grandmadarlene

i loved the towels so much on our 2017 Regent Navigator Cruise up the Amazon, that I wrote down the name of the towel Mfr and contacted them after we got home.  Mfgr. will not deal with individuals only with corporations.  Undoubtedly, Regent etc. do big volumes with the Mfgr.  Sorry I threw out the information when we were unable to buy any.  

Here is your review:

We actually took this journey once before in October 2013. Obviously we loved it or we would not have returned. Wanted to see all the extraordinary scenery ... this time with some snow on the mountains. We traveled with "Vantage" on both occasions and found their offer to be the best deal around for this journey. However the Optional tour to see the "Atlantic Road" was a huge disappointment. The description was misleading. It was $158 off the MS Richard With on May 24, 2015. While other excursions have been fine and some really good (i.e RIB safari to Saltstraumen), this Atlantic road was a MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT. One hour for a PORTUGUESE Dinner, 1 hour for a visit to a Stave Church...Really!!!!! Have been to Norway 3 times and have seen many Stave Churches. I WANTED to see the Atlantic Road!! We were given FIFTEEN minutes at the one stop on the Atlantic Road and that INCLUDED lining up for the bathroom. Thankfully, I was not in need of the bathroom but given 15 minutes is a crime. I needed at least an hour to walk around and up the hill next to the stop. You could blame the driver and guide, but the other bus (Norse and German speaking) made the same 15 minute stop. So this must have been the plan from the start. If you want to see the Atlantic Road, you will have to do it on your own.

I think it was TURIX. Their booth is to the right as you enter the terminal. They will have reps in front of the booth with white t-shirts with blue trim. The booth has a large sign in front with the different packages, and I think that this one is Combo package #3. If you have kids, I think I remember that they were free (or at least half price). While we did the entire tour by van, some at the resort said that they came by water taxi to the resort, than van to the falls. I think it just depends on what is available at the time you book. You can see the ship docked from the resort. Our guide was a kid of about 17 who was earning money for school, and he spoke very, very good english. We got to the falls just before the cruise tour did, and we had the swimming areas to ourselves, while there was probably 40 people with that group. There were no more that 20 people at the resort at any one time, spread out between the pool and the beach area, so getting a chair or table was not an issue. There is a volleyball net set up in the pool as well, and we got a game going. The ride from the falls to the resort is interesting as well. We saw the market, the town (not Livingston, Barrios something, maybe?), donkeys carrying loads...lots of local flavor. It was one of my favorite days, a good balance of touristy and relaxing.

 

Have Fun

You mentioned in a later post that the water at the falls was VERY COLD. I was suprised because I thought the falls were volcanic and hot. Possibly you selected a different waterfall to visit? We are on the NCL Spirit visiting this port on January 7, 2009, so your posts have been "mucho" (practicing) helpful. Thanks

Bonnieg,

 

I'm also thinking about renting a car in Messina, but haven't looked into it yet. What company did you rent from? How far from the port are they located. Thanks for any info you can give me!

Apparently the best game in town is www.argusrentals.com However be patient. They only operate on Italian time so you have to put in your online request when they are open. I was able to get a 7 passenger Fiat confirmed for July 11th. Bonnieg said that the rental office is walking distance from the port. My rental is only about $100 plus gas. Mileage is included. I was quoted a stunning :eek: $755 by Budget for a single day. If anyone has experience with this company your words of wisdom will be appreciated by many cruisers.