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Quote:

Originally Posted by radonc1 (Post 33904219)

I urge anyone not to do the cruise visit to Berlin. Not only is it an exhausting day but the time spent actually seeing Berlin is a farce.

Summary of our first visit to Berlin using the cruise method.
Get up at ungodly hour to board a rickety train for the almost 4 hour slow train ride. After arriving in Berlin, get on buses that swoop you through the city with nary a stop. Get off, walk, get on. Interested in actually seeing something...sorry, no time for that.
Spend almost all of your time on a coach nodding off to sleep because you got up at 5 AM and couldn't sleep on the antiquated train.
At 3 PM get back on train for 4 hour ride back.
Arrive exhausted back at ship, and vow never ever to do that tour again.

Second visit to Berlin
Arrive in Berlin by air 12/27. Stay at 4-5 star hotel in center of city next to the park.
Spend as much time seeing both historical and archeological sites. Tons of things to see and do, even in the middle of winter.
Got to do New Years Eve downtown. Fabulous fun.
Left New Years Day with wish we had more time to visit.

The latter is the way to see Berlin. The former is a way to waste a day and a lot of money.

That sums up the art of traveling by cruising... IMHO, cruising is perfect for exploring islands and selected destinations (e.g. Artic, Antarctica, Galapagos) and coastal cities and regions, but not compatible with inland explorations.

In fact, I don't equate cruising with serious travel, adventure or explorations - there is only so much one can do with a few hours in a port, hurrying and worrying about getting back to the pier before the ship sails away. And I wouldn't go on any excursions that involve more than an hour's ride on a bus to the destination.

To me, cruising is a lifestyle and is more about the oceans , the ship, the pampering and social life and camaraderie at sea. For meaningful travel and exploration, I much prefer land-based travel.