Thread: Santa Barbara

Public transportation works in some places and not in others. I wouldn't recommend taking the bus in LA unless you are familiar with the route (and really, really need to take it) as there are bad areas mixed in with the decent ones.

We took the bus in Hilo, which was free, but it was dirty and smelly and the route was so convoluted.

Now I know Santa Barbara is a tender port because no ship can dock there. Combine that with the 4:00 departure and I wonder if it really is a good idea to see SB on a cruise.

So then I started looking at September 2012 cruises. What I saw then was a much higher price tag - $1600 per person for CANE. Ugh. I definitely have a lot more work and money-saving to do.

Andrea, sometimes the tender trips can be fun especially when they do not do a direct back and forth to the docks. Our tender in Fallmouth was actually quite fun.

Originally Posted by nealberk

Andrea, sometimes the tender trips can be fun especially when they do not do a direct back and forth to the docks. Our tender in Fallmouth was actually quite fun.

Did you have to return to the ship earlier for tendering than at the dock ports?

A bit earlier, but it was no big deal. You don't have to spend every minute a ship is at a port in the port. We took a leisurely stroll through Fallmouth walking up and down the main street, we went into a clothing store that was having a sale and bought some nice fleeces and a new coat for Deb, had a great conversation with a gentleman who was shopping with his wife. He and I compared notes while the wives were shopping. We each got a pastey that we nibbled on.

Did not go anywhere special, did not do anything extraordinary, but did get a wonderful feel toward the town and hope to make it back eventually. The tender took us around most of the port area so we were able to get the view from both the land and the sea.

A beautiful day which we both loved.

Good news: The Botanic Garden opens at 9:00 and is near both the Museum of Natural History, where there is a bus stop, and its Mission. But if buses don't start running before 10:00, that will be irrelevant. I told Mom we have to go to the beach and fig tree first because of the crappy hours.

I also read there is a waterfront shuttle that goes to the zoo. It will definitely be used both directions. It looks like transportation isn't a problem after all. However I have no idea how to get to the tree or beach from wherever the cruise ship is anchored.