I found it..! Normally we'd ask you to post on the thread for the ship as well, but we're good since I saw it! I hope you have a lovely sailing!
I'm actually happy with the port changes. Port fees decreased by $181 for us (4 'adults') and we're in both ports longer than the previous ports. Amsterdam was only going to be 6 hrs, so happy to have longer in Rotterdam. We haven't been to any of these places before, so it doesn't really matter to us--its all new.We just booked this , and other than getting murdered on airfare super excited!
Curious of anyone’s thoughts on the port changes ? Notably Rotterdam- presumably the Amsterdam excursions are all still applicable since I believe it’s a 1 hour drive
Finally , anyone staying in London and what port transfers are you lining up? These are pricey as well it seems
I'm actually happy with the port changes. Port fees decreased by $181 for us (4 'adults') and we're in both ports longer than the previous ports. Amsterdam was only going to be 6 hrs, so happy to have longer in Rotterdam. We haven't been to any of these places before, so it doesn't really matter to us--its all new.
We're still waiting to buy airfare...I have PIF date in my head, so if it doesn't decrease by then, we may cancel the cruise.
I did email DCL to ask for earliest departure flight times and cost of DCL transfers. Earliest recommended flight
on 8/26 is 2:15pm, transport is $75/person/each way.
So you can definitely get to Amsterdam from Rotterdam fairly easily - if not doing ship tours its an hour on the train each way so, given the extra port time as mlayton14 mentions, you could get the same or a bit more time in Amsterdam.We just booked this , and other than getting murdered on airfare super excited!
Curious of anyone’s thoughts on the port changes ? Notably Rotterdam- presumably the Amsterdam excursions are all still applicable since I believe it’s a 1 hour drive
Finally , anyone staying in London and what port transfers are you lining up? These are pricey as well it seems
So you can definitely get to Amsterdam from Rotterdam fairly easily - if not doing ship tours its an hour on the train each way so, given the extra port time as mlayton14 mentions, you could get the same or a bit more time in Amsterdam.
As a brit however (hence easy to travel to Amsterdam for a short trip whenever) we will almost certainly not bother going to Amsterdam but do something else nearby. From an initial look Rotterdam doesn't seem to have loads on offer in the city, but the Delft museum (in Delft!) is a short train ride away in one direction and I also found https://www.kinderdijk.com/ which might be interesting.
I'm less happy about the Mekjarvek change - from what I can work out its basically literally a port up the road from Stavanger with nothing really there, looks like it mainly is there for non cruise usage. I've been to Stavanger a couple of times so we were probably going to just have a wander around Sandness but I don't think that will be an option now.
Regarding transfers you might want to look into the train - you can get the train from London to Southampton in just over an hour from Waterloo, then a short taxi to the port. Don't look at tickets for this until ~12 weeks out as that is when advanced fares go on sale (you can book now but pay the open price).
Andrew
Did some more digging. Although not shown on the list of cruises in port the site also has a map for every day with planned moorings - in short there is another bigger cruise ship in Stavamger that day: the AIDAnova. Max capacity 6554 pax, so Stavanger might be busy!!
Welcome to the group @jillinastoria !
I've been making plans all week now that I finally have airfare. We plan to use National Express bus to get from Heathrow to Southampton on 8/17. Spending 2 nights at the Moxy Southampton (2 rooms, AAA rate was 370GBP). Plan to walk from the bus station, less than 1/2 mile. 8/18, I've booked a private tour that includes the morning inner circle experience at Stonehenge, Avebury, and the surrounding areas to enjoy the countryside
Really looking forward to the trip now!.
Not sure yet...I keep hoping that more excursions will get added to the list. We're silver also...so it will partly depend on what's left by then .. I'd like to do all DCL ones. Also my kids are adults 19/23, so we may split up at a couple ports. I told the kids they could go on their own excursion if they stick together... they're old enough to travel on their own anyway.How’s everyone doing now that the cruise is getting closer? 97 days!
We are Silver CC and are looking forward to booking excursions soon! Right now we’re thinking:
Rotterdam: tram tour
Skjolden: scenic Jotunheimen
Nordfjordeid: kayaking
Mekjarvik/Stavanger: taking a taxi to Stavanger and exploring on our own
On the ship: whiskey and tequila tastings, possibly Remy if it’s available
There are many other things that look appealing, but our son HATES long bus rides, so we’ll probably stay relatively close to the ship.
Would love to know what others are doing or hear advice. Thanks!
Not sure yet...I keep hoping that more excursions will get added to the list. We're silver also...so it will partly depend on what's left by then .. I'd like to do all DCL ones. Also my kids are adults 19/23, so we may split up at a couple ports. I told the kids they could go on their own excursion if they stick together... they're old enough to travel on their own anyway.
Rotterdam --kids: Delft/pottery. DH and I: windmills
Skjolden--not sure yet, maybe one with a Stave church.
Nordfjordeied--DD23 wants Nave deer farm, I want Briksdal glacier
Mekjarvik--maybe the hike to pulpit rock .. it's my birthday so I need to decide if I really want to hike 5 miles that day. .
No plans for Palo/Remy or drink tastings. DH doesn't drink and I don't like the price increases. I'm glad I got 3 tastings in last June on the Fantasy at the $25-$38 prices.