Iles du Salut (French Guiana)

Viking has not posted any shore excursions for this port (now 60 days out) Has anyone stopped here with Viking Ocean or other cruise line?

There are no “guided tours” but rather a do-it-yourself walk around the path/trail and a look into some ofthe buildings and prison cells,

FYI, the Yellow Fever Vaccine is required.

Trip Advisor says the same thing about self guided walking tours, however the information sighs are in French. I guess we will find out.

Viking has not posted any shore excursions for this port (now 60 days out) Has anyone stopped here with Viking Ocean or other cruise line?

Biggest question is whether or not you need a Yellow Fever vaccination within 10 yrs. There is some info that says the authorities require this despite the WHO stating one vaccination is good for life. Never mind that at least for the near future the licensed YF vaccine is not available in the US, and supplies of the substitute are hard to find.

We were just there on a Regent cruise. As has been mentioned, there will probably be no scheduled excursion. You will tender to Ile Royale, where you walk around on your own. We were given a map (in French) by Regent, which shows the various buildings and ruins. By the way, there is a hotel, restaurant and gift shop on the island.

We were just there on a Regent cruise. As has been mentioned, there will probably be no scheduled excursion. You will tender to Ile Royale, where you walk around on your own. We were given a map (in French) by Regent, which shows the various buildings and ruins. By the way, there is a hotel, restaurant and gift shop on the island.

Were you asked by the local authorities, or anyone for that matter, to produce the YF vaccination certificate to be allowed onto the island?

Were you asked by the local authorities, or anyone for that matter, to produce the YF vaccination certificate to be allowed onto the island?

No. Our cruise included Brazil and a trip down the Amazon. We presented our yellow fever vaccination certificates at check in in Miami, and the agent promptly handed them right back to us. We were not asked for the certificate at any point, or at any stops.

After all the worries we didn't get to stop at iles du salut due to logistics issues in Barbados costing us over 6 hrs. There never was any check or discussion of yf shots before the stop was cancelled this morning

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I am sorry you did not have a chance to make that stop.

So VO did not check to be sure you had a YF card or waiver when you initially boarded the ship?

Sorry you did not get a chance to see Devil's Island. Perhaps on a future cruise...

When we called there earlier this month, our captain announced that they are only able to tender passengers about 50% of the time due to the very strong currents between the three islands. In fact, during our call, tendering was suspended several times during the day. It is apparently a roll-of-the-dice on each visit.

Sorry you did not get a chance to see Devil's Island. Perhaps on a future cruise...

 

When we called there earlier this month, our captain announced that they are only able to tender passengers about 50% of the time due to the very strong currents between the three islands. In fact, during our call, tendering was suspended several times during the day. It is apparently a roll-of-the-dice on each visit.

Interesting. If that statistic is accurate, and I have no reason to believe that it is not, then it seems a bit strange to have this a standard port itinerary on several lines. I know it is also part of HAL’s itinerary, as well as Oceania and Seabourne’s...

Interesting. If that statistic is accurate, and I have no reason to believe that it is not, then it seems a bit strange to have this a standard port itinerary on several lines. I know it is also part of HAL’s itinerary, as well as Oceania and Seabourne’s...

Yes, I was a little surprised when our captain made that comment. This was on a Regent ship, and she may have been referring only to Regent's previous sailings and not all cruise ships in general. However, it is a fact the seas are very choppy around these islands... part of the reason they located the prison there, so as to discourage escape attempts.

That is correct. Never checked in any way at any time. Were not requiring it to get tender assignments before it was all cancelled

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There are no “guided tours” but rather a do-it-yourself walk around the path/trail and a look into some ofthe buildings and prison cells,

 

FYI, the Yellow Fever Vaccine is required.

The French Guiana site says babies under 1 year of age have to have the vaccination and under 9 years it is recommended. Not required for adults.

the CDC website says: for French Guiana

Yellow Fever Required for arriving travelers from all countries if traveler is ≥1 year of age.

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age.

Note: Yellow fever vaccine availability in the United States is currently limited. If you need to be vaccinated before your trip, you may need to travel some distance and schedule your appointment well in advance. Find the clinic nearest you.

the CDC website says: for French Guiana

 

Yellow Fever Required for arriving travelers from all countries if traveler is ≥1 year of age.

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months of age.

Note: Yellow fever vaccine availability in the United States is currently limited. If you need to be vaccinated before your trip, you may need to travel some distance and schedule your appointment well in advance. Find the clinic nearest you.

WHO also states the requirement. I would not count on visiting without one.