bus takes you the mile or so from ship to bus station then it is a short walk on past the "red fishing boat" to get to town.

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Just as s1amblue says - Wander. Get lost - then find yourself in Little Venice at lunchtime and eat in one of the restaurants right beside the sea. Drink a glass of two of the local wine and eat some of the local delicacies and perhaps you might be joined by Pedros, the local star attraction!!

(He's a pelican!!)

Yes, find the windmills after wandering through the maze of narrow whitewashed alleyways, visit the myriad of tiny little shops and cafe bars.

Your few hours in Mykonos town will pass in a flash.

Chill out and enjoy!

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Private tour organised by Nick at Privatesantorinitours. His attention to detail in the planning, the driver/guide he provided, the high quality vehicle and his ability to organise a special meeting point avoiding the dreaded chair lift and donkeys made our day tour of his beautiful island of Santorini our very best ever port your. We stayed well away from the cruise crowds all day which meant we had free access to all the important sites on the island. Would do the whole cruise again tomorrow just to revisit Santorini!

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We stayed at H10 Port Vell post cruise last October which was excellent. It was overlooking the marina and only a ten minute taxi ride from our ship. Also it was a five minute walk from the foot of La Rambla. Can only assume your choice will be of the same high standard. Happy holiday - enjoy Barcelona!

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HoHo leaves from the cruise terminals so is probably the easiest way to get to the city. The HoHo takes you from Piraeus to near the Acropolis. You can visit the Acropolis then take a second route into the city of Athens.

You will need to return to the Acropolis stop and change back to the other line to get back to the ship.

Cost was very reasonable as we got pensioner rates!!!

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Brilliant summary of what a cruise is all about.

Well done!

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Try contacting Nick (privatesantorinitours).

Google the contact details.

We used them in 2016 for a half day private tour and the price was extremely reasonable for the outstanding service we got. Gets cheaper if you double up with other likeminded couples and share the transport.

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Sailed from Barcelona on 3rd October 2016 to Eastern Mediterranean aboard Celebrity Equinox.

Daytime temperatures were always in the mid twenties Centigrade.

Only rained twice - once for an hour when heading to Pompeii and all morning in Athens!

Hottest day was 13th in Malta.

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Be aware that a visit to the Fairy Pools does require a fair bit of walking over some pretty rough ground and also requires crossing what can be swift flowing streams!

For location and timings - Check out https://www.isleofskye.com/skye-guide/top-ten-skye-walks/fairy-pools

Another place to drive to is The Quiraing on the Trotternish peninsula. (Stunning views - very narrow road!!!)

Private car hire would be your best option but book early as there are only a finite number of rentals available in Portree!

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We loved the English Market. Great to go there for a snack lunch and sit in the balcony looking down on all the food stalls below. Be aware that it is always extremely busy.

Oh and if is easily found - just follow the curve of St Patrick's Street from the Merchant Quay Shopping Centre at River Lee bridge for about 300 metres and it will be on your left.

We walked back along Oliver Plunkett Street at the back of the Market which was very interesting too.

Give yourself a good hour to soak up the ambience of the old Market and enjoy your visit.

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We did "Rome in a Day" from Equinox in October 2016. The cost was $79.75pp. We left the ship at 08:10 and returned just after 18:00.

This tour gave us 90 mins outside the Colosseum followed by a guided tour aboard our coach through the north east of the city to arrive near Piazza del Popolo where we had another 90 minutes (we managed to walk to the Spanish Steps then on to the Trevi Fountain and finally to the Pantheon before returning to our coach.

Then we were taken to the underground coach park under the Vatican City and had one hour to see St Peters etc.

Price did not include entry to any site but we enjoyed just looking from outside!!

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Bob ++

How old is that photograph of Inverness railway station?

Must be about ten years by the livery of the carriages!!

Mind you Scotrail (Abelio) are probably using the same units under a fresh coat of paint!!

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I too live in the north of Scotland (in fact in Invergordon!) and would alter some of the information provided by "liptastic".

1) it would be nigh impossible to get a taxi from the cruise terminal to Invergordon railway station (they are all booked for day trips!!). Assuming that you would be travelling light then you could walk to the railway station in less than ten minutes. The early trains are probably too early at 06:51 & 07:20 so I'd go for the 09:42 but beware this train is usually very busy as it is the first through service from Wick to Inverness!

This would get you into Inverness at 10:34.

Given that you wish to explore Inverness you would probably need to book the 15:51 direct service to Edinburgh.

2) contrary to liptastic this service does not travel down the east coast but rather travels right through the heart of the Scottish mountains (stunning scenery) before crossing the River Tay into Fife. You are only on the east coast from Markinch to the Forth Rail Bridge! Travel time is three and a half hours. There are catering trolleys on these services and free wi-fi!!!

3) Accomodation in Edinburgh can be at a premium so book early to be sure.

4) Check with your cruise company where your ship is going to tie up - some are berthing at Rosyth, some tendering into Queensferry and some into Leith!!

Enjoy your trip!

PS train times assume Monday-Saturday!!

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Last summer we sailed from Barcelona. We arrived late at Barcelona Airport (00:45) but had booked the Barcelona Airport Hotel which provided a free airport pick-up (just phone on arrival). They also offered free transport from the hotel to the cruise terminal in the morning. It all worked very well for us but if you use their free cruise transfer be aware that it does pick up from several hotels! We were still aboard the Equinox by 12:30.

However if you wish to stay in downtown Barcelona then there are plenty of airport taxis available even late at night. Don't know late night rates but we were €45 for our post-cruise transfer.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your cruise and Happy New Year!

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As you say the airport is less than half an hour from the cruise terminal. Most ships are tied up before eight so you should be safe enough with a mid morning flight.

Enjoy your cruise.

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