Vallarta Online

[TrayceeJ]

I found another site that does not appear to be directly contracted to the cruise lines. They are called Vallartaonline.com. Has anyone used this company? What was your experience? Thank you for your input! Here is a website for their Las Caletas excursion.

 

http://www.vallartaonline.com/tours/Caletas/

[sueandkent]

TrayceeJ - when we went to Caletas we were told that Las Caletas is owned by Vallarta Adventures and only they go there. That was a year ago so perhaps that has changed however, I would highly recommend booking your tour through Vallarta Adventures (which is then through Princess as you can't book with Vallarta Adventures directly if you are on a Princess cruise) they are really good and worth every penny. Las Caletas is by far the best excursion we have been on on any of our vacations and we have done a few with Vallarta Adventures and find them a great tour company.

Sue

__________________________________

Diamond Princess 11/6/04

[bzy1]

Tracy,

Vallarta Online is very reputable. They are authorized to sell Vallarta Adventures as well as everything else they sell, including reservations for a majority of the hotels. They are located in Vallarta across from the Sheraton Hotel and have the biggest and best Cyber Cafe/Internet Cafe on the Bay.

I worked there for a year and a half as the Editor, so I can attest to their professionalism and their being 100% legit.

It is also an excellent website for information about the area. Check out the articles in the SPOTLIGHT section, there is a first timers guide, and info on going around on your own.

[TrayceeJ]

Tracy,

Vallarta Online is very reputable. They are authorized to sell Vallarta Adventures as well as everything else they sell, including reservations for a majority of the hotels. They are located in Vallarta across from the Sheraton Hotel and have the biggest and best Cyber Cafe/Internet Cafe on the Bay.

I worked there for a year and a half as the Editor, so I can attest to their professionalism and their being 100% legit.

It is also an excellent website for information about the area. Check out the articles in the SPOTLIGHT section, there is a first timers guide, and info on going around on your own.

Thank you for the info. One question....Will they sell tours to Las Caletas to passengers from Princess Cruises? I have been told that Vallarta Adventures will only let passengers book through Princess and won't give the discounted rates on their website. Does Vallarta Online do the same thing?

 

Thanks again!

Tracy

[bzy1]

Well, Vallarta Adventures runs the show..so if you reserve through Vallarta Online, they have to tell Vallarta Adventures you are on a cruise ship, then Vallarta Adventures says:They need to book through the ship.

 

So, basically, anyone can sell you a ticket, but once they call it in to Vallarta Adventures to make the reservation, Vallarta Adventures will tell the agency that "you, the cruise ship passenger" must reserve through the ship and they will not confirm the ticket.

 

In essence, the cruise ships want their clients, as well as the tour providers to reserve your tours through the cruise ships as you are their passenger and the cruise ships receive commissions from you, the passengers. It is like that in most travel arenas. If you buy a guided tour, or escorted tour vacation, all additional tours not included in your package must be purchased through the company you are traveling with as you are their client. (Like a guided tour to Bali or South America for example)

 

Since Vallarta Adventures provides a majority of tours in Vallarta, and they work direct with the cruise ships, they request you book direct with the ship as that is how their alliance is set up.

 

Hope this helps :)

[TrayceeJ]

Well, Vallarta Adventures runs the show..so if you reserve through Vallarta Online, they have to tell Vallarta Adventures you are on a cruise ship, then Vallarta Adventures says:They need to book through the ship.

 

So, basically, anyone can sell you a ticket, but once they call it in to Vallarta Adventures to make the reservation, Vallarta Adventures will tell the agency that "you, the cruise ship passenger" must reserve through the ship and they will not confirm the ticket.:)

We purchased our tickets from Vallartaonline.com and they placed the order with Vallarta Adventures directly. The tickets were at the Vallarta Adventures ticket booth at the dock under our names when we arrived. I presented the e-mail receipt from Vallarta Online at the ticket booth. They marked off our name from the "will call" list and gave us our boarding passes. We then walked to Boat IV and were on our way, along with those that purchased their excursion from Princess directly. We saved almost $100 dollars with very little inconvenience.

 

Tracy

[sunsetme]

anyone tried walking on a tour last minute with the tour provider?