Privately booked excursions when traveling with Oceania

[waterart]

Hi all,

I am thinking about booking a trip for my dad and myself to the Greek Isles next fall. In the past, I have had great success booking excursions privately. I prefer not being with so many people, and the individual attention we have gotten from guides.

Any idea what success I might have doing this when traveling on Oceania? I have heard lots about their being late to ports, or cancelling them altogether, which will make private excursions a stress. Any thoughts on this?

Also, have any of you booked private excursions for any of the Greek Isles? If so, are there any recommendations for excursion companies?

Thanks.

[waterart]

Hi all,

I am thinking about booking a trip for my dad and myself to the Greek Isles next fall. In the past, I have had great success booking excursions privately. I prefer not being with so many people, and the individual attention we have gotten from guides.

Any idea what success I might have doing this when traveling on Oceania? I have heard lots about their being late to ports, or cancelling them altogether, which will make private excursions a stress. Any thoughts on this?

Also, have any of you booked private excursions for any of the Greek Isles? If so, are there any recommendations for excursion companies?

Thanks.

[LHT28]

I guess the success or failure would be with the tour guide you choose .
i have not heard people booked on one particular cruise being singled out to arrive back late.
If you allow enough time to be back at the port you should be OK
On the Almafi coast the traffic can be bad and accidents then hamper the return to the ship so you need to allow for that.
You could check the Oceania board on CC or Yahoo as I am sure many have done the private excursions before and will recommend guides
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=51
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Oceana...?yguid=2135687

[waterart]

Hi

Actually, I was concerned about Oceania being late or canceling ports. Not so much concerned about the excursion providers. Any thoughts on Oceania's reliability for arriving timely and going to the ports scheduled on the itinerary?

Thanks!

[LHT28]

quote:

Originally posted by waterart:
Hi

Actually, I was concerned about Oceania being late or canceling ports. Not so much concerned about the excursion providers. Any thoughts on Oceania's reliability for arriving timely and going to the ports scheduled on the itinerary?

Thanks!

Unless there is a problem weather wise they usually are in the port ahead of the scheduled time in my experience.
We missed one port on our British Isles trip due to high winds & we could not tender in...I don't think any other cruiseline would have tried either.

[waterart]

great. thanks for the info.

is that your preferred cruise line?

[LHT28]

quote:

Originally posted by waterart:
great. thanks for the info.

is that your preferred cruise line?

It is now.
So I guess I am a little biased.
We have done larger ships but much prefer the open dining, limited smoking areas (2) & less passengers of O