Seaborne gypsy

Start now, never too early the guides get booked up a long time in advance especially for teh biigger ships.

Hi Jason we are looking to book a tour to volunteer point in November we have heard back from 3 organisers Wayne McCormick, Estancia and Patrick Watts. Of the 3 Patrick's tour is much more expensive. Do they basically offer the same experience? Would you recommend one above another?

I would be happy to try and answer them for you as I live in Stanley. I actually registered to cruise critic to find info about Disney cruises as we are taking the children on a trip in January, and just had a look in this forum out of curiosity!

 

Hope I can be of some help to those of you planning a future trip :)

Hi JasonWe are planning a tour to volunteer point. Have heard back from 3 operators, Wayne McCormick, Estancia and Patrick Watts. Patrick's tour though reviewed a lot is quite abit more expensive than the other 2. Do they all do the same thing would you recommend one above the other?

Regards Linda

Yes Event 2nd day starts around 5 from memory

Sorry forgot to give name of Patrick's company it is Maohi Nui but lots of others on trip advisor who do similar things

Seaborne gypsy, I'd love to hear your recommendations on excursions. We are going on windspirit July 20 next year.

Hi posted reply

Hi

The 2 excursions we enjoyed the most were

1. Huahine we organised an island circuit tour with Poetaina tours at pensionpoetaina@mail.pf . It included 2 snorkelling stops, pearl farms, sacred eels and lunch on tables in the water after a lesson on how to prepare island food. What made it so special were the people running it so funny and friendly. Very genuine people who have the islanders sense of fun. Lots of little extras like the rum punch and they Gave the ladies vine headresses so we could decorate them with flowers. They will pick you up from the tender dock in a decorated outrigger canoe.

2. The other excursion we very much enjoyed was the shark and stingray encounter on Bora Bora. We did it as a day trip with motu lunch ( pig in pit and French champagne ) with Patrick he is well known in Bora Bora. Trouble is he has become so popular tends to charge according to numbers. First time we went it was $130 but worth it. when we inquired the last time he wanted to charge $500 far to much. You can just do the shark and stingray encounter without lunch. Maybe enquire with him to get a price but if too expensive. I would try one of the other operators on trip advisor. But don't miss the shark and stingray encounter . It will be a highlight.

Thanks so much for all the great info and for your e-mail address. We'll be on the February 3 cruise and I'm in charge of planning the tours for my group of eight. They better appreciate it! Glad to know the motu event in Bora Bora is on the 2nd night. How strict are they with bringing alcohol on board? We will be bringing our 2 bottles of wine. Someone suggested I purchase our wine in LA at the duty free before our flight. Are there places in close proximity to the port for purchasing wine? Thanks for listing your e-mail address. I may have more questions for you.

We came from Australia so purchased duty free during stopover in NZ. Not sure about purchasing in Tahiti when you arrive, it is a very small airport, maybe best to purchase in US?

We were travelling as 2 couples and by accident all 4 bottles we purchased were in one persons bag. Nothing was said when we got onboard so I don't think they check very throughly but that being said there aren't really any common areas away from the bars on board where you can bring out your own bottle and be aware that corkage is $15 a bottle. I brought a glass of wine with me of an evening when I came up from my cabin. We ended up taking 2 bottles away with us at the end of the cruise which wasn't a bad thing as we drunk them during our post cruise stay at a hotel. Alcohol on board is relatively cheap but expensive elsewhere in the Tahiti resorts. The friends we were travelling with purchased a drink package onboard and for them it was good value our bill at the end was $200 less but I think next time we would take a drink package as it seemed just so much nicer to order what you want when you want and not think about the price.

When you get to the stage of organising excursions let me know as we have been twice to Tahiti and 2 excursions for us definitely stood out. Don't forget not to book anything on your day in Tahaa as the day on the motu organised by Windspirit is a great day free with yoga and massages on the beach. Lots of water sports and snorkelling from the motu.

I guess it was because we tried to leave our bags before 1pm. I think they are happy for you to leave your bags after 1pm and then explore Papeete and go through check in later. Before 1 pm they were just not ready to take bags.

We will be sailing on the Spirit Jan. 6, 2017. This will be our first Windstar cruise but have sailed a number of times on larger cruise ships.

 

Could someone please explain the embarkation procedures at Peepeete, Tahiti.

1. Is there a building/dock that we check into prior to boarding or do we check in on the ship.

2. Do we drop off our luggage prior to boarding or carry them with us. Even large suitcases.

3. Is there a security screening prior to boarding or when you actually come aboard. For both individuals and luggage.

 

I am sure I will have more questions but have found a lot of answers already thru these threads. And for that thank you.

Hi you are going to love the cruise. We just came back from a trip in August.

Embarkation is 1pm and they will not hold your bags beforehand. We just sat at a cafe opposite the port with our bags and waited. In retrospect would stay at hotel longer. Also the large local market in Papeete is just 2 blocks easy walk from the port. If one wants to mind the bags and the other shop.

Don't know if you are up to organising shore excursions yet but this info might help. The day you are moored in Tahaa the ship rents a motu and organises BBQ and lots of beach and water sport activities that day so don't book a shore excursion for Tahaa, it was a great day!

The special event motu day in Bora Bora is on the 2nd day in Bora Bora.

We always organise local excursions and in Huanine Poetaine circle island full day tour was fantastic. One of the best we have ever done.

You tender to all the ports except Raitaea nothing much in port so would definitely book an excursion there before you arrive. Local operators will pick you up from the docks. If you have anymore questions I am happy to answer them lpride@optusnet.com.au

The Windspirit is beautiful one of those cruises you would like to return to!

Many thanks Reebster, we have just started the planning stage and you tips for the shore excursions are very much appreciated

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

Hi Lari

We are going on the cruise from Santiago to BA in November 2017 and would very much like to benefit from some of your knowledge in booking local tour operators. Would it be possible to send some of the links to the excursions you found. Also we will be in Santiago a week before the cruise do you think it will be easy to book longer excursions around chiles north or wine districts. My email address is lpride@optusnet.com.au

Did you organise your trip locally when you arrived?

Is it easy to organise flights and excursions from Santiago to places like the atacama desert and Easter island.

Is it easy to organise local flights and excursions in chile from Santiago to places like the atacama desert and Easter island

Hi can anyone recommend a 4 to 7 day cruise out of fort Lauderdale

Hi I am a newby to cruising will be holidaying in Florida April/may can anyone recommend a 4 to 7 day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale.