Odyssey Feb 23 SYD-SIN Private tours

[MsSommelier]

Hello, I am hoping someone that has been on a similar itinerary could please give me some feedback on shore excursions, esp. in Indonesia. We usually prefer to make our own arrangements, where that is possible/practical.

 

I did some searches and got a couple of ideas about a driver, but would love to hear more details. It also appears that Borobodur could be done independently, since this is now an overnight on our itinerary?

 

Last but not least - for Australia - we will be spending a few days in Sydney beforehand (first trip there). Any favorite spots to taste/buy wine?

 

Thanks much!

[Roxburgh]

Hello, I am hoping someone that has been on a similar itinerary could please give me some feedback on shore excursions, esp. in Indonesia. We usually prefer to make our own arrangements, where that is possible/practical.

 

I did some searches and got a couple of ideas about a driver, but would love to hear more details. It also appears that Borobodur could be done independently, since this is now an overnight on our itinerary?

 

Last but not least - for Australia - we will be spending a few days in Sydney beforehand (first trip there). Any favorite spots to taste/buy wine?

 

Thanks much!

 

Sydney wine tasting .... the concierge at our hotel booked us on a tour to the Hunter Valley which was outstanding. It was just 8 of us plus driver in a Mercedes mini-van and we visited several wineries, plus a small zoo to see Aussie fauna, plus a 'cheeserie' plus a chocolate store. It was a great day out!!!!

[jenidallas]

I'm doing a private overnight to Borobudur in November (on the Singapore to Bali Odyssey sailing). I'll have a review of it with details up on my blog afterwards.

[MrsWaldo]

The only choice doable in a day trip for wineries is the Hunter. Make sure you are on a small tour that avoids the huge cellar doors. You need to have at least one of the Mount View area wineries on the list. Try these guys http://countrytrails.com.au

 

If you can't fit a wine tour in there is The Wine Odyssey in the rocks which does flights of wines and in the food hall at David Jones they have a small glass/pour . You purchase a card and can put small amounts in to taste. Pretty sure wine odyssey had this too but I tend to go in there for the "package"

[frantic36]

The only choice doable in a day trip for wineries is the Hunter. Make sure you are on a small tour that avoids the huge cellar doors. You need to have at least one of the Mount View area wineries on the list. Try these guys http://countrytrails.com.au

 

If you can't fit a wine tour in there is The Wine Odyssey in the rocks which does flights of wines and in the food hall at David Jones they have a small glass/pour . You purchase a card and can put small amounts in to taste. Pretty sure wine odyssey had this too but I tend to go in there for the "package"

 

Hmmmm good to know about this. I will check them out next time I visit Sydney.

 

I agree with doing a Hunter Valley wine tour if you can.......it is a lovely part of Australia.

[palladian]

We did the overnight Borobudor trip privately two years ago i will caution you that the roads are horrid from the port of Samarang the ship tour will use police escorts to get through the traffic. and will arrive there hours before any private car. it can be done hope the ship departs late the second day.

[jenidallas]

We did the overnight Borobudor trip privately two years ago i will caution you that the roads are horrid from the port of Samarang the ship tour will use police escorts to get through the traffic. and will arrive there hours before any private car. it can be done hope the ship departs late the second day.

 

Our itinerary has us leaving Semarang after we dock on day one - we'll head to Jogjakarta and see the Water Castle and Prambanan and then get into Bobobudur late to overnight at the Manohara (on the grounds at Borobudur). On day two, we will get up at 5:30 am to be at the top for sunrise. After that, we'll go back to the hotel for breakfast and head back to the ship. My hope is that even with the terrible Indonesian roads, we'll be back onboard in time for a late lunch in the Colonnade and some time by the pool.

 

The ship's tour starts at 6:30 am and is blocked for 9.5 hours. When I chatted with Seabourn's tour desk for a detailed timeline and compared it to the Abercrombie & Kent overnight, it appeared that we'd be back on the ship while they are still touring Borobudur.

 

Does your experience suggest otherwise? Did you use the same operator?

[MsSommelier]

Thanks to all for the responses so far. I am wondering if those of you who did the trip to Indonesia last year would mind weighing in on your experiences? (I found previous postings (2013) from Clarky, La Jolla Lass, Paula JK, Buccaneer_1 and GB Travelers.)

 

Odyssey overnights in Benoa and Semarang. Does this make Borobodur more do-able privately?

 

She is in Celukan Bawang, Bali from 8 AM to 6 PM. I remember Clarky said that the snorkeling was great near Menjangan. Seabourn offers a 7-1/2 hour tour that including some snorkeling, but also a 'short' rain forest trek. Would a private tour work in this case or better to go with the ship tour? Weather permitting, we really enjoy as much snorkeling as we can get!

 

I know I have some time yet before the Feb 23 departure, but I like to try to get things organized in advance. Many thanks.