lillulu

Aha, I had thought of your flight back as set in stone, too. So glad the hive-mind has come up with the perfect trip for you both! Enjoy!

LOL....I didn't know it but. If you fly on Southwest airlines you can change your flight without a penalty.(He knew this evidently, I didn't, I've never flown with them before). And it was so easy to do. I set it up today. We are actually going to fly back out of San Jose CA. Reason being is, it was the cheapest of the 3 airports by San Fran.

So, I rented a car to drive from San Diego to San Francisco. We are going to take my daughter to the San Diego Zoo. Unless we change our minds and see something different. (Any recommended places to see or stay in the area?) Then take our time driving down the coast.

Going to go to Alcatraz and to see the Golden gate bridge. I have from November 3rd when we get off the ship until November 6th to see what I want. That gives us 4 days to see and do stuff. We fly out at 1:05 PM back to FT Lauderdale November 7th.. And we will drive back to GA November 8th.

I'm so excited! I can wait to set sail!

Some parts of it, down south, are near enough to the ocean to see it, but above Camp Pendleton and San Onofre, the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) splits off and hugs the coast (and goes slowly through all the beach towns and cities), while I-5 becomes a thorough-fare carrying 1000's of commuters and trucks, etc.

 

I'm two hours/100 miles north of San Diego and we NEVER drive to San Francisco. We drove to Sacramento once and then on up to visit my husband's sisters (one and then the other) and it was awful!

 

We did tow our travel trailer right through SF, paying the highest toll of my life, but we did it in three legs just to get that far, with stayovers at two places south of there.

 

For conferences and the like, we fly to SFO or Oakland.

Hey Crystalspin,

Thanks for that info. Between him and Tiogacruiser they got me on track on what we need to do. Gosh they are so smart. lol I don't know why I didn't think of it to be honest. I think because, we originally were flying home when we got off the ship because he had not gotten that week off work yet. Then they approved it and so I came up with my plan. But, I think this last one will work just great!

Thanks again for all of your help. I appreciate all of you on this board. So helpful. And usually most think of something others don't. Like me ;p;p;p

Another SoCal (native) here and I totally agree with CrystalSpin. If you really want to see San Fran, how about driving up as you mentioned, but flying home from there?

 

And instead of 5 north of LA, take PCH as a couple day coast hugging scenic drive? Stop along the way in Morro Bay, see Hearst Castle, coastal redwoods, Carmel, then a night in SF.

I got a little chuckle at this as, he called me and told me to do just that. Change our flight from San Fran back to FT Lauderdale. At least one of us's brain is working. lol.....Thaanks Tiogacruiser, Appreciate the help.

Yikes, that is a LONG drive from San Diego to San Francisco. Google says 7 h 47 min (501.8 mi). That's the driving time, no breaks, in the best traffic which you may or may not hit. On I-5 which spends very little time along the coast. Basically a boring drive, all day up all day back, for one day to see things in SF.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. San Diego has plenty of things in and around it to occupy your time. I can list some and here is a thread where they are discussed:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2675839

 

Hey, I'm glad you are getting to do this dream trip!

Thanks Crystalspin!! Going to go look at it now. He's a truck driver. He said he didn't have a problem driving it if I wanted to go lol......I did look at a flight. $130.00 a person from San Diego to San Francisco. I thought I-5 was a coastal drive over looking the water. Guess not huh?

Thank you for these very kind words, which I greatly appreciate. I apologize for the delayed reply; when you posted, I was in the hospital having a knee replacement! After years of pain, my right knee decided, during this cruise, to actually give up the ghost. Thank goodness I was still able to enjoy this extraordinary trip.

 

And thanks again to everyone who has read this thread and posted such kind comments.

Turtle,

Thank you for sharing this. I enjoyed your whole review. Now I am more excited after seeing all of those pictures. This is a once in a life time for us. I wish I could even write a review like that. You were so detailed and easy follow directions. Perfect. Just perfect!

I had knee replacement in 2016. So, I feel for you. I hope your recovery has gone well for you. Thanks again for the ideals on te other thread of mine. I appreciate it.

OP: we did a full transit of the Canal nearly two years ago on NCL (Miami to LA) and also visited each of the ports you have mentioned. I have a full review of that trip at the following link, with details about the shore excursions we took in those ports. (Photos also, but "thanks" to Photo Bucket, you may no longer be able to see them all.)

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2456255

 

Here's a very quick summary:

 

Cartagena: we toured with Dora (aka Dora the Explorer); she's highly recommended here on CC, and for good reason

 

Corinto: not so many options here; I took a ship's tour to León to see the white Cathedral with its very interesting roof

Puerto Quetzal: we took the "Antigua on Your Own Tour" through the ship. This is transportation to and from Antigua. I think pretty much all of the cruise lines provide this, and I would highly recommend doing this

 

Huatulco -- for us, this was our fifth port in five days after the Canal, and we needed a break from touring; there are a number of beach options here; we just walked off the ship and onto the beach that is next to the dock. Plenty of bars/restaurants that will rent you a chair and give you a good lunch. It was a terrifically relaxing, beautiful day

Puerto Vallarta -- since it was early Feb., we went whale watching. We did that in Cabo, too, on the same trip, and Cabo was a much better place for it. (Awesome, actually.) If we were in PV again, I think we would just spend time on the Malecón.

 

You didn't ask, but I highly recommend reading The Path Between the Seas before you go (if you haven't done so already).

Going through the Canal is amazing; have a great trip!

Ohhhh Thank you soooo much. I am heading to read it now. Beach days sound wonderful to me. Since we are taking the Highlights of Costa Rica, 8 in 1 Tour with fellow ship mates in our Roll Call. I've seen others refer to the book. I am going looking for it this weekend so I can get started. I've heard of Dora. We actually met a couple when we ended up in Columbia who drove from Cartegena to the hospital. They work with the US embassy helping people like us who get sick. They were wonderful. Dan sent me a write up if they are not around of what we could do. (Just curious) How long was Dora's tour and how many people did she take in a group? I am going to look at what the ship is offering in Corinto. Puerto Vallarta, I've always wanted to see so looking for something to do there. Being were there in Oct/Nov we might not be able to do whale watching.

Thanks for all the tips and advise. I appreciate it.

Well, coming from Georgia, it may not be so very oppressive to you! (If you can really get used to it...) Bring to wear, what you would in the "worst" summer heat and humidity. I got by, by ignoring the wilting signals my body was sending me! And drinking more fluids than it felt like I needed.

 

Don't want to jinx your cruise -- very many things were interesting and enjoyable. The umbrella helped!

No, we don't need no jinx. The last time we tried to do the PC which was going out of FT Lauderdale but returning back to FT Lauderdale. My guy friend had a heart attack before we made it to our first port. We were taken off the ship in Santa Maria Columbia. It was a mom and pop urgent care they sent us to. At midnight when (they said it would be safe to travel) we were taken to Barranquilla Colombia to a hospital. We were there for 7 days with him in the ICU before we could be flown back state side. Norwegian did not treat us right. I ended up getting scammed and finally got the US Embassy involved just to get us back state side. My insurance company sent in an On Call Nurse who assessed him and they did a conference call with the drs in the states to get us home. So, I didn't get to see much of Columbia. An to be honest, I really thought I was not going to be bringing him home like he came. He was not looking good. Stress level was soooo high. And here I am with my handicapped child being told, you can't walk those 4 blocks to the hospital. It's not safe and they can do what they want and no one will do anything. It was crazy.

We have waited 2 years to try and do this cruise again. And we went big this time. Since we are going to end in San Diego. I'm so excited I just can't stand it.

We are thinking of renting a car and driving down the coast to San Francisco so I can go to Alcatraz and see the Golden Gate Bridge, then back to San Diego to see some sights before we leave to head back to FT Lauderdale then drive home.

I think we will have enough time. We get off the ship on November 3rd. And we don't fly back to FLL until November 7th.

Thanks for any and all advise you can give. I appreciate it.

Check out the Holiday Inn Express and the Hyatt Place on 17th St.

I have booked the Hyatt Place on 17th for a pre cruise and post cruise. We are leaving our car there while we are gone for 21 days. $7.00 a person for their shuttle to port. After a week. they charge $7.00 a day for parking. Last time because we stayed after cruise I was not charged anymore than what I was quoted from the beginning. I do not book direct. I use a hotel and parking sight. Always got great rates.

Good luck and enjoy your cruise.

Best was a three-in-one ship's tour in CostaRica -- yours sounds even better.

 

I've said that if we do the PC again it will be with HAL and have a stop in P.Quetzal, where we will go to Antigua... to get away from the humidity! I've seen the ship offer just the busride up there, with time on your own to wander before catching the bus back. There is a guidebook just for Antigua Guatemala you can find cheap on eBay.

 

I don't have a recommendation for most of the other ports, either because we didn't stop there or because what we did was "meh". PV we took the city bus to Malecon and walked, tipping the street performers and stopping near the end to drink margaritas under an umbrella in the sand.

 

I don't know where you are from, but for us Californians, just about everywhere stood out for heat and humidity (and we went 6-wks later in the year!). Take the lightest, most breathable clothing you have, and I've since learned of these neck-scarves with polymer beads sewn into them; you wet them and they evaporate to cool you. Light-colored umbrellas might help too!

Thank you for your response. My plan is to go to Antiqua. I guess we will take the ships shuttle tour they are offering where you ride and do the tour on your own. I printed off some things from another cruisers blog. Sounded like they had a wonderful time.

We've been to Guatemala before year's ago, and took a wonderful tour through the ship we were on. So, never seen much. Just what we saw from the big bus and when they stopped at the places for our tour. It was awesome when we were leaving port. It was their end of the season. All the taxi's lined up at the port and turned their headlights on and blew their horns while waving at us. I have never seen anything like this before. It was cool.

I am from Georgia. Looking forward to being in San Diego at the end. I lived in Glendale as a little girl. I really don't remember much. My parents moved back to Michigan when I was 5. I've seen home movies of us at Disney Land, Knox berry farm, and the San Diego Zoo. Some park they took us to and of course the beach. They even took us on the mountain when it snowed and we sledded. I've lost both of my parents, and my God parents (who still lived in San Diego). I never got to meet them when I got older. Sure wish I would of gotten to.

So, with that being said. I'm not just looking forward to this cruise but getting to see what I don't remember as a grown up with my child.

Thank you for the information, I really appreciate it.

We met a wonderful couple from Cartagena a couple of years ago. They actually live there and our Americans. We met under unusual circumstances and have kept in touch. Recently, I emailed him to let him and his wife know that we were finally getting to come to Cartagena and we wanted to know the best tour we could do.

**Little back info. Him and his wife work with the US Embassy helping people who have taken ill on a cruise ship and get them back to the US**.

So, with that said, here is what he sent me back,

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The port is only about 10 - 15 minutes from the port so it is easy to get to the Old Town and back without worry of missing the ship. The Old Town is a must see in Cartagena. You can do your own tour and take in the majority of what you want to see and do and be able to do it at your own pace and more cheaply. There are taxis at the port which are authorized and safe. Here are some ideas:

• As you enter the port terminal, there will be someone giving out maps of the city and answering questions. They will give you free maps that are great for getting around the Old Town.

• Walk through the store (the big yellow old house) (visit it in more detail when you return)

• When you get outside the front of the store follow the signs to the taxi area.

• There will be guides that hound you to go on a tour. Even when you say that you want a taxi they will try to take you on a tour.

• Tell the taxi you want to be taken to the Old Town with a stop on the way to take pictures of the fort. To visit the Fort takes a fair amount of time and can be quite hot to climb. Most everyone stops in front to be able to take pictures. Ask the taxi driver how much and there should be a sign saying $20 to the Old Town. Agree before you go and tell him it is a one way fare. Don’t’ let them try to sell you some tour or that they’ll drive you around and also bring you back. The normal fare downtown is about $3 but since they’re inside the port they charge a lot more.

• You can have him drop you off at the clock tower which is one of the main entrances to the Old Town. From there you can do your own walking tour using the map. It has descriptions of the sights on the map. You can do a big loop and see the majority of the sights.

• Along the way you can get a snack, or something to drink as there are many places. There are also several shops if you want to shop any.

• You can come back. Either get any yellow taxi inside the Old Town or by going out the clock tower where you came in and going across the street to in front of the Convention Center. Just tell them that you're going back to the port and that you'll pay $5. They'll want more but if they don't accept it, look for another taxi. It will take on 10 - 15 minutes to get back to the port. As you return, you will go through Manga and there are many beautiful old colonial houses to see.

• When you get back, they will drop you off in front of the port store and it's nice to look around the park and see the birds and other animals. The people in the store are very nice and the prices are fixed (except for the jewelry) and they take credit cards. There is a simulated emerald museum that also has a nice display of emeralds (not for sale.)

• In the Old Town there will be many tourists and, like any place with tourists, watch your belongings. There are tourist police all around and it is very safe. Also lots of people want to sell you things and can be very pushy. Just say no and ignore them. The taxis will also try to take you to shopping places and show you other things but there’s always a charge or they have some connection to make money.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hopefully this is helpful. It was for me as I was inquiring about the Hop on Hop off bus. That is what I had planned last time we were going there. Unfortunately we never made it to Cartagena. We met them in Barranquilla Colombia in a hospital setting.

We did Panama Canal cruise last January and went to all of the ports you mentioned. We did ship's tours on all ports except for Puerto Vallarta, where we just took a taxi to Malecon and walked around.

 

You can see my quick reviews of the ports in my cruise review thread.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2597566

(See Post #12)

 

You can also read about our trip in my blog, if you're interested. Look for the "Ports" section. (Sorry, it's not complete.)

 

I don't know if the tours we did were the BEST, but we enjoyed them all.

Thank you so much for the information. I am off to read it now. I really appreciate it.

What interests you? That is more likely to be the "best" for you.

Bruce we our adventourous and love to do all kinds of things. We have done Ziplining in Arenal Costa Rica (land vacation) to boating down a mangrove. I was just basically looking to see if anyone who has done this itinerary would just share what was the BEST excursion they had been on. Perhaps what they share might be something I have not come across or would really enjoy doing. Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. And telling you what we like would help. I never thought about that to be honest.

Cartagena -- I did the National Aviary tour, which was really nice. However, if you just want some pics of pretty birds, there are a lot of them at the free visitor center/gift shop at the port.

Punta Arenas -- we did the scarlet macaw sanctuary and a mangrove cruise. Good tour. Note that at Punta Arenas, there is a really nice vendor area once you leave the port area (along the shore off to the left). Best and most reasonably priced souvenirs of the trip. Save some time to walk through there.

Corinto was scrubbed for us and several other ships this year due to political unrest.

Puerto Quetzal -- go to Antigua. I just purchased the bus transfer and did it on my own.

Huatulco -- I did a birding tour. Not horrible but I can't recommend that.

Puerto Vallarta -- We did a general tour of the city and environs. Okay. There's a Walmart right across the street from the port (note: crossing the street is like playing Frogger, even with walk signals). There's a souvenir section there. Less useful to you as a resupply stop (we did itinerary in the opposite direction).

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you for your kind response. I like some of the things you did and will seek further into them. I love your recommendations. I have printed it off to put with my notes, See it's things like this people don't know about unless other people share them. Punta Arenas is the one that I am doing with fellow cruisers here from CC. It's an 8 in 1 tour. So looking forward to it. I love the Walmart ideal, what a great fine. Thanks for sharing that. I've been eyeing the Antigua one. I was reading where a couple did it on their own. She had great suggestions in her blog. She did a whole write up of their trip. This is my first time sailing from one port and not returning to that same port. We tried to do this cruise before but on a different cruise line. My partner had a heart attack and we were taken off the ship in Santa Maria Columbia which was our very first port. It was a very scary time for us. He has since had heart surgery and we are trying to do the cruise again. It's been 2 years so we decided we wanted to try different ports that we have never been to before. And getting off in a different end port. We are so excited as is my daughter who will be sailing with me. She has Down Syndrome and enjoys cruising. I'm just a little nervous venturing out on our own when other people have not suggested it or done it. Which I think would be understandable for anyone.

Thank you again, I truly appreciate it.

How about visiting the Ports of Call boards and doing your own research? That is a lot of ports to ask others to research for you. Have you joined the roll call for your cruise? What is BEST for one person may not appeal at all to another.

No need for a rude comment. I have been to each ports boards that I could find. But, I am a true believer if it is something I am interested in I'd like to hear from others as well. And hearing the BEST they have been on might be something that I would enjoy and recommend by a person from here. Is that not what this forum is about. Helping others. I have joined my roll call. In fact I have signed up with other passengers to do a private tour together. So for you to assume that I have not done my own research is not the case.

One thing my Mother taught me, if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all.

But, Thank you for your imput. Have a nice day.

Help Please! On the Volendamn

I've been reading through threads and noticed a lot of people have a lot of experience going on the Panama Canal itinerary For those that have. Please tell me what were the BEST shore excursions you would suggest. These are the ports,

I have four for you. The other islands we just went with the flow.

 

Costa Rica - Gio Tours 8 in 1 $69 pp. included lunch.

Cartagena - with Dora - dora@cartagenatour.com $65 pp

Nicaragua - Julio Tours - $60 pp included lunch

Guatemala we did a ship tour, as the roads are very narrow, and traffic is terrible, and we didn't want to chance missing the ship, if traffic was horrible getting back to the ship.

Thank you Nancy. I appreciate it. I will look into these to see if they are something we are interested in doing. I appreciate all of the information.

We are coming from Ft Lauerdale to San Diego. Hopefully we will have good sea days. Leave Oct 19th arrive in San Diego Nov 3rd. Flight is arranged for 1:00 PM that day back to Ft Lauderdale. Will stay the night in Ft Lauderdale and then drive home. Back home on Nov 4th.

We are doing Keto so reading this makes me a little nervous. I need it to be all natural eggs not something added into the mix. Will I still be able to get to fried juicy eggs in the dining room? Or will they have other stuff in the eggs? IHOP here in town adds pancake batter to their scrambles eggs to make them fluffy. I can't eat those. Thanks in adavance.

Which other islands are you visiting?

 

Gio Tours is the 8 in 1 tour.

Thank you. I've contacted them.

We start in Ft Lauderdale, Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas), Costa Rica, Cartagena, Colombia, Enter Panama Canal Cristobal, Corinto, Nicaragua, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, Huatulco, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, and we end in San Diego, California.

Just back from a tour with Gio Tours and I cant recommend them highly enough. The tour was the highlight of our cruise. OMG fantastic!!! We toured with them from 8 am to 4 pm. They took us site seeing, then we went on a long hour and a half boat ride to see sloths, birds, and many many huge caymans, then we went to a fruit stand to taste fresh fruits, and a sugar cane factory, and a store with free wi fi, and a local grocery store to buy coffee, huge bags for $4.00. They took us to a place for a huge buffet for lunch, included in the price. $69 pp. A great day, beautiful country, so many animals. Slouths would go on your shoulders for a picture is you wanted.

info@smallgroupstravel.com

they even gave us a gift bag of coffee at the end of the tour! and they take credit cards as payment

What was the name of the tour you took with them if I might ask? We will be in port from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM. The slouth comment is what sold me. I have that on my bucket list to see a sloth up close and personal. I like that I could get a picture with one. Anything else you can recommend I would love to hear. Thank you in advance.:)

Yes, you did help! This is exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you!

Glad I was able to help. Happy cruising.

You are right, you're asking in the wrong spot. You should ask in the Costa Rica Port of Call forum. Here's the link: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=198

 

SBtS

T hank you.

Could someone please steer me towards where I would find recommendations for shore excursions in

Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas), Costa Rica.

I've been searching but not finding anything. I guess I'm not looking in the right place.

Thank you in advance.

Agree, a taxi or Uber is the better idea.

 

I disagree with OP's original premise that "most will allow your vehicle to be there week or two weeks before charging". If you find that, you should be staying at that hotel for both of your stays. You might get a free week, but I doubt you will get two. Answer: I've seen a hotel let you park for 21 days before charging. It's just a matter if they have availability when you go to book. Look at the web sight I quoted.

 

Or are you driving direct to the Port on sailing date (no hotel stay prior to boarding the ship)? I don't think any hotel is going to let you park your car for free without a hotel stay. Answer: No, we are staying at the Hyatt Place now that I found the web sight I was looking for.

 

And if you got two free weeks, why would you stay at a different hotel after your hotel. You are adding in an additional taxi or shuttle ride.

I found what I was looking for. I remembered booking it before but for the life of me could not remember where it was at. I went through some old e-mails (which I am glad I did not delete). The Hyatt Place lets you stay and leave your car for 7 days before charging . Plus shuttle service to port for first 2 people then $7.00 for extra persons. Hotelnparking dot com is where you need to go to book. It worked out last time that they did not charge me for the other week. It could have been because my friend who was with me had a heart attack and we flew back from Columbia South America and they felt sorry, not sure. But they were wonderful. Their shuttle was not working when we got in. So, they told us to get a cab and they paid the cab driver. We paid the tip. This place is really nice and I would recommend it to anyone.

Can't wait till we cruise. We are finally getting to take one of our bucket list cruises after the horrible time we had last time. And we are NOT taking the same ship. We are excited for this cruise and well needed after all we have been through.

Thanks to those who posted. Hope I can help someone else who is looking.

Thanks but the cost to do that out weighs what it would cost to leave our vehicle at the hotel we stay at. Most will let your vehicle be there a week to two weeks before charging. I did check into renting a car. Way too much. quote=glendacruise;56913936]Rent a car from your home to ft lauderdale. When fly back into ft lauderdale rent a car to get back home. No parking fees.

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