Live from Cape Town: Jan 14-26, 2023. NCL Jade

[deefer]

Day 8 & 9 - Sea Days

 

So I am a bit behind with the "live" review - today is Day 11!   I had a hard time connecting to the internet when we were at sea - so now I have some catching up to do!

 

We met with Namibia immigration on Day 8 - we were in the first group so it took about 15 minutes.   There were only 2 officers doing the entry - not sure if it took longer for the later groups.

 

My focus on this review has been more about the ports  than the ship as there are some awesome reviews about the Jade already out there - but if you have any specific questions I'm on board for just about 48 hrs more and would be happy to find the answers for you.

 

Things I have noticed on this cruise:

 

We were informed about 1/2 way through the cruise the norovirus broke out.  No self serve in the buffet.   Thankfully we have had no issues - but I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to hand washing so I should stay safe!

 

We had to watch the safety video twice before the sailing but on board we had a full regular mandatory muster drill

 

and go through the entire thing again (in English & German).   On our last cruise when we watched the video we just had to key in at our muster station.- not sit and listen to the whole thing again.  Not a big deal - just an observation.

 

The fishes swimming forward in the hallway has been replaced.   I think it's a nicer look - but I do miss the fishes!

 

I mentioned it before - but will mention it again.  Except for some disembarkation tours - ALL NCL tours were sold out prior to us getting on the ship.   If you plan on doing NCL excursions just book them.  

 

In the suites you used to get a silk laundry bag - on this sailing it's a paper bag.   You also used to get individual shampoo/conditioner & soap.   Now (although a very good product) - you just pump out what you need.  Can't take the left overs home :).    Not a deal breaker - just an observation.

 

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 8

 

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 9

 

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Day 10 - Luderitz

 

This is a tender port - we had priority disembarkation  but they were calling for anyone ready to tender to go to deck 4 even before our first meeting time.  It seemed to go smoothly & quickly for all.

 

We joined fellow cruise critic members on a Ghost Town & Pennisula Tour with Heinz of Noextours - I would recommend this tour.  The cost was $2900 Namibia dollars (or Rand).  Cash at the end of the tour - no credit cards.

 

Our SUV held 6 people - the other had 11.  We were met were the tender docked.  I forgot to take pictures - but if I recall correctly there were some shops/restaurants in the area.

 

Our 1st stop is the Kolmanskop Ghost Town tour.   On our way there Heinz points out the National Park...very different looking than the National Parks  than the West Coast National Parks we are used to in Canada/USA.

 

We then arrive and tour the Ghost Town

 

There is lots of walking on this tour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the view from the top of the town ..... note the rocks.  It's a bit of a climb and quite rocky going up - coming down much less rock - mostly sand.

 

At the end of the Ghost town tour we had a very good cup of coffee at the coffee shop - food is also available

 

....they take several currencies & credit cards

 

and they have a gift shop

 

 

We then do a tour of the entire Peninsula- a map of what we covered

 

Just some of what we saw.....

Grosse Beach

 

Kleiner Bogenfels (arch rock)

 

Some different landscapes

 

Knochen Beach - where we stopped for coffee (or tea)  & cake

 

We saw the Dias Crooss and then the lighthouse

 

Sturmvogel Beach (which was this site on an old whaling factory)

 

 

 

Edited January 24, 2023 by deefer

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily -Day 10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Day 11 - Walvis Bay (and mandatory face to face exit with Namibia immigration)

 

Today we did a private tour (just the 2 of us) of Walvis Bay & Swakopmund.

We used Awesome Chapters and work with Every Vorster to coordinate this tour.  Cost was 3600 Rand total for the 2 of us - paid by credit card at the end of the tour but they said they would also take US dollars. They have other tours available.  Would recommend this company.

 

The port itself is again industrial - and smelled funky.  Apparently it is near a fish cannery.

 

We started by driving around Walvis Bay.  Saw lots of flamingos in the Meersing Lagoon

 

Some beautiful homes in this area

 

We went all around Walvis Bay and got a good sense of the town/it's history.

 

We then drove to their salt mines (where they mine the salt from the sea).  Explained how we get sea salt.- pretty cool.

 

In this area the have some smaller sand dunes (still quite big) and we had some fun driving over them - quite steep going down!

 

We then head to Swakopmund - about 30km away.   Swakopmund & Walvis Bay were both very clean (and seemed like very safe) towns.  Walvis Bay reminded me of Pheonix (but not land locked) - and Swakopmund of Fullerton, Orange County CA.

 

Swakopmund 

 

We stopped and did some shopping - bought a handmade small area rug!

 

We stopped to learn a bit about the steam engine car that used to pull goods in the 1890s

 

And then walked around the crystal gallery

 

 

 

We ended our 5 hour tour by stopping by Dune #7 - the biggest dune in the area.   We could have hiked up .....but passed.

 

We got back to the ship and met with face to face with Namibia Immigration.   I'm guessing the line around 2p was about a 30 minute wait.

 

The form that needs to be filled out

 

All and all an enjoyable day!

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2023 by deefer

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 11

 

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Day 12 - Sea Day

 

My plans to catch up on my live review were thwarted by ROUGH seas. Vomit bags were out but fortunately I did not need them.  Just laid around the room! (That is why I am in the airport lounge doing day 11 & 12s updates!)

 

We did get information on how to disembark for the next day

 

 

 

 

 

As our flight was not leaving until 8pm we decided to do an NCL excursion with airport drop off ( I will review in another post), this was our disembark instruction

 

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 12

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Hello almost a year later!  

 

The advantage of doing a review is when you want to reminisce about your amazing vacation you just have to scroll through your posts.  That is what I was doing today when I realized I never finished.  My plan was to finish up when we got home but I guess after our 30hr travel time (to the west coast of the USA) and life/work getting in the way it slipped my mind.  So here is the finish ..... better late than never.

 

Our return flight out of Cape Town was on United - it departed around 8pm.  The ticket counter opened for check in around 4pm so we decided to do a shore excursion with airport drop off.  Our visit was going to be to table mountain,

 

 

The cost of this tour to Table Mountain was $109pp.  Total cost for the 2 of us after our 15% discount and $50 shore excursion credit was $135.30.

 

Our meeting time was 9am.  Although organzed there were 3 buses doing this tour and with all the other excursions meeting in the theatre, it was a bit chaotic.  We finally left around 1030am and arrived at Table Mountain at 1115am. 

 

 

The lines were very long - we finally got to the top of the mountain around 1240pm.  Almost a 90 minute wait in line.

 

If you do this on your own - your wait time would probably be shorter as you would have gotten there before all the buses arrived (If I recall there were about 7-8 buses in total).

 

Here were the ticket prices for 2023 if you were to do it on your own,

 

You get on the the gondola to get to the top (and same of the return)

 

There is no bad spot on the gondola as it slowly spins so everybody has good views.   I have never inserted a video before .... hopefullly it works.  This is from the gondola... I am standing still. 

 

 

We get to the top and we have about 40 minutes to walk around.  If you have a lot a time you can grab a bite

 

There is a gift shop where we did some browsing

 

 

We only had about 30-40 minutes on the top of the mountain - we just wanted to see the views so for us that was okay.  But if you want more leisurely time/have some lunch I would book this on your own and not as a shore excursion.  

 

Some views from the top ..... really beautiful. 

 

 

We get back on the bus around 115pm and get a quick tour of Cape Town on route to the Airport.  The guide points out some buildings that have historic significance.    We arrive at the airport just before 3pm so we have about an hour wait until the ticket counter opens for us to check in.  

 

Would I recommend this shore excursion?  I'm torn.  

 

There was a lot of just sitting around & waiting.  90 minutes to initially get on the bus, 90 minutes to get to the top of the mountain and we were dropped off 5 hours before our flight.

 

If you only have your disembarkation day to explore Cape Town I would not recommend this tour.  I would book something on your own.  You can see a lot in the 5 hours we just sat around.  It was okay for us as we had seen a lot of the Capetown area prior to the cruise.

 

Loved visiting South Africa - would highly recommend visiting this part of the world.   I believe NCL is there again in Jan of 2024 and wish all on those cruises a fantastic time!     Happy to answer any questions!

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by deefer