Schuddy

I am travelling from Lisbon to Manaus Brazil Oct 2017

Then on to Montevideo.

Hurtigruten does not off many shore tours ;and the few that are available are very very expensive.

I would like to hear from anyone who has done this trip.

I need some advice on what to do ashore.

I too was surprised to see how expensive are the shore excursions. This will be my third NCL cruise this year. After my first sticker shock, I decided I could probably find better deals myself with some research; and I did. I'll be pleased to share my findings with others who like to save money to use at the casino, at the Champagne bar, or at the nice NCL shops. I am saving a LOT and doing it ALL.

 

What I have done is to write directly to local excursion providers and asked for their excursions. i also asked if they would be willing to pick-up and drop off cruise passengers or identify an easy place nearby to meet. I also found additional low-cost options which in my opinion may even be better.

 

I have drafted a list of superb alternative excursion deals for each port. The difference is that you deal directly wit the excursion providers and remove the ship from the arrangement; thus much cheaper. The excursions are in English or Spanish. I will be coming along and can help anyone who does not speak Spanish.

 

I have also reserved an automatic transmission rental car in Puerto Montt for only app. $60 and designed an easy driving itinerary using the NCL excursions and other guidance from tour books; I will do more than the expensive excursions. I will be pleased to share it with anyone. And if you would like to join me and make it really cheap, let me know. I am tons of fun. It is a Fiat 500 automatic so cannot take more than a couple of friends. I booked the car on Orbitz and even earned Orbitz rewards; and it includes insurance.

 

As an example, the excursion in Puerto Madryn (Argentina) to Punto Tombo which s the penguin colony is US$167 if you book it with NCL. I have two local companies that serve Argentine tourists who would do the SAME excursion for AR$ 800 which is app. US$57 if you exchange your USD for the $15 peso (the blue dollar rate) rate in Buenos Aires before you board. Imagine your savings!

 

I will be pleased to send anyone their flyers and you can reach out to them directly. I have done all the leg-work and will share it with anyone who wants to save over US$100 each for this excursion.

 

The mark-ups for the other excursions are equally unconscionable. In Puerto Arenas the boat ride to the Penguin colony and transfers from the NCL dock to the departure dock is only US$80 (compared to US $167 with the cruise).

 

In Montevideo I found a superb Hop on and Off Bus with multiple language descriptions that stops with near the cruise port. I have taken this tour before and it is great. It costs only US$ 25 which is significantly less than the NCL excursion. Montevideo is a great small city with plenty of safe, cheap and nice places to eat along the Ramblas. I am taking the bus, so come along.

 

I also learned how to get from Valparaiso to the main bus terminal in Santiago for less than US$20, including a taxi ride from the Valparaiso cruise port to the Valparaiso bus terminal. The buses are very clean, safe, and very efficient. Chile is quite developed.

 

Let me know if any of the above interests you and I'll post more information or send it to you directly.

 

I am traveling SOLO on this cruise so please say HI when you see me! I am in stateroom 8073 (AFT). I am a recently retired American diplomat and enjoy doing things like this and saving my dollars to shop and eat.

 

Lari

Thank you so much for such a detailed contribution. We are 2 retired women and am a little worried about safety away from the NCL tours . I cannot see the date of your cruise . I am rather new at this sight . I have also checked the cost of tours and as we are on board for 34 days you can understand why I am looking at other options We depart Buenos Aires 26 March.2016

I will now get to work and follow up all your details . Thank you again.

My email is plympton72@gmail.com

Hello following on to this problem .

It is now 2 April and I still have not received my refund

It has been allocated to some one elses credit card .NCL. are doing nothing about it. They keep sending me the same reply . telling me it has been allocated to my credit card and for me to ring my bank.I have done this 3 times . NCL list the last 4 numbers and I reply this is not correct numbers.

As far as trying to get the refund for damaged laundry forget it ,nobody will reply. The whole thing has been so disappointing. I was under the false belief that as I was dealing with a public Listed American company I would be treated fairly. Would you believe I have booked and paid [ in EARLY JANUARY ]the full deposit for the cruise to South America in 2016. The amount was removed from my Credit card the very next day . No mistake there.

Thank you to everyone for your shared knowledge.

Just an update on my little problem.

NCL agreed on the 3 Feb 2015 to refund my deposit. They failed to get the travel agent to cooperate, after 3 weeks of correspondence.

On 10 feb I booked another cruise with the company [direct with the company over the phone] for March 2016 . I needed to book this far ahead as I wanted a certain cabin. I was then told sorry your deposit of $500 US has been already authorised and sent to our finance credit department so cannot be used. I had to pay over $1000 US which was charged to my credit card and appeared on the statement the next day. It is now the 12 March and I still have not received the refund on my credit card. I have sent 3 emails to the staff members concerned. Requesting details of the credit card that was supposed to have been used. With no reply and anyone.

I am looking forward to the 34 day South America cruise because of the wonderful Ports. It will be the last contact I have with NCL.

Thank you for this info. I am also passed using snail mail.I am very grateful to the members at Cruse Critic. So many well in form members. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED when I got off the phone from the travel agent. I will send an email today.

The cruise is listed on a had out received on the Norwegian Star as a 14 day and 20 day separate cruises, It is not part of a round the World Cruise..

I have spoken with the sales team , they offered great price deal but could not help with any accommodation or air . I Only want to use the reward payment as deposit on the cabin - as promised = If any other payment is required to cover other extras I am happy to comply.

Thank you for all your replies. I cannot locate a call free number from Australia , the one given for customer assistance , just goes to a recording . I have now located an address in Miami. I will write today . Wish me luck. But it is another experience -- REWARDS ARE NEVER WHAT THEY SEEM.

i PURCHASED $500 DEPOSIT FOR FUTURE CRUISES with Norwegian Cruise Company.

I visited the sales office on board The Norwegian Star in Sept. 2014. I held at the time an advert from Ecruising, travel [Australia ] package for a combined 3 cruise -34 day for a trip starting in March 2016 starting in Buenos Aires .I Was assured by the staff this could be used on any company cruise, anywhere , any time. As long as the cruise was over 6 days with in 4 years. Booking can be made through my travel agent professional . Today I rang to book this cruise and was told I could not use the prepaid deposit on this package. They have a set number of cabins on this tour and THEY WILL NOT TAKE MY PREPAID DEPOSIT. I am unable to book a combined Hotel / Flight / Cruise with Norwegian phone sales. Other USA websites are twice the price but most do not sell to Australians a complete package.:

I HAVE BE SOLD A lIE BY NORWEGIAN CRUISE COMPANY.:mad:

The beach is in Miami Beach. If you are arriving early in the day and want to enjoy nightlife, people watching, dining, etc. then focus on SB - taxi from MIA to SB will run about $32+ (cab will be more expensive if you stay farther north) or take the airport flyer bus from MIA for $2.35 each to SB. Taxi from SB to POM will run about $15+

 

Downtown is closer to POM - lots of good local dining options and larger chain hotels (Marriott, Doubletree, etc.). Taxi from MIA to downtown hotels will run about $25+ Check out the Hampton Inn Mary Brickell, Hyatt, Doubletree, Marriott, Intercontinental and Holiday Inn. Taxi the next day to POM will run about $11-12+

 

Book something now that you can live with and then keep shopping - prices will be high in January (you are not the only one trying toescape the winter!). Good luck! :)

Hi, just read your great reply. I will be in Miami for one day on Norwegian Star in Oct. Single woman with little cash . Where do you suggest I go to see ''MIAMI'

Thanks Schuddy

Hello, I have just read you request for a ""good ''SHUTTLE SERVICE . I am trying to locate transport from Norwegian Star in November to my Hotel at Huntingdon Beach , and then 2 days later to LA International. Did you succeed in lactating some one . I to have been to web sights but find it impossible to change their pre -set locations

Cheers

Hi [ first time I have made comment] . You have had enough cruises under your belt to give a true answer. My travel partner has cancelled now 25 days before we leave on NCL Star for Iceland. NCL now want to charge me a solo travel cost for the cabin which has been paid for in full. is this normal ? Or will they refund my friends part cost .If so I can understand that I will have to pay the difference. Not happy about now going Solo also.