Tender Ports - and booking Cunard shore excursions

[aussiebossyboots]

We are embarking on our second cruise with Cunard around the Med (Rome return) this October. We have tender ports in Split, Kota & Dubrovnik.

 

From a logistics point of view, we were thinking of booking a simple walking tour in each of these ports which will give us access to an earlier tender - plus the benefit of the actual walking tour.

 

Do you think it is worth spending the extra money booking these walking tours with Cunard - for the benefit of getting an earlier tender?

 

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Shuffleboard Dude]

All three ports would be large enough for QE or QV to be moored. There will be at least another ship in port. The small town of Kotor and the old town of Dubrovnik will most likely be overcrowded. Dubrovnik and Kotor are nicest at 6am, when the swallows are up but the people aren't.

 

In Kotor make sure that you take a walk up to the castle of St. John (or go at least halfway up). Also, the neighbouring town of Perast is a nice place (buses run frequently).

In Dubrovnik it might be impossible to get onto the city walls and it could be worth taking a tour for this reason. Besides, they charge a whopping 150kn/€20 for the walls. 10 years ago the price was closer to 15kn/€2. There is no group discount.

Split has about 150'000 inhabitants, yet the old town is still quite small. City buses run to the neighbouring town of Trogir and the ruins of the the ancient roman city of Salona.

[aussiebossyboots]

Thanks Shuffleboard Dude for your insights. Lots of decisions to make. We are on the QV... counting down the days now.

[Host Hattie]

The Dubrovnik port schedule shows you docked, there are shuttle buses, local buses or taxis to take you to the old town.

[Cruise NH]

We are embarking on our second cruise with Cunard around the Med (Rome return) this October. We have tender ports in Split, Kota & Dubrovnik.

 

From a logistics point of view, we were thinking of booking a simple walking tour in each of these ports which will give us access to an earlier tender - plus the benefit of the actual walking tour.

 

Do you think it is worth spending the extra money booking these walking tours with Cunard - for the benefit of getting an earlier tender?

 

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

This is exactly what we do in tender ports (if they're offered ). As you point out there's a dual benefit . We've never regretted doing this. Here I thought we were the only ones who thought of it. :D

 

Have a great trip!

[aussiebossyboots]

Thanks everyone for your comments. We will book at the minimum a walking tour.

 

Waiting for Cunard to clarify one excursion that does not specify that it takes us back to the port!!

 

This is in Kotor where we visit Perest and that is where the tour description ends at a local museum.

 

Apparently they have to check with the tour operator to confirm return to port. Don’t want to be stranded.