HAL shuttles on Baltic cruise

[azalice]

Does HAL use shuttles for their passengers on Baltic cruises in Copenhagen and Stockholm ports? I want to have transportation in those cities to then visit them independently.

[colbe]

No. Taxis and public transport is available. Check the cruise port schedule for each port to see where you will be docked.

https://www.cruisetimetables.com/copenhagen-denmark-cruise-ship-schedule.html

[Mary229]

HAL needs to remark on the itineraries if a shuttle will be available.  It would be such a great help in planning just as remarking whether it is a tender port. Please add this note to your end of of cruise survey and see if we can effect a change. 

[azalice]

I agree that knowing about shuttles would help greatly in planning. Thank you for responses. 

[Hlitner]

On our recent cruise around Japan, shuttles were not normally mentioned until the evening before arriving at a port (sometimes they were mentioned at earlier port lectures).  Keep in mind that most of the shuttles were usually priced at $20-$25 (usually included all day's use).  

 

Hank

[Mary229]

11 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

On our recent cruise around Japan, shuttles were not normally mentioned until the evening before arriving at a port (sometimes they were mentioned at earlier port lectures).  Keep in mind that most of the shuttles were usually priced at $20-$25 (usually included all day's use).  

 

Hank

They still could help by mentioning the shuttles, whether paid or not.  Some industrial ports are quite a distance from the center of town and I simple mention would assist with planning. Then there are ports which require a shuttle and they don’t mention that either.  Such a simple thing.  

[badtwin]

Agree. It also would be nice if they could add the expected dock (berth?) although I suppose the issue is that the port authority can change it at the last minute and that would annoy everyone too. I know we can look them up but that is not always that easy

[Hlitner]

17 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

They still could help by mentioning the shuttles, whether paid or not.  Some industrial ports are quite a distance from the center of town and I simple mention would assist with planning. Then there are ports which require a shuttle and they don’t mention that either.  Such a simple thing.  

On this we completely agree.  On the other hand, we have so many issues with HAL that this one is deminimus.  The solution is quite simple.  Cruise on other lines :).  And by the way, why would HAL want to assist with your planning.  What they want to do is scare you into booking overpriced ship excursions.  Telling you, in advance, about a free or low-cost shuttle might dissuade you from doing your own thing.  Waiting until after the excursion cancelation deadline, to divulge other options, serves their own purpose which is to boost the bottom line.

 

Hank

[azalice]

Very good point, Hank. We often have to take care of our own needs that cannot be handled by cruise line. 

[greyskier]

We did the Baltic cruise just before covid. In Copenhagen we were docked almost in town, there was a HOHO bus close to the ship. We took it part way round but then just walked everywhere and eventually back to the ship.  Stockholm  we docked a fair way from the town centre. there was a paid shuttle into the centre and from memory went back  fairly regularly between certain times.

[BetsyS.]

The HIA shore excursion credit can be used to pay for the shuttle.