kathy6890 Posted June 1, 2013 #1 Share Posted June 1, 2013 I'm looking for some opinions on whether to book the LuLu Lobster boat excursion in Bar Harbor through HAL for an August cruise. If I book through the cruise line it is almost double the price then if I book directly through LuLu Lobster boat. It appears to be the same sailing time, and the pier is walking distance from where the ship is tendered. Has anyone done this boat trip- I've got a 9 y.o. and a 14 y.o. I'd like to get up to Acadia too. THanks for any insight. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeen978 Posted June 2, 2013 #2 Share Posted June 2, 2013 We were supposed to do this tour with the ship on May 24th but we couldn't tender because it was too rough. There was another couple on the ship that had booked it independently at half the cost. I never saw them afterwards to find out if they were refunded their money or not. Ask LuLu's if they still charge you if the ship doesn't make it in. I know that it is easy to get to on your own so if in the event that you can't get there and you don't loose any money, I would think independently is the way to go. I will tell you that this was the only one of two excursions that was completely booked on our entire cruise so I would advise you to book ahead in either case. It gets great reviews, have fun! Oh, if you book with the ship you can get your tender much easier but I don't know if that is an issue or not since none of us got off the ship. Sandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathy6890 Posted June 2, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted June 2, 2013 Thank you Sandy! What time of year did you go when it was too rough to tender? We'll be there in August and it hadn't even occurred to me that this could be an issue. We may plan on going up to Acadia nat'l park instead anyway- I don't want to miss that and I can take my kids to see lobsters and seals more easily then I can get to Acadia:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeen978 Posted June 2, 2013 #4 Share Posted June 2, 2013 It was a couple of weeks ago on the Maasdam. It never occurred to me that it happens either but of the two cruises we have taken we missed a port on each, one in Alaska and the one in Bar Harbor. People really were saying good things at LuLu's though and if you call and tell them you are on the cruise ship they may credit you if the port is missed. Also, look at the cruise excursions as you might be able to fit both Arcadia and the lobster boat in. They seemed to offer a lot of quick tours. Bar Harbor is really nice. I could drive to it so it wasn't a huge deal for us but I felt bad for the people that missed the opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailBadtheSinner Posted June 3, 2013 #5 Share Posted June 3, 2013 I'm looking for some opinions on whether to book the LuLu Lobster boat excursion in Bar Harbor through HAL for an August cruise. If I book through the cruise line it is almost double the price then if I book directly through LuLu Lobster boat. It appears to be the same sailing time, and the pier is walking distance from where the ship is tendered. Has anyone done this boat trip- I've got a 9 y.o. and a 14 y.o. I'd like to get up to Acadia too. THanks for any insight. K I've done the Lulu Lobster Boat tour independently and found it to be a very informative experience. I would think that your children would enjoy it. I would try to do a tour of Acadia National Park independently. There are 2 good independent tour companies available. Oli's Trolley - http://www.acadiaislandtours.com/ Acadia National Park Tours - http://www.acadiatours.com/ If you can't fit in each tour, I would go with the tour of ANP, JMHO. SBtS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c2c42 Posted June 6, 2013 #6 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Do you think it is necessary to reserve Lulu's ahead of time, or can we just walk off the ship? Am thinking that we might not be able to tender in, or the weather might be too dreadful to want to go. Thank you for advice Libby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EthelandLucy Posted June 18, 2013 #7 Share Posted June 18, 2013 Hopefully I'm not too late, but I live in Maine--near Bar Harbor and used to work there. John, the owner and Captain of Lulu's is a friend--but I would give him rave reviews even if that wasn't the case. Honestly, he became a friend because of the great trips and service he provided to my guests when we would send them to him for trips. He will be great for all ages and is very engaging. As for walking from the tender point, it's absolutely no problem. You can almost see his launch point from the pier. My 91 year old Grandmother could make the walk and she's had two knee replacements! It's that close. I hope this helps--and I hope you have a fantastic time in our region! It's a beautiful place to visit and a wonderful place to live. August is a great time of year to be here, too. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynncarol Posted July 4, 2013 #8 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Two years ago, my husband and I took my 89 year old parents on a Lulu Tour. We all loved it. Captain John made a big fuss over my folks and provided an excellent introduction to the marine life in the harbor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLT Posted July 11, 2013 #9 Share Posted July 11, 2013 This is an interesting thread to read because when I contacted Lulu's some time ago about taking the tour when we were in Bar Harbor they would not book us independently. I felt very disappointed that we would have to pay double to the cruise line but my grandchildren really wanted to go so.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailBadtheSinner Posted July 11, 2013 #10 Share Posted July 11, 2013 This is an interesting thread to read because when I contacted Lulu's some time ago about taking the tour when we were in Bar Harbor they would not book us independently. I felt very disappointed that we would have to pay double to the cruise line but my grandchildren really wanted to go so.... How did they know you were on the cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLT Posted July 14, 2013 #11 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Well, I was honest and told them. No good deed goes unpunished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted July 14, 2013 #12 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Unfortunately, its in their contract with the cruise line..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailBadtheSinner Posted July 14, 2013 #13 Share Posted July 14, 2013 Well, I was honest and told them. No good deed goes unpunished. There is a lesson to be learned there, somewhere. :D SBtS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssbeard1 Posted July 14, 2013 #14 Share Posted July 14, 2013 I booked online - it never asked if we were a cruise ship passenger nor did I see a disclaimer saying you could not book if you were arriving by cruise ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynncarol Posted July 27, 2013 #15 Share Posted July 27, 2013 We also booked online. I can't recall any questions about our cruise passenger status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartfruit Posted July 29, 2013 #16 Share Posted July 29, 2013 If Lu Lu won't book you because you are off the cruise ship, then a solid alternative is the lobster boat tour from BAR HARBOR WHALE WATCH CO. They leave from the same dock as the tenders arrive from and my daughter and I really enjoyed the tour. I can't compare it directly with the LuLu tour but they sound very comparable. I avoided booking with LuLu because I figured they'd have less availability having the contract with the cruise ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathysmom Posted August 21, 2013 #17 Share Posted August 21, 2013 We'll be cruising to Bar Harbor in October....I want to see Cadillac mtn and thought the lobster boat would interest my DH... Royal Caribbean has a combo with Cadillac man and Lulu's. I was going to do two separate excursions but then saw the combo. Your reviews also helped too. So unless there's a reason not to I think this is the excursion for us... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssbeard1 Posted August 21, 2013 #18 Share Posted August 21, 2013 An alternative to Lulu's? Is anyone familiar with Acadian sightseeing and Nature cruise? It doesn't leave from the same dock, it's approximately 1 1/2 miles down, but they said you can take a taxi for approximately $5. Just wondering if someone has done this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leebies Posted September 12, 2013 #19 Share Posted September 12, 2013 I haven't done this tour but I'm going to do it in October. I reserved a place by calling and they provide transport to and from the boat tour. You meet in the sea-dawg gift shop at 47 west street, which is not far from where the tender's get in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssbeard1 Posted September 13, 2013 #20 Share Posted September 13, 2013 You booked with Acadian sightseeing and they are meeting you in town? Awesome..... I called them and they said I needed to take a taxi to and from their dock. I may give them another call and double check. We leave out Sat. I called them about a month ago, so maybe with more cruise ships in port over the next month this is something they are doing. I will post my experience with them when we return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssbeard1 Posted September 13, 2013 #21 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Just heard from Acadian and we will be picked up at sea dawg. I am so thankful you posted about that :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaja Posted September 13, 2013 #22 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Just heard from Acadian and we will be picked up at sea dawg. I am so thankful you posted about that :D I just emailed Acadian...asking if the pick up where we get the reserved tickets....(October)...waiting to hear...before I order tickets.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leebies Posted September 14, 2013 #23 Share Posted September 14, 2013 ssbeard, hope you have a great time and I'll look forward to hearing all about it.:) jaja, we are also booked for October, the 9th and I was given the information about the van when I booked over the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaja Posted September 18, 2013 #24 Share Posted September 18, 2013 ssbeard, hope you have a great time and I'll look forward to hearing all about it.:) jaja, we are also booked for October, the 9th and I was given the information about the van when I booked over the phone. thanks!!!! I never heard from them...so will call...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaja Posted September 19, 2013 #25 Share Posted September 19, 2013 thanks!!!! I never heard from them...so will call...! Update.... I called and booked !!!! Yes..a van will be taking us from Sea Dawg where we pick up tickets..to the dock for the excursion..!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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