Help! info on cruising

[Glynda]

Guides

Through Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor I have learned of private or small group guides in numerous ports that turn out to be so much more convenient than taking the cruise ship excursions and the price can be equal to or better, especially if you can share with another couple or two. You cover more, stop when and where you want to, avoid the long walks from bus parking lots and can actually hear and ask all the questions you want!!!! We haven't had one bad experience with these.

 

[PStreet1]

I agree about the private guides, but I use them only when there couldn't possibly be a way we might be late returning to the ship--used them in Israel, but we were docked overnight at both ports. I use them in ports when the tour is scheduled to be completed around noon because I figure there's no possible way not to be back at the ship on time. If it's an all day, return to the ship close to the deadline, tour, I use the ship's tours.

We have seen passengers for our ship running down the pier as the ship moved away from it--only one time, but it did make an impression.

 

[lvhmbh]

Re cabins: Be aware of what is above you too. You don't want to be under a noisy area as in outdoor dining, etc. Re private guides: we have used them in almost every port other than the Caribbean. We did a ships tour on Holland America to the Panama Canal and were extremely glad we did. The little boat got stuck in a lock waiting for a tanker to come into it. By the time we got back on the bus we were really late. Ended up driving VERY fast and then getting a police escort to the dock. Cruise ships have to pay if they stay later than scheduled.

 

[Glynda]

Timing

I agree about the private guides, but I use them only when there couldn't possibly be a way we might be late returning to the ship--used them in Israel, but we were docked overnight at both ports. I use them in ports when the tour is scheduled to be completed around noon because I figure there's no possible way not to be back at the ship on time. If it's an all day, return to the ship close to the deadline, tour, I use the ship's tours.

We have seen passengers for our ship running down the pier as the ship moved away from it--only one time, but it did make an impression.

We didn't have that problem. We used the same company at three ports in Italy. All day trips into Pisa & Florence (being able to add San Gimignano that the buses didn't have time for), Rome and also in Sicily. These were cruises where the ship was leaving within three hours of our return. I chose a company that had multiple vehicles and guides and does this regularly. They were pros. Had we been somehow unable to get back to the ports because of a fault of theirs, we would have been transported to the next port at their expense. Not what we wanted that to happen certainly, but seeing those places was more important to us than hanging around half a day on the ship. In Croatia and Barbados, we used certain local taxi drivers recommended on Cruise Critic or Trip Advisor. The Croatian Dubrovnik guide was during a cruise and an all day hire. He suggested we start away from the ship and work our way back and end with walking in the walled old city which is right next to the port. The guides we used in Barbados and Venice were not during cruises but were suggested on Cruise Critic or Trip Advisor by numerous people. Each of these have been excellent. Knock on wood, but we've yet to have a bad experience via studying lots and lots of posts on those sites.

 

[PStreet1]

I agree with you that the non-ship tours are generally better. We've not found one that would get us to the next port if necessary; I'll add that to my list of things to look for when doing my vetting (it isn't that I love hanging around the ship or the port half a day; I just don't want to miss the boat).

 

[Passepartout]

We VERY SELDOM use cruise line sponsored excursions. We either self-cater or join up with other cruise critic roll callers on privately arranged tours. As to 'missing the boat', it's a (tiny) risk that we are willing to take. The private tour operators do these tours of their area every day a ship is in their port. They understand the timing involved with getting their people back to the ship before departure. Most will have you back at least an hour ahead to avoid the last minute back up at the gangway. When we self-cater we plan on an hour before departure back-to-the-ship too.

Jim

 

[beejaybeeohio]

No more Formal Nights on Celebrity

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6642.

This change should attract those who don't wish to dress formally on a cruise! But a tux and formal gown are still options!!

 

[Passepartout]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6642.

This change should attract those who don't wish to dress formally on a cruise! But a tux and formal gown are still options!!

This is a change I applaud. DW, otoh, likes playing 'dress-up'. For me, about as 'dressy' as I am comfortable with is slacks and sport jacket. No tie. I can't see having to dedicate nearly 1/4 of expensive-to-check baggage to a tux that will get worn once or twice and I don't like wearing anyway.

Yay, Celebrity!

Jim

 

[elaine]

per Celebrity-There is such a thing as too casual though. While designer-looking jeans will be acceptable, ripped jeans will not; nor will shorts and t-shirts be permitted in the dining room on evening chic nights.
so, does this mean shorts are OK in dining room on other nights? Interesting.

 

[Passepartout]

so, does this mean shorts are OK in dining room on other nights? Interesting.

'Smart Casual' is what they call 'everyday' dress. So yes, nice shorts are perfectly acceptable in the dining rooms on non-dressy nights.

Jim

 

[pedro47]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6642.

This change should attract those who don't wish to dress formally on a cruise! But a tux and formal gown are still options!!

That is great news.