Komodo Island - Additional Touring Advice

[surfsidemary]

If you are talking about Komodo Island I just can't imagine what type of tour has been arranged and with who.

 

Keith

 

No unless someone is giving little boat rides like they do in Boca de Valeria, Brazil. Komodo looks to me like it's even less developed than Boca de Valeria.

[Keith1010]

No unless someone is giving little boat rides like they do in Boca de Valeria, Brazil. Komodo looks to me like it's even less developed than Boca de Valeria.

 

I have been there as I have posted.

 

I cannot see how there is a private tour.

 

Makes no sense to me.

 

Also, even if there was. It would be a waste of money.

 

You don't need a private tour to see what there is to see which is along the path that we took.

 

Oh well.

 

Keith

[surfsidemary]

I have been there as I have posted.

 

I cannot see how there is a private tour.

 

Makes no sense to me.

 

Also, even if there was. It would be a waste of money.

 

You don't need a private tour to see what there is to see which is along the path that we took.

 

Oh well.

 

Keith

 

I agree 100%. What we saw is all there is to see.

[Whitby Lass]

I have been there as I have posted.

 

I cannot see how there is a private tour.

 

Makes no sense to me.

 

Also, even if there was. It would be a waste of money.

 

You don't need a private tour to see what there is to see which is along the path that we took.

 

Oh well.

 

Keith

 

I have also been there and agree with Keith totally. There must be some mistake or misunderstanding.

[Mary Ellen]

We will be on HA spending 1st Nov at Komoda Island 9am to 3pm.

 

We were going to take tender ashore then arrange to see the sights.

Second option is that you will have the opportunity to take the tour in the morning and for those who don't want to take the tour they will be allowed to come over later in the day after the official tours are over and sufficient locals can be at the tender drop off area and you will be allowed to go to the nearby area where they sell the various items.

 

This area has essentially no infrastructure.

We were on HAL when we went to Komodo Island. This 'second option' wasn't available on our stop there. You either went on a shore ex through the ship or had an approved private tour. NO going ashore then arranging to see the sights. I know nothing about the private tour other than someone on our Roll Call had arranged one. We didn't do it. Like the others, I could see nothing that the private tour had to offer over the ship's tour. We do generally like private tours, but this stop and another we had on this cruise (Semarang to tour to Borobudur) are ones where we feel the ship's shore ex are better than going private.

 

Believe Keith when he says Komodo Island has "essentially no infrastructure".

Edited September 25, 2012 by Mary Ellen

[John Bull]

I agree 100%. What we saw is all there is to see.

 

 

Right.

 

But a private walking tour exactly like the ship's walking tour, if permitted, can be done for a fraction of the cost. One guide for a RollCall of mebbe a dozen cruisers, and no cruiseline mark-up.

The basic walking tours leave from the pier & don't go more than mebbe half-a-mile inland. Almost certainly it's the same guides for that walk, whether ship-sponsored or private.

Don't know what other cruise lines charge, but ours was equivalent to over $50 pp. I suspect that a guide would charge less than that for a whole group !!!

 

So the motivation for a private tour rather than ship's tour is $.

Or, more accurately, $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

JB :)

[Keith1010]

Right.

 

But a private walking tour exactly like the ship's walking tour, if permitted, can be done for a fraction of the cost. One guide for a RollCall of mebbe a dozen cruisers, and no cruiseline mark-up.

The basic walking tours leave from the pier & don't go more than mebbe half-a-mile inland. Almost certainly it's the same guides for that walk, whether ship-sponsored or private.

Don't know what other cruise lines charge, but ours was equivalent to over $50 pp. I suspect that a guide would charge less than that for a whole group !!!

 

So the motivation for a private tour rather than ship's tour is $.

Or, more accurately, $$$$$$$$$$$$

 

JB :)

 

Ours were complimentary.

 

Anyway, to me it's a great place to say you saw.

 

I can't imagine how you organize a private tour there.

 

Keith

[Nonna and Papa]

Folks, we are also on the private tour that Elaine (sundancer) mentioned, along many on our roll call - to total 79 people. One of the roll call members contacted a company which offers walking tours on the island. With this tour, we will be taken into the interior to view the dragons, then to the village (which I understand is of minor significance), and then by boat to Pink Beach, with lunch on board.

 

Unfortunately, the gentleman who arranged this tour is currently cruising, or I would ask him to give you details of the company he contacted. Rules were very stringent, and we had to send our names as appearing on our passports, as well as our passport numbers, and then we were broken into smaller groups of 8 or 10. From what I understand, vouchers will then be issued for each group, with our names listed on each voucher. I believe we have to show our passports upon reaching the island. Escorting each group will be two rangers, and no one is allowed to deviate from the group - I can't see anyone wanting to do this, but then some people.....;).

 

That is about it. The cost, of course, is very reasonable. I'm curious now, as to why you feel this is such an unusual occurrence?

 

Mary

[acruisergirl]

Folks, we are also on the private tour that Elaine (sundancer) mentioned, along many on our roll call - to total 79 people. One of the roll call members contacted a company which offers walking tours on the island. With this tour, we will be taken into the interior to view the dragons, then to the village (which I understand is of minor significance), and then by boat to Pink Beach, with lunch on board.

 

Unfortunately, the gentleman who arranged this tour is currently cruising, or I would ask him to give you details of the company he contacted. Rules were very stringent, and we had to send our names as appearing on our passports, as well as our passport numbers, and then we were broken into smaller groups of 8 or 10. From what I understand, vouchers will then be issued for each group, with our names listed on each voucher. I believe we have to show our passports upon reaching the island. Escorting each group will be two rangers, and no one is allowed to deviate from the group - I can't see anyone wanting to do this, but then some people.....;).

 

That is about it. The cost, of course, is very reasonable. I'm curious now, as to why you feel this is such an unusual occurrence?

 

Mary

Mary,

 

You are correct about private tours on Komodo Island. I've have been "lurking" on the Celebrity roll calls trying to get information about Komodo and there are at least 2 cruises in Jan that have arranged private tours that involve all the rules you stated above. They did not mention the tour company/guide.

 

Pat

[Keith1010]

Mary and Pat,

 

I would just do this with the cruise line but I guess if it makes people happy to do a private tour great.

 

Even the idea of bringing your passports ashore would bother me.

 

Just one more item to carry and worry about and if it is raining or when you are walking should it be muddy and you fall down.

 

I think private tours can be great but having been here before I just don't get it.

 

But if it makes them happy that's great.

 

Keith

[Nonna and Papa]

Keith, I think part of the reason this tour was formed, was that there was a great deal of excitement about going to see these critters...not me, of course...I'm still not sure I want to see them!!!:rolleyes: But at any rate, there weren't any ship's excursions out yet, and one gentlemen offered to research tours. The information evolved and many expressed their interest, and we had a tour!

 

Our roll call has been going strong for over a year, and the tour specifics are finally being finalized. The man who has done all the leg work has really worked hard researching and communicating to get this done. The difference with this tour vs. a ship's tour is that we've added on the extras after walking to see the dragons. So it's not just see the dragons and go back to the ship, and that's appealing to all who have signed up. The participant list was actually stopped because the whole of the group was getting very large.

 

So all I can offer, is that perhaps things are now changing to allow approved private tours on the island. Not having been there before, I can't comment on earlier procedures. I still would rather go to the spa!!!:p

 

Pat, I wonder if the other group you've mentioned is using the same company...I have no knowledge if there are other approved private companies on the island.

 

Mary

[Keith1010]

Mary, thanks for the explanation.

 

It sounds like the person who has organized this knows what they are doing and I am sure it will be a interesting experience.

 

It sounds like they must be able to offer these tours and kudos for the person to have figured this out.

 

The good news is that not many people get to say they have visited this Island and the Dragons are interesting in their own way. It's one of those places that you actually will not forget.

 

Keith

[Nonna and Papa]

Let's pray Keith, that you last comment will be in a good way....I'm still squeamish about this tour!!:D

 

Mary

[John Bull]

Ours were complimentary

 

Keith

 

That puts a different complexion on things :)

 

And I agree that there's not much point in doing more.

Though I guess a little boat trip helps pad out an otherwise boringly -long day.

 

JB :)

 

ps "I still would rather go to the spa!!!:p" .......... Mary, you should be banned from this thread :D

Edited September 25, 2012 by John Bull

[Keith1010]

Let's pray Keith, that you last comment will be in a good way....I'm still squeamish about this tour!!:D

 

Mary

 

Mary, I was just laughing to myself because my wife decided to stay on the ship that day and I went. She got squeamish too. A couple of days before they had sent us a note to each room just saying that if it rained it could be very muddy and she just wasn't thrilled with the idea of the dragons. Even the night before they called for rain in the morning but thankfully we lucked out. But, my wife, was nevertheless happy to stay on the ship.

 

Keith

[Nonna and Papa]

John Bull....you sly one...you edited your post to include that last line!!!!! It wasn't there when I first read your post!!:p

 

Keith, something tells me your wife is a very smart lady!!!!!:D

 

Mary

[acruisergirl]

Mary and Pat,

 

I would just do this with the cruise line but I guess if it makes people happy to do a private tour great.

 

Even the idea of bringing your passports ashore would bother me.

 

Just one more item to carry and worry about and if it is raining or when you are walking should it be muddy and you fall down.

 

I think private tours can be great but having been here before I just don't get it.

 

But if it makes them happy that's great.

 

Keith

Keith,

 

I enjoy doing private tours but it appears ship tours on Komodo Island is the way to go. Azamara is offering 2 separate tours: Kampung Komodo Village & Pink Beach and Komodo Dragon Adventure. We will be there from 9AM - 11PM so enough time to do both.

 

Thanks for all the extra information and advice.

 

Pat:)

[surfsidemary]

Let's pray Keith, that you last comment will be in a good way....I'm still squeamish about this tour!!:D

 

Mary

I was told you don't have to run faster than everybody. You just have to run faster than one other person. :D

[Keith1010]

And if you can't run fast, you have to hope those dragons ate before your arrival otherwise..........well........

 

Keith

[John Bull]

I was told you don't have to run faster than everybody. You just have to run faster than one other person. :D

 

Loved that one Mary, my best laugh of the day. :D:D:D

 

So I've withdrawn my request to have you banned.;)

 

JB :)

[acruisergirl]

And if you can't run fast, you have to hope those dragons ate before your arrival otherwise..........well........

 

Keith

Keith,

 

So I guess the best time is to arrive after lunch or we may be lunch.:D

 

Pat

[Nonna and Papa]

I knew I shouldn't have come back to this thread.:eek: I'm definitely going to reconsider the spa!!!:D I'll look at my husband's pictures when he comes back....he can run faster than I!!!:p

 

Mary

[Kiwi Kruzer]

You may have read this already, but for those that have not , heres the link to Bill and MaryAnnes report ,(from their World Cruise with HAL), on their day at Komodo.

Sound like an exciting day ?:eek::eek:

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1535300&highlight=komodo&page=16

 

post number 311

 

 

 

[Keith1010]

You may have read this already, but for those that have not , heres the link to Bill and MaryAnnes report ,(from their World Cruise with HAL), on their day at Komodo.

Sound like an exciting day ?:eek::eek:

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1535300&highlight=komodo&page=16

 

post number 311

 

 

 

 

While on a different cruise ship (Crystal Serenity) this is the same tour that we took. We did enjoy it which is why I initially said the ships tour was all we needed.

 

Keith

[seashells bonita]

Hi Denise,

 

We're also on the Millennium Jan 20 cruise, as is Elaine (sundancer) who posted above. Why don't you drop by the roll call and introduce yourself and if you'd like to be included, you can be added to the list of passengers. We're a very active group!

 

Mary

Thanks, Mary. I think I already registered. I am just now starting to concentrate on this cruise.

Thanks,

Denise