Astoria & San Fransicso

[kimbtech]

We are cruising this September to Astoria, Oregon and San Fransicso. Could someone please tell me if the ship tenders or docks in these ports and how far is the ship from the downtown shopping areas. What di people recommend for shore excursions in these ports. Thank-you for your help.

[4 cruisers]

You dock in both ports. We LOVED the seafood cooking and wine tasting tour in Astoria. We walked around in San Francisco. We hope to do that cruise every April/May because we have enjoyed it twice now!

[garycarla]

Astoria is a very small town and they LOVE to have ships in port. We just walked around, ate some great BBQ (go figure) along the waterfront.

 

San Fran is a few blocks from the main touristy piers, wharf, etc.

[newmexicoNita]

You dock in both ports. We LOVED the seafood cooking and wine tasting tour in Astoria. We walked around in San Francisco. We hope to do that cruise every April/May because we have enjoyed it twice now!

 

hey, join us in April. It leaves out of Los Angeles, on APril 24th, we have a group set up.

 

Nita

[Rockwife]

Don't book any excursions just get off the ship.

 

We had an super cheap adventure in Astoria several years back. We walked off the ship and took a public bus southbound. Then we got off that bus and caught another bus. Then we got off that bus and caught another. Cost~$2 each. Time~1+.

 

We heard the *best* conversations between locals and the connections were timed pretty well. (No long waits.)

 

Oh- the destination?

 

Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, OR.

[trishbebears]

Below is the link to the SF port info. Cruise ships dock at Piers 27 & 35. This is very close to Pier 39, which is one of the big tourist area--you can get a a ferry to Alcatraz from here. Dont let the numbers fool you. Odd #s are north of the Ferry Bldg, even to the south (& some #s dont exist anymore). You will also find several pdf maps of the pier area.

If you want to take the cable car, the best thing to do is to get a 1 day Muni Passport for $11. Cable car rides are $5 each, or $10 for a round trip. You can get on just about any bus, trolley or streetcar in the city with the passport. They are available at a Kiosk near Pier 39.

If you want to go to Alcatraz, make your reservations on-line a couple of weeks before you go. Day of is not always available to allow you to spend any amount of time at the Rock.

http://www.sfport.com/site/port_page.asp?id=61732

http://www.sfmta.com

 

Have fun.

Trish

[4 cruisers]

hey, join us in April. It leaves out of Los Angeles, on APril 24th, we have a group set up.

 

Nita

 

Hi Nita! I'd love to meet you after all this time on CC! We're starting a new business and have to "wait and see" how it goes! Which ship are you on? We have done the Star twice and the Pearl once. So nice for us to only fly one way!

 

Thanks for thinking of me and maybe, just maybe we'll be there!!!!!!!:cool:

[CRUZIN TOM]

4 cruisers, what ship are you on? If the Pearl, you will be right next to the wharf. If the Star, next to the Bay Bridge. At least a mile from anything. China town, Market street, the wharf all at least a mile walk from the pier.:)

[ruffs]

Muni is pretty sweet, and only $2 per person. Pier 39 can be fun, but be prepared for touristy, better food everywhere else. SF has good restaurants pretty much everywhere. Napa is not too far away. Have a great time!

[kimbtech]

Thank-you everyone for your helpful insight. We are sailing on the Pearl, southbound from Vancouver Sept. 21/09. This will be our 4th Norweigan cruise (about 21 overall). We are very much looking forward to it. We do like to take excursions in the places we visit (it's been 30 years since our last visit to San Fransicso). We'll check out the websites posted here. Thanks again everyone

[1greencar]

Hi Nita! I'd love to meet you after all this time on CC! We're starting a new business and have to "wait and see" how it goes! Which ship are you on? We have done the Star twice and the Pearl once. So nice for us to only fly one way!

 

Thanks for thinking of me and maybe, just maybe we'll be there!!!!!!!:cool:

 

Love to hear insights on the difference between the 2 ships? I am contemplating booking either one of them on the transitioning cruise from vancouver in September. Having a hard time deciding between the 2.