Sunday, November 26, 2023

Ajaccio Corsica- tips for visiting this port

 Ajaccio old town center is really small. The two main attractions which are Napoleon’s birth house and the Leche art museum are each about a 5 to 10 minute walk. The Citadel and beach are both a 5 minute walk and across from the beach is their cathedral. The beach, citadel and church are free. Napoleons house is 7 euros and the leche museum is 5 euros.  You must use a debit or credit card for the museums. No cash is accepted.

Below are tips

bring a credit or debit card for museums entrance fees

Be careful if you go to the beach. They say over 1000 visitors drown each year. There’s a drop off in the water with an undertow .

The leche art museum is a beautiful building with lots of local and other artists.

Napoleon’s house is small and takes about 30 minutes to listen to the free audio guide. Note while local make money off his legacy, they don’t like him.

This is an expensive port with tshirts around 25 euros. Shop at the market at the port and you will save a bit

Honey is a good buy as there are no pesticides used on the island. I bought the gift size for 6 euros.

It’s a very windy island so have a hat that ties on. 

the town and harbour are beautiful so enjoy yourself 

Hope this helps

Marcia


Friday, November 24, 2023

Lucca the shore excursion in Livorno was excellent

 I just took the Princess shore excursion to Lucca from the Livorno port. I would recommend it to all travellers. It’s about 4 hours, with a 45 minute drive from port. They stop for a washroom break just before you enter Lucca. You see all of the highlights, squares and walk part of the wall. My favourite was the main cathedral with St Martin’s statue on the outside. Shopping for souvenirs was at reasonable prices, with a tshirt at 11euros.

I will return to Lucca as it’s not crowded, the people are friendly and it’s very easy to walk around. It is considered one of the most accessible towns in Italy.  The guided portion is about an hour, with an hour free time.

Hope this helps

Marcia

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Why Skagway is my favourite port in Alaska

 I have visited Skagway three times over the years and in my opinion its the best port in Alaska

Things to do

- you will see Harbour seals feeding near the ship in harbour. Locals have even named one of them

- The train excursion or the mini bus along the Klondike pass have amazing scenery

- the prices for souvenirs were the cheapest I found in Alaska

- the bear and eagle quest tour to Haines is a must do

- The town is a 5 minute walk from the Ship and is an easy strolling town

- The waterfall and cemetery is about a 45 minute walk both ways but the waterfall is worth the walk

Hope this helps 

Marcia


Two Alaskan Shore excursions that are must dos - Haines and Deadliest catch boat

 I only booked two shore excursions on the Sapphire Princess and both were excellent

First the Bear and Eagle tour that takes you from the cruise port in Scagway by Catamaran to Haines.  Its a lovely 45 minute boat ride with amazing scenery and calm waters to Haines.  You then take a bus to see the eagles and birds nests where the guide has some gear that you can use with your cell phone to take amazing pictures. Then you drive along looking for bears and you stop in a national park where the water views are terrific. We saw a mama bear and cubs.  The lunch is great (ceasar chicken wrap etc) in the town hall.  I would take this tour again. There was a couple who had been on it several times

Second the Deadliest Catch tour out of Ketchikan.  I am not a regular watcher of the series, but don't let that detract you.  The staff are friendly and informative.  We saw eagles - they throw out fish to them.  We also saw a humpback whale up close and personal at the side of the boat.  You will laugh alot at the speakers, get to handle crab and other sea creatures. Again another great tour

Hope this helps

Marcia

Juneau Alaska review

 I am a bit late on posting this review of the port of Juneau which I visited twice in September 2023 on the Sapphire Princess.  First of all below are the good and not so good things

- the new walkway along the sea port is beautiful with all of the totem poles. Its a nice place to stroll

- the shopping here is identical to what you will get in Ketchikan including the prices and sale items only the name on the stuff changes to Juneau

- the not so good are all of the homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks.  Doesn't look like there is anyone to take care of them 

- the number of pot/cannabis shops surprised me

- the number of closed shops on the main street was sad

- Loved the Alaska state museum and I would recommend it to everyone who visits. It costs 13 USD but is worth it.  It is a visual easy walk thru of Alaskan History, and all of the various animals.  It about a 10-15 minute walk from the cruise pier.  

- Surprised at all of the Philipino food vendors in the park - they know the audience of cruise staff and the food smells amazing

This trip I did not go to the glacier or whale watching as I have done so before

Hope this helps

Marcia.  



Saturday, September 9, 2023

Ketchikan port of call review

 Ok it’s my third time here. Fewer locally owned shops and restaurants. Most are cruise line owned. Shops all have the same t shirts and other junk from china. 

Things to do on the cheap include 

See the salmon spawning off creek street

Take the free shuttle to the totem pole museum

Take the local bus to the totem pole park. 2 dollars each way

For a cost, the eagle and light house boat tour to misty fjord is good.

It didn’t rain so I lucked out as it does a lot here

Hope this helps 

Marcia

Sapphire Princess review

 First off Princess really does Alaska best of the Cruise lines. It has preferential docking, an Alaskan menu item(S) at dinner, a naturalist on board, and easy access to the front of the ship viewing area. They go to multiple glaciers.

What l like

Alaska menu at dinner

The ocean view room is clean, and seems to have been newly updated. 

The front viewing area on decks 15 and 7.

The passengers are all age ranges with a limited number of kids

What I find lacking 

Princess doesn’t clean the outside of your window unless you ask and then it’s on their timeline.

The entertainment in terms of production shows is the same on every Princess ship, as are the games from the cruise director staff.  This cruise director isn’t great just ok

The buffet is small and variety very limited

Shore excursions are very expensive 

Overall though great itinerary, friendly staff, and comfortable ship 

Hope this helps 

Marcia


Beware - RCL USD to CDN$ exchange is bad and you can not book flights in USD on a CDN$ booking

 I just booked my flights for an upcoming cruise on Harmony of the Seas transatlantic.  After checking several websites (airlines, Expedia, ...