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Also we want second sitting but are on the waiting list. Any ideas as to what will help us get a later dinner??
But there are two advantages to ship's shorex. One is that it's easy and trouble-free as it's all arranged for you and you get lots of communication with the shorex department while you're on board, and the other is that in the unlikely event that something goes wrong and the ship's tour is late back to the ship, the ship will wait for you.
Personally, I virtually never do ship's shorex, partly because I dislike being ripped off, and partly because I'm perfectly capable of organising my own entertainment ashore in most places. And in large part, also because I regard the ship, not the ports of call, as the destination when I cruise. If I wanted to see the places we're going to, I'd just go there rather than cruise. (That last factor is very idiosyncratic, though.)
As you're UK-based, I would have thought that (with just a small amount of research and thinking about what you want to see) Plymouth, Cork, Dublin and Amsterdam are eminently doable on your own. I have a friend who had a great day out in Geiranger just arranged on the spot when she arrived - it involved four people just hiring a taxi for the day. One of the things that the ship will push quite hard at Le Havre, I would think, is going to Paris - it may be great for people who will only come to Europe this once, but why don't you explore the surrounding countryside, maybe renting a car for the day?
As for your dinner seating, make the dining room maitre d' your first stop as soon as you get on board the ship to organise a change. If it doesn't work straight away, there's no harm asking on day 2, day 3, etc. until the ship settles down and there's no more movement between dining seatings. Even then, you still have alternatives. Chops and Portofino are both worth trying at least once, even though the limited and expensive wine lists they have there can hurt the bar bill.
I also highly recommend the Seaview Cafe for lunch - apparently it's a much overlooked venue.
You'll love the ship. She's absolutely beautiful, and I hear that the staff and crew are actually doing a good job now that she's started proper cruises.
Globaliser has a good idea about renting a car.
At the other side of the Seine of Le Havre (over the Pont de Tancarville, an engineering feat!) is one of the loveliest regions in Normandy, if not France : the Côte Fleurie, beginning in Honfleur, a pittoresque old world port (the French (Champlain ?) set sail here to the new world). In the center of the town is an old wooden church, Ste Cathérine, made by ships carpenters, with the steeple set apart : in this tower is a little museum , which has the Cross made of crystal, which was in the chapel on board the "Ile-de-France".
A bit further are the renowned resorts as Deauville and Trouville, and Houlgate, and Cabourg (Proust !)
Normandy is quite a beautiful region, with lots of things to see.
J.
Flam: You must do a train trip.
Amsterdam: All you need in is a shuttle bus to the town. There is a nice 'Museum Boat' service. All you do is pay one price and you can hop on and off all day at the main attractions.
Geiranger: Worth taking the excursion up the mountain for the views, if it's not misty!
Dublin: Ever get a shuttle into town and see Trinity College etc. or get do an excursion to the 'Power Court' gardens.
(I think all RCI's excurions are on there very good web sit).
Dorling Kindersley (Eyewitnes) have a nice new book which may help. It is a guide to Europe and the Med's ports.(ISBN: 0751368849) Click Here
Here is my review of 'Jewles' sister:Click Here
[ 05-18-2004: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
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