curiousx

From a friend on Bequia 19 minutes ago, Sea Dream is currently at anchor in Admiralty Bay.  Hope this helps.

We had such a great time on our 3 outings with Ellis this past February.  We had used his services last year too and this year was just as much fun, if not more.  So I just have to write about him again.

This year he took us first to the magical Caguana Ceremonial Grounds.  This is a well-preserved archaeological site where the indigenous Taina had their ball courts, performed rites and made astrological observations some 800 years ago. Our visit to this peaceful location way up in the hills was enhanced by the historical and botanical insights of a National Parks Service guide as well as by Ellis himself, drawing on his own extensive  knowledge and studies.

From Caguana we want to Lago dos Bocas, a very large artificial lake not too far from Arecibo.  There, Ellis found a boat that took us across to one of the restaurants that edge the lake.  The food was less than memorable but the Pina Colada was the best (and prettiest) we had.  Another highlight was the return trip on the lake, where the skipper took us on a leisurely cruise of the perimeter, allowing us to see houses and restaurants set back in the hills.  Sadly, a number were in ruins having suffered irreparable damage from Hurricane Maria in 2017.

For our next excursion, we had asked Ellis for a Beach Day, and he obliged by showing us a variety of attractive options.  The one we chose was a sandy shady bay near Loquillo well served by ‘kioskos’ serving local delicacies like octopus ceviche, salt cod fritters, corn sticks, fish tacos and more.  

Before reaching Loquillo, though, Ellis helped us cross off a bucket list item from our last trip by locating a traditional vejigante coconut mask-maker.  He found him in his colourful workshop in Loiza, one of the two or three towns on the island where the craft is practised.  The workshop was tucked away in a back alley.  Masks of all sizes, hues and shapes filled the walls.  The artisan was generous with his time and happy to have us taking pictures as well as making purchases.

Our third and final outing was to the Botanical and Cultural Gardens in Caguas, another beautiful setting recovering well from the hurricane damage which had closed it to visitors last time we were there.   Ellis had thoughtfully booked a guide to give us a trolley tour of the gardens’ various zones including  its statuary, park areas and botanical treasures. It would have been a hot long walk otherwise. 

Of particular interest were the traditional ‘grandfather’s home’ or ‘jibaro’ and its herb garden.  There were also a little jewel of a museum containing the gravesite of an important Taino woman discovered on the site, and the slave quarters for the old sugar mill that were later repurposed as one of the island’s first public schools.

On the way back to Old San Juan, we stopped off in Guavate village to enjoy the local pig roast activity (yum) and salsa dancing.   It was Valentine’s Day and the place was hopping, notwithstanding the cloudy sky and deluge that rained down for a while (the only rain that we saw in 10 days, BTW).

Ellis, as always, was punctual, courteous and relaxed.  His van is extremely comfortable and his driving impeccable on even the twistiest roads.  A more thoughtful host we could not imagine.  We hope to return to Puerto Rico ready for more adventures with him.

Ellis has a new website because his Facebook page has been having some issues lately.  So, the best way to contact him is through the website:  www.tourwithellis.com.

P.S.  here is a my review from last year.

Crispy bacon may be eaten with fingers.  Likewise asparagus.  Enjoy.

Hi, he doesn’t, do tours of Old San Juan.  In our experience it is best just to walk around as the area is not large.

What the pricing example you gave means is that the minimum charge is $180.  If you have just two people you pay $180.  If you have 3 people you pay $180.  If you have 4 people you pay $240.

4 people would be no problem at all. 

Sorry for the tardy reply...I haven't checked the board for a while.  We stayed in an apartment opposite the Vanderbilt in Condado and he picked up up right in front. 

Ellis' tours started about 10-10.30 and ended around 4 - 4.30, but Ellis will tailor the timetable to match people's schedule.  The Mango Daiquiri tour is the longest one at 6-7 hours.  At the time, it cost $85 US per person or a minimum of $225

This is the link to his Facebook page.  We used FB messages to stay in touch.  He does not have a separate website.

https://www.facebook.com/EllisPRTours/

Hope this helps

In February 2019, my partner and I had the pleasure of 3 tours with Ellis. We are usually independent travellers, so why choose a tour?

Well, frankly, we did not want to have the hassle of renting a car nor cope with the challenges of driving and navigating in unknown territory.

Why choose a personal tour instead of going with a group? We wanted the schedule flexibility offered by a personal tour arrangement, and the ability to tailor destinations to our interests.

Why choose Ellis? We read the reviews, looked at the website, and corresponded with him directly. The reviews were enthusiastic, the website was informative, and Ellis always responded quickly and helpfully to our many emails and questions. And his prices were competitive.

Where did we go first? We went to the spectacular El Yunque forest only days after the interior roads re-opened. This tour had many beautiful view points...one was an old lighthouse with a tiny museum, overlooking the ocean where an ancient casuarina still struggled to survive. This tour also included a short hike on a well-marked trail to an ice-cold swimming hole where local lads jumped into deep clear fresh water (and we nervous tourists picked our way over stones to the same place!). Ellis’ vehicle was comfortable, air-conditioned, and Ellis was a super driver for these twisty tiny roads.

Our second tour was the ‘Mango Daiquiri tour’. Again, many beautiful look-outs, stops at road side snack bars for delicious daiquiris and snacks. 

We were impressed that wherever we stopped, Ellis was known and clearly popular. Among other places, this tour took us to the village of Guavate. We arrived on the day of one of the famous ‘pig roasts’...savoury aromas throughout the village and salsa music filled the air.

Our third tour was to see the part of the island hardest hit by Hurricane Maria. It was a real eye-opener. While San Juan is mostly recovered, the hinterland where Ellis lives is still clawing its way back. Ellis shared his experiences of survival during this time, and told us of the community spirit that helped people pull through. We ended this tour day with a few hours at one of Puerto Rico’s beautiful beaches.

As a guide, Ellis was informative, thoughtful and very caring. We never felt rushed. We also saw a bit of his tender side...at one stop, he brought some food for a stray dog that he knew had been living there. 

We plan to return to Puerto Rico and will definitely be touring with Ellis again.

We went on one other tour with a different tour agency to a destination not offered by Ellis. This was a small group tour. The tour guide was hopeless and really little more than a chauffeur (although a very good one). He seemed to know very little of the history, politics or economy of the country (in fact we ended up sharing with our little group information we had learned from Ellis).

Our only regret is that it took so long to write this review and share our wonderful experiences with others!

https://www.facebook.com/EllisPRTours/

Thanks again everyone

Tx!  How much should the tip be per bag?

Thank you both.  I am relieved.

This is our first Windstar Cruise, although we have sailed the ship (Pride) before when it was with Seabourn.  Unlike Seabourn, Windstar has not provided luggage tags showing our name and the cabin number.  My understanding (perhaps incorrect) is that porters at the OSJ cruise terminal take the luggage at the time one arrives at the terminal.  Without tags showing the cabin number, how does the luggage get to one’s cabin?  Or should we just make our own?  We leave soon, so help is appreciated.  Many thanks.

er no - we just wanted Silversea to hang on to the $$ we had paid and allow us to apply it to a future cruise to be determined. Nothing complicated or nefarious about that is there? And certainly a lot easier for us than all the paperwork required for a insurance claim.

Well, we tried our best but Silversea was adamant and would not let us transfer our payments to a future cruise. We are not out of pocket owing to private travel insurance, but this is certainly not the outcome we wanted. My travelling partner is recovering nicely. Thank you for all your advice and support.

It does.

 

Have you considered asking SS whether in these particular circumstances you might cancel the trip for both of you and use the charge against a future cruise you might take outside the 90 day period. Ask through your TA if you have one or directly. It would in effect be better for them if you did rather than carry the risk of your partner needing help during the cruise.

 

Would this be a better option if they offered it?

This is one of the options we are looking at through our TA.

The coverage came first and is a comprehensive ongoing plan that carries on from year to year covering all trips taken within each year. Because the coverage was in place at the time of the accident, all expenses incurred prior to the accident will be reimbursed.

According to the insurance company, however, the injuries from the recent accident are now a 'pre-existing condition' in relation to the trip scheduled for the fall. So, if we decide to go on the trip, the pre-existing condition clause will eliminate coverage should anything occur during the trip that is related to the current hospitalization. (Coverage would still be in place for any medical occurrences NOT related to the current injuries and hospitalization)

To elaborate, the pre-existing condition clause requires that one be "stable" for 90 days prior to a trip in order for coverage to be in effect (stable meaning, among other things, '"no hospitalization"). The fall cruise is within this 90 day window so the condition cannot be met, at least with respect to anything arising from the accident.

Doctors have not yet pronounced on the issue of whether my partner will be 'safe to travel' or not. That's irrelevant, however, to the insurance company's requirement.

That said, my question is less about the insurance and more about experiences as to whether Silversea, faced with cancellation of one passenger in a suite for medical reasons, would allow a friend of the cancelling passenger to take over that person's suite and cruise air arrangements. And, if so, are there additional charges?

I hope this clarifies...and welcome any more questions you might have, as well as learning about your own experiences in such a situation as the one we face.

Thanks for your observations, help, and best wishes!

My travel partner was just in a horrid accident and will be hospitalized for some time owing to multiple fractures pretty much everywhere. We're pretty devastated.

We have a cruise planned for October. So even though the injuries might have healed by then, the 'pre-existing condition' clause of our insurance will mean there will be no medical or trip interruption coverage should anything else develop that could be attributed to the accident.

Right now, we are completely covered by trip cancellation insurance for all our prepaid expenses (which is most of them). So unless my partner wants to take the big risk of travelling without complete medical coverage, cancellation appears to be the only option.

We are thinking, though, that a mutual friend might be interested in replacing my travel partner on the trip. In your experience, would Silversea be amenable to doing this as a straight swap, or would there be additional charges related to the cruise or the cruise air?

If a straight swap - or something similar - can't be arranged, then the options are for both of us to cancel or for me to carry on as a solo traveller, noting that the insurance company would fully reimburse my partner, and that the suite has been fully paid for already (albeit for two people).

I look forward to learning about your exoeriences, sad as they may be. Thank you.

My cancelled deposit was returned in full.:)

I made a number of $1000 open booking deposits. The 6-month window for converting the first deposit to a confirmed booking expires in 5 days.

Long story, but my preference at the moment is to request a refund of the deposit for this booking as I am not ready to make a confirmation at this point.

I'm finding the refund policy a bit ambiguous and hope that those of you who have had or requested open booking refunds in the past can help clarify.

My question is whether there will be any penalties applied if I request a refund of the open booking deposit prior to the end of the 6 month window for converting from an open booking to a confirmed one. The way I read it, there don't seem to be, but I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!

Thanks again - you have all been most generous.

Thank you so much for all these helpful replies. They are much appreciated.

We're thinking of booking a Princess Grill suite for a transatlantic crossing in 2018 on QM2. Our travelling companion is solo and plans to book one of the Britannia single cabins. Will we be able to invite our companion into the Grills lounge and restaurant? Thanks for your help.

Thank you so much. It's embarrassing to have missed that March posting. I'm not as computer literate as I thought!

I promise I have searched for the answer to this question and couldn't find it...hence bothering you nice people with it.

Is champagne as freely available on Silversea as it is on Seabourn?

Thank you.

ps - it's unfortunate that Silversea caviar offerings are seem to available only if you buy a tin. We loved our champagne and caviar cocktail hour on Seabourn but could likely not consume a whole tin of the stuff!

Yes, sailing is not until March 31, 2017.... Quest transatlantic, Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona with stops in Funchal, Tangiers, and I think Gibraltar.

 

...

 

When I found the solo promotional fare I was very pleasantly surprised. Category is SA guarantee. I believe its about a 30% supplement.

...

 

Claudia

Hi there Claudia, could you post a link to where you found the promotional fare for this crossing? Alternately (because I'm not sure CC allows links like that), perhaps you could email me at graham[underscore]montrose[at]hotmail[dot]com. Many thanks.