Oriana - September 4th 2011

[Colnegirl]

Will be on board Oriana for her trip on the 4th September, our first ever cruise! Calling at Lisbon, Vigo, Bilbao and Brest, not sure whether to book P & O tours for Lisbon & Bilbao or try investigating ourselves. How easy is this to do?

[BrianI]

It depends what you want to do and see. The organised tours can run away with a lot of your money and some places are easy to do on your own.

The dock in Vigo is right in the centre of the city so its easy for a stroll around. In Lisbon P&O operate a free shuttle bus service into the city centre. A ride on the no 28 tram is quite interesting as it takes you down all the little back streets. Google "Lisbon 28 tram" for lots of info.

Not been to your other two ports but you can get lots of info on the internet.

Brian

[Host Sharon]

Welcome to Cruise Critic Colnegirl. Lisbon is very easy to DIY - just get the free shuttle bus and a good map. The same with Bilbao, as the ships berth at Gextco (sp?).

[roygg]

Will be on board Oriana for her trip on the 4th September, our first ever cruise! Calling at Lisbon, Vigo, Bilbao and Brest, not sure whether to book P & O tours for Lisbon & Bilbao or try investigating ourselves. How easy is this to do?

Welcome Colnegirl to Cruise Critic - Oriana is a good choice for your first cruise, I am sure you will love her. We will be on board also, travelling down to Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

 

As stated, Shuttle bus for Bilbao (Ship docks in Getxo) and Brest is best option to get into the city, both are quiet a distance from the docks.

 

Have you noticed that Oriana is now departing from Mayflower terminal dock 106 !! NOT Ocean Terminal - Check your e-docs. I only spotted this on Friday.

 

BTW Can see Colne from where we are (hint - got a tower on the top of the hill begins with B) -

Perhaps we will bump into you around the ship.

Have a great trip the first I am sure of many to come.

 

Roy & Jennifer

[bee-ess]

For Bilbao we took the free shuttle into the city centre and walked around the city ourselves - Guggenheim Museum and then took the funicular up to look over the city and spent the rest of the day in the Old Town, lots of tapas bar to choose from for a nice lunch.

 

For Lisbon - we took a taxi up to the castle on top of the hill to look over the city, then walked back into the city and had lunch and then took another taxi to Belem for the afternoon - lots to see there.

 

Vigo and Brest don't really have much to offer.

Compestela from Vigo and Quimper from Brest are popular trips, P&O offer 'on your own' trips to both.

[Bispham Boo]

As others have said, the P&O shuttle bus for Bilbao is the best bet. We fell in love with Bilbao - lots to see, lovely old town with great tapas bars and a good walk along the river by the Guggenheim, Apparently the Fine Arts museum is free on Wednesdays if that coincides with your trip. Great local wine too :)