Cruise Excursions

Cruise excursions are highly overrated.  Yeah, they're convenient, and sometimes you have to book a cruise excursion due to timing in a particular port, but you can do just as good, if not better, booking your own excursion if there's something you really want to see or do.  Going on a cruise excursion also means you're going with 50 of your new BFFs, some of whom may be a swift pain in the...you get the picture! A large group moves around only as fast as the slowest person, which not only slows the group down, but your itinerary can change accordingly, and you could end up seeing only a fraction of what you thought you would (and paid for).  Been there, done that.  There's always someone "special" who can't tell time, gets lost, does their own thing at the expense of others, or complains the whole time, which taints your excursion experience. 

Having said that, not all cruise excursions are bad or a waste of money.  I've gone on some good ones.  But I've also found that sometimes just taking a cab around the city (be sure you negotiate the fee up front, not at the end), or taking a cab to the beach, or finding a tour on your own is more enjoyable.  One way to find out what others think about a particular excursion is to check it out on Cruise Critic.

If you want something stress free and don't want to leave the research to someone else, then go on an excursion with the cruise line.  But keep in mind, shore excursions purchased through the cruise line will usually cost more than doing it on your own.  The cruise line buys excursions from local tour operators and charges you for their time in organizing, managing and getting you to the excursions.  They are in the business to make a profit and in order to make a profit, they charge you extra for the same tour you could buy on your own.

The cruises that we're looking are port intensive, which means we are in a different port and sometimes different country, every day.  Most of the places we'll visit have towns and attractions close to where the ship docks, so we can explore on our own without paying for expensive cruise excursions.  If you want to go back to the ship for lunch, you can.  If you're tired, you can go back to the ship and chilax on deck.  Or you can go out all day to explore and see as much as you can.  In most cases, the ship is docked for about 10-12 hours, which gives you around 8-10 hours in port.

Booking an excursion on your own means you may have a private tour, or tour with a smaller group vs. 50+ people.  You can usually see and do more because you aren't waiting on a lot of people, small vehicles can go places where large buses can't, and tour guides are more inclined to personalize a smaller tour, and you can even change the itinerary at the drop of a hat.  A smaller tour can be more expensive than an cruise excursion, especially if there are just 2 of you.

Don't be afraid of booking your own tour.  You'll get back to the ship in plenty of time.  This is how these people make a living, and if they don't get customers back to the ship, their business won't survive.  The economy in most of these cruise ports is dependent on tourists.

If you're just going to explore the city in port, be sure to check out the web and learn more about what there is to see and do.  Last thing you want is to find out about a great museum or shop or activity afterwards.  Check out YouTube videos that others have posted about their travels, which often include some great tips about those ports.  Or, you can stock up travel books - Lonely Planet, Frommer's and Rick Steeves are pretty good.  Read at home; don't bring 'em with you.  Do you really want to haul 20 pounds of books around Europe?  Better choice - download to a Kindle or Nook. 

I usually check out what the cruise line has to offer, and then surf the web to see if I can find a better deal or better tour, on my own.  I've been pretty successful on both European and Caribbean cruises and would rate my success rate at 99%.   Loved the riverboat cruise in Rome on the Tiber River, but it was shortly after we arrived after our long haul flight from the USA.  A nice relaxing ride down the river and jet lag = lots of sleepy people. 

Sometimes just walking around town is just as good, if not better than an excursion.  When we were in Rhodes (Greece), we went off on our own in town.  We saw the sites, we did some shopping, had a little lunch, and then stumbled on the most amazing rug store.  On the flip side, when we docked in Pireaus we had a tour scheduled and headed to Athens (about 9 hours).  We were in a van (our own private taxi) and were able to go places a large bus could not.  We made numerous stops (including Hard Rock Cafe, Plaka, Temple of Zeus, Acropolis, the Metro [where they uncovered a lot of artifacts during the 2004 Olympics and those items are now on display], Parliament for the changing of the guard, which we could not have done with 50 people.  For a little over $50, we saw it all - a significant savings from what it would have cost us going through the cruise line for a similar tour with less stops.  

Port intensive cruises can be exhausting if you don't take time to smell the roses and enjoy your days at sea! 

Back in the U.S.S.R.

Picture it.  You're sitting at home watching the video of our Baltic cruise on the big screen with this Beatles hit playing in the background.  

Gotta stay objective!  As I've mentioned in past posts, one day I think Med, the next I think Baltic.  Julie sent me an email today to say another NALS member was leaving this morning for Stockholm to take a cruise to Scandinavia and the Baltic area.  We'll get the lowdown from her when we're in Houston (which is about 5 weeks away).  So today, I'm ready for a Baltic cruise complete with a stop in St. Petersburg, Russia.  

I loved the description and review I shared with you in "Med" yesterday.  After a little digging, I found that he has reviewed many different cruises.  Lucky for us, he took a Baltic cruise last year.  This is a cruise leaving out of England, which means more days at sea.  I prefer leaving from one port (like Stockholm) and arriving in another (Copenhagen).  I did love the trip down memory lane reading about his trip to Berlin.   

Let's keep our options open.  

Ciao!

http://www.thepreismans.com/baltic_2013.htm

Med?

Mediterranean cruises come in two different flavors:  Eastern and Western. And of course, there are Med cruises that aren't what I'd consider Eastern or Western, and combine a little bit of both. There are a lot of different ports to visit, and unfortunately, you can't hand pick your itinerary like you can a land tour.  You are at the mercy of the cruise lines and have to find something you like from the hundreds that are offered.  Those of you who know me know I'd like nothing better than to call a cruise line and ask them to take us on the perfect itinerary that I created for us. But, we all know that will never happen (will it?).  

Where you go and what you see depends on how long you want to be gone, the cruise line, and that little thing called $$$$.  Some people think 7 days is sufficient, but there are people who cruise all over the world and are spend months on a cruise ship.  Yeah, when I win the lottery!  We will most likely take a 10-12 day cruise.  

If you look at a map of Europe, the toe of the Italian “boot” is often considered the dividing line, but there are a lot of cross-overs. I wouldn't necessarily think that you'd go from Barcelona to Istanbul, but you can, and you get a little bit of West thrown in with East.  Most of the time, the Western Mediterranean cruises take you to Spain, the French Riviera, the west coast of Italy, like Rome, Naples and Sicily.  On the other side of the boot are Eastern Mediterranean cruises, and you'll visit the smaller countries along the Adriatic Coast like Croatia, Malta, Montengro, some of the Greek Isles, Turkey, Egypt, the Holy Land.  In fact, there are so many choices on Med cruise, that it's hard to make up your mind where to visit. 

Some of us have been to several stops on a Med itinerary, and it's a toss up of whether we spend more time there, or go someplace new.  Every cruise line has a different itinerary so while we try to compare oranges to oranges, it's sometimes more like comparing oranges to tangerines - similar but not exactly the same, because a few ports differ.  A day or two at sea are fine, but I prefer to visit and explore foreign lands.

This guy did a fantabulous job of telling about his cruise, which is pretty close to one of the options we would consider.  No sense in me trying to reinvent the wheel, so go to his website, enjoy and think about whether a Med cruise is for you. 

Ciao!

http://www.thepreismans.com/med_silhouette.htm

Dazed and Confused

Sometimes I feel like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz!  After reading about the port stops in the Mediterranean, I can't wait visit that area and see the old towns, the gorgeous blue water, and just take it all in.  But then I read about the Baltic area and I'm gung ho about visiting Russia and Scandinavia - places I never thought I'd have a chance to visit.  Good thing there's still plenty of time to make a decision.   

Here is a video of the itinerary closest to what we would be taking in the Med. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ioO0S2KBpY (Rome, Sicily, Malta, Corfu (Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), Split (Croatia), Koper (Slovenia), and Venice).

And then here is something that is split up into many videos.  If you look on the right-hand side, this guy has each stop in a different video, and it's basically the itinerary we're looking at. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezSw_8xCHBI&index=29&list=UUFeCYJuOFTdZccsDL_rta6g

Not to be outdone by the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Baltics have a lot to offer, too. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rw-3XNA-pI Copenhagen, Denmark, Stockholm, Sweden, Helsinki, Finland, St Petersburg, Russia and finally Gothenburg, Sweden. Video is a little dry - no music and very basic, but at least she did one. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIGm04mmSfU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4mXhXYSz4w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuI02dyHlSQ

What R U W8ting 4?

"I'd rather look back at my life and say I can't believe I did that, instead of I wish I'd done that."

So what are YOU waiting for?  Travel is the number one thing on a person's "to do" list when he/she retires.  But it's so sad when people work their ass off, only to wait until retirement to travel and that day never comes. 

A friend/former co-worker and her husband were going to travel all over the USA in their RV once they retired.  They got close...but that day never came.  Several years before retirement, he had open-heart surgery and got bad blood.  They learned he had MDS, a pre-cursor to Leukemia (the same thing Robin Roberts has).  Life was anything but normal and they lived day to day, never knowing what tomorrow would bring.  He could go days without issues and then all of a sudden, his numbers would go down and a transfusion was needed.  If they did travel, and that wasn't very often, they always made sure there was a large hospital nearby, just in case. 

Within a year after he passed away (unexpectedly I might add), she decided to travel and fulfill the dream they couldn't bring to fruition together.  Paradise in Hawaii was what she hoped to be the first of many trips.  Sadly, it became evident on a trip to Germany, Austria and Prague that "many trips" was going to stop at 2, because she was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's.  What I didn't know then that I know now is that travel for a person with memory issues is a horrible experience.  It's all new and different and there is nothing "comfortable" about the situation.  When you take a person with memory issues out of their comfort zone, they can't function like you or I can.  The dream becomes a nightmare.  People with memory issues need a constant routine, and travel, especially abroad, is anything but a normal routine.  You are in a different place every day or so and you're living out of a suitcase.  So what are you waiting for?

You can definitely afford to travel now, especially if you are working.  If you start to save a little bit every week (see $$$$ post), you will have most of the trip paid for by the time we go. 

We aren't getting older...we're getting better!  On our last adventure, we did a LOT of walking.  As you get older, the bones start to creak and you may find you aren't able to walk as far or walk as long as you once could - another reason to travel before you become bionic.  We have our health so now is the time to travel...not in 10-20-30 years. Live in the moment and don't let life pass you by.

"I'd rather look back at my life and say I can't believe I did that, instead of I wish I'd done that."

Slovenia

For some reason, when I think of Slovenia and Croatia, I think of the countryside and not countries that have great beaches and coastal resorts.  But these countries have some amazingly beautiful coastlines and they are "must see" stops on Mediterranean cruises. 

 

 

A stop in Koper, Slovenia (formerly Yugoslavia) isn't on every cruise, but it is an option and on the cruise itinerary I have been looking at.  Koper's old town is easy to walk around on your own.  On days when there are several ships in port, it is very crowded.  The center of the old city is Tito Square (Titov trg).  It's not in very good shape.  Čevljarska ulica leads south and Kidričeva ulica leads to the marina.  Pretty simple.  There are a few places you may wish to visit in Koper.  Koper was part of the Venetian Empire, so buildings have the Venetian architectural style.

Praetorian Palace dates back to the 15th century and is fully-restored and it's where you'll find the tourist office. 

Cathedral of the Assumption, needs some major work, and may or may not be open when we are there. 

Campanile has the best views. You can climb 150 steps to the top of the bell tower for the bargain price of only 2 euros.  Remember, best views are at the top!

There are some great seafood restaurants in Koper.  Okrepcevalnica are small places that serve inexpensive Italian food. 

If you are a shopper, there are two shopping centers:  Mercator and Supernova. There is also a big department store called Blagovnica Soča. Not sure how close to the dock these are, and it's either a long walk or you'll need to go by bus or taxi.  You'll also find a few shops in town where you can get souvenirs like crystal or wine. 

If you want the beach, check out Kopalisko Nabreze, next to the marina. There are large grassy for sunbathing and an enclosed swimming area.

If you're starting to see a pattern here...you are.  Almost every stop has an "old town" close to the port.  Of course, there are some great places and sites to see within an hour or so of the dock, too.  If you are going to visit another area, best course of action is to start there first, and then work your way back to the old town area, because you are close to port and can get back to the ship faster than if you are an hour away. 

Bored with Koper and want to see more of Slovenia?  There is a HOHO bus that will take you to three gorgeous seaside towns:  Izola, Portoroz and Piran.  It's not the typical HOHO bus where you get on and off wherever you like.  There is a live guide on this HOHO bus.  You stop briefly in in Izola for pictures. 

 

Piran is one of the most beautiful cities near Koper.  It too has Venetian architecture.  Tartini Square is in the center of Piran and named for the famous violinist, whose statue is in the center of town. 

You tour the Strunjhan Valley and stop in Piran for about 2 hours.  Piran is

Finally, on the way back to Koper you stop (briefly) in Portoroz, a resort town, or you may just see it from the bus.

I'm the visual one, and it's much easier to see how beautiful the area is on video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAeY14o6cQo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYRySlRHU9M

 

 

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm is one of the ports that we could visit or depart from.  One possibility is a cruise that allows you to check in on Day 1, and the ship is used as a hotel on Night 1, before departing late on Day 2.  Depending on when your flight arrives, you could have almost 2 days in Stockholm.  However, I usually recommend coming in at least 1 day earlier just to make sure you have adequate time to explore "Venice of the North." 

Stockholm is considered Europe's Cultural Capital and the continent's first Green Capital. Stockholm is the largest city in Scandinavia, and 1/5 of Sweden's population lives there. with about 1.8 million residents in the metropolitan area -- about one-fifth of Sweden's total population.  Who knew that the city was made up of 14 islands?  Not me! 

As with most European cities, Stockholm's Old Town (aka Gamla Stan) is the big tourist attraction.  The buildings are painted in bright colors, which reminds me of the Cinque Terre (although the architecture is different).  And what would an "Old Town" be without cobblestone streets!  Gamla Stan can be very busy in the summer, and to see the charm of Stockholm, just go down one of the alleyways between the apartment buildings.  It's not as busy and most of the paths will lead to the 600-room Royal Palace.

Similar to a fiesta in Barcelona, Swedes take a fika - or coffee break.  Swedes drink a lot of coffee!  A fika can happen any time of the day, and usually includes a pastry - most of the time a cinnamon bun. Although I'm not a big coffee drinker, I wouldn't want to offed the Swedes, and will be happy to eat a cinnamon bun or two during my fika! 

The Green Capital has an Ekoparken, or eco-park.  If you have the time, check it out.  The park winds through a few of the busiest islands and one side of downtown. 

You won't find a bargain in Stockholm - it's an expensive city.  $27 for a small plate of Swedish meatballs.  That translates into "eat your meals on the ship" and not in town!  If you must have a souvenir from your travels to Sweden, look for crystal and glass pieces.  Kosta Boda and Orrefors are the best-known names.  As mentioned in my post on Tallinn, sweaters are more expensive in Sweden. 

Depending on the number of days you'll spend in Stockholm, think about getting a Stockholm Card, which will get you admission to about 80 museums and attractions, as well as transportation on buses, trams, subways and a few ferries.  See what there is to see and do at www.stockholmtown.com. 

Stockholm is easy to walk around, and you can get from place to place by trolleys (tram), buses, ferries, and subway. Taxis accept credit cards and a word to the wise - they are costly.  Remember you can use the Stockholm Card on public transportation.

Don't forget my cheesy suggestion - the hop-on/hop-off bus.  $41 and 14 stops.  Ouch!  That's expensive.  For another $10, you can get a ferry pass, too.   If you want to do something different, rent a bike.  

One place you want to visit is the Nobel Museum.  Yep, that's Alfred Nobel of the Nobel Prize.  (All except the peace prize are handed out in Stockholm.)  Just a few blocks away is the Royal Palace, where Sweden's royals live.  You can stroll through the grand reception rooms and see the crown jewels, armor and art.  The changing of the guard occurs at noon each day.  You'll see the troops,  preceded by a band, and sometimes the soldiers on horseback.

If you want to get the best of Stockholm head to the residential island of Sodermalm by cab or you can take a few buses.  Walk to Fjallgatan Street and its terrass (terrace), and you'll see Stockholm's sights and waterways from a great viewpoint.  Or, buy a ticket to Skyview, two 16-passenger, glass-walled gondolas that travel up the side of the world's largest spherical building, the Ericsson Globe arena. The ride lasts about 10 minutes in each direction.  Right up my alley! 

Dale always says the best views are from the top!  If you want a real challenge and you want to see Stockholm from the best view, take the Historic Rooftop Tour.  You'll be walking 130 feet above the city, on top of former Parliament building.  Only 10 participants at a time can go.  You have to wear a helmet and safety harness and you are attached to a steel cable.  Then you go along a 980-foot-long metal catwalk, which is about a foot wide and there are no handrails.  And of course, there are stairs!  The tour lasts about an hour.  

A must is a cruise through the archipelago, cruising around an estimated 30,000 islands. The cruises last from two to eight hours.  You can get off and explore some of the islands, and then take a boat back to Stockholm. Catch the boat at the downtown harbor. 

City Hall (Stadshuset) is one of Stockholm's top tourist attractions. Be sure to see the Blue and Golden Halls. The Blue Hall resembles the piazza of a villa and even has a fake balcony with fountain beneath it.  This is the banquet hall used to celebrate the Nobel Prize honorees. (The awards are presented about a mile away.)  After the banquet, dancing takes place in the Golden Hall.  The walls are covered by 18-million (yes, 18 million, no typo) tiny tiles of gold leaf pressed between sheets of clear glass.  And you'll see heroic-size images of figures from history, mythology and religion.

They even have a "City Hall Shop" with specially-designed souvenirs and gifts.  Many of the souvenirs are made of materials represented in the building's interior.

More great views!  You'll need a ticket to see the views from City Hall's 322-foot-tall tower. An elevator takes you only part way and there are no windows on that level.  Obviously more stairs! 

Check out these videos of Stockholm, and you'll want to visit Stockholm like I do. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgeDieAdSZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws-ixufK4P8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FfWdsoFO9w