Bonjour,
Lors de notre escale au Havre, (quai RMN le 19 septembre avec l'opéra ) je souhaiterais réserver une voiture, est-ce que la distance pour sortir du port est importante et le cas échéant existe-t-il une navette ?
Le terminal ( entrepôts déguisés pour l' occasion ) reçoit dans une boutique a l' intérieur, un loueur, les jours d' escales.
" Europcar " ...il me semble.
Ce dernier doit assumer la distance , effectivement " non " négligeable, qui sépare la zone croisière, de l' entrée de la ville.
Sinon, ..... je pense utile d ' interroger chaque prestataire pour connaitre les dispositions qu' il adopte pour les passagers titulaire d' une réservation. Il peut y avoir des dispositions ponctuelles. La bas, des navires en escales : ...ce n' est pas tous les jours.
Même une navette " sortie de port " ..... et la proximité d' un loueur permanent du cru ..... ???
Merci pour l'info.
Les loueurs me semblent assez loin du quai, effectivement, il serait souhaitable, sous réserve de possibilité technique, qu'ils organisent "un ramassage".
Á suivre...
Bonjour
Il y a aussi la solution de louer pour la journée une voiture d'un particulier sur le site OUICAR par exemple. J'ai utilisé cette formule par 2 fois au Havre et le loueur est venu me chercher sur le port et il m'a ramené ensuite . Et pour un prix moitié moindre .
Cordialement
Christian
Sixt rent a car a un stand de location au terminal croisière ouvert uniquement les jours de passage paquebots. Ils doivent donc donner des facilités pour les croisiéristes.Il faut les contacter à l'avance à leur agence principale au Havre.
( infos reçues ce jour de l'Office du Tourisme )
Sinon Ouicar est aussi une bonne solution.
Le terminal est à 2.5 kms du centre, quelques compagnies mettent des navettes mais sinon il y a toujours des taxis à prix forfaitaire.
Je suis passé plusieurs fois en escale au Havre mais n'ai jamais pris de location de voiture.
Je suis en train d'étudier la question en utilisant les conseils de cricri ...
l'escale est très courte, mais il y a qu'une vingtaine de kilomètres pour aller à Honfleur, où je retournerai avec plaisir.
(je connais bien la région pour avoir résidé une année à Ouistreham )
... Effectivement, il doit en être, et son voeux de location était très fort.
Cordialement,
Était... est un verbe à l'imparfait... et s'applique tout à fait à mon souhait d'alors!
Mon bonjour aux participants de ce post 🙂
Las de chercher "on line" une solution de location inexistante et me refusant absolument à réserver quoique ce soit par téléphone, je me suis rabattu sur l'excursion du bateau (MSC).
Celle-ci proposant le matin à Honfleur et l'après-midi à Deauville, avec juste un déplacement en bus et visite libre !
Cela va nous permettre de gouter aux spécialités locales (liquides... 😏) sans modération 😇
En parlant de spécialités, je n'arrive plus à retrouver le post où nous devisions à l'époque, mon cher Christian, sur la pâtisserie / confiserie (je crois ? ) qu'il faut à tout prix visiter à Honfleur?
En- as-tu souvenir? ou pourrais-tu, s'il te plait, rafraîchir ma mémoire?
.. sinon je n'avais jamais entendu parler de location de voitures privées... une autre fois peut-être, merci pour l'information.
.. 😛 oh mais, je vois que lorsque la Provence s' encanaille en nos contrées humides, elle ne part pas .... " sans biscuits " ( oui : ... elle ci ne pouvait m' échapper 🤪 )
Je n'ai pas dit qu'il n'y avait pas d'agence de location de voitures...
J'ai dit que je n'ai pas trouvé de possibilité de réservation avec livraison de la voiture au port (et reprise) par commande directe sur internet !
😐
Ce qui devrait être a mon avis la moindre des choses !
... " escale au Havre " , Août 2015. ( un mardi ! )
Point de pâtisseries évoquées, autre qu' une anticipation sur ton voyage a Paris, quelques temps plus tard ..... et en pataugeant dans les galéjades.
" Eterlous " ne semble pas démunis d' expériences dans le domaine ( ah .... l' homme sympathique que voila 😛 ) mais effectivement, en dehors de la seule vraie rue commerçante en montant , a partir du port ...... ?
Mes repaires pâtissiers, et lieux de perdition, a crans de ceinture variables, étaient .... sont .... a Paris, dans un quartier ou ta gente féminine personnelle, a tout loisirs, en plus, de faire exploser ta carte bancaire ( .... chacun explose ce qu' il peut )
A Honfleur, en dehors du breuvage locale : " le calva "..dos , pour les puristes ....
Honfleur et Deauville sont deux pertinences touristiques différentes.
L' une pour la photo du siècle dernier, .... a prendre aujourd' hui, soit même : le port ancien, le bas quartier ( petit ) autour .... bon !!
L' autre : derrière le coup d' oeil aux références cinématographiques ... l' hôtel de Normandie, le casino, ... les planches .... ( bon !! ) la vie, est plutôt a découvrir la nuit ! ... mais la : .. les helvètes sont proscrits, et le bateau vous éloignera. ..... na !
La route entre les deux villes, vous permettra, a l' aller, et assis plutôt a droite dans le car, de découvrir la cote, ses propriétés, témoin d' un passé bourgeois, références d' une époque d' avant guerre.
Si vous avez le temps de prendre un thé, en les salons de l' " hôtel de Normandie " ... pour le fun , l' ambiance , l' endroit :... tu mets tes souliers sous verre, ensuite, pour la quantités de pas célèbres qu' ils auront croisé en ces lieux ..😛 .
Jean-Marie devait parler des patisseries, il y en a même 3 , rue du Dauphin dont la pus étoilée est la Petite Chine...
Pour la location de voiture, effectivement par internet ce n'est pas évident, l'Office de Tourisme m'a bien indiqué qu'il fallait contacter par téléphone l'agence principale au Havre de SIxt.
Nous serons en escale au Havre le dimanche 4 septembre. Nous avons prévu de louer une voiture. En dehors de Sixt (seule agence ouverte le dimanche et très chère), nous avons trouvé Rentacar qui les jours fériés (si il y a un bateau en escale) ouvre un stand sur le port.
Bon dimanche à tous.
Très bonne info Catherine, je viens de rappeler l'Office du Tourisme, et là j'ai eu une personne un peu mieux informée qu'hier où il y a avait confusion entre Sixt rent a car et Rent a car société différente.
C'est bien Rent a Car qui assure une permanence les jours de croisières.
Sinon contacts Office du Tourisme au terminal 0235228866 ( jours de croisière )
ville 0232740404
😮 houla profonde méprise !..
J'en suis confus... Comme quoi quand on chasse deux lièvres à la fois 😎
Merci pour les adresses de pâtisserie... c'est un de mes point faibles 😉
et pour les conseils aussi ! Même si j'ai senti un petit air ironique dans les propos à l'évocation des plaisirs du soir sur Deauville... Méchant va! 🙂 😎
Je vous mettrai une photo dans ce post de mon passage à Honfleur lors de cette escale...
Je fais escale au havre un dimanche en mai 2017
pensez vous que je puisse leur une voiture ? Les horaires du loueur du port indiquent qu'ils sont ouverts du lundi au samedi ; sinon que faire au Havre ?
merci 🙂
Bonjour,
Vous pouvez trouver quelques informations sur cette escale dans le CR que j'avais fait : Retour MSC Opera côte atlantique.
Quelle est la durée de votre escale ?
En septembre (2016) nous avons fait escale un dimanche aussi. Nous avions réservé une voiture à l'avance et deux personnes sont venues au terminal au pied du bateau pour délivrer les voitures réservées.
Attention il est impératif de réserver pour en avoir une.
En septembre (2016) nous avons fait escale un dimanche aussi. Nous avions réservé une voiture à l'avance et deux personnes sont venues au terminal au pied du bateau pour délivrer les voitures réservées.
Attention il est impératif de réserver pour en avoir une.
Je viens de regarder le tarif proposé par la seule agence apparemment ouverte le dimanche et qui sont assez élevés ; il y a la societe drive qui met en relation des particuliers et les tarifs sont imbattables ; j'aimerais savoir si cela fonctionne bien 🙂
Bonjour Nicole
Nous avons déjà fait 2 escales au Havre et à chaque fois nous avons utilisé le site OUICAR
qui nous a donné entière satisfaction . Nous avons pu ainsi faire une journée aux falaises d'Etretat et à Honfleur.
Le prix est très interessant ( autour de 30/35 euros la journée ) et il faut s'entendre avec le loueur pour récupérer la voiture et la restituer - Nous avions trouvé un loueur super sympa qui est venu nous chercher au port et nous ramener au port.
Bonne chance et bonne croisière
Christian
N'ayant pu trouver de loueur au port, je m'étais intéressé au site de particuliers :oui car", pour lequel il semblait y avoir de bons retours.
Je n'avais pas pu concrétiser, car je souhaitais des rdv au port (l'escale n'étant que l'après-midi) et les personnes contactées ne pouvaient se libérer en semaine pendant les heures de travail.
C'est peut-être plus simple le dimanche.
Parfait ; j'y vois un peu plus clair.
L'escale est longue (8 h à 19 h) ce qui nous laissera du temps pour explorer les environs que personnellement je ne connais pas du tout.
Merci beaucoup
Je viens de tomber sur ce post et je me permets d'intervenir, je connais bien la région, nous habitons à 30 km du Havre !
Une escale au Havre, un Dimanche, ce n'est pas le top ! Tout dépend de la date.
Je m'explique : cette année, le Havre fête les 500 ans de son port, et dès le 27 Mai, lancement des festivités, animations, manifestations, donc beaucoup de monde, de touristes, de voitures....
Alors, bien sûr, on peut quitter le Havre, qui en général, les Dimanche, est une ville "morte", et se diriger soit vers le Nord (Etretat, Fécamp...) ou le Sud (Honfleur, Deauville, Trouville, Cabourg...). C'est tout à fait faisable en 1 journée, mais ces stations balnéaires sont très très fréquentées les week-ends de printemps ! c'est le lieu de rendez-vous des Parisiens qui viennent prendre le bon air de la mer et de la campagne ! donc il faut prévoir beaucoup de circulation, mais surtout beaucoup de difficultés pour se garer dans ses principales villes, je pense notamment à Etretat ou Honfleur !
Nicole, n'hésites pas à me contacter si tu souhaites d'autres infos, et je si peux t'aider à construire un petit itinéraire pour découvrir notre belle région !
A bientôt.
Je t'embrasse
Christine du 76 (les petits normands du Splendida en Juin dernier).
2015 - Costa Diadema / Horizon CDF)
2016 - Costa Fortuna - MSC Splendida / MSC Poesia
2017 - MSC Meraviglia
2018 - MSC Divina Mars + Juillet - MSC Seaview
2019 - MSC Présioza - Avril (Transat FdF - Le Havre) - MSC Méraviglia - Octobre (Côte Est USA + Canada)
Merci pour ces infos ; nous faisons escale le 28 mai et j'ai vu qu'il y avait une grosse fiesta le 27 mai ; nous envisageons d'aller à Honfleur et Deauville ; nous prendrons une grosse marge de temps pour le retour au bateau ; petite demande à ceux qui ont testé la location de voiture entre particuliers : combien de temps à l'avance pour la réservation ?
Bonjour à tous, on pars en croisière pour une semaine et j'ai une question, peut-on voyager en train et en croisière avec des petites seringues injectables conservables au frais?
Dois t-on faire des formalités?
Et comment conserver ?
Merci d'avance pour vos retours.
I'm considering a cruise on the Hurtigruten Coastal Express from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen over 11 days in mid-March 2027.
Has anyone already done this trip?
I think it’s a great way to discover the Norwegian coast with the chance to see magnificent northern lights, but isn’t the trip a bit *too* long?
There are about thirty stops, but most last only a few minutes, with just one daily stop of over 2 hours, which gives a quick glimpse of a few towns but doesn’t allow for a full excursion.
Is the supplement for an outside cabin with a porthole (800 € for 2!) really worth it?
It’s more pleasant than an inside cabin, but do you spend enough time in your cabin to make the most of it?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this journey.
Best regards.
Hi there,
Here’s the 2027 cruise schedule.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members!
2 essential rules:
1) Never "quote" the schedule when replying—this avoids any confusion.
2) Follow this format:
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry about that. IMPORTANT Please respect the templates!
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF 2027 CRUISES: 1
JANUARY
14/01 - poupou10 / AZAMARA JOURNEY / 74 days / South America Tour / Miami
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Hi everyone! I’m used to sailing on a sailboat with two or three people—it’s amazing. But I’d love to try the experience of a cruise. Just to clarify, I’ll be going alone. My first question: are there other solo travelers on these cruises, or is it mostly couples and families?
For a first cruise, I’d prefer a short one (maximum 8 days). Do those exist? And on the smallest boat possible. I live in Marseille, so a departure from Marseille would work, but I’m open to other ports too. If you have a cruise line to recommend and a destination you’ve enjoyed, or if you’ve had a great experience on a more intimate-sized ship, I’d love to hear about it!
Nous recherchons un groupe de personne disponible pour partager une excursion en direction de la route des trolls.
Nous avons contacté un prestataire local
Qui nous propose un tarif de :
- 6325 nok pour 4 personnes
- 6874 nok pour 5 à 8 personnes
N hésitez pas à nous contacter pour échanger sur le sujet
Bons préparatifs à tous !
We just returned from a cruise from 08/13/26 to 08/20/26 on the MSC ORCHESTRA with stops in Tarragona, Valencia, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Genoa, and back to Marseille.
The ship was fully booked. Deck chairs were already occupied by beach towels early in the morning, and there were only 1 or 2 people in the pools... However, on the day the Italians disembarked, there were very few towels on the deck chairs.
We found the Italians less talkative.
We had a balcony cabin on deck 9, starboard side. The cabin was spacious, but the sofa was facing the desk, making it a pain to watch TV (neck strain guaranteed). So, we changed the sofa’s orientation to face the TV (we put it back in place on disembarkation day).
There were 325 French speakers on board, and a lot of staff from Mauritius, which made communication easier.
No annoying announcements about bingo, etc.—a nice change from COSTA.
For dinner, we were at the first sitting at 7:45 PM, at a table for 6. On the first night, we were two "gray-haired" couples at the table. The second night, two young women joined us but asked to change tables after seeing us...
The show for our dinner time was at 10:15 PM and ended around 11:00 PM. We found that a bit late for us. The shows were varied and of good quality.
The restaurant menus offered plenty of choices, but at the buffet at lunchtime, there were a lot of dishes with quite a few carbs. Afternoon tea from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM included some great pastries, among other things.
We had an issue with the air conditioning and bad odors in the cabin one afternoon. I reported the problem to the reception, and staff along with our cabin steward came to check the cabin. The issue was resolved that same afternoon.
Two days later, we were surprised to find a bag with items inside: 2 MSC mugs and 2 MSC thermos flasks that keep drinks hot or cold for 10 hours. It was a gift from customer service following the bad odors in our cabin. We weren’t expecting this at all and thanked MSC’s customer service.
For excursions, MSC always offers port-to-city-center transfers for 14 € per adult in Valencia and Tarragona, and 12 € per child. In Livorno, it was 10 € per adult and 7 € per child.
In Civitavecchia, there was a shuttle to the train station for 6 €.
On the MSC for Me app, there were "promotions" on certain excursions.
We really enjoyed this cruise, but we couldn’t revisit some stops (Tarragona and Valencia) on our own because it was too hot.
Great evening: Mum49
We're leaving on August 25th for a Danube cruise from Vienna to Bucharest. The travel agency refuses to postpone this cruise despite navigation changes due to the exceptional drought, which include bus transfers that don’t interest us.
Have you had any experiences with this that you’d like to share?
Hi there!
I’m going on a cruise with MSC on the World Europa this coming October.
Stops: Genoa, Naples, Messina, Malta.
Has anyone visited Mount Etna and Pompeii?
Could you share some tips for each of these stops?
I’d like to explore on my own without booking the ship’s excursions.
Thanks for your advice!
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion
2) follow the format below
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates!
COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING
DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port
DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026:
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Just back from our first cruise on the Renaissance, and I’d like to share a few thoughts about life on board. Our feelings are mixed—we wanted a change after several MSC cruises, but the value for money on this repositioning cruise left us torn.
After taking advantage of successive promotions, we finally secured a well-located balcony cabin for 2600 € (almost 50% off the brochure rate). Given the amenities and the ship’s age, this now feels like the absolute maximum we’d pay for that period.
Overall, we were happy with our vacation on board, but a few details—when added up—left us with a somewhat mixed impression.
The pros:
- Ship size
- Reasonable noise levels, except in the restaurants (aside from the covered pool area)
- Spacious balcony cabin (20 + 5 m²) with plenty of storage and a bathtub with jets
- Understated, tasteful decor
- French language spoken on board
- Friendly staff for the most part
- 100% French-speaking clientele
- Decent food with French dishes (even with an Indian chef)
- Tables for two available (though the ship was full, so no changes possible)
- Some high-quality shows, thanks to an excellent English-speaking troupe
- Interesting lectures (especially on history and cetaceans)
The cons:
- Unreliable air conditioning in common areas (you’d go from a freezing lounge to a hot one, as if the system only worked in certain spaces at certain times)
- Aging ship with a few glitches (noises, AC, toilet flushes, lights) reported at reception (luckily, our only issue was the bathroom door not closing...)
- Industrial, thawed-out bread and pastries (a letdown for a ship with a French image)
- Limited fruit selection (often just apples and watermelon/melon) and not much variety in vegetables
- Worn, sometimes stained restaurant towels
We’re not ruling out another cruise on the Renaissance—their itineraries are unique—but only at a very competitive price.
Hi everyone ...
We’re planning to do the 83-day Cunard cruise ...
departing from Southampton on January 10, 2027 aboard the Queen Anne ...
has anyone done it ... or have any info ... or tips ...
for example ... deck and cabin choices ... drink packages ... excursions ... etc.
... anything good to know about this ship???
Thanks everyone ...
I discovered solo cruises last year, and it was a wonderful experience. Since then, I’ve decided to do one every year, usually between October and March, departing from Marseille or Le Havre.
I travel alone, but I enjoy sharing certain moments with other travelers: having meals together, attending shows, enjoying the evening entertainment, grabbing a drink, or going on a few excursions. Of course, everyone keeps their freedom—the goal is simply to have a good time in a friendly atmosphere.
For the end of this year, I don’t have a cruise planned yet. However, I’m already booked on the MSC Magnifica from October 29 to November 3, 2027, departing from Marseille with an itinerary to Spain and Italy.
If you often travel solo or if you’re on this cruise, I’d love to chat with you before departure. Looking forward to meeting you! 🚢😊
Hello!
After a lot of hesitation between different cruise lines (Explora, Oceania, YC, HAL, NCL) and several destinations like Norway, Ireland, and Iceland,
I finally chose NCL’s Star for Iceland.
I had already looked at this itinerary when I went to Scotland in April with CFC, but it was really expensive.
You should know that CFC often offers last-minute deals 45 days before departure (the point when you can no longer cancel or modify).
So, I got a great opportunity and grabbed it.
Departure is on August 23rd.
Hi everyone,
I’m staying in a suite on the Pacifica in October and I can’t find any details about the suite benefits beyond the elite restaurant, the butler, and the espresso machine.
What about breakfast and meals served free in the cabin, and the spa?
Costa’s been cutting back on perks for Gold members, and it seems like suites are next.
Thanks for your replies!
Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by.
Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car.
Guylène
We’re taking an MSC cruise in May, and after the Cinque Terre, we’ll be stopping in Naples. We’d like to know if it’s possible to walk out of the port quickly and reach a nice area of Naples on foot (we’re two older people). While we’re at it, I’ll ask the same question for Palermo, since we’ll be there the next day. Thanks for your replies.
hi,
I’m leaving Hamburg for Iceland at the end of July. The boat arrives in Reykjavik on Tuesday, August 4th at 8 AM, and I’d like to book a day trip like the Golden Circle or Secret Lagoon… The sites like GetYourGuide and others list departures at 8 AM. If you’ve used these sites with the MSC Preziosa, could you let me know how to go about it?
Thanks! 😉
allyMB007
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along.
THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.