Erin Dreamer

On the day we are in port in Liverpool, we are meeting up with a cousin from Yorkshire so he is not familiar with restaurants in Liverpool. I have mobility issues, and since the parking lot where my cousin would have to wait for us is too far for me to walk to from the ship, we will take a taxi and meet at a restaurant. I am looking for suggestions for a restaurant that has dining and bathrooms on the first floor and that is accessible without being in really heavy traffic (for both our taxi driver and for my cousin who is not familiar with Liverpool). I would

appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

I am not trying to change your mind at all, but the Cliffs of Moher are on the west coast, and although they are really popular with tourists, there are many attractions in Ireland that are equal if not much better. (I realize everyone has different tastes, but having been to Ireland several times, I really enjoyed the hop-on hop-off bus in Dublin the first time I was there. We stayed on for the entire trip and decided where we would get off the next time the bus circled around. You could also do research ahead of time to see which stops might be interesting). I think the trip from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher is at least 3 hours so a 6-hour round trip. Perhaps you have been to  Dublin before so this would not be of interest.

If  you go to this web page for Dublin excursions you can then click "View Sailings" for the excursions you might be interested to see if your cruise is included. https://www.celebritycruises.com/ports/dublin/shore-excursions. I hope this helps.

LouiseCobh and kerryincork, thank you VERY, VERY  much for your suggestions. I had checked briefly online and decided I needed information from people who had actually been to the restaurants. Louise, I had noticed that The Titanic had great reviews. As for visiting the museum, I have been to Cobh two or three times but not recently. I was touring (either for myself or bringing someone there) so always ate in the small cafe in the museum - never at a restaurant. All eight of my gggrandparents were from Ireland and most left from Cobh so it has great meaning for me. And kerryincork, I had noticed Water's Edge. I checked photos, and it is great suggestions. Because we will be in Cobh two nights, we are meeting with cousins one day for lunch and with friends another day - neither group from Cork so they are not familiar with the restaurants. It looks as though the pub (which I love because it is so genuine) might be a bit small so I think one day we will have lunch at Water's Edge and another day at the Titanic Bar. Thank you, again, to both of you. Jan (Erin Dreamer)

Friends from Co. Limerick are coming to Cobh to meet our cruise ship. They are not familiar with the area. There will be six of us. Can anyone recommend one or two pubs or restaurants in Cobh where we could have a meal and visit for a while? This will replace any excursion so we really need some input. Thank  you.

I understand there is nothing much at the port. I have mobility issues so cannot take some of the ship's tours that require a lot of walking. I have thought of hiring a private tour company.   We have seen the White Cliffs (on a land tour years ago) and have been to Canterbury (which I loved). I am not sure some of the tours offered, especially along the seaside are worth the money, but I am also not sure about  just going into town to have lunch. I would love to hear from people who have been to this port and have either just gone into town or have taken private tours. Thank you.

Thank you, Marylizcat. Would I have to book ahead with this company, or do you think we might be able to just get a taxi at the port that day?

I have seen mention of that taxi and it seems you also have to book for a minimum of four hours. I was thinking something closer to three hours might be good, but four hours is definitely doable.

Of course, I should have mentioned that we are planning ahead for 2019,and we will be tendered. We will be on Celebrity Reflection. I thought there was one dock that ships used when transferring passengers who have been tendered in Edinburgh, but I think I just read that there are two possibilities? Because it is too early to be scheduled, I won't know which port, but generally speaking are there taxis waiting to take passengers who have not booked a taxi? I am wondering what an average price might be. I prefer at this port not to book ahead. I have some mobility issues and just in case there are rough seas, I might find getting into a small boat challenging.For that reason I don't want to book ahead but just get a taxi that day. Thank you.

We will arrive as passengers on a cruise. Does anyone know if taxis that have not been hired ahead of time line up at the port? Is there a fixed price? A minimum number of hours? Thank you.

Some of the private taxis for hire are rather pricey. I am wondering if anyone has taken a taxi that is lined up at the port for a two hour or so tour. (1) I am wondering if there are taxis that do line up. (2) Is there a minimal time for such a taxi tour? (3) Do they charge by the hour? Thank you VERY much for any information. Erin Dreamer

I would have to disagree about just walking around the old city if a person has issues with mobility. I am slightly affected by arthritis in my knee and spine. I do find it challenging here (I am just off Jewel of the Seas, and spent yesterday and today in Old San Juan). The streets are very narrow. Some curbs are on the high side and the cobblestones are very difficult to walk upon. Also, there are several hills to navigate.

 

Kikkicat, I appreciate your comments. As soon as I saw the word "cobblestones," I knew the walking would not be good for me. Arthritis in my issue too. We will either just stay on the ship, I guess, or bite the bullet and hope that we are one of the folks who get a good tour rather than a terrible one. It seems, according to comments by people who have taken the ship's excursion we have a 50-50 chance of getting a good tour. Thanks! Jan

That is a shame about grocery store tours:-)

 

I was toured and had a great experience. Was driven through all of Old San Juan with 15 minute stops for pictures in about 5-6 different locations then guided in a fort. After talking to a friend i did see most of the sights. I did the rest on foot walking through all the streets, which i loved doing and found some nice spots for a coffee. If you change your mind let me know:-)

It appears that some people on the cruise ship had a good tour, while others didn't. I guess because we had a similar experience, I am hesitant about signing up for a ship's tour around the old city. I also read reviews of the cultural music show, which, apparently, turned out to be a couple of local musicians. Maybe I should rethink and take a chance on the tour of the old city. My husband and I came early a couple of years ago for a cruise out of San Juan. We hired a taxi to take us to the Old Town, but that was the weekend of a big festival, and as we got near to the old city, the roads were blocked off. People had to walk very long distances so we had the taxi just bring us back. With just the two of us, hiring a private tour company for the tour would be pricey. The advantage, of course, is that you can read reviews and choose a good company. With the ship's excursion (which for the two of us would likely be quite a bit less expensive than hiring a private driver), you don't get to read reviews on Trip Advisor. The reviews I did read on the cruise ship web site showed a 50-50 chance of getting a good tour.

St. Maarten has a trolley you can ride to get you from the ship to the shops at the dock. It can be very windy there(and dangerous if you're no very stable on your feet) and it covers a fair distance if you have problems walking. The water taxi is a good alternative and will get you right at the boardwalk (10 - 20 min. on foot depending on your pace) with some great bars and food options. Price for a return from the cruise terminal to the board walk was around $6 or $7, I don't recall the correct price.

Great information about the trolley! Thank you! Jan

I found one person on Virtual Tourist who mentioned jitney bikes taking people from the ship, down the pier, to the area where taxis are. Fingers crossed they will be there. Thanks, schoifmom for the suggestion and thank you again c-legs for you help.

I have been reading reviews of Labadee. I have some mobility issues and cannot walk long distances. I was wondering what beach is closest to the end of the dock once you get off the ship. I have not been able to find where Celebrity docks.

How far from the entrance to Labadee at the end of the dock do you have to walk to catch the tram? Thank you.

Thank you both for the information I appreciate it. A 20-minute walk would be too much for me, but knowing there are shops right at the port is very helpful.

I should try to get information on where the water taxi brings us. And thank you for the restaurant suggestion.

Are you on a Royal Caribbean or celebrity cruise? If so you will be at International Pier. This pier has quite a long walk from the ship to the port area where there are some tourist type shops and bars, not much available in the way of eating establishments in the immediate port area.

 

May I ask if you are able to walk a little, or do you require a scooter or wheel chair assistance? Sidewalks in Cozumel are very uneven so it would make a difference as to how far you can go. Are you able to travel in a taxi van with assistance?

Thank you so much for your answer. Yes, I can travel in a taxi or van. If I walk any length of time I am in quite a bit of pain, but I do push myself and can take taxis to places. Perhaps there are taxis at the pier?

Thank you, ljandiern. I will check out that web page.

Thank you, pdc2013. I have checked out the excursions where you are driven around. The reviews are mixed with some people saying their driver just drove them around for a very short while and never pointed out any of the historic sites - just mentioned local places like stores or gas stations. It sounds as if it could be hit or miss. We took one of those excursions on another island where the driver pointed out the local hardware store, grocery store etc.

Thank you CinneMon. I will check out that web page for the hop on hop off trolleys and look at the three routes.

I REALLY appreciate the help the three of you have offered. Jan

I have some mobility issues so most of the ship's excursions are not good choices for me. If there are shops, craft markets, or restaurants right at the port, we sometimes like to enjoy a little shopping or getting a snack at a restaurant. Can anyone tell me if there are shops or restaurants right at the port? I understand Celebrity docks in the Old San Juan port. Thanks so much!

Wow! So sorry this happened. I can see them being too busy in Jan to accept outside guests due to it being high season. However, if you had a reservation they should have honored it! Did you present the written confirmation at the desk? Every time we have tried to reserve they always reply "no reservation needed...just stop by". So I always take a copy of that reply. However, we are never there during high season so I am sure that makes a big difference!

I did bring the email with me, but the gal at the desk didn't bother to look at it. We did check outside and all of the chairs/tables/umbrellas WERE taken. I should have had the situation explained to me when I made the reservation. In the future, if we want to get a day pass, I would know enough to ask if there is a chance there would not be enough chairs for us to use. I could also ask if we could use the beach without chairs. We were not given that option at the Marriott. On another island we had reserved a day pass for a Hilton hotel and resort. There WAS room at that resort so we enjoyed a relaxing day and a nice lunch at their outdoor café.

I have some mobility issues so most of the ship's excursions are not good choices for me. If there are shops, craft markets, or restaurants right at the port, we sometimes like to enjoy a little shopping or getting a snack at a restaurant. Can anyone tell me if there are shops or restaurants right at the port? I understand Celebrity docks in the Old San Juan port. Thanks so much!

I have some mobility issues so many of excursions offered by the ship are not possible choices for me. Sometimes we like to get off the boat and enjoy craft markets or shopping or getting a snack at a restaurant if they are located where the ship docks. Can anyone tell me if there are such places at the dock in Cozumel? I think I have read that the ships dock at the International Dock. Thanks!

Fantastic information! Thank you so much Drew Sailbum, Keith 1010, cb at Sea, and O Cruisers! Jan

Hi there! We will be in St Kitts in February for one day (Carnival cruise). We are looking to do our own thing and take a cab to South Friars beach and then possibly a little sightseeing. Can anyone recommend a cab company that is safe and dependable? Im sure there will be a lot of them at the cruise port..

Thanks!

When we were in St. Kitts last January, there was a taxi stand at the end of the pier where one person asked what you wanted to do and then assigned you to a taxi. The taxis were all parked on the other side of the fence. So we were not bombarded by taxi drivers.

I just answered another question about the Marriott on this board. All I can tell you is that we booked ahead last January (2015) but when we arrived mid-morning, we were told that all of the chairs/umbrellas/tables were taken by hotel guests and that they had priority. We were told that January is their busiest month so this often happens in January. I don't know what would happen if you were to arrive before all of the hotel guests who might want chairs still had not come out onto the beach yet. I have wondered if, when the hotel is full, whether or not they simply say all of the chairs are taken. Just something to check on if you plan to be on St. Kitts in January.

I can share our experience we had last January (2015). We made a reservation ahead of time and arrived mid-morning via taxi from the cruise port. We were told we could not stay as all of the chairs (with tables and umbrellas) had been taken. (For a large resort there really didn't seem to be all that many there). We were told that guests who were staying at the hotel had preference as far as getting chairs and umbrellas. It would seem that hotel guests must come out early to reserve their chairs/tables/umbrellas. We were also told that January was their busiest month so it was not unusual that there was no room for people who were not hotel guests.

I don't know if you paid for a room if that would make a difference or not. Perhaps it would depend on whether or not there were any chairs available when you arrived. I should add that the person at the front desk who spoke with us was rather curt, perhaps because we were not hotel guests. I just wish we had known the circumstances before we planned to have a day at the Marriott. I thought I had asked all of the right questions, but I obviously had not.