Where does the ship dock?

[vikingtraveller]

We are going on the Brilliance o.t.S. on March 30. - stopping at Palermo, Pireus, Rhodes, Limassol, Alexandria and Valletta.

 

Does the ship dock within walking distance from the city centre (or any interesting sites) in any of these places?

[CintiPam]

At Rhodes, the ship docks right at the Old City, which is chock full of the major tourist sights (Grand Master's Palace and street, Archaeological Museum, synagogue with museum). A very attractive historic area.

 

Piraeus, you have 20-minute walk around the harbor (or take the bus or a taxi) to the excellent metro which gets you to downtown Athens in 20-25 minutes without traffic worries for around a Euro. Athens is easy to tour on your own because all the main sights again are within easy walking distance, with a lot of pedestrian streets and updating done for the 2004 Olympics. A map and good guidebook are all you need.

 

I have not been to your other ports, but we are looking forward to our June port day in Valletta, where we will have to take a bus or taxi up to the town, which also has many concentrated historic sights. Our only other taxi that day will be to the Hypogeum, in a neighboring area about 15 minutes out from Valletta. If you want to go there, be sure to pre-book online because only 80 visitors are allowed per day to prevent deterioration of this neolithic sight.

 

Enjoy!

[HeinBloed]

Pireus,

 

15-20 walk until you are in Piraeus downtown... but still not in Athens...

 

http://www.olp.gr/Images/Epivatiko/info_port2.jpg

 

E3 to E8 are the central areas.

 

Your ship berth E11 or E12

 

More info:

 

http://www.olp.gr/serv_pass_coastal_en.html

 

Rhodes,

 

Ship parks just in front of the old town...

 

 

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[Hlitner]

Since nobody added info on Valetta, you will dock at a large commerical pier just below the city walls. It is possible to walk into the center of town in about 15 min, but its a pretty steep climb (or a lot of steps) to get up to street level from the port. Some of the cruise lines will offer an inexpensive shuttle up the hill into the city center and its a smart move for those that do not like to walk up hill.

 

In Alexandria I am not sure of the current docking position (we spent several days in Alexandria while traveling throughout Egype) but I would strongly recommend at tour that takes you to Giza (Pyramids and the Sphinx) and also into Cairo. If you do not like the cruise ship tours you can arrange for private tours on-line (we enjoyed having our own car/driver in Egypt...at very reasonable cost).

 

Hank

[sddsddean]

Palermo - You are moored right by the town

 

 

Simon

[dimebeerman]

Our cruise on Celebrity a few years ago moored right by the downtown area. However, you take your life in your hands leaving port area and trying to cross busy wide main street right outside gate. Be extremely careful.

[tomko2]

From Alexandria it was about a 21/2 hour bus ride to Cairo; we booked our excursion through RCI and were very happy with the tour which included the Pyramids, The Sphinx and a cruise on the Nile for lunch.

Photos in the link below.

Athens was a 20 minute taxi ride from the Pier and it can take 10 - 15 minutes to reach the main terminal depending where your ship is docked.

Rhodes was wonderful; just a short walk and you are in the Old City - loved it!

Limassol, you need to take the ship's shuttle or taxi into town; you will pass through an industrial area enroute. I believe the cost of the shuttle was about $8.00 each return.

I wrote a review of our cruise and will post the link here:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=33168

Have a wonderful cruise; we are sailing on the Brilliance in August - can't wait!

Kathy:)

[vikingtraveller]

Thanks to everyone! It is always good to be prepared for whatever the ports will offer, as far as docking and local transport is concerned...

Four weeks, and we are at sea!

This has been one looong winter.