Shore excursions for less by booking directly or renting a car - NCL SUN 12/5/2015.

[Hilarion]

I was surprised to see how expensive are the shore excursions. This will be my third NCL cruise this year. After my first sticker shock, I decided I could probably find better deals myself with some research; and I did. I'll be pleased to share my findings with others who like to save money to use at the casino, at the Champagne bar, or at the nice NCL shops. I am saving a LOT and doing it ALL.

 

What I have done is to write directly to local excursion providers and asked for their excursions. i also asked if they would be willing to pick-up and drop off cruise passengers or identify an easy place nearby to meet. I also found additional low-cost options which in my opinion may even be better.

 

I have drafted a list of superb alternative excursion deals for each port. The difference is that you deal directly wit the excursion providers and remove the ship from the arrangement; thus much cheaper. The excursions are in English or Spanish. I will be coming along and can help anyone who does not speak Spanish.

 

I have also reserved an automatic transmission rental car in Puerto Montt for only app. $60 and designed an easy driving itinerary using the NCL excursions and other guidance from tour books; I will do more than the expensive excursions. I will be pleased to share it with anyone. And if you would like to join me and make it really cheap, let me know. I am tons of fun. It is a Fiat 500 automatic so cannot take more than a couple of friends. I booked the car on Orbitz and even earned Orbitz rewards; and it includes insurance.

 

As an example, the excursion in Puerto Madryn (Argentina) to Punto Tombo which s the penguin colony is US$167 if you book it with NCL. I have two local companies that serve Argentine tourists who would do the SAME excursion for AR$ 800 which is app. US$57 if you exchange your USD for the $15 peso (the blue dollar rate) rate in Buenos Aires before you board. Imagine your savings!

 

I will be pleased to send anyone their flyers and you can reach out to them directly. I have done all the leg-work and will share it with anyone who wants to save over US$100 each for this excursion.

 

The mark-ups for the other excursions are equally unconscionable. In Puerto Arenas the boat ride to the Penguin colony and transfers from the NCL dock to the departure dock is only US$80 (compared to US $167 with the cruise).

 

In Montevideo I found a superb Hop on and Off Bus with multiple language descriptions that stops with near the cruise port. I have taken this tour before and it is great. It costs only US$ 25 which is significantly less than the NCL excursion. Montevideo is a great small city with plenty of safe, cheap and nice places to eat along the Ramblas. I am taking the bus, so come along.

 

I also learned how to get from Valparaiso to the main bus terminal in Santiago for less than US$20, including a taxi ride from the Valparaiso cruise port to the Valparaiso bus terminal. The buses are very clean, safe, and very efficient. Chile is quite developed.

 

Let me know if any of the above interests you and I'll post more information or send it to you directly.

 

I am traveling SOLO on this cruise so please say HI when you see me! I am in stateroom 8073 (AFT). I am a recently retired American diplomat and enjoy doing things like this and saving my dollars to shop and eat.

 

Lari:)

[bnorris10]

whacha selling?

[LrgPizza]

You could maybe share this info on your roll call, or on the ports of call forum where you will find tons of similar information.

[4774Papa]

We have found NCL charges more for excursions than other cruise lines like Celebrity.

 

We did Around the Horn on Celebrity Infinity using nearly all private tours. My review provided that information.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=248878

[dijid]

I'm glad you've discovered how easy it is to save a lot of money and DIY it in ports. I have found the Ports of Call forums here on Cruise Critic to be extremely helpful when planning independent shore excursions.

[bluesea777]

Please read my SUN South America review (the link is in my signature).

 

It's up to you, but we had great time on the NCL tours. Some of the drives were long, but the coaches were very comfy and we were able to catch up on lost sleep after staying up so late the night before (very early starts).

 

Bring your passport with you when off ship, in case you run into trouble and miss the ship.

 

While I remember, NCL holds your passport during certain times ...

 

Good luck.

[GUEST080219]

For the cruise before the 5th they return the passports on the 3rd, the sea day before Montevideo.

So far I am quite happy with the NCL provided shore excursions. The coaches have been in good conditions, the tour guides did a good job and most important no need to take care of anything when we arrived an hour later or there were delays in the industrial ports.

[LrgPizza]

Reported as spam.

[Hilarion]

This is NOT spam. I Will be in this Cruise, and because I am fully bilingual, I have invested many hours in research as i am recently Retired American diplomat and believe in helping others save money and design a better trip. I prefer to save whenever I can by identifying better and less costly options and just want to share my knowledge with fellow passengers, and hopefully, new friends. What would ever make you think this is SPAM.

[Hilarion]

Thanks. Great idea. Am new here and am realizing quickly how useful it is and how nice everyone can be sharing information and helpful hints to have the best possible experience. Thanks!

[Hilarion]

What a beautiful and detailed review of your experience. Thank you!

[Clay Clayton]

I agree with the previous posters that posting on your sailings roll call will likely result in you connecting with more folks. We were on Sun's last sailing in 2010 and had a great time. In all ports but Stanley, we did independent tours arranged by various folks on our very active rollcall. In Stanley we took the very expensive (but worth it!) and only available through the ship excursion that took you cross country via land rovers to see peguins....it was a blast! I arranged one in Montevideo to a winery that still ranks as one of the best days we have ever had on a cruise.

 

I do want to warn you about Puerto Mott. Like you, we rented a car with another couple and intended to go basically follow the same itineary as the Norwegian excursions...north to the town on the lake followed by a drive around part of the lake and to the falls. Unfortunately, the road were not at all well marked and somehow we ended up halfway around the lake before we realized it...so while we had a good day, it wasn't at all what we had planned. This was before we had a cellphone with GPS so perhaps today it would be different but....

 

Enjoy Sun, it is our favorite ship and have a great cruise!

Edited November 19, 2015 by Clay Clayton

[sjbdtz]

Please read my SUN South America review (the link is in my signature).

 

It's up to you, but we had great time on the NCL tours. Some of the drives were long, but the coaches were very comfy and we were able to catch up on lost sleep after staying up so late the night before (very early starts).

 

Bring your passport with you when off ship, in case you run into trouble and miss the ship.

 

While I remember, NCL holds your passport during certain times ...

 

Good luck.

 

 

BlueSea, great review! Thanks. I'm using it to plan next March. :)

[Birder1]

Hi, Lari!

 

Which sailing are you on? My sister & I are on the Jan 2nd BA -> Valparaiso (14D) NCL Sun. She & I did Rio -> Valparaiso, albeit in 2003 on HAL.

 

My sister is fluent in Spanish (she lives in Chile) & I can understand a bit, so we could do tours more cheaply in Spanish. Surprisingly, German is spoken more frequently in Puerto Montt (at least when we were there; no one spoke English).

 

If you're on our sailing, we're interested in exchanging ideas/going on tours. 😀

 

Linda

 

 

 

I was surprised to see how expensive are the shore excursions. This will be my third NCL cruise this year. After my first sticker shock, I decided I could probably find better deals myself with some research; and I did. I'll be pleased to share my findings with others who like to save money to use at the casino, at the Champagne bar, or at the nice NCL shops. I am saving a LOT and doing it ALL.

 

What I have done is to write directly to local excursion providers and asked for their excursions. i also asked if they would be willing to pick-up and drop off cruise passengers or identify an easy place nearby to meet. I also found additional low-cost options which in my opinion may even be better.

 

I have drafted a list of superb alternative excursion deals for each port. The difference is that you deal directly wit the excursion providers and remove the ship from the arrangement; thus much cheaper. The excursions are in English or Spanish. I will be coming along and can help anyone who does not speak Spanish.

 

I have also reserved an automatic transmission rental car in Puerto Montt for only app. $60 and designed an easy driving itinerary using the NCL excursions and other guidance from tour books; I will do more than the expensive excursions. I will be pleased to share it with anyone. And if you would like to join me and make it really cheap, let me know. I am tons of fun. It is a Fiat 500 automatic so cannot take more than a couple of friends. I booked the car on Orbitz and even earned Orbitz rewards; and it includes insurance.

 

As an example, the excursion in Puerto Madryn (Argentina) to Punto Tombo which s the penguin colony is US$167 if you book it with NCL. I have two local companies that serve Argentine tourists who would do the SAME excursion for AR$ 800 which is app. US$57 if you exchange your USD for the $15 peso (the blue dollar rate) rate in Buenos Aires before you board. Imagine your savings!

 

I will be pleased to send anyone their flyers and you can reach out to them directly. I have done all the leg-work and will share it with anyone who wants to save over US$100 each for this excursion.

 

The mark-ups for the other excursions are equally unconscionable. In Puerto Arenas the boat ride to the Penguin colony and transfers from the NCL dock to the departure dock is only US$80 (compared to US $167 with the cruise).

 

In Montevideo I found a superb Hop on and Off Bus with multiple language descriptions that stops with near the cruise port. I have taken this tour before and it is great. It costs only US$ 25 which is significantly less than the NCL excursion. Montevideo is a great small city with plenty of safe, cheap and nice places to eat along the Ramblas. I am taking the bus, so come along.

 

I also learned how to get from Valparaiso to the main bus terminal in Santiago for less than US$20, including a taxi ride from the Valparaiso cruise port to the Valparaiso bus terminal. The buses are very clean, safe, and very efficient. Chile is quite developed.

 

Let me know if any of the above interests you and I'll post more information or send it to you directly.

 

I am traveling SOLO on this cruise so please say HI when you see me! I am in stateroom 8073 (AFT). I am a recently retired American diplomat and enjoy doing things like this and saving my dollars to shop and eat.

 

Lari:)

[herdingdogmom]

Thanks. Great idea. Am new here and am realizing quickly how useful it is and how nice everyone can be sharing information and helpful hints to have the best possible experience. Thanks!

 

I also recommend checking out your roll call. It is very active with a Meet & Greet scheduled and a spreadsheet with independent excursions. Here is a link to it: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2048599&page=19

Edited November 20, 2015 by herdingdogmom

[biker@sea]

I was surprised to see how expensive are the shore excursions. This will be my third NCL cruise this year. After my first sticker shock, I decided I could probably find better deals myself with some research; and I did. I'll be pleased to share my findings with others who like to save money to use at the casino, at the Champagne bar, or at the nice NCL shops. I am saving a LOT and doing it ALL.

 

What I have done is to write directly to local excursion providers and asked for their excursions. i also asked if they would be willing to pick-up and drop off cruise passengers or identify an easy place nearby to meet. I also found additional low-cost options which in my opinion may even be better.

 

I have drafted a list of superb alternative excursion deals for each port. The difference is that you deal directly wit the excursion providers and remove the ship from the arrangement; thus much cheaper. The excursions are in English or Spanish. I will be coming along and can help anyone who does not speak Spanish.

 

I have also reserved an automatic transmission rental car in Puerto Montt for only app. $60 and designed an easy driving itinerary using the NCL excursions and other guidance from tour books; I will do more than the expensive excursions. I will be pleased to share it with anyone. And if you would like to join me and make it really cheap, let me know. I am tons of fun. It is a Fiat 500 automatic so cannot take more than a couple of friends. I booked the car on Orbitz and even earned Orbitz rewards; and it includes insurance.

 

As an example, the excursion in Puerto Madryn (Argentina) to Punto Tombo which s the penguin colony is US$167 if you book it with NCL. I have two local companies that serve Argentine tourists who would do the SAME excursion for AR$ 800 which is app. US$57 if you exchange your USD for the $15 peso (the blue dollar rate) rate in Buenos Aires before you board. Imagine your savings!

 

I will be pleased to send anyone their flyers and you can reach out to them directly. I have done all the leg-work and will share it with anyone who wants to save over US$100 each for this excursion.

 

The mark-ups for the other excursions are equally unconscionable. In Puerto Arenas the boat ride to the Penguin colony and transfers from the NCL dock to the departure dock is only US$80 (compared to US $167 with the cruise).

 

In Montevideo I found a superb Hop on and Off Bus with multiple language descriptions that stops with near the cruise port. I have taken this tour before and it is great. It costs only US$ 25 which is significantly less than the NCL excursion. Montevideo is a great small city with plenty of safe, cheap and nice places to eat along the Ramblas. I am taking the bus, so come along.

 

I also learned how to get from Valparaiso to the main bus terminal in Santiago for less than US$20, including a taxi ride from the Valparaiso cruise port to the Valparaiso bus terminal. The buses are very clean, safe, and very efficient. Chile is quite developed.

 

Let me know if any of the above interests you and I'll post more information or send it to you directly.

 

I am traveling SOLO on this cruise so please say HI when you see me! I am in stateroom 8073 (AFT). I am a recently retired American diplomat and enjoy doing things like this and saving my dollars to shop and eat.

 

 

 

Lari:)

 

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Edited November 20, 2015 by biker@sea

[Hilarion]

If not for GPS, not sure if I would venture on the adventure despite having lived abroad most of my career as a U.S. foreign Service Officer.I also speak perfect Spanish, so when all else fails...I swallow my pride and stop and ask. Am glad you all had a nice car trip.

[Hilarion]

Hi Linda...Pity I won't be on your cruise. I sail on Dec, 5th. But how abotu if I share with you any helpful hints as I go along? If you have not booked a hotel in BA or planned any fun things for BA, I can help you with those. I have been there twice this year already, and for two weeks each time. I ould go to the theater almost daily in th evenings, do touristy things in the daytime, and eat steaks, empanadas, and pizza in the middle of the day. does your sister currently live in CHile? Maybe she could recommend some things for me to do in santiago? I will stay there three days after the cruise and have just booked a hotel (based on Trip Advisor reviews). Thanks for writing. enjoy your cruise. Lari

[Birder1]

Hi, Lari!

 

My sister lives in central Chile & only gets up to Santiago for flights. That said, she did give me some ideas for you.

 

Santiago is a huge city & im not sure of your preferences.

 

She recommended (&, I did this in 2003) the cable car to the mountain top where the Virgin Mary statue is. Remember, Santiago is almost exactly like the Los Angeles valley, so your views depend on the smog levels. 😟

 

There are a few museums she recommends:

Museo de Los Desaparecidos (concerning those who disappeared during Pinochet's dictatorship)

Violeta Para (museum; famous artist)

Pablo Neruda's house (hard to find)

 

Another suggestion, as is true of all S American cities, is to start in the main plaza & walk about. La Moneda (the seat of gov't) is close to Santiago's main plaza, as well as the "big cathedral" (we can't recall the name of it!).

 

An aside about renting a car (in Pierto Montt, you said?), being a foreigner, they will make things complicated. Not only that, some of the sights are far & you also must factor-in time for waiting on the tenders to/fro. Maybe there is a new port in Puerto Montt, but last time we were there, it was a tender. We simply found a taxi driver to ferry us about. Since my sister spoke Spanish, we did the tour in Spanish much more cheaply than others.

[Birder1]

Thank you, Lari! We booked a hotel in Recoleta on the recommendation of a friend who lives in Talca, Chile, who goes to BA often.

 

That would be terrific if you keep me apprised of your cruise, as to help us when we cruise (Jan 2nd). My email is Bacqwap at yahoo dot com.

 

BTW: I am retired NASA (having worked in Russia, Houston, FL, & Washington), but I really wanted to be an FSO. 😀

[niborHS]

I have always found that there are great excursions to be had without booking through the cruise line, and have found the people who post on the ports of call board to be particularly helpful. We have saved a lot especially when we have travelled with our family and others, when we have found that a private guide for 4 or 8 saves us a fortune, and is much nicer than the group tours, as they can be personalized to our desires. Our favorite story is one we took from someone just holding up a sing at the San Juan cruise dock that said "Rain Forest, No Shopping". Not only a great tour of the rain forest, but also a tour of the State House that is a real treat, and one that most don't see.

That being said, you mentioned a few things, first, you are travelling solo, and second that you are a retired diplomat. You obviously must be used to traveling around in other countries, but I think most people would not feel as comfortable traveling around in various places in South America. Glad you can do it.

[schwartzy]

Hi Lari. We're on the NCL SUN cruise right after yours. We've been on 3 European cruises and we also love booking our own excursions, or renting a car. Would you mind just sending me which car rental places you used, and which tour groups you contacted? My email is Jnash9 at g mail. Or you can post here. I don't think what you're posting is a "recommendation," just "information."

 

Thanks so much!!!

[Hilarion]

Hi, Lari!

 

My sister lives in central Chile & only gets up to Santiago for flights. That said, she did give me some ideas for you.

 

Santiago is a huge city & im not sure of your preferences.

 

She recommended (&, I did this in 2003) the cable car to the mountain top where the Virgin Mary statue is. Remember, Santiago is almost exactly like the Los Angeles valley, so your views depend on the smog levels. 😟

 

There are a few museums she recommends:

Museo de Los Desaparecidos (concerning those who disappeared during Pinochet's dictatorship)

Violeta Para (museum; famous artist)

Pablo Neruda's house (hard to find)

 

Another suggestion, as is true of all S American cities, is to start in the main plaza & walk about. La Moneda (the seat of gov't) is close to Santiago's main plaza, as well as the "big cathedral" (we can't recall the name of it!).

 

An aside about renting a car (in Pierto Montt, you said?), being a foreigner, they will make things complicated. Not only that, some of the sights are far & you also must factor-in time for waiting on the tenders to/fro. Maybe there is a new port in Puerto Montt, but last time we were there, it was a tender. We simply found a taxi driver to ferry us about. Since my sister spoke Spanish, we did the tour in Spanish much more cheaply than others.

 

Thank your sister for me for those great suggestions. I also found there is a Hop on Hop off bus which is always easy, comprehensive and reasonably priced. My hotel, Hotel Galerias, is also close to one of the bus stops as well to one of the Line 1 metro stations. I got a great deal on Orbitz if you two are looking for a hotel in Santiago. It is also a few metro stops away from the Alameda Bus Terminal (Metro Stop Universidad de Chile). From there you can take a very ncie bus to Valparaiso (or from Valparaiso) for 9000 pesos (abotu US$10).

 

On the car rental, you have two options. You can either book online through the ACE Car Rental website or book directly with the ACE franchisee in Puerto Montt (which would be less expensive). I booked a small automatic for approximately $60 (including insurance) and the pick up is walkign distance from the pier. I wrote them and sent ahead my Florida driver's and passport to save time.

 

If you rent the car, I would suggest the following itenerary: Use google maps and your iPhone's GPS. Drive along Rt. 5 towards Puerto Varas, known as the City of Roses, and stop at the main square for a stunning view of Lake Llanquihue and a photo opportunity of the lake and Osorno Volcano. Then continue to the town of Ensenada stopping at the lookout “Los Riscos” on Lake Llanquihue for one of the best views of the Volcano Osorno. Proceed to the “Green Lake” (Lago Verde) before returning to Ensenada to stroll, shop, and have lunch with your sister. Then proceed to Petrohue Falls in the Vicente Perez Rosales National Parkwhere to see the azure waters of the Petrohue River. The mighty Petrohue is one of Chile’s most beautiful glacial rivers, and you’ll be amazed at the spectacular scenery of old-growth forest, waterfalls with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. From the parking area, walk through the woods to the river, where the waters plunge over hard volcanic rocks to form wild and gushing cascades. You can also visit All Saints Lake before beginning your return to Puerto Montt. There is some traffic on route to Puerto Montt so plan accordingly.

 

Another option is a relatively inexpensive and comprehensive tour that includes lunch with Felix of Patagonia Austral. Because you are two, with fine more passengers you can get it for US$65. That excursion incldued lunch and at the end a city tour as well and pick-up/drop-off at the pier.

[Birder1]

Hi, Lari,

 

We did the Osorno/Petrohue/etc tour you described, albeit, w a hired taxi. At that time (2003), we did it for $15USD, but $60USD for a rental might be a better deal these days. 😀

 

My sister & I are originally from S America (born to American parents; dad was a petroleum engineer).

[Birder1]

Yes, I'm taking the inexpensive bus for locals from Valparaiso to Santiago. Sister's done this a few times. We're staying in Vina deal Mar after the cruise before going our separate ways.

 

As you are probably aware & a reminder for others on this thread: Do not wear jewelry. My sister was walking w a friend in Santiago & someone ripped (yes) off the friend's necklace from her neck, broad daylight, busy street. Valparaiso area is sketchy, too. I wear cross body an RFID-blocking purse w steel cables in the straps.