Africa pre-cruise on Nautica

[pauon]

We will be cruising on the Nautica and the trip starts in Cape Town Africa in 2026.  Has anyone done a pre-trip 3-4 Oceania pre-cruise though the company?  Not sure if they offer one or should I plan it on my own.  Rather go through them if it is offered.  Thanks in advance and happy sailing !

[Mrs f.]

56 minutes ago, pauon said:

We will be cruising on the Nautica and the trip starts in Cape Town Africa in 2026.  Has anyone done a pre-trip 3-4 Oceania pre-cruise though the company?  Not sure if they offer one or should I plan it on my own.  Rather go through them if it is offered.  Thanks in advance and happy sailing !

Our Riviera cruise ends in Capetown.   We want to have at least a week there. So much to see and do. We found a private guide.  We've previously done O prec cruises..

[boerneDQ]

We did a pre-cruise excursion with O in Capetown in 2017 or 2018.  It included a game drive in a wildlife preserve one day and a wine country tour/tasting/lunch the other day.  Gave us a good taste of what we would see and do on the cruise.

[Acrusa]

22 hours ago, pauon said:

We will be cruising on the Nautica and the trip starts in Cape Town Africa in 2026.  Has anyone done a pre-trip 3-4 Oceania pre-cruise though the company?  Not sure if they offer one or should I plan it on my own.  Rather go through them if it is offered.  Thanks in advance and happy sailing !

We have done pre and post excursion with O in the last 15 years 

You should look up cruises that O is doing in  2024 and 2025 to Cape Town they will list all the pre and post excursions with prices 

[Flatbush Flyer]

22 hours ago, pauon said:

We will be cruising on the Nautica and the trip starts in Cape Town Africa in 2026.  Has anyone done a pre-trip 3-4 Oceania pre-cruise though the company?  Not sure if they offer one or should I plan it on my own.  Rather go through them if it is offered.  Thanks in advance and happy sailing !

Quite expensive to do pre-cruise through O. Their hotel charge is per person- not per room!!!

That said, in the past we’ve used the Table Bay Hotel (O has used it too). Walk to the ship at Victoria & Alfred Harbor. However, Table Bay will be closed for major renovation through most of 2025.

We’re doing an O cruise from CPT in May/June and I can tell you that hotel costs there have skyrocketed! We’ve booked the Cape Grace (a Fairmont) for a pretty penny! But, it’s a great hotel and also walkable to the ship and restaurants/wine shop/etc.

[pauon]

6 hours ago, boerneDQ said:

We did a pre-cruise excursion with O in Capetown in 2017 or 2018.  It included a game drive in a wildlife preserve one day and a wine country tour/tasting/lunch the other day.  Gave us a good taste of what we would see and do on the cruise.

Thank you !  We found the same tour, by exiting our booking. Would you do it again?  Was it worth it?  Can you tell me how many people were on it?  Thanks in advance !

[pauon]

1 hour ago, Acrusa said:

We have done pre and post excursion with O in the last 15 years 

You should look up cruises that O is doing in  2024 and 2025 to Cape Town they will list all the pre and post excursions with prices 

thank you !  I could not see them in our booking, so we logged out and could see them!  I hope I don't need to do another post to get feedback, hahahaha !

[boerneDQ]

I probably would take it again.  We got a deal as it was offered as a free inclusion on our cruise.  There were about 90 folks who were on it and we were divided into 3 buses.  Each bus stayed together the two days with the same guide.

 

[boerneDQ]

We also did an O Overland trip on this cruise where we left the ship in Richard’s Bay and return in Durban. It was to the Phinda Game Preserve and was Fabulous!!!!

[no fuss travel]

We spent a bit more than a  week before the cruise in Africa.  Used an African tour company and had a fabulous time.  Rates were more reasonable than using Oceania.  We went to Victoria Falls for 3 nights, one night in Johannesburg, 3 nights in Sabi Sands, and 2 nights in CapeTown.  We were at the hotel that Oceania was using and our cost was half of what Oceania charged.

[osandomir]

Some years ago we did overnight on our own from Durban to Port Elizabeth. Booked with Thanda Game Reserve including transportation from / to the ship. It appeared to be a Marriott property and also was bookable through their website at that time. Wonderful accommodation and amazing two days private safari experience.

[pauon]

17 hours ago, boerneDQ said:

We also did an O Overland trip on this cruise where we left the ship in Richard’s Bay and return in Durban. It was to the Phinda Game Preserve and was Fabulous!!!!

We will be looking for this one !

[Queen of DaNile]

We did an "included" post cruise stay for 3 nights in CT and the best thing about it was having a convenient hotel as a base to tour on our own. If I had paid extra money for it, I would have been deeply disappointed.

The Aquila "safari" was a dismal affair with animals having been brought in from other locations to create a zoo-like park. The winery tour included a nice lunch but when the AC on the bus broke down, there was a near mutiny as some guests wanted to return to the hotel immediately and skip some of the planned stops.

There are lots of options in South Africa and you are probably better off making your own arrangements.

 

[Harters]

36 minutes ago, Queen of DaNile said:

The Aquila "safari" was a dismal affair

Yes, you  do need to do some research about the particular game reserve. Some are much better organised than others - and with much greater likelihood of seeing all of the "Big Five". We've spent two holidays in South Africa, both of two weeks duration. The first, an escorted group tour, was very wildlife focussed and included a two night stay at a lodge on a privately owned game reserve (Mala Mala). Most lodges operate within government owned reserves which means the vehicles are required to keep to the roads. In the private reserve the vehicles can go off road to get closer to animals. The ranger spotted a herd of elephants making their way down the slope of a small river valley. He was able to drive round to the other  side and park. Within a few minutes, the herd came up the valley and passed by our Land Rover, on both sides less than 50 metres from us. It felt we were surrounded by the animals. I don't think I'll ever forget just how wonderful that was. 

 

Our second trip was in the province of KwaZulu Natal - inland from Durban. It's main theme was the military history of the area, so we got to visit important battle sites. But, again, there was a two night stay at a safari lodge. Simply not as good as the first - not as many animals, in both number and variety. The trip had been put together by our TA and included our own private driver who moved us between locations but also acted as our guide on some days

 

But there's much to do around Cape Town itself. Table Mountain - assuming good weather. Robben Island. The Cape itself. The penguins at Boulder Beach. Kirstenbosch Gardens - a must for any keen gardener. And the V & A Waterfront is worth sometime, although it is very, very touristy. We also did a tour of one of the "townships" which felt quite edgy but not unsafe - visiting a school, a traditional drinking den and a shamen - all designed to persuade you to part with a few rand. It also included a visit to the apartheid museum

Edited August 21 by Harters

[ssawjo]

21 hours ago, boerneDQ said:

We also did an O Overland trip on this cruise where we left the ship in Richard’s Bay and return in Durban. It was to the Phinda Game Preserve and was Fabulous!!!!

Agree, Phinda Game Preserve is wonderful!

[ssawjo]

1 hour ago, Queen of DaNile said:

We did an "included" post cruise stay for 3 nights in CT and the best thing about it was having a convenient hotel as a base to tour on our own. If I had paid extra money for it, I would have been deeply disappointed.

The Aquila "safari" was a dismal affair with animals having been brought in from other locations to create a zoo-like park. The winery tour included a nice lunch but when the AC on the bus broke down, there was a near mutiny as some guests wanted to return to the hotel immediately and skip some of the planned stops.

There are lots of options in South Africa and you are probably better off making your own arrangements.

 

Totally agree with post.  It is much cheaper to do things out of CT on your own.  Skip Aquila because it is a joke.  Better to go to a "real" game preserve for a real safari experience.

[Acrusa]

The OP is talking about a pre cruise ship excursion. For peace of mind the excursion will arrive at the cruise port  on time and know the ship will not leave without them.That's worth the price.

[Queen of DaNile]

3 hours ago, Acrusa said:

The OP is talking about a pre cruise ship excursion. For peace of mind the excursion will arrive at the cruise port  on time and know the ship will not leave without them.That's worth the price.

I believe they were asking about doing an Oceania pre-excursion vs doing something on their own.Those of us who have been to Cape Town were just sharing our experiences.

[osandomir]

3 hours ago, Acrusa said:

The OP is talking about a pre cruise ship excursion. For peace of mind the excursion will arrive at the cruise port  on time and know the ship will not leave without them.That's worth the price.

It’s easy to schedule pre-cruise excursion on your own so that there’s no danger to miss the ship. Also, it’s better to book a private safari vs the ship’s sponsored at the government owned preserves where the vehicles aren’t allowed to go off road. Much more chances to see wildlife. But of cause some people “for the peace of mind” would always prefer everything done through the cruise line.

[Sailnsurf]

Pauon,

We emigrated from SA to Australia in 1985 but have returned from time to time to visit family and friends including my brother who lives in the Cape, so perhaps I can give you a South African perspective.

I agree with Harters #14 above but I strongly recommend a trip via the Stellenbosch region to the Franschoek (French Corner) valley with a visit to one or more of the really good and beautiful wineries en route. The French Huguenots settled inthe valley in the late 1600s - hence the name.The view from the top of the pass exiting the valley is exceptional. There are so many beautiful places in the World which cannot truly be compared but this is my favourite place. A route back via the coast would be well worthwhile. I am sure there will be day tours covering all of this.

The beauty of the Cape is well known and I would say that you would appreciate lengthening your pre-cruise stay for as long as possible. I do not have experience of current hotel prices but with the weakness of the Rand ( I remember when it used to be stronger than the US$) you will find restaurants, many of which are very good, to be very inexpensive and you will generally get very good value with most things. 

 

I have no doubt you will enjoy your time in CT. But I would add that you will be better to do organised tours for any activity involving some travel.

[Harters]

7 hours ago, Sailnsurf said:

A route back via the coast would be well worthwhile. I am sure there will be day tours covering all of this.

Certainly there were day tours from Cape Town along what's marketed as the "Garden Route" along the coast. On our escorted trip, we had three nights staying along the Route, at Knysna, before we ended the trip in CT.  

[pauon]

13 hours ago, Sailnsurf said:

Pauon,

We emigrated from SA to Australia in 1985 but have returned from time to time to visit family and friends including my brother who lives in the Cape, so perhaps I can give you a South African perspective.

I agree with Harters #14 above but I strongly recommend a trip via the Stellenbosch region to the Franschoek (French Corner) valley with a visit to one or more of the really good and beautiful wineries en route. The French Huguenots settled inthe valley in the late 1600s - hence the name.The view from the top of the pass exiting the valley is exceptional. There are so many beautiful places in the World which cannot truly be compared but this is my favourite place. A route back via the coast would be well worthwhile. I am sure there will be day tours covering all of this.

The beauty of the Cape is well known and I would say that you would appreciate lengthening your pre-cruise stay for as long as possible. I do not have experience of current hotel prices but with the weakness of the Rand ( I remember when it used to be stronger than the US$) you will find restaurants, many of which are very good, to be very inexpensive and you will generally get very good value with most things. 

 

I have no doubt you will enjoy your time in CT. But I would add that you will be better to do organised tours for any activity involving some travel.

Thank you for that perspective.  It it sounds like you miss it and we can't wait to see it.

[ginabab]

We did a bunch of things.

Pre-cruise

Johannesburg

Botswana, Victoria Falls, Zambezi River

Kruger Safari

Post-cruise

Stay & Tours in Capetown

 

We had help from a local travel agent for our pre-cruise experiences.

 

It took a lot of time to figure this all out and it was awesome.

 

[Harters]

7 minutes ago, ginabab said:

Kruger Safari

I reckon the Kruger National Park is probably the best area for a safari. Mala Mala, which I mentioned upthread, shares an unfenced border with the Park. Not much help if your base is Cape Town though, as it's nearly 2000km north of CT. 

[mchell810]

On 8/20/2024 at 4:12 PM, no fuss travel said:

We spent a bit more than a  week before the cruise in Africa.  Used an African tour company and had a fabulous time.  Rates were more reasonable than using Oceania.  We went to Victoria Falls for 3 nights, one night in Johannesburg, 3 nights in Sabi Sands, and 2 nights in CapeTown.  We were at the hotel that Oceania was using and our cost was half of what Oceania charged.

 

If you don't mind: will yo ushare the name of the company you used (and what year did you do your tour?)  Thanks,