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Santorini can be challenging, due to the tendering and the potential overcrowding if several ships are in port. We took an enjoyable excursion to Oia and a winery, and it ended in Fira with time on our own before returning to the ship, taking the cable car down to the tender dock. We had no problem as our ship was the only one in port that day. Based on recent reports with multiple ships in port, the wait for the cable cars can be very long. Read up a lot on this port before deciding on what to do.
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Fortunately by continuing to read additional reviews, I found the perfect beach trip. Considering the thousands of people who take excursions, I was surprised that there weren't more reviews. To make the most of your NCL shore excursion, arrive at the meeting point early and be prepared with any necessary items such as sunscreen, water, and comfortable shoes. Listen carefully to your guide’s instructions and ask questions if needed. We offer you convenience, flexibility and peace of mind.
NCL Excursion Reviews
Having spent quite a bit of time in Florence and Pisa in the past, and that it was pouring rain, we took the bus into Livorno, got some supplies, and went back to the ship. Transfer to the city from the ship was a few euro. I’ve read complaints on this charge but in all reality the bus ride to the city of Livorno is quite a distance so the charge to me seems justified. This is our first time out of the country on a cruise. I really need advice on which shore excursions are a must, preferably through the cruise line, and which ports you would recommend not doing an excursion. There are just too many to pick from, and they seem to have limited reviews posted online.
Is it cheaper to book shore excursions on the ship?
NCL's Free at Sea promotion: What to know before you book - The Points Guy
NCL's Free at Sea promotion: What to know before you book.
Posted: Tue, 12 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Didn’t help that it was pouring rain this day but Cici’s palace has likely not had a dime of investment since the filming of the James Bond movie in the 80’s. To top it off, this crumbling palace is jam packed with tour busses. The lunch was in a cute town and the food was good. After the lunch we got dropped off in Corfu town for a little while and then taken back to the ship. Fun seeing the pretty island but would definitely pass on Cici’s palace in the future. It was so much fun planning the vacation and meeting you guys.
Ship-Sponsored Shore Excursions vs. Private Independent Excursions:
Wasn’t crazy with the sides and the meats but the salad bar was fantastic. There was a grocery store right around the corner from our hotel with yummy stuff and great restaurants everywhere. I also love how nice the romans are to tourists. We had a fantastic time there with each meal better than the last.
Allow me to take you through the basics of cruise shore excursions, so you can learn to have the most fun no matter what your budget is. Could not have asked for better with our tour guide. He was a fantastic story teller and could not have done any better bringing the city to life. After this tour ended we walked to a restaurant our Concierge recommended for Pizza. I had read much about Gritty Naples but I did not concur with what I had read. It felt safer and nicer there than many cities here in the USA.
Florence Open Air Sightseeing & Walking Tour
Had I actually spent $49 pp on this it would have been a waste of $49 pp. We have also spent time in Venice in the past so had no burning desire to see all there was to see here. The next day we took the people mover and then got lost wandering around Venice, the Jewish ghetto, did some shopping, had a great lunch somewhere and then found our way back to the ship. It was a national holiday in Italy on November 1stand they had lots of celebrating going on.
Travelling2Some
In conclusion, planning an NCL shore excursion is an exciting part of any cruise vacation. By understanding what they offer, choosing the right tour for you, booking in advance and being prepared for a fun day ahead will help you make unforgettable memories during your trip. If you are planning a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), you may be wondering how to make the most of your time on shore. Fortunately, NCL offers a wide variety of shore excursions that allow you to explore the destinations you visit in depth. In this ultimate guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to plan your perfect NCL shore excursion. The key to getting the most from your cruise shore excursion is to know what you want and make sure the tour description matches your expectations.
Figures the one time ship excursions made sense was the one time with the independent planners extraordinaire. Don't forget to join your roll call and go to the Meet & Greet! I have no doubt that, had those people gone on their excursions as planned, we would not have stood in line for as long as we did. Most ships have a shore excursion team through which you can get detailed information about the available tours and purchase excursions.
A shore excursion is a group tour or activity aimed at cruise travelers who can only spend a limited time in each port they're visiting on their itinerary. I have to debate the NCL sanctioned excursions. Coming off the Getaway back in the end of April, this was the first time I booked third party excursions (and one NCL) for this trip. And to be honest, I did a lot of reading here (CC) and with TripAdvisor to select my excursions. The cost savings is substantial when you are a family; (I had two adults and two kids).
They were NCL reviews which are probably OBE. The pandemic cancelled our last med cruise and we have been staying closer to home since. 99% of the time I am cruising solo so I only take NCL excursions because I don't feel comfortable jumping in a taxi alone. The majority of the reviews that I have done over the years are no longer on the NCL website. I've never tied to figure out how it all works.
50 euro for someone waiting at the airport with a sign was money well spent. On embarkation day they pulled into the courtyard at the hotel and took us right to the ship for 130 euro. After the cruise we set up a transfer from port to airport with Romecabs and split the fee with a couple on our roll call. I think it was 75 euro per couple for door to door service. Waiting might be a good idea if you're not inspired by the shore excursions you're seeing on your cruise.
I would think this was a stop to at least offer a bathroom break or chance to purchase some souvenirs but no such luck. To top it off we somehow lost a passenger at this stop. I would not mind returning someday but would probably avoid the St. Andres Monastery and Robla Winery shore excursion. For airfare I booked almost a year in advance to get the British Airways Avios (Mileage) flights from Seattle to Heathrow and then Heathrow to Rome. I was able to snag what appear to be two of only two first class mileage seats for our flights. British Airways charges a hefty fee on their award flights through LHR but the first class security, concord room, massage before flight… is pretty slick at Heathrow.
At a minimum, you need a photo ID and your cruise ship ID card. It’s also wise to take along the information provided by the ship about their agent in each port and the contact information for the local consulate. Are there instances where having a passport would help you? If you miss the ship’s departure, life will be easier with a passport. The same would be true if you are injured and unable to contact the ship. Most travelers rely on carrying a copy of their passport in ports, leaving the originals locked away safely in their staterooms.
Best bet is to search in the port of call forums. That's where you'll get unfiltered and honest opinions on the best (and worst) cruise-sponsored tours, as well as options for ones found via Viator or private companies. We have never done a ship-operated tour, most because they are so expensive, and the groups are always sooo large! On private tours, you have smaller groups/buses, so it is easier and faster to get around/stay ahead of the ship tours. Check out the ports of call you are visiting here on CC you will get more info than you will ever find on NCL's web site.
HIGHLY recommend this tour and was happy we booked through the ship. Saw some beautiful mountain towns and also some newer seaside towns. The winding hills and hairpin turns are a bit unnerving - it’s a showdown coming down the mountain on a large bus with other busses trying to go up the mountains. If you’re ok with your bus driver backing up the hills around hairpin turns with about an inch clearance then I’d say definitely go for this tour. The jaw dropping beauty and that classic feel of Italy here.
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