Love2CruiseTampa

On 5/9/2023 at 10:17 AM, crewsweeper said:

Are you trying to email the resort or Native Choice?  I would think if you email Native Choice and ask them the name of the resort they use, they would respond.  The resort may have ruins tours for staying guests, but you would still need transportation to the resort.

Both. I have emailed Native Choice a few times, and no response except for the very first inquiry in January, which is the same email I have replied to so I am sure the email is correct. Also did an inquiry through their website- no response. Really weird. I've gone ahead and booked directly with Royal because I was concerned to go directly with them. Which is a shame because I almost always do my own thing or hire a local guide. Oh well!

18 hours ago, jean87510 said:

If it's any consolation, the ruins were better than the lagoon.  The area we went to was not exactly like the photos you see.  We ate and drank and basically just waited to get back in the vans.  I did the Chacchoben extreme tour.  Loved the ruins but was a little disappointed in the lagoon.  May have been where we were at but just not a fan.  If you all want to hang out by water that day, just stay by the pool at the port.  It's free.

That does make it a bit better! We were also not crazy about the 1 hour and 20 minute ride back to the port after a full day. 

Thank you, Karri. Yes, I had checked my spam etc. It's so strange! They have so many good reviews. In any case, I've decided to just book with the ship. I'm concerned with the amount of people on our trip (15) that if they don't show up or be ready for us, we will be out of luck. It's a shame because I was looking forward to the lagoon and ruins and am just doing the ruins now.  

On 4/15/2023 at 3:22 PM, c-leg5 said:

I presume you have checked your junk mail - there have been reports of that before?

Also problems with gmail.

 

I see recent TA reviews.

Great advice- but yes I have. I have also tried using my office email and personal gmail. No response to either. Also, an inquiry through their website returns an error message. 

Has anybody been there recently? I have tried calling and emailing them to book a tour to the ruins and lagoon but no response. 

I've been trying to book a tour with ANY operator out of Costa Maya for the ruins and lagoon, but nobody is responding by email or phone. I am thinking that the cruise line is the only way to do it now. If somebody could confirm, I would be greatly appreciated. The last I heard from Native Choice was in January. 

Hello,
 

I am leading a family group to Costa Maya in June. I had contacted Native Choice back in December, and received an email immediately from them about a group tour. I have since tried to email and call them multiple times but I’m not getting any response. Has anybody used Native Choice  in the last few weeks and comment? Thank you! 

Well, depending on where you are in the DR, I can recommend Rene Robles (roblesrene@hotmail.com www.rvtours.info )

His company does tours in Puerto Plata and Amber Cove. We did a full day tour and it was the highlight of our trip. Can't recommend them enough!

We were at Amber Cove just over a year ago, February 2019. While we did not go to the beach, we LOVED this port. We did a full day private tour with Rene Robles (www.rvtours.info) roblesrene@hotmail.com who picked us up at the port and dropped us off as well. 

I can't say enough good things about the tour. There were five of us, my wife and I plus our three kids (11, 8, 6). We visited the cable car to the mountain, a rum factory, chocolate factory and jewelry shop. We had asked to go to these places because we wanted larimar jewelry for the girls and also to see how to make chocolate. There was no sales pressure anywhere. We also walked around the town of Puerto Plata to see the sights. 

If you are set on just enjoying the day in water and in the sun, then the port looked nice and I certainly easy since the ships dock right there. 

Definitely, that is where they picked us up. Private tours have to be accessed outside the port though past the guard shack. It is not hard to find at all, but it is a bit of a walk. I think it took about 15 minutes from the ship. 

Yes, I do. This is from his email to me:

"You will have transportation, a tour guide, entrance fees to all the places that are going to visit and drinks on the bus (water bottles, rum and coke) The tour lasts approximately 5 hours. The all inclusive price is 59 us dollars per each adult also the 11 years old child. 

The 8 and 6 years old will paid 40 us dollars each. 

The total amount to be paid is 257 us dollars. 

It will be a Private Tour, only with you."

 Gratuity was additional but was warranted and they NEVER mentioned or asked for it. It was a really great day, worth every penny!

We were there for most of the day at the beginning of February and did not hear any whistles or observe anything like that. Have fun!

Hello, SquireJosh

Actually, that beach is free and is a quick, easy walk from the ship. The green umbrellas with loungers are free to use, but they fill up fast so get there early if you want a chance to have one.  There are also pay chairs and loungers here too. The further you walk down the beach there are a few restaurants, like Jacks Shack, which have chairs as well and food/ drinks. 

There are renderings of the project at the following link:

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/puerto-plata-port-14370

The project is not a RCCI one but it is privately financed and managed. unlike Costa Maya though, it is in the heart of the town so should be better situated for anybody looking to leave for a more "authentic" experience.  

The area is very safe, I wouldn't think twice about it. I can't comment on taxi prices specifically as we did a private tour with RV Tours which included the cable car, all the sights in town, plus shops for amber/ larimar and also chocolate and rum factories (maybe not of interest to you, but we wanted to go and also purchase souvenirs). His prices were  very reasonable. http://www.rvtours.info/ is his website. I'd highly recommend them.  Since you mention photography, there are great shots at the top of the cable car in the gardens and the view too. 

On 2/23/2020 at 9:01 AM, maryhou said:

Don't miss out on the FREE steam rooms in the mens/women locker rooms.  Not all ships have this complimentary.  But when they do my husband enjoys it every day 🙂

While we were on the Conquest in early Feb, the steam room and sauna were not hot enough for my taste. I don't want it stifling, but honestly, if i walk outside in summer in Florida, it's hotter in my driveway.

I can second Punta de Vista. However, they are first come, first served, so I would suggest getting there a bit early. Last month when we were in San Juan, the wait was 2.5 hours so we had to go elsewhere. The view is really nice and the food good, especially the mofongo. 

For a tasty treat, try Mallorca on Calle San Francisco. The signature there is the Mallorca sandwich- toasted bread with butter or toppings like cheese and powdered sugar. sooo good. A nice breakfast treat and the coffee is good too. 

You may want to contact Rene Robles with RV Tours. We used them for a city tour, cable car, and a few stops around town. They were really great with a driver and guide who both spoke English, plus they had rum and drinks in the large, comfortable van. 

Rene Robles / R.V. Private Tours roblesrene@hotmail.com

Great tour, hardest part was the walk out of Amber Cove to the area that the tours and taxis wait for passengers who are not buying ship sponsored tours. But it was definitely worth it.

Another reason to consider is hurricanes. we live in Florida, so are familiar with them. Summer is prime time. of course, odds are everything would be fine, but they do happen.

1 hour ago, blue_water said:

Lots of work for selecting a beach!

You are closer to Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach), so if closer is important there you go.

Otherwise we'd choose Sapphire for all of the things you listed + the gorgeous water and island views. 25 - 30 minutes, $11/pp each way, return taxis are readily available...

 

Relax and look forward to your cruise!!!

My sentiments as well, regarding Sapphire. Even though the ships excursion doesn't sound like a bad price, it still doesn't leave much time at the beach. With a port day from 8-4, as you indicated, I'd take a taxi and spend as long as you want there. Taxi's return from Sapphire are easy to catch and take about 30 minutes or so, depending on traffic. The roads are winding and hilly so distances are deceiving. 

I agree with doing it on your own to maximize time. We were in St Thomas a few weeks ago and docked at 7AM. We were able to be off the ship and at Sapphire Beach by 9AM, enjoyed the whole morning, had lunch at the beach bar, and were still back at the ship by 1:30PM with time to spare before all aboard at 2:30PM

I'd agree- it will be totally safe. There is a taxi stand right outside arrivals where you can catch a regulated cab without any problems. 

It really isn't very far, maybe 750 feet or something? I'm not positive on the exact distance. However, there are pedicabs right at the gangway that can take passengers to the pool area, making the walking distance basically zero. They work on tips only, probably $5 for two people is very fair.  

Yes, the pool and slides are free. The slides do have height requirements, but I apologize I do not recall what they were. 

The pedicabs are totally free. They take you from the gangway to wherever you want in the area up to the shops. While not really required for the length of the walk, it was fun to do. I tipped him $10 for the 5 of us, but if it were just the two of you, I'd do $5. 

True, there isn't a beach within walking distance really. Magens would be good for a visit, as would Sapphire. Either can be reached via the shared taxi for around $10 per person. Magens has an entry fee, Sapphire does not. We like Sapphire as it is less crowded, however Magens has reliably calmer water. 

We also bought off Amazon some cheap inflatable tubes to float in the water, that was nice.