tiggrbaby

I booked with Costco and one of the promos (250 min internet) did not show up on my NCL page. I called NCL and after waiting on hold for a while, they assured me that it was under my reservation and sent me an e-mail with all of the promos listed so I would have a copy. I just didn't want to make final payment and have them them tell me that I should have taken care of it earlier.

We booked the tour with Patrick Watts for our upcoming SA cruise on NCL. The itinerary says we are there 8a-4p. Giving time for tendering, 2-1/2 hours each way and 1-1/2 hours seeing the penguins, the time constraints seem impossible but he says not to go by the published itinerary and that the ship never leaves before 5pm.

 

 

Can anyone who has done this tour with him on the NCL Sun confirm this?

Which cruise are you on? We are on the 5 Jan 19 and have reserved this tour as well.

We did a private tour with others from out roll call. It was easy and not that expensive. The drive is long and not very interesting, with not much to see on the way. We stopped at a 7-11 type place for rest rooms and snacks. If there were restaurants in the towns--I'm assuming there were-- we did not notice them as we just drove through. Actually, not much for towns at all.

 

Our guide did accompany the group to see the penguins, although the group did spread out and not do everything together, but really you could do this on your own with no problems. Personally, it wouldn't be worth it to us to drive ourselves, but certainly doable.

We took a private tour to Península Valdez while in Puerto Madryn. When we arrived at one of the penguin viewing sites, there was a car full of tourists with a flat tire. Fortunately some of the drivers from the same company that we used were helping them change the tire. Considering the fact that most sights from the port are 2 to 3 hours away, we were really glad we were with a tour group. Having GPS and maps are good, but there are chances of vehicle breakdowns and flat tires to consider, especially on a lonely road.

 

 

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Which company(ies) did you use?

Love the review! We are going on the reverse itinerary in Jan 19. I have read several reviews of the Montevideo tour and BBQ; I think that I am going to have to convince our group to book that one!

The price variates depending on the quantity of people you join. We paid usd 90 per person (everything was included on it)

That seems very reasonable. I will have to let my group know about this tour - thanks!

Our tours in Ushuaia, PuntaArenas, Puerto Montt and Puerto Madryn were wonderful. Our tour guides/driverswere knowledgeable and we all were very impressed with the tours.

Our tour in Montevideo was also wonderful. Our guide, Alicia was great. Best ofall, was the barbecue we attended. We didn't expect to go to a private home.

We just loved it. The family was so welcoming like we were long lost relatives.The food was delicious and there was more than enough. Everyone agreed thatthis was the best afternoon.

I highly recommend this company, and this is its website:www.tourguideushuaia.net

How much was the barbecue tour per person?

I agree about using AirBnB. We booked our transfers with Rome Cab Booking - reasonable and courteous. We booked private tours with Italytours.eu and were very pleased with the service.

We were there 2.5 weeks ago and one in our party brought his own snorkeling equipment (no fins). He saw lots of fish.

Ditto last month!

Agree about the crepes - after getting one, I would go around the corner and get a scoop of ice cream on top!

You can make reservations on your room TV for the Supper Club for a few complementary dinner shows. We went to see the Flyboys and L.O.V.E. - same plated meal for both, but very enjoyable!

Definitely be part of the CC roll call and go to the meet and greet.

from main tender area, 1.5 miles

 

there are not sidewalks all the way ... and don't forget they drive on the 'other' side, so be aware of traffic

 

I've walked it many times but consider 1.5 miles a fairly short walk ....

 

any taxi will know where it is, but arrange a pick up or plan to walk back as far as Sunset House to find a taxi - about 1/2 mile

Great info; thanks!

Is this beach walkable from town?

Nope. Generally, what makes a good beach makes lousy snorkelling. Around town, the facilities are all at the places with good beach. This means the snorkelling is iffy.

 

There's good snorkelling close to the port at Eden Rock (restaurant but no beach) and Smith Cove (beach but no restaurant).

Is Smith Cove walkable from town?

Taxis are not recommended here as they are unregulated. Get a tour guide at port or they will pick you up and return you.

I just emailed this company and registered for the day you do not have to pay until you get there and you can lower your package from full day to basic which is now 55 dollars Pp. and they will pick you up from port and return you!!

What is included in their basic plan?

Great review!

I am also interested in the MSC YC particularly as they have the loyalty match program available. Sounds like a great new possibility for us to try a new cruise line but keep our current loyalty status (platinum) still even with a new company.

 

The MSC website is however horrible to navigate when trying to find a cruise fare. :D Well need to adjust to new sites. :D

Can you explain this loyalty match for me?

Looking forward to reading your report! We will be on this ship at the end of January.

We used a shared service through Rome Cabs Booking (Airport to flat in Rome/to ship/to hotel in Rome/to airport). Very professional, easy to deal with, and choice of pay ahead or Euros the day of.

We've done lots of HOHO buses in different cities. They have always accepted cash or card at the bus stop or by paying the driver.

 

 

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Thanks!

We will be in port from noon to 8 PM on a Monday. Will the South route run during that time? I can't figure it out from their site.

Do the HOHO operators accept credit cards for payment, or do you need to be prepared with Euros?

How do the shared tours work? I am interested in the Siena, San Gimignano, and Chianti tour. Has anyone done this or heard about it?

Thanks!

Thanks for the help Aimee!!! We are going to follow your itinerary and will let you know how we do.

Would love to know how you make out!

Our group of 10 used this company for all three of our Italy ports. They were less than half the price of the ship tours and we were able to accomplish so much more! The skip the line tickets were included in our negotiated price. The van to Rome had free wi-fi, which was a real treat for the long ride. All of the guides were informed and passionate about their jobs and country. I would not hesitate to use them again!

We were in Marseilles 8 Oct 16. We got off the NCL Epic and saw a huge queue for their shuttle. They were directing you to buy tickets and warned that it was a 15 minute ride, not walkable. We went into the information building to ask about the free shuttle. There were severla lines to buy the NCL tickets and a counter with two young women that were handing out local maps. We asked about the free shuttle and the woman kindly marked the map with the pick up sites for both the free map and the local #35. We followed the green line and stood by a kiosk/bench. A man came out and pantomimed a steering wheel and pointed through the gate to indicate that was our bus. We went through the gate and got on the bus labeled "special" which turned out to run every 30 minutes.

I am so grateful to those on the boards who shared this free shuttle!

I would really like to visit Codorniu but I am not interested in booking a bus tour. I know I can take a train from Barcelona, but how would I get there from the station? Is there anything else to see in the town while I am there?

Thanks in advance!