SAvacay

Hi everyone, we're from the US and booked Aus/NZ cruise in January.

Glad to hear some positive comments about Radiance but still concerned. We only eat in the buffet or someplace similar where we can take our own food. Any more comments on food? Is there food service near pool with burgers, salads, fruit? Anyone use the gym? Is there a spa? Sea days?

The itinerary is most important to us but we still want to feel comfortable on the ship. So many comments on another link that ship is old and dated.

We prefer ports rather than sea days. Anyone know why there are many stops in NZ and only 2 in Australia?

Wish there was one more in Australia. We'll go several days early to tour Australia on our own.

Please post any comments about ship. Thanks!

Hi, I'm doing slot if research as well. Which tour operators do you recommend for Puerto Madryn?

Also Buenos Aires on our own?

We're on Celebrity Jan 2018.

Also, any particular Montevideo bus?

Thanks

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, I'm doing slot if research as well. Which tour operators do you recommend for Puerto Madryn?

Also Buenos Aires on our own?

We're on Celebrity Jan 2018.

Ok, found page turner at bottom. Will read your review and get back to you.

Thanks!

Your cruise review is terrific. Which tour operators did you use? I haven't booked Ushuaia yet as I'm trying to find out if I can go to park and Beagle channel on same day. I clicked the link to friend you. Hope that works.

Thanks

Hi, you're photos and review of Argentina are beautiful. I can't find the review of the rest of the cruise or Ushuaia. Is it ok for me to contact you?

Ok, found page turner at bottom. Will read your review and get back to you.

Thanks!

We did an individual Tierra del fuego tour. You can see more by clicking on the link in my signature.

If you like what you read, contact me and I´ll send you a list with all the tour operators we used.

Hi, you're photos and review of Argentina are beautiful. I can't find the review of the rest of the cruise or Ushuaia. Is it ok for me to contact you?

Hi, we're cruising inJanuary. If you have stopped in Ushuaia, which tour did you take, Tierra Del fuego or Beagle channel? Which tour operator?

Is it possible to do both and see town with the limited time in port?

We're cruising to San Antonio to BA in January and booking private tours.

Seems to be so many choices in Ushuaia. Tierra Del Fuego and maybe train or cruising Beagle Channel.

Also town is interesting too. Opinions on which tour?

Is there time to tour town and one of those tours?

Wish it was a 2 days stop.

Thanksalot. Your review is very helpful. Did you take tours at the other ports or walk in the towns?

Did you see penguins? I'd like to see them but am confused as to the best port. One time to see them is fine.

Also at Ushuaia, is there time to take a tour and also walk the town?

Hello, I am also trying to find the specific names of good tour operators. Host Grandma, do you remember the name? Anyone else have recommendations?

This is my first time posting so I hope I did it right

Hi, I'm also trying to find specific names of good tour operators. Host Grandma, do you remember the name of the tour operator?

Anyone have any names? We're on the Jan 7 cruise from San Antonio