Mont Saint Michel shore excursion from Cherbourg review

 I paid $140usd for a shore excursion to Mont St Michel. It was worth the price.

What you need to know:

You will leave early at 7am

The bus ride took 2 hours and 10 minutes going and 1 hours and 50 minutes coming back

You will see The monastery from the bus about a half hour before you arrive. Sit on the right side of the bus

It’s a lot of walking. The steps are varied in size and with the crowd you have to keep walking. If you have a walking stick, it will help on the way up and down.  They say it’s 350 steps straight up but it’s not all stairs.  It didn’t feel like that many steps. 

The guide doesn’t stop on the way up, as it’s too crowded and she is saving her energy.  Her comments were ok but the guide book in the official store for 2 euros by the tram stop in the parking area is worth the money

The views everywhere are amazing especially at the top. 

I wasn’t impressed by the inside chapel etc. it is crowded and light even on a sunny day is poor.  It’s the outside that is the most impressive. If I went back I would skip the guided tour and walk at my own pace.

The shops sell the same stuff and are expensive. 

The beauty of this place is beyond awesome. But the crowds are overwhelming and the hurried pace annoying. It was a bucket list place for me and it was a cold but sunny day. I am glad I went on this shore excursion.

Hope this helps

Marcia

Tips for Bilbao Spain cruise port

 When you visit Bilbao, you dock far away from the city. Bilbao provides a free shuttle to the bus terminal near the football stadium. It takes between 30 to 40 minutes. The most interesting things to see are the Guggenheim museum and old town. Below are tips:

Take the free shuttle and give yourself enough time to get back to the ship 

The walk to the Guggenheim is about 30 minutes from where they drop you off. It’s a pleasant walk with good signage.

Buy your tickets online directly from the Guggenheim site. It will be cheaper and very quick to enter. It was 9 euros for seniors. Go when it opens as it gets packed with people . It will take an hour to see it.

Start at the top floor and walk down. Not much art but it’s the building you want to see. Go outside on all levels. The views are great.  The shop is the exit and very very expensive. I.e. 39 euros for a tee shirt.

Then walk another 20 minutes along the canal to old town. The buildings are photogenic and worthwhile to see. There are also museums . 

Give yourself an hour to walk back to the shuttle. Expect a long line to get on the bus. Note they use buses that hold over 50 people. This is the same for the tours which isn’t good for getting off and on. The bus stairs are the steepest I have encountered.

Hope this helps 

Marcia

Walkabout in Lisbon Portugal port

 Having been to Lisbon before, I did a walkabout from the ship.

Tips for a nice walk or if you are staying in Lisbon

Walk, and Or take the train as the trams especially #12 is packed and has pickpockets 

If staying in Lisbon stay near the train station, it’s easy from the airport and the you are in the heart of the action

On a cruise you come in on the port side. Get up early to see the sail in

Walking around the commercial gates and the streets around is easy, it’s the hills that will give you the work out

The walking on the promenade is pretty but long.

A Tuk tuk is 20euros per person for 4 in this electric car for 1.5 hours. A good deal.

The custard tarts are amazing and they always ask if you want two

Be careful on the steps up and down the hills as there are loose rocks

Shopping is cheaper on the side streets

The “sexiest washroom in the world “ is 4 euros in commercial square

Have a coffee and use the restaurant ones for free

Hope this helps

Marcia

Ponta Delgado port review

 Having taken the hop on hop off last time around the island(which I highly recommend as the internet service is good and both routes were pretty). This time I walked up to the Presidential palace gardens. It’s a 15 minute walk up hills from port, but not difficult as the slope is not steep. You need ID to enter (driver’s license is fine).  It costs 2 euros and only 1 euros for over 60.  It is a very pretty garden and lake to walk around. I would recommend it. You need an hour if you like to take pictures and stroll. The washroom is very clean.

The downtown is small and pretty. Note they have to cleanup each morning due to the homeless sleeping in shop doorways.  The church’s are free and only closed during mass and weddings.

Shopping includes tea grown on the island (I found it weak).  As well as lots of tacky souvenirs. I bought the small jams. 

Hope this helps

Marcia

Regal princess transatlantic cruise review updated June 2024

 after the cruise was  over I realized this was the worst of the Princess ship I have been on. Below are my impressions :

Regular balcony cabin:

Smaller than other princess ships 

Balcony full of rust

Balcony loud as all day there is constant drilling near the lifeboats. I am 7 levels above the drilling and it’s very loud

Overall cabin clean and bed comfortable 

Food:

Repetitive in Horizon buffet and desserts were not edible. I only ate the jello after trying many 

Main dining room had cold food the first night but hot after I complained. Still the preparation was not up to par with other Princess ships.

Same exact dinner menu as every other Princess ship other than Alaska, but prep and taste somewhat different and poorer. 

Like the new Ramen soup daily at lunch in Horizon

Entertainment:

Most performers the same as other Princess ships, causing me to skip 3 shows so far as these acts suck 

Tv movies and television shows full of really old movies and none of the newer releases

Trivia good and on several times a day… most popular amongst guests

Entertainment team just ok 

Service:

Horrible first day, but I completed their survey on second day and they were very quick to respond to broken shower, sandy balcony and cold food.  Fill out that survey if you are experiencing issues. They impressively and quickly respond 

Guest profile:

Old, and disabled are the majority . Next biggest group are active seniors

A smattering of young people

Overall, old ship in need of refurbishing . Freezing cold pools that have been closed most of the time

The crew is using this cruise to replace carpets, and fix things.

Staff ok but very few smile and most just seem tired and ready to finish their contracts 

Overall it’s not a Princess ship I would recommend as the vibe is tired and boring

Hope this helps

Marcia

Packing for a transatlantic cruise - tips

 I am going on my 5th transatlantic cruise and have become quite adept at packing for one.  I typically do not stay longer in Europe (coming or going) because I like a 2.5 week vacation. I find more just doesn't fit my lifestyle at home.  So my tip if you are going to stay longer before or after the cruise - take as little as possible as carrying a suitcase around in Europe on the trains etc. is only meant carry on luggage.  In most countries the luggage area is small and fills up quickly. Also the steps up and down are tricky with luggage ( I have broken wheels to prove it).   England was the worst for travelling by train with a piece of luggage - they only have the carry on top shelf on most trains. Where there is room for luggage - make sure you lock it and have sight of it on stops as so much is stolen from bags, even the bags themselves. 

If you are just going on the transatlantic cruise - you can and should take a piece of luggage so you have all the things that make you comfortable.  Note you will stop in 4 or 5 ports before you disembark, so take your notes about these ports with you.  I have also found they tend to change ports more on atlantic crossings due to high winds/waves.

Here's the must things to take:

- a normal wind up watch as you will be changing the time 6xs and the fitbit/apple watch can not keep up with the time changes . I usually have a $10 watch on me.  Going to Europe they tend to change the time mid day and west bound at night.

- If you can afford it - take the internet package as downloading books/games/your email is worth it.  If you are platinum or elite there is usually a discount - on Princess its 50% off or $12 USD per day.  Note the internet may go down a few days but they will give you a refund for those days.

- Layering of your clothing - tee shirts, and sweaters and hoodies.  I take enough tee shirts so I only have to do laundry once.  On Princess they have self serve laundry at $6 USD for the wash and dry.  I take my own soap due to allergies.

-  Minimum of 2 pairs of shoes - 1 casual and 1 dress up

- light dress up clothing ( I wear each 3x) without washing til I get home). You will have 3 dress up nights

- books if you haven't already downloaded them on your tablet

- all the toiletries you need as you will be 7-8 days straight at sea and supplies are limited aboard the ship and expensive especially cough syrup, advil and conditioner.  They don't have benedryl or polysporin or cough syup  in the shops - you will have to go the medical center and its 3x the cost. 

- bar soap if you prefer it as the ships only have the squeeze bottles 

- bar shampoo as the ship shampoo will dry out your scalp

- a bathing suit, sun hat and sunscreen as going thru the caribbean it sill be warm

- mitts, rain coat and a warm hat as the middle of the atlantic is windy and can get rainy and quite cold

I always try to book an ocean view or balcony as you will need natural light. 

Your sense of humour as some on board get quite annoying on a long cruise

Hope this helps

Marcia

Princess Cruises is "email" non-responsive - some tips if you still want to book with them

As of June no response.

As you know from my recent blog I tried writing to the president of Princess Cruises to tell him about the horrible booking process.   Based on a suggestion comment on the blog I messaged him via Linked In. Well over a week later no response.  You will have to call and wait to get to speak to the customer service center.  As you know I have had little to no luck with their phone support.  My suggestion to you is not to book Princess unless:

- the price if phenomenal - to get these prices you have to wait until about 6 weeks before the cruise leaves.  Note you will not have cabin selection and likely the price of flights will be higher than if you book earlier (but you still save overall).  Sign up for their emails to get these deals.

- you are prepared to wait a long time to speak to customer service via phone as they do not respond to any emails 

- you book your own flights to pay the baggage and seat fees in CDN dollars

- you don't want any real family friendly activity on the boats (no slides, bumper cars etc)

- you don't care if the pool water is cold

- you are willing to deal with their cumbersome app.  And on most cruises a few days without internet (but they have refunded me part or all of the cost)

- you are willing to pay 25USD per day for internet - unless you are platinum or above and then its 50% off (the only reason I still get it)

- you want the company of seniors as the vast majority of clients are retirees

- you have a travel agent to mitigate the pain of dealing with their customer service

Hope this helps

Marcia