Work to travel

Hello.  We are sailing with the Holland America Zuiderdam on March 30.  Trying to find out if people feel the Pinnacle Grill is worth the fee?

Thanks

Beware cruisers looking for independent tours in Montevideo, Uruguay

Just needed to inform people that I had a very negative experience with Sergio Rodriquez, toursrus2008@yahoo.com, in Montevideo, Uruguay for a city tour and winery visit.

He was very responsive with e-mails so thought he was going to be great. Unfortunately he was TOTALLY! unprofessional on the tour. At our first stop at a market (about 10:00 AM) he told us to enjoy the market and that he was going to get an alcoholic drink at the local bar in the market! He laughed and said he was not driving, as there was indeed a driver. Sergio proceeded to smoke a marijuana joint at one of the parks at which we stopped then stopped at a local convenience store and picked up several beers to drink while we continued the tour!

The arrangement at the winery were not recognized by the management and he made a large scene so they accommodated our group to get him to quite down. Very, very embarrassing! He then proceeded to sit down with us at the wine tasting and smoked cigarettes and drank wine which he made the establishment provide for him. Ruined the moment to say the least!

Fortunately there were just four of us that had signed up for this tour and the other couple were very gracious. We did get to see the sights and were at a beautiful spot for the wine tasting but Sergios's presence ruined the experience. I felt just terrible as I had initiated this trip on the Golden Princess roll call.

I wanted to be sure to warn other cruisers NOT to go with Sergio Rodriquez on any tours!

Thanks,

Work to Travel

Hello fellow cruisers!

Is anyone interested in joining this tour of Montevideo and then a wine tour at Bodega Bouza Winery? The tour guide would be Hebert Sismondi, hsis@adinet.com.uy. He has had several good reivews posted on cruise critic in the past. I have done extensive research and his tour seems to be the best price for the same tours many other companies are offering.

We have signed up and hope others might want to join this adventure! Contact him directly and asked to be added to the tour on Monday, February 2 with Golden Princess passengers.

Hebert Sismondi, hsis@adinet.com.uy

The more people that join, the lower the cost of the excursion.

Thanks,

Work to Travel

Gary,

Here is the information I received from Edgardo:

Hi Linda and Barclay, thank you very much for contacting me.

Unfortunatly the chair lift to the Glacier broke down a couple of month ago so we had to change the itineraries. Check please on my website all the options we have: Â Â http://www.tourguideushuaia.net

On the other hand, I attach the rates below.

Let me know if you are interested in please and we would start filling up the second van with you.

It would be very useful if you publish on Cruise Critic Roll calls website to join more people.

Kind regards

Edgar

 

OPTION 1 ( NATIONAL PARK – 4 HOURS TOUR )

RATES

 

18-17 PAX ---------------USD 72 per person

 

16 PAX --------------------USD 75 per person

 

15 PAX --------------------USD 80 per person

 

14 PAX --------------------USD 85 per person

 

13 PAX --------------------USD 90 per person

 

12 PAX --------------------USD 100 per person

 

**(National Park Entrance fee is included in the rate)**

 

OPTION 2 ( NATIONAL PARK + CITY TOUR + MUSEUM FIN MUNDO– 5,5 HOURS TOUR )

RATES

 

18-17 PAX ---------------USD 115 per person

 

16 PAX --------------------USD 122 per person

 

15 PAX --------------------USD 130 per person

 

14 PAX --------------------USD 140 per person

 

13 PAX --------------------USD 150 per person

 

12 PAX --------------------USD 160 per person

 

**(National Park and Museum entrance fees are included in the rate)**

 

 

 

OPTION 3 (NATIONAL PARK with HIKING – 5,5 HOURS TOUR)

RATES

 

18-17 PAX ---------------USD 115 per person

 

16 PAX --------------------USD 122 per person

 

15 PAX --------------------USD 130 per person

 

14 PAX --------------------USD 140 per person

 

13 PAX --------------------USD 150 per person

 

12 PAX --------------------USD 160 per person

 

**(National Park entrance fee is included in the rate)**

 

I hope this copied. Let me know if you have other thoughts. We were considering the multiple hike options but seem like too much hiking and $. Maybe one of the other.

Work to travel

I wanted to update and say we have committed to the Option 1 tour with Edgardo Calaio, edgardocalaio@gmail.com. I put our names on his list for two spots in the van. I told him if there were other they should e-mail him directly. I do hope others might join as that really does keep the cost lower. They look like great tours. Thanks, Work to Travel

How many group tours can he squeeze in, in one day? About two 4 hour-long ones with groups?

Gary,

Here is the information I received from Edgardo:

Hi Linda and Barclay, thank you very much for contacting me.

Unfortunatly the chair lift to the Glacier broke down a couple of month ago so we had to change the itineraries. Check please on my website all the options we have: Â Â http://www.tourguideushuaia.net

On the other hand, I attach the rates below.

Let me know if you are interested in please and we would start filling up the second van with you.

It would be very useful if you publish on Cruise Critic Roll calls website to join more people.

Kind regards

Edgar

OPTION 1 ( NATIONAL PARK – 4 HOURS TOUR )

RATES

18-17 PAX ---------------USD 72 per person

16 PAX --------------------USD 75 per person

15 PAX --------------------USD 80 per person

14 PAX --------------------USD 85 per person

13 PAX --------------------USD 90 per person

12 PAX --------------------USD 100 per person

**(National Park Entrance fee is included in the rate)**

OPTION 2 ( NATIONAL PARK + CITY TOUR + MUSEUM FIN MUNDO– 5,5 HOURS TOUR )

RATES

18-17 PAX ---------------USD 115 per person

16 PAX --------------------USD 122 per person

15 PAX --------------------USD 130 per person

14 PAX --------------------USD 140 per person

13 PAX --------------------USD 150 per person

12 PAX --------------------USD 160 per person

**(National Park and Museum entrance fees are included in the rate)**

OPTION 3 (NATIONAL PARK with HIKING – 5,5 HOURS TOUR)

RATES

18-17 PAX ---------------USD 115 per person

16 PAX --------------------USD 122 per person

15 PAX --------------------USD 130 per person

14 PAX --------------------USD 140 per person

13 PAX --------------------USD 150 per person

12 PAX --------------------USD 160 per person

**(National Park entrance fee is included in the rate)**

I hope this copied. Let me know if you have other thoughts. We were considering the multiple hike options but seem like too much hiking and $. Maybe one of the other.

Work to travel

Hello,

I have read the available posts regarding Hebert Sismondi but none had done the tour that could include lunch at his house? See below:

The cost of a tour for 6 people is U$S 300 and 20 each aditional passenger, so that, if you were only 6 people, you would have to pay U$S 50 each one, and 8 will pay U$S 42.50 each, 10 =

U$S 38, 12 = 35. I can accomodate up to 17 people in the same vehicle, but I have another smaller one.

Montevideo's regular tour includes a complete visit to the historic Old City with Constitution Square and its special antiques free market, the Cathedral (main Catholic Church) from 1790, Solis Theatre and Independence Square, one of the corners of the old wall Montevideo had in the 18th century, the Downtown, the Congress building all made in marble (considered one of the three more luxurious in the world, Prado neighborhood with its residential area and Prado Park with the Stagecoach and Charruas Indians bronze monuments, Batlle's Park with the 1st Soccer World Cup Stadium, where we won in 1930 the world champion, La Carreta bronze monument, all the Rambla (seaside avenue)

with Pocitos Beach (considered the small Copacabana of the south) and it's residential area, Punta Carretas area, Ramirez Beach, and others.

A home made barbecue at my own house, could be done and offered to show you our most important traditions, like we did for others before.

The "Home made barbecued lunch", at my own house, includes thypical uruguayan food: sausages(chorizos), ribs(asado), beef, chicken, barbecued sweet red peppers, potatoes and onions, vegetable salads, "tannat and cabernet suavignon" uruguayan wines, mineral water, coke, and vainilla- chocolate ice cream covered with uruguayan carmel (dulce de leche). All this costs U$S 35.

I send you some pictures about, the man with red apron is me and the ladies with orange ones are my wife and daugthers.

A visit to Bodega Bouza Winery could be another option to be added to the regular tour. The Winery Tour includes a wine tasting and the guided wine tour will be through the vineyards, winery and cellar, including a visit to the Classic Car Museum (the Bouza family private collection).

The wine tasting includes 4 types of classic wines together with regional cheese, selected cold cuts, and just baked bread. They charge visitors nowadays, U$S 34 each people.

His other reviews are very good and the price is reasonable. Seems a little quirky to eat at his home but also could be a fun adventure. The pictures look like his family must do this regularly. Everyone seems to be having a good time If anyone has experience with this tour, please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for taking the time to answer

Work to Travel

Hello,

I am interested in a tour with Forastero Tour to Peninsula Valdes:

"We left Puerto Madryn north to reach to a place Caleta Valdes imposing

their environment that one feature of sea entry to the continent that

contains a thin strip of land will see great cliffs along the bay is home to

large populations where sea lions, elephant seals and Magellanic penguins

and Punta Norte chance for watching Orca attacks

will travel 400 km. the trip is 7 hours.

I have not private tour services providing, available regular service only

to join a group.

the cost tour is USD 100 for (share with others persons)

group maximum 16 people for van

1 in 10 people is free, Includes english speaking guide,

Park entrance and lunch box that has a sandwich of ham and cheese,

other one of chicken lettuce and tomato a

fruit and a portion of sweet tart and a water bottle.

In the page the facebook Forastero Tour photos of the tours.

The reservation is realized for mail and the payment is in cash to the guide

the day of the tour."

Has anyone used this tour company? Feedback from experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time and effort, Work to Travel

My husband and I have been researching tours. We would be delighted to join a group. Our interest is hiking and seeing the park.

I have found tours but cannot figure out how to make up a group without having to pay for the entire group? Does anyone know how to book multiple people for a group tour where each one pays their own deposit?

Thanks,

Work to Travel

Thank you so very, very much for your wealth of information! Appreciate your time and effort.

Work to Travel

I found this website that is associated with The Lonely Planet that has tours all over the world. You enter the country and region and it pulls up tours specific for cruise ship passengers. Has anyone booked and/or taken a tour with this organization? http://www.viator.com/

We are looking at a private Ushuaia shore excursion to Tierra del Fuego. They have a Worry-Free Shore Excursion policy:

"We will ensure your timely return to the Ushuaia port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded."

Lots of interesting tours but just want to be sure they are reputable. They are endorsed by Lonely Planet.

Thanks everyone for any impute.

Work to Travel

Hello,

Has anyone gone on the "Steam Train, Juanico Winery & Wine Tasting" shore excursion in Montevideo, Uruguay? We will be on the Golden Princess and in this port Monday February 2.

I had started an earlier thread to get help with trying to do this excursion on our own. The Juanico Winery said the only way to ride the train was through excursions with the ships.

It is expensive but intriguing. I would so appreciate any feedback from cruiser who have taken this excursion.

Thanks so much,

Work to Travel

We will be in Montevideo on a one day stop during our cruise. We have read about a shore excursion with the Princess cruise line during which you take a historic steam train to the Juanico winery. The cost is way too much for our budget and I am trying to find out how to do this on our own. Any help would be greatly appreciated.