rosebriarmary

You can take a look at my short report dated April 2 on this site.

There is a Hertz rental located some what behind the port area. We rented last March and were so glad we did. It was very inexpensive and we saw so much. If you walk to the Hertz place, go left outside the port. Continue to the road, make left and walk about 2 blocks. Then left again.

Just back from a cruise that included Sarande (July 20). Since we have been to many sites such as Butrint we opted for a tour to Gjirasole. That way we were able to see a bit of the countryside. Located up in the mountains it is a UNESCO site. The castle was somewhat interesting and a beautiful setting . That night back at the ship we seemed to be the only ones who really enjoyed our day.

My husband and I spent a day here last week off the Rotterdam docked in Pointe a Pitre. There was very little info that I could find and, as we had had many beach days, I wanted to do something a bit different. We rented a car from Hertz and drove to Basse Terre (left wing of the butterfly shaped island). Our French sadly is almost non existent but we managed pretty well in spite of that. The Hertz agency- reserve ahead- is about a 10 minute walk . Head left outside the portgate, left at the next main road and then left again at the next port entrance. The agent spoke English which was helpful and it was easy to get out of the city and onto the N1 road west toward Basseterre branching right onto the N2. The roads were fine, single land each way. Easy to follow. We stopped at beaches and overlooks. Went to Grand Anse beach for a swim which was just beautiful and very much what you would want in the Caribbean. About a mile further was the town of Deshaies- the site for the TV show Death in Paradise. Colorful and charming. Back on N2 for 20 minutes past cliffs and fishing villages to the turnoff for D23 which takes you up into the National Park and the rainforest. It goes for about 20 miles and you can stop for short hikes to a waterfall,etc. As you descend from the park you come back to N1 again and quickly back to Pointe a Pitre. Was a very nice day and so glad we went. You do need Euros for small things though we charged the gas and lunch. Everyone was friendly and the island was just beautiful. Not touristy and I look forward to returning.

Hi Castro, My husband and I will be there March 22 so we will miss you but will look for your booth to rent the chairs (white straps,right?). Is it difficult to get a taxi back to the ship? thanks Mary and Bert

We are cruising to Amber Cove next month, and can't decide what to do. We have looked at several excursions, both independent and through the cruise line. We will have our 5 year old with us, so we're trying to avoid anything with a lot of drinking or cigar factories. Has anybody done the Cacao & Women's Chocolate Cooperative "cruise with a purpose" excursion through Holland America? It seems like it could be fun and educational. Would it be okay for our daughter? Any other excursion recommendations? My husband would prefer not to just stay at the port.

I did the chocolate cooperative with Fathom a few weeks ago. I don't think it would be a great idea for a 5 year old. We spent most of the time in a small room and it was somewhat repetitive work sorting beans and nibs. It was interesting for an adult but not really appropriate for a young child.

That said as an alternative i might suggest hiring a taxi- they charged $50 for the day- and going to the cable car. The ride up was fan and at the top - make sure to get a map- there are trails through the rainforest, a smaller version of the Rio Christ the Redeemer statue, an indigenous hut, turtle pond, beautiful views and flowers. After you come down maybe a short trip to the fort -$2.50 each - and then to the Cathedral on the main plaza, with a gelato store across the plaza. Maybe in the afternoon she could play in the children pool at Amber Cove.

We were at Blue Cay this past Friday. We were charged $5 and given a wrist band and told we could order 1 drink. The loungers were indeed wooden but not bad. I saw a sign which indicated you could pay $25 for a day which included use of kayaks, snorkel equipment and canoes. No big beach toys. Since we were only there for a couple of hours we opted for the wrist band and got a couple of beers. They would have been $2 each if we paid separate. Mixed drinks were about $4. To reach Blue Cay we walked out of the port area towards the taxis and got the trolley. Cost $3 each. They dropped us at a beach club adjacent to Blue Cay though we could see the sign clearly. Senor Frogs no longer there. They do not bring you back.

After a couple of hours we walked a short distance ( 5 minutes ) to the Majahaul fishing village and got a cab back to the port for $2.There were many cabs there. Hope this helps.

Take the water taxi Good Return to Klein Bonaire, runs every hour, tickets in the tent off the pier, $20 round trip. I have done it twice .

We were on QM2 over the holidays and the planetarium was working.

2 weeks ago we paid $4 each way but there was another couple in the van with us. Fairly easy to find others to go . Had a great day as we moved to the left away from the beach club, sat on towels and had the beach to ourselves. Also you can snorkel in the lagoon to the right of the club.

We were at Brewer's a week ago. While our taxi came back for us at the appointed time, i noted many other taxis there looking for customers. Also would note that at the new pier there was a welcome /tourist stand that was extremely helpful in getting groups together to go to the beaches. It was all very quick and efficient and we were pleasantly surprised. Also loved Brewer's and will go back again next time

2 weeks ago, May 7, we docked with the Royal Princess in Rotterdam. A few people took the train to Amsterdam. The city of Rotterdam provided free shuttle buses to the Town Hall and from there it was a 10 minute walk to the train station. That was where the confusion started. You can either buy your tickets at a machine or go into a service area and take a number and wait to be called. To use the machine you had to have a chip and pin card . No one of the Americans we saw were able to avail themselves of this so we all had to wait for our numbers to be called. My husband and I were only going to Gouda but were standing with the Amsterdam people.Wait time was nearly half an hour and pretty frustrating. Be sure to get the express train as, when we met the folks after they came back, they told stories of 90 minute rides. That said they had a great time and used the shuttle to get back to the ship.

We did all 3 of the free Stockholm tours last July. All were great. But they can be a bit of walking especially the Soder tour. It was worth it as we were really off the tourist beat even though we were within sight of it.

We did Rabat on our own from the ship several years ago and had a great day. As I remember the train station was right outside the port terminal. We had the shuttle port bus drop us off there. As some of the other passengers saw us getting off they joined us. The trains were frequent and inexpensive but it was a bit of an issue getting the local currency to pay for the ticket. I think we finally just bought the ticket at the tobacco shop.

Once in Rabat we went to the palace, the mausoleum of the king and the kasbah. All quite walkable though there were cabs. Beautiful setting, really enjoyed it. Print up a map and do a little research including Rabat wikitravel. .Worth it

trying to sort this out. private tours are full, o that leaves me to use the cruise ship tours. but I did read on here about taking a water taxi to klein bonaire?

please give me more info.... how far from the dock is this? HOW MUCH? how often do the taxis run? so you leave your stuff at one end of the beach? ( how safe is that?) & walk up to the reef edge & swim out to the water where you catch the current. correct?

any other information?

Hi Dawn, We did this twice last winter. You want the water taxi "Good Return". Google it. . I think it was $15 or $20 each person. When you get off the ship head left to Karels Beach Bar, about a 5 minute walk, but there is a woman selling tickets along the way and she will tell you the schedule/ It runs every hour or so when a ship is in.

He takes you over to No Name Beach on Klein Bonaire, a small uninhabited island right off the main island. You jump off the boat and leave your things on the beach and then back on the boat with your snorkel gear. He takes you back around a half mile where you jump into the water and the current carries you back past the coral and fabulously colored fish towards the beach. Note you are never far from shore ,probably 30 feet or less, it is just that the coral runs parallel to the beach . It is magical. The beach had maybe 15 people at most both times we were there. The captain returns every hour or so to pick up whoever wants to go back. Bring everything you will need as there is absolutely nothing on the island and little shade.

Hope this helps. Yes it was very safe.

A few years ago we went to Goree Island on the ferry which left very near to where the ship docked. It was one of our favorite places. Really beautiful, interesting . After, we went into Dakar which we felt had little to offer.

We are just back from the Ryndam and July 4 in SPB. Since we had already been to all the sights on a land tour , we opted for a day on the ship but wanted to go back to the Hermitage. We used Denrus tours. Had just 1 other couple and it was terrific. New Mercedes van, great guide and no long stops at souvenir store. Fellow passengers used the other operators and we heard no complaints other than the ones who did the city panoramic tours. As mentioned by others it is a great city with unique sites. Have a great time.

The local ferry, Good Return, adjusts their schedule to fit the cruise ships. We went with them 2 times this past winter. Cost was $20. The owner brings you to the island to deposit your towels and things and then you get back on the boat and he will bring you back to a spot where you leave the boat and drift snorkel back to where your things are. Sounds odd and i was a little nervous but it was perfect. He knows when the cruise ship leaves and will return for you in enough time for you to get back. Have a great time. The snorkeling was awesome.

No, we did not have advance reservations. Just went to the ticket booth.

Sorry to take so long to respond. There was a crew person on the ecocruceros boat who spoke some English. I can understand a little Spanish but really we had no trouble figuring out what was going on. I do remember reading a little history beforehand about the islands we passed on the way to the sea lion island. One of them had been a prison. Google Isla Palomino prison. Was used for the terrorists in the 80s and when they revolted , well , it didn't end well for them. There is also some kind of sunken city due to an earthquake 300 years ago. Hope you have a great time.

Thanks for the port info. We spent several days in Lima last year so are hoping to find something to do near the port. Rosebriarmary, could you give us some more info about your swim with the seals? Any more suggestions?

Hi, We are actually again just back from Peru and happened to be speaking to a family who did the swim with the sea lions last week and they loved it as well. You can find the information at islaspalomino.com. The company is ecocruceros and we just walked to their dock about a half mile from where the ship docked. I emailed then first and I think the time was around 10 or so. They furnished the wet suits and we wore our bathing suits under our clothes. The cost is $45 per adult and $35 per child for a 4 hour tour. We were in the water with the sea lions for at least 45 minutes. Not everyone goes in and the boat ride can be quite rocky. The water was cold but I think I laughed the entire time and hated to get out.

After we walked back to the ship. We changed and took a cab to the

1500 year old pre inca ruins in Miraflores called Huaca Pucllana. Pretty interesting. Theyalso have a nice restaurant there overlooking the ruins and caught a cab with no trouble back to the ship.

Hope this helps Mary

Hi, We were there last year and actually spent our first day in Callao near the ship- we swam with the sea lions off shore. Anyway, as we left the port we went to the right and there was a naval museum. A little further up was a park across the street which displayed different types of military vehicles. I did not feel it was unsavory or unsafe. A little further, where we got on the ecocruceros boat, was a large clean plaza on the water. No cafe but a pleasant place to sit. All of this was within a half mile of where we were docked. Hope this helps.