zebra

Thanks Len and Cindy!

Cindy if you don't mind - please come back on this thread after your experience and let me know the status ….. good, bad and indifferent. I would appreciate it. How much did TJ charge and what size is your group?

We will be in St Petersburg next May, on the Brilliance of the seas. What I would like help on is finding a great tour guide for St. Petersburg. Who would you suggest and why. Many thanks.

Hi Diane,

Highlights around Cape Town are very subjective. For us a highlight is not to visit Robben Island - although the Nelson Mandela story is a great testimony the island itself is a little of a let down. It's not as exciting as visiting Alcatraz, so personally we don't take guests there for that reason and also because there are soooo many wonderful things to see in Cape Town, one has to choose the highlights that suit your personalities.

As you now know - we are crazy, avid, wildlife watchers …. so much of our time is taken up with Whale Watching in Hermanus, Penguins at Boulders, Seal Island off Hout Bay and a trip to Cape Point (whale and game viewing there too). South Africa has such unique animals (to Africa) and seeing them all in their own environments is such a plus. Just a side here: If you do get to go to Hout Bay, there is one of the most awesome restaurants there - Mariner's Wharf …. they serve the BEST seafood on the Cape Peninsula hands down. Also while in South Africa you must try a Dom Pedro …. it's like a double thick shake, made with ice cream but also contains either whiskey or Kahlua … you can order one at ANY restaurant that has a liquor license.

You are going to find so many places where the food is so inexpensive. Of course for us to exchange rate at the moment is pretty much $1 - R10, so we find most of the restaurants very reasonable.

You will find more restaurants at the V & A than you can imagine and they run the gamut in price. Starting with McDonalds and KFC right up to Nobu etc. But in the cheaper range here are some recommendations:

Santa Ana Spur (Spur is a chain of steakhouses in SA) - good food, good prices.

Steers - if you are looking for a burger joint, much better than Mc Donalds.

Mugg & Bean - for great breakfast and lunches

Ocean Basket - cheap seafood

Quay 4 - down on the water, you can watch the seals playing.

Moyo - for a true African experience. Although I will say we much prefer Moyo at Spier winery in Stellenbosch.

And other than Willoughby's (which you will not be disappointed in) our personal other favorite casual restaurant there is Balducci's.

Hope this helps a bit ……...

Zimbo,

We are not cruising to South Africa but doing a land based tour starting at Victoria Falls with a day trip to Chobe, then on to Kapama Buffalo Camp then to Cape Town. Hope you don't mind answering a few questions for us. We wondered if we should bring just US dollars or just South African Rand or a combination of both. We will need money for tips, meals, tour guides etc. I saw your list of things to do and places to eat in Cape Town. We are staying at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel on the V & A Waterfront and will not have access to a vehicle except during our tours. Are any of the recommended restaurants in the waterfront area? Are there any other reasonably priced restaurants you would recommend in the area? We are doing 4 days of touring to cover as many of the highlights as we can -a half day Cape Town tour with a half day Robben Island tour then a full day Peninsula tour, a full day winelands tour capped off with a full day Shark Cage Diving for the guys and a Whale watching tour for the girls. We are visiting in Sept 2014. Any information you can provide would be appreciated.

 

Diane

Hi, I am an ex-Cape Tonian and hubby an ex-Rhodesian (now Zimbabwe) we now live in Tampa, Florida but in the 20 years we have lived here we still travel to SA every year (Sept & Oct) to visit family and go on safari. Some background, my husband was a game ranger at Wankie (Hwange) National Park, Zimbabwe and also Pilanesberg National Park, SA and Kruger National Park, SA. I met him in Victoria Falls where he lived for a while - National Parks move you around ;)

Anyhow, now we tour American friends to our home countries each year. We do not have a business, nor do we charge, this is purely introducing our American friends to our African heritage. Sorry it took so long to qualify myself to answer your questions.

As a previous person suggested Willoughby's is absolutely the BEST restaurant in the V & A according to us as well, it's not really Japanese but they do make the most unbelievable sushi. We always have the prawn platters and their seafood is scrumptious! There are tons of restaurants in the V & A and lots are good, some have better views of the bay and the mountain than food. You won't be disappointed with Willoughby's. Try and eat early in the evening, typically Cape Tonians eat later, although Willoughby's also attracts people coming from work too.

US Dollars are only used in Zimbabwe and Rands are used in South Africa. I wouldn't suggest carrying too much cash on you for security reasons. We carry the bare minimum and use our credit cards everywhere … the charges are minimal.

We will be in Chobe, Zimbabwe, Kruger Park and Cape Town in September this year as well - it's the best time of year in the game reserves and at Vic Falls - you're going to love it, it's just a pity you won't be in Cape Town longer!!

Can you please tell me whether liquor prices are cheaper on either St. Thomas or St. Maarten? Any particular store?

Have a great cruise - I will be following closely as we board her in 2 weeks time.

I tried to find Dave's "everything" post and it did not come up in my search. Dave if you are lurking, please post a link for me, thanks.

Only 5 Ethel ….. I'm thinking closer to 10 for me :D

Just checked the Embassy Suites... way too much for me:) It was $237 a night plus $18 a night for parking???

 

I really would like to find something with shuttle to and from the port and parking for the duration of the cruise... all in one package. Is this not possible for Ft Lauderdale?

 

Is there any decent cheap places with or without a cruise package, within an hour or so from the port?

 

I am thinking we can use the park n go lot and just stay further out for less???

 

Does anyone else drive down and not spend about $300 on hotel with parking and shuttle???

Yes, We drive down from Tampa on the morning of the cruise and then park in the Port Everglades parking garage right at the ship. We have also stayed at hotels, left our car there for a special price for the week and taken their free shuttle to and from the ship. It still works out cheaper to drive on the morning of the cruise, get there at about 10:30 - 11:00 am and park the car right at the ship.

We are not familiar with Park & Go or FLL Park Safe, but I'll do some research. Anyone used them? What are their parking fees?

WOW! WOW! WOW! Thank you so much dmwnc1959 for all your hard work and beautiful pictures. So VERY helpful, I appreciate it. Gosh you answered all my questions plus!!!!

Thanks all, wow lots of choices - glad to know that Alfredo's is free. Is the London Pub lunch free as well????

Please help! I would like to know which restaurants charge & how much the charges are. And then, which eating venues are free. Thanks for your help.

Have all the leaves fallen off the trees already???

When you come off the ship you will be on Water Street. If you follow the street straight for about 5 min walk Market Sq will be on your left and you'll be standing at the bottom of King Street. Turn right and go uphill of King Street about 3 min until you hit Germain St and City Market (rear door) will be on your left again on corner of King & Germain.

Thanks for great directions. Looking forward to our day in St. John.

I have a question. Is the City Market at Market Square or are they two seperate places? If they are, how do we reach each of them from the ship.

Thanks.

We love Maine and particularly Portland. We spent a wonderful weekend there a year ago with our good friends.

 

We've lived in Boston all our lives and still choose cruises that call in Portland when we can. :) The development and rehab work done in your city is outstanding IMO

 

Thanks for sharing. We will be walking from the ship ... what are some suggestions that you feel we should not miss. We also want to find a place where we can have a great Lobster Roll for lunch.

Just got back from our trip to Cozumel. We hired Leo (Driver for the Day) who was absolutely amazing. He was so informative, helpful and efficient. We had an outstanding day. The charges were $95 for 3 hours and $25 per hour thereafter. (We paid a $50 deposit on reservation). We were 2 couples, had a minivan and split the cost. $72.50 per couple is waaaaaay less than a ships tour and we customized the 5 hour tour to suit ourselves. We had the funnest day, stopping first to fill the cooler with beers and ice and then stopped at the Tequila factory for a free tour and tasting. After that we spent quite a while at Coconuts .... a really fun bar on the ocean and then finally moved on to Playa Bonita Restaurant for a yummy lunch - also right on the beach. This is exactly what we were looking for - a laid back tour to ceebrate my birthday and not having to drive ourselves. I can't say enough about how wonderful Leo was, we will definitely use him again when we return to Cozumel.

I have to say - I've read hundreds of reviews but your is the most honest, informative and entertaining. I love "The Bickersons"! It's too bad that they are a way of life, cruising or not. I enjoyed your review thoroughly ... and sincerely thank you. We will be on the Freedom in two weeks ...

Amanda, which is your most favorite place to eat at Old Port???

mandaleigh - thanks for sharing those beautiful pics!!!

Wow DiMillo's sounds wonderful - thanks.

Where would you suggest we would get the BEST Lobster Rolls in Portland??

May, we'll be there in the first week of April. I would appreciate it if you would come back to this thread with your review once you have found and tried a great Indian restaurant there. Thanks!

Thanks Barry for the interesting postings on walks. We will definitely do that 5k around the harborfront. I see someone mentioned going to an Indian restaurant. That is our favorite as well, do you know of a good one? We will be staying at The Russell in the Rocks.

More information would be required to answer that. Basically, Taronga is better as a zoo, whereas Wildlife world is better if you have limited time, and mostly want to see the main local animals. So it depends how much time you have and what your preferences are; both serve a purpose.

I have a "zoo" question. We would like to visit a place where we can actually interact with Koala's and also Roo's. We do not particularly want to see animals from other continents/countries. We are from South Africa and have lived in National Parks with the African animals for 12 years, as well as returning every year on Safari. So ....... it is very important for us to spend quality time with Australian wildlife. Having said all this, which facility would you suggest we go to, we will (sadly) only be in Sydney and Melbourne - one day in each port. Many thanks for your input.