ZeeKay

Dear All, We're going to be on the 20 Sept Mariner sailing and have recently requested/received current bus info (as of 4 July 2011) from Chania's Antonis Konstantoudakis as follows: "The bus takes you from the cruise ship to terminal at Chania Central (very close to the old harbor) so you don’t need to worry about the bus stop at Souda or the departure time. The return is also very well organized. The departure point from Chania to Souda is outside the old market which is at Chania Central. The bus fare is 1.50 € Souda – Chania Central and 3,00€ including return. You can purchase tickets outside of the cruise ship from our kiosks".

Have a great time in Chania!

Regards, Zeke

Bus appears to be both good and cost effective!

Thanks for the info! It certainly does seem like they are rolling out the welcome mat for the cruise passengers. It sounds like they are excited the ships are docking there. I imagine it really helps the economy.

 

But it does sound like the bus prices have increased. Earlier posts had indicated about 3 euros round trip. But I don't mind paying the extra for the extra perks and convenience.

Thanks for the post! It looks like they'll be providing the bus service for the remainder of the year...woohoo...we plan on getting rid of some calories by walking around Chania...thanka again. :)

Dear All, We're going to be on the 20 Sept sailing and have recently requested/received current bus info (as of 4 July 2011) from Chania's Antonis Konstantoudakis as follows: "The bus takes you from the cruise ship to terminal at Chania Central (very close to the old harbor) so you don’t need to worry about the bus stop at Souda or the departure time. The return is also very well organized. The departure point from Chania to Souda is outside the old market which is at Chania Central. The bus fare is 1.50 € Souda – Chania Central and 3,00€ including return. You can purchase tickets outside of the cruise ship from our kiosks".

Have a great time in Chania!

Regards, Zeke

Hello Susan, Hello Mike,

Thank you both for your thoughtful comments!

Our ship (Costa Classica) arrives at 9h00 on Day-1 and overnights in Halong. We sail at 13h00 the next day. We are thinking about: (a) taking an independant Hanoi tour for Day-1 . .. though we are put off by the travel time to and from Hanoi. And then, (b) taking the ship's sponsored Halong Bay (mostly boat) tour on Day-2, our sail away day. We are reluctant to do an independant tour on the half day before a 13h00 sailing time.

What do you think . . . enough in the Hanoi itinerary to justify the 8-hour RT drive to Hanoi? (see Itinerary Below) OR, should we simply make the most our of day and a half in Halong Bay by doing more than just a half-day Halong tour?

Thanks,

Zeke

ITINERARY: Hanoi 1-Day City tour from Halong Bay:

9am : Pick you up at the ferry station; meet our guide in Hanoi.

Around 1pm : Arrive Temple of Literature. This is the combination of the Confucius Temple worshiping Confucius which was built in 1070 and the first Royal National university in Vietnam built 6 years later in 1076. Considered as “an escape” from the bustling city, this temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.

2.30pm : Visit Ho Chi Minh’s museum, his house on stilt, the botanical garden and the Presidential palace. After 1954 it was named the Presidential Palace and became the place where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked until he passed away in1 969. Visit One Pillar pagoda.

4.30pm: Visit the Old Quarter , Hoan Kiem lake (Restored Sword lake) and Ngoc Son temple.

6pm : Dinner at local restaurant

7pm : Return drive to cruise ship. (Halong) The trip ends

Your Hanoi experience would be most appreciated!!!

We are on a Costa Cruise which stops for a night at Halong Bay. We have 2 options for tours at this port stop:

(1) Land and boat tours right in the Halong Bay area; or

(2) Land tours into Hanoi City which is 3.5+ hours away by bus or car.

Is the 4-hour trek (in both directions) to Hanoi worth doing? Or, is it better to stay & tour in Halong Bay???

Any insight on your Hanoi touring experience?

Regards,

Zeke and Barbara