ajtraveler66

Of these two, I would vote for Le Bistro first. It won't disappoint. Every time we cruise, we HAVE to include this restaurant.

Thanks so much for this. We are a party of four. I've decided that if the other three don't want to go to Antigua, I'm going to go on my own without them! L.O.L.! But...I think I'm going to be able to persuade them. Knowing that the scenery along the way (on the long bus ride) is nice will definitely help. I've read so many positive comments about Antigua. It's a part of the world I'm looking forward to experiencing.

Have any of you taken the NCL Excursion "Acapulco Beach Day"? If so, please comment. Our cruise is in January. (Safety is a concern for Acapulco). We'd like to get at least one beach day in while we are on our Panama Canal Cruise. Ports in Mexico will include: Cabo San Lucas; Puerto Vallarta; Manzanilla; and Acapulco. There is a beach offering in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala (but we'll probably go to Antigua that day). There is a resort day offered in Cabo San Lucas, but we'd prefer to walk about the marina area while there. But if that's our only good beach option, we will probably take advantage of it. We are seniors ... and we prefer to take the ship excursions, if at all possible.

We are looking for restaurant & bar recommendations for the marina area (the marina relatively near the cruise port). I've seen "Solomon's Landing" recommended, and it looks good. Are there any others? We prefer to walk if it's not ridiculously far away and if the weather is permitting. How long of a walk is it? Thanks. Is there souvenir shopping in the marina area .... or close by?

As I look at the excursions offered by NCL while in Cartagena, Colombia, there is no excursion to go to the 'Walled City' On Your Own. The closest thing I see is an excursion entitled "Discover Cumbia Dancing and the Walled City". Included in that excursion is an hour to an hour-and-a-half of free time. Note to NCL: Offer a "Walled City On Your Own" excursion, and you'll probably sell tons of tickets. All of this said, is it easy and safe to walk to the "Walled City" of Cartagena from the cruise port .... or is it safe and easy to find transportation to the "Walled City" of Cartagena? Also....while we are on the topic....any good restaurants to recommend while there?

As I look at the excursions offered by NCL, there is no excursion for going to the 'Walled City' On Your Own. The closest thing I see is an excursion entitled "Discover Cumbia Dancing and the Walled City". Included in that excursion is an hour to an hour-and-a-half of free time. Note to NCL: Offer a "Walled City On Your Own" excursion, and you'll probably sell tons of tickets. All of this said, is it easy and safe to walk to the "Walled City" of Cartagena .... or is it safe and easy to find transportation to the "Walled City" of Cartagena? Also....while we are on the topic....any good restaurants to recommend while there?

For those of you who have been to Getsemini while on a cruise .... How do you get there? Was it safe? Did you combine it with another excursion? Was it worth it? I did see one excursion that included both Getsemini and the Walled City .... but the downer was that there didn't appear to be any 'on your own' time. And it's that 'on your own' time that we love the most. I look forward to your suggestions/recommendations?

We're on a Panaman Cruise from LA to Miami in January 2024. Today, NCL added Manzanillo, Mexico to our itinerary. I checked out a Youtube videok of Manzanillo, and it looks like a neat place. Given the opportunity, we prefer to stay fairly close to the port ... and just take in some shopping, decent restaurant/bars. Is that possible here? It didn't say in the video if the 'malecon' area was near the cruise port, but if it's not far away, we would be willing to walk/Uber/taxi if that area is the best to visit. Suggestions on good restaurants, shopping areas, etc. is welcome. Thanks.

Below is a link to a list of NCL shore excursions for Acapulco. We'll be there in January on a Panama Canal cruise. Because Acapulco is "iffy" we ARE going to take the ship's excursion, and we want to do one that includes cliff diving. So many of these excursions include cliff divers so we don't know which way to turn. If you have taken any of these excursions or know a little bit about them, please offer your recommendations on which one to do? Thanks. https://www.ncl.com/shore-excursions/search?Mnr=4096&printfriendly=1&port=ACA

Thanks so much for your input. This truly helps. We are a party of four, and this is what I'll be recommending (Antigua) as they rely on me to do the research (which I enjoy doing very much). Knowing that the drive is a scenic one should help. They are not too keen on long bus rides. IMHO 90 minutes is not all that bad...especially if it's scenic (and I would also imagine a bit educational). Again ..... Thanks. .... What did you do in Antigua? Did you do it "on your own" or did you go with a specific tour?

We are trying to decide what to do while at port in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. I have viewed a few Youtube videos of the port area, but it didn't look as though there were many (if any) casual restaurant/bar areas. Perhaps there is more than the videos are showing. If there is not much at the port, we will likely do an excursion to either Antigua or Guatemala City. Thanks.

We are trying to decide what to do while at port in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. I have viewed a few Youtube videos of the port area, but it didn't look as though there were many (if any) restaurant/bar areas. Perhaps there is more than the videos are showing. If there is not much at the port, we will likely do an excursion to either Antigua or Guatemala City. Thanks.

Has anyone ever taken this excursion? After seeing Antigua, the tour goes to the Antigua Brewing Company for beer sampling and snacks. Sounds good. Another excursion is "Antigua On Your Own". Not sure if this brewery would be within walking distance if we took that excursion.

If we should decide to do an "Antigua On Your Own" excursion, are there decent restaurant/bars where we can kick back for an hour or so. Any restaurant recommendations?

Cartagena, Colombia is one of our ports of call on our January 2024 NCL Bliss Panama Canal cruise. We will probably do one of the cruiseship's excursions ... but we were curious to know if there is much to do in the immediate port area: Restaurants, bars, shopping. Also is the port area a safe area? And while I've got you, are there any excursions that you would recommend? Thanks.

Thanks BillB48. Most helpful.

We will be on the NCL Bliss in January and will port at Panama Canal Pacific Cruise Terminal. From what I understand, there are two ways to cross the canal, and since we're on the Bliss (a bigger ship) we will not pass through the original canal. (I may have this all wrong). We are trying to decide what excursion to take. Going to Panama City looks like it might be a nice one. But then, some have said that since we are not passing through the original canal, that we might want to consider an excursion that lets us see the original at work. Is the excursion below what they are talking about?... and is it really worth it since we'll be passing through the newer canal. Since we're at this cruise terminal for more than a day, is it possible to take more than one excursion? https://www.ncl.com/shore-excursions/PCT_01/Panama-Canal-Experience?destination=Panama+Canal+Cruises&port=PCT&sort=searchWeight&sortOrder=asc&perPage=12

Actually we sail out of LA on January 12th. .... They will be posting more excursions as the cruise gets closer. If you google "ncl shore excursions puerto quetzal guatemala" you'll see several listed. More than likely most of these will be available to us by cruise time.

We always enjoy just walking around areas relatively near the port and taking time to 'people watch', shop, and go to a decent restaurant. Of course, not all ports are always condusive for that. (Safety...or not much to offer). .... We also enjoy doing a 'resort day' at a beach hotel and taking advantages of all of the amenities that it has to offer. We will be in Cabo San Lucas from 11am - 7pm. The next day we will be in Puerto Vallarta from 12noon - 9pm. FYI: Cabo is a TENDER port, and Puerto Vallarta is not. With this information ... and assuming that you have been to these places -- Which port would you choose for your 'resort day'. And which port would you choose for your 'walk-around' and enjoy the port day? Our cruise ship (NCL Bliss in January) apparently will be offering a resort excursion at both of the ports. Thanks so much. P.S. We will also be in Acapulco a few days later. We plan to pick an excursion that includes the cliff divers (we understand that Acapulco is not what it used to be when it comes to safety).

We will be on a Panama Cruise in January on the NCL Bliss. We are looking for recommendations for our time at Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. Any excursions that you can recommend? From my perspective...a tour that gives a genuine feel for the country would be nice. But great scenery is something that is always appealing. Guatemala City looks interesting, as does Antigua. ... But we are open to other ideas as well. Thanks.

We will be on the NCL Bliss. The cruise starts in LA and goes to Miami. Thanks.

Per requested above, we will be on the NCL Bliss.

I realize that going through the canal is probably the main feature of a Panama Canal cruise. That said, I'm wondering what some of the other quality 'must-do' things are whenever at port in the Pacific Cruise Terminal. From the itinerary, it looks as though we are there for a day or more. (I see excursions for a train ride, an excursion to Panama City ... etc.). Or is there plenty to do right there in the port area?

We will be in Puerto Vallarta in January '24. Have any of you ever done an all-inclusive hotel 'resort day' while at port in PV? If so, what hotel resort would you recommend? Also....what other beach-area suggestions might you suggest in the event we should opt out of the 'resort day' plan? (beach area with lots of beachside restuarant available). Thanks!

At my age, it's doubtful I will ever do another Mediterranean cruise (I've done two) ... and I want to stay closer to home for the rest of my 'cruising adventures'. HOWEVER, if I ever should decide to do another Mediterranean cruise, I would INSIST that Split be on the itinerary. (Another cheer from me in my support of this wonderful port city).