jdblakeslee

My local bank delivered $ 1000 CAD to me for a cost of $ 875 USD. Felt like a bargain.

My three sisters and i (late 50s-mid 60s) enjoyed four hours or so at Nachi Cocum on Saturday, 4/2917. $17 cab ride each way from the port, navigate through all the shops until you find the taxi stand area near the main highway. A short ride south and you'll be greeted by a gal who takes your picture, then directs you to the hostess stand where you pay the balance of your bill for the day. Lamberto showed us to our spot, four nice lounge chairs under one of their little "huts" and took our drink order. It was quiet except for a little background music, certainly can talk without screaming, and while we were among the first to arrive, it probably only filled up to 1/2 capacity throughout the day. Bar drinks, nice choice of foods on the menu, bottled water, and beautiful water. We were all happy to spend a day at the beach than on the ship. We left around 2 p.m. for a sailaway time of 4 p.m. to shop a bit and we waited in a very long line to embark around 3:15 p.m. No harm, no foul. A very pleasant way to spend the day. Hubby and I will be there again on Saturday, 5/19/17, for another relaxing day.

Thanks, all, for quick replies. I couldn't imagine Viking frowning on bringing wine/beer aboard, especially since it's included with meals, etc.

Does Viking have a policy concerning bringing wine/beer onboard for use in your room? We have to confirm plans first thing tomorrow and this is one unanswered question. Thanks!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I'd be interested to know if Viking allows passengers to bring wine/beer on board for your room?

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Again, many thanks for posting a very unbiased and truthful trip report. Your photos and commentary should be most helpful to anyone researching this itinerary. I've printed off most of your writings and am constantly checking to see what we have scheduled compared to what you and your sister did. I'm feeling better each day that we'll be as prepared as we can be for this adventure and I'll post my thoughts when we return, too!

Jennifer

Just a big "thank you" for posting your trip details and pictures. We leave in a little over a month and I've never felt so unprepared for a cruise in my life! I've been feverishly working on setting up our "schedule" and your excellent notes are providing a great platform.

Jennifer

LOL!!! Brought back a favorite story told by my friend who, back in mid eighties travelled with her doctor husband to China which was newly opened for western travellers. To save space, she had brought along all their old undies to use and discard in their hotel trash can...was she ever surprised (am embarrassed) when they returned from a day's outting to find all their discarded old rattie undies freshly laundered, pressed and presented in a basket on their bed

The first time we went to Paris, we took only one bag each with the idea of doing laundry there. I spilled a cup of coffee on David's jeans on the flight over so it was necessary for us to find a laundry service. No problem. There was one nearby on Rue Cler. So, we waited a few days to accumulate more items and made one trip. When we went back the next day to retrieve our things, there were a few items missing...and in my broken French, I'm trying to describe these articles. One of the items was a light gray tee-shirt that I absolutely loved and she never found it. I think that's when I resolved to never take clothes that I would mind if I lost. Hence, my eagerness to do the "old undies" trick.

David hates throwing anything away, too, but I've even convinced him that it's a great way to travel. I usually have a plastic bag to discard things in and tie it up so it's not uncomfortable for our room steward. Sometimes I've just stuck the bag in the closet until the end of the cruise and discarded it then. But I would have chuckled to have found all the items perfected laundered on the bed! What a cute story!

I love all these tips. I've ordered the clear tags for our luggage...and will leave my clear packing tape at home!

Jennifer

Jennifer, we do this too actually. I was kind of ashamed to admit it! LOL :o

Sunneesmile, I have no shame...haha...especially if it means I get to do a little shopping along the way...

For Melody Hound and any others trying to pack only one bag for a lengthy trip, I'll share what David and I do, although it was not my idea originally, I got it from another travel forum...

Throughout the year, when it's time to replace underwear and socks, tee shirts, etc., we stash them in our "travel closet". When it's time to pack, we retrieve enough of our "old things" to make the trip. Each day as we shower and change clothes, we throw the "old things" away.

We start out with ziploc bags full of our necessities and our load lightens along the way. It makes room for any souvenirs you may want to bring home that are packable.

For any "dirty laundry" that we bring home, we usually pack it in our carry-on bag to help cushion any items that we've bought that are more fragile. I usually pack a light-weight duffle bag in one of the outer zippered pockets on our luggage and it's ready to be a carry-on.

Believe me, I'd rather bring home a case full of clothes from Paris than my old undies, so it doesn't bother me one bit to discard as needed!

Just a suggestion!

Jennifer

We have booked the Feast at Lele for our upcoming cruise and decided to book a car rental for the two days we are in port. You can have the use of a car for the entire port stay for the cost of one taxi ride that evening.

We'll probably just walk around a bit in town before we drive back to the ship but we are not heavy drinkers...

Jennifer

Our TA booked us a day room through NCL at the Mariott for $ 125 pp. Expensive. BUT, they transfer you and your luggage to the hotel upon disembarkation. We will probably hand-carry our swimsuits and toiletries so there is no delay in grabbing a spot on the beach. We thought it was a good way to have a relaxed day before we fly home, and loved the idea of having a nice lunch and a hot shower before we head to the airport.

Jennifer