question about time in Falklands on NCL

We booked the tour with Patrick Watts for our upcoming SA cruise on NCL. The itinerary says we are there 8a-4p. Giving time for tendering, 2-1/2 hours each way and 1-1/2 hours seeing the penguins, the time constraints seem impossible but he says not to go by the published itinerary and that the ship never leaves before 5pm.

Can anyone who has done this tour with him on the NCL Sun confirm this?

Ellie,

Both Patrick Watts and Nyree at Estancia are old hands in this business but wouldn’t risk putting their reputations at risk with frivolous claims.

Steve

We booked the tour with Patrick Watts for our upcoming SA cruise on NCL. The itinerary says we are there 8a-4p. Giving time for tendering, 2-1/2 hours each way and 1-1/2 hours seeing the penguins, the time constraints seem impossible but he says not to go by the published itinerary and that the ship never leaves before 5pm.

 

 

Can anyone who has done this tour with him on the NCL Sun confirm this?

Which cruise are you on? We are on the 5 Jan 19 and have reserved this tour as well.

We booked the tour with Patrick Watts for our upcoming SA cruise on NCL. The itinerary says we are there 8a-4p. Giving time for tendering, 2-1/2 hours each way and 1-1/2 hours seeing the penguins, the time constraints seem impossible but he says not to go by the published itinerary and that the ship never leaves before 5pm.

 

 

Can anyone who has done this tour with him on the NCL Sun confirm this?

I assume you are going to Volunteer Point....which is 2 hours each way, more or less. The tour companies use local drivers who furnish their own 4X4's to transit the roadless bog which ends at the shore where the penguins are.

We returned in plenty of time (Estancia Excursions, Nyree) to tour and see Stanley and have a pint at a local pub. Stanley is not a large city.

This is from Estancia "The tour is usually around 6 to 6.5 hours in total, which includes two hours of travel in each direction. For cruise ships that are in port for less than 8 hours, the amount of time actually spent at Volunteer Point can be reduced to still allow you the opportunity to visit this beautiful location with its amazing wildlife."

Are you doing Volunteer Point or Bertha's Beach? He does both. We did the latter, and there was lots of time. If it's VP, all the tours/trucks basically go there together and return together so there shouldn't be a problem.

Where are you going?? These vendors do know their business BUT the cruise ship port time is essential to note. I would NOT assume the departure time is different. Most important is for you to be IN LINE early for a first tender. Especially if you have no priority. Don’t be naive and think you can just walk up 10 minutes prior. Many times high amounts of people want off the ship