Azamara Pursuit South Africa Intensive CapeTown questions

[AnnaNicole]

Hello all.   I am considering booking a Christmas South Africa Intensive cruise  RT Capetown.   I may be able to score some reasonable business-class flights, so I may need to make a quicker decision than I normally would.   I have been on about 30+ cruises (mostly Celebrity, RCCL, Norwegian, and a couple of Oceania).

 

-  Anyone who has done this itinerary - how was it?  Good options for safari?  What were your favorite excursions?  Easy to book shore excursions?

 

- Opinions on Pursuit?   We will book a balcony cabin.   Any opinions on booking one category over another?  Advantage? Cabins to avoid?

 

- We plan on arriving a day early.   Any favorite place to stay in Capetown?  We will probably just rest after long flights, so reasonable cost.

 

-  Anyone, have experience with SkyLuxe for airfare?  Reliable?  (The reviews are great)

 

 

How's the food? service? activities?   

 

Thanks for any and all opinions and suggestions!   🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Grandma Cruising]

Cabins on Deck 7 are quieter than Deck 8 as they are between two floors of cabins.

[mdeegooden]

10 hours ago, AnnaNicole said:

Hello all.   I am considering booking a Christmas South Africa Intensive cruise  RT Capetown.   I may be able to score some reasonable business-class flights, so I may need to make a quicker decision than I normally would.   I have been on about 30+ cruises (mostly Celebrity, RCCL, Norwegian, and a couple of Oceania).

 

-  Anyone who has done this itinerary - how was it?  Good options for safari?  What were your favorite excursions?  Easy to book shore excursions?

 

- Opinions on Pursuit?   We will book a balcony cabin.   Any opinions on booking one category over another?  Advantage? Cabins to avoid?

 

- We plan on arriving a day early.   Any favorite place to stay in Capetown?  We will probably just rest after long flights, so reasonable cost.

 

-  Anyone, have experience with SkyLuxe for airfare?  Reliable?  (The reviews are great)

 

 

How's the food? service? activities?   

 

Thanks for any and all opinions and suggestions!   🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi "AnnaNicole," DW and I recently completed the 12 night South Africa intensive R/T Cape Town itinerary on the Journey earlier this year.  We also chose to arrive a day early, stayed at the AC Marriott V&A Waterfront, and thoroughly enjoyed nearly all aspects of the vacation.  As "Grandma Cruising" notes, Deck 7 is an excellent location which I would also recommend.  We chose an interior cabin there mid ship and, other than the size of the bathroom and shower, were pleased w/ the quietness, comfort, access to both Decks 5 and 9, where much of the action is, and performance & attentiveness of the cabin steward.

 

We were fortunate to have quite a bit OBC w/ our booking and were happy to spend it on the ship's excursions, which we took in all ports other than Durban where we rented bikes on our own and road up and down the Golden Mile (a little over 13km of scenic biking).  We enjoyed all the excursions we took other than the Table Mountain, which in retrospect, I wish we had done on our own so we could have spent less time in line and more time hiking the trails on top.  Our favorite excursion was visiting the Pumba game reserve.  Breathtaking, memorable, and just so well done.  First class.  We were especially fortunate w/ the weather, which nicely cooperated the entire trip except for the very last day when it rained in the AM.

 

I submitted a review of the itinerary and ship here on CC once we got back.  I've included the link for it below.  Bottom line, it was an amazing trip both in destination and in conveyance.  I highly recommend the itinerary and sailing it on Azamara.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=696984

 

Happy sailing!

[The Salties]

We are going down on Pursuit and spending Chrismas in Cape Town. I would suggest that if you do decide to go that you spend a few days in Cape Town as although I am biased, I am sure you would "kick yourself" for flying so far and missing out on some of the delights The Cape offers. I appreciate "one man's meat is another man's poison" but I have been going there since the 80's for holidays

[terry&mike]

Agree with going in a bit earlier for Cape Town, it's one of my favorite cities. Also, if you have time, a few days out in the Winelands is wonderful!

[The Salties]

Exactly Terry and Mike got to say that also we do enjoy our stays in Florida, love to miss our damp dark winter. Going back to Cape Town there are numerous hotels in Cape Town although I would suggest you stay within the V&A area as everything is on your doorstep. If you want to do the winelands but do not want a lot of hassle book a coach tour to Franschhoek onto the wine train. You will be able to book at the booths near the big wheel in the V&A. The hop on hop off bus is also very good, if you do that arrange to be at Camps Bay about lunch time and eat in one of the restaurants and watch the street performers. The acrobats are brilliant. Remember you are in Africa and many schedules are "flexible". Do not worry though the licenced cabs are very safe, plentiful and reasonable cost. If you do go I hope you enjoy and any questions feel free to ask

[lisiamc]

I agree that you should go a bit early, spend some time in Cape Town, and try to work in a three-night safari stay somewhere. The Easter Cape has a lot of choices, and Sanbona, on the Western Cape is very good also, with a different climate/set of wildlife than the Eastern Cape, and only a few hours out of Cape Town.

[AnnaNicole]

Thanks, everyone!  I appreciate your insights on excursions and where to stay.   🙂

 

I would love, love. love to extend the trip to include more time in Capetown and a safari, but the flights are not working out for me.   Too expensive, too many stops, etc.  

 

We booked a Delta itinerary with a quick flight into ATL and then nonstop to CPT.  Same on the way home.  The flights are more expensive than the cruise.   LOL

 

I have my flights and cruise on a 24-hour hold.   Do you think the 12 day cruise and one pre and post-day are enough?  Or should I hold off on booking this cruise and wait until I can book a longer stay in Capetown?  

 

Mdeegooden - thanks for sharing your review and excursion recommendations.   Did you have any problem booking excursions through the ship?  We have about $800 OBC and plan to use it for excursions.  

 

What are your favorite or must-see things in each port?

 

How is the weather in December (I read it is warm and mild)?  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by AnnaNicole

[AnnaNicole]

A couple of other questions for you kind people.

 

We have passports and COVID vacs cards.  I understand we do not need a Visa; except for the Maputo, Mozambique stop.   

 

Does Azamara get the Visa for you, for a fee of $50pp?   

 

Do we need any travel vaccines?   

(Admittedly, I am a little confused reading government sites as to what we need to do.) 

[mdeegooden]

4 hours ago, AnnaNicole said:

Thanks, everyone!  I appreciate your insights on excursions and where to stay.   🙂

 

I would love, love. love to extend the trip to include more time in Capetown and a safari, but the flights are not working out for me.   Too expensive, too many stops, etc.  

 

We booked a Delta itinerary with a quick flight into ATL and then nonstop to CPT.  Same on the way home.  The flights are more expensive than the cruise.   LOL

 

I have my flights and cruise on a 24-hour hold.   Do you think the 12 day cruise and one pre and post-day are enough?  Or should I hold off on booking this cruise and wait until I can book a longer stay in Capetown?  

 

Mdeegooden - thanks for sharing your review and excursion recommendations.   Did you have any problem booking excursions through the ship?  We have about $800 OBC and plan to use it for excursions.  

 

What are your favorite or must-see things in each port?

 

How is the weather in December (I read it is warm and mild)?  

 

 

 

 

 

Hi "AnnaNicole," our travel arrangements were similar to yours.  We flew direct ATL-CPT on Delta.  14 hours there and 15 hours back.  Relatively comfortable all things considered (and we were in coach) as long as you remember a good neck pillow, waterless toothbrush & paste, and rewetting eye drops ;)...  The only travel documentation we needed coming from the U.S. was our passports.  We, of course, brought our covid immunization records though they weren't needed for embarkation.  Azamara did provide day visas for Mozambique at $50/pp.  Quite seamless & convenient.

 

We booked all of our excursions directly through Azamara's website using our OBC first and then credit card for any balance.  The OBC from our TA was not available prior to the cruise but did show up in our account after we were onboard, which we used to pay for the internet.  DW isn't a drinker and I found the included basic beverage package enjoyable, so we were happy to allocate the OBC for excursions.  We chose day visits to both the Pumba and Thula Thula game reserves, kayaking the Nahoon river, the cooking class & lunch at the Polana Serena in Maputo, and the Table Mountain & Signal Hill tours & lunch in Cape Town.  We also signed up through the website for the Azamazing Evening w/ the Philharmonic in Cape Town, which of course was included at no extra fee.  All the excursions were well done, though we were disappointed in the long lines and wait time w/ the Table Mountain tour.  In retrospect, I wish we had done that one on our own so we could have purchased express tickets, skipped the line, and spent more time hiking the trails on the top which were spectacular.

 

While in Cape Town our first day, we walked the V&A Waterfront to take in sights, get our bearings, and recover from jet lag (which surprisingly wasn't too bad).  On the back end of trip for our overnight in Cape Town, besides the Table Mountain tour and Azamazing Evening, we did the Hop-on-Hop-off bus and spent more time walking the area and doing a bit of shopping.  The HOHO bus was excellent, a great way to see the broader area in context.  On the last day, disembarkation day, we rented a car and spent the day touring the South Cape and Boulders Beach, lunching in Simon's Town, and then driving through Stellenbosch to Franschoek where we had dinner up in the hills overlooking the town and the surrounding mountains.  Honestly wonderful views in a stunningly beautiful atmosphere!  Again, in retrospect, I wish we would have stayed the night in Franschoek and spent a day there rather than just the late afternoon and early dinner.  At any rate, we drove back to Cape Town to the airport to return the car in plenty of time for our late night departure back to the States.  Fantastic trip!

 

[AnnaNicole]

Mdeegooden, Thank you!  So far, I booked the Pumba Private Reserve.  I am going to go over the shore excursions with my husband tonight.  

 

We originally planned to do an Azamara Antarctic cruise, but it did not end up working out with DH's schedule.  I am really excited about this cruise and am really appreciative of you sharing all of this great information!

 

How did you book the Azamazing evening?  I don't see that as being available.    Azamara's site is not very user-friendly!   

 

EDIT:  Ok, I see on AzAmazing evening that it is not available to book yet.   Here is the info if anyone wants to check their specific cruise date.

 

https://www.azamara.com/static-assets/files/AzAmazing Celebrations.pdf

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2023 by AnnaNicole

[Werangels]

Hi.  We are on this cruise.  We arrive 2 days ahead and are then spending time at Victoria Falls, the Chobe River and a final 5 nights in Camps Bay.  
 

We have booked Thula Thula direct and have also booked the high tea at the Oyster Box in Durban direct; both for a fraction of the cost.  We have booked Pumba through the ship and will book the markets in Durban but it isn’t showing online at the moment.  Not sure on Maputo as yet, considering a pool pass at the Polana Serena or doing the ship tour which includes lunch at this hotel.  
 

 

[AnnaNicole]

Just now, Werangels said:

Hi.  We are on this cruise.  We arrive 2 days ahead and are then spending time at Victoria Falls, the Chobe River and a final 5 nights in Camps Bay.  
 

We have booked Thula Thula direct and have also booked the high tea at the Oyster Box in Durban direct; both for a fraction of the cost.  We have booked Pumba through the ship and will book the markets in Durban but it isn’t showing online at the moment.  Not sure on Maputo as yet, considering a pool pass at the Polana Serena or doing the ship tour which includes lunch at this hotel.  
 

 

Thanks!   Thula Thula is on my list.   I was just looking at their website.   Did you arrange with them transport from the cruise pier?

[Werangels]

1 minute ago, AnnaNicole said:

Thanks!   Thula Thula is on my list.   I was just looking at their website.   Did you arrange with them transport from the cruise pier?

They gave me the details for the taxi firm they use and I booked with them.  They were very quick at responding, etc.  

 

Richards Bay Transfer

Basweli Travel & Tours

Mobile Cell:  +27(0)78 0990 057 

Mobile Cell:  +27(0)76 5961 618

Email: singakwenzabasweli@gmail.com 

 

 

[AnnaNicole]

2 minutes ago, Werangels said:

They gave me the details for the taxi firm they use and I booked with them.  They were very quick at responding, etc.  

 

Richards Bay Transfer

Basweli Travel & Tours

Mobile Cell:  +27(0)78 0990 057 

Mobile Cell:  +27(0)76 5961 618

Email: singakwenzabasweli@gmail.com 

 

 

Thank you!

 

You all are making this planning too easy.   🙂

[mdeegooden]

1 hour ago, AnnaNicole said:

Mdeegooden, Thank you!  So far, I booked the Pumba Private Reserve.  I am going to go over the shore excursions with my husband tonight.  

 

We originally planned to do an Azamara Antarctic cruise, but it did not end up working out with DH's schedule.  I am really excited about this cruise and am really appreciative of you sharing all of this great information!

 

How did you book the Azamazing evening?  I don't see that as being available.    Azamara's site is not very user-friendly!   

 

EDIT:  Ok, I see on AzAmazing evening that it is not available to book yet.   Here is the info if anyone wants to check their specific cruise date.

 

https://www.azamara.com/static-assets/files/AzAmazing Celebrations.pdf

 

 

 

 

We also have the South American around-or-through-Cape Horn itinerary high on our list as well, Santiago to Buenos Aires.  I can imagine that Patagonia must be as stunning as the South African cape!

 

[AnnaNicole]

Here's an update.  We booked the Dec 9 cruise.   I was able to change our flights to arrive on Dec 5 (cheaper fare too!).  We now have 4 precruise nights in Capetown.

 

The AC Marriott has no availability for Dec 8.   I booked a refundable room at the Taj Hotel to give us some flexibility while I am trying to sort out our plans.   Has anyone stayed at this hotel?  It is located in the Downtown/City Bowl area.   Is it easily walkable (and safe) to the V&A waterfront?  

 

 

 

 

 

[mdeegooden]

7 minutes ago, AnnaNicole said:

Here's an update.  We booked the Dec 9 cruise.   I was able to change our flights to arrive on Dec 5 (cheaper fare too!).  We now have 4 precruise nights in Capetown.

 

The AC Marriott has no availability for Dec 8.   I booked a refundable room at the Taj Hotel to give us some flexibility while I am trying to sort out our plans.   Has anyone stayed at this hotel?  It is located in the Downtown/City Bowl area.   Is it easily walkable (and safe) to the V&A waterfront?  

 

 

 

 

 

Congrats, "AnnaNicole"!  I'm sure you and DH will have an amazing vacation seeing some unique and memorable sights.  We found this itinerary and our stay energizing and refreshing.  I can't wait to do another one similar!  As far as hotels go, if you can't get into the AC Marriott, I would recommend you check out the Radisson RED V&A Waterfront.  It's in an excellent location easily walkable to the ship and the rest of the V&A.  The location is safe and comfortable for any kind of walking you wish to do.  I would be leary of choosing a downtown location or someplace other than in the V&A if you intended to do most of your Cape Town exploring on foot.  Best of luck to you and happy sailing!
 

[AnnaNicole]

21 minutes ago, mdeegooden said:

Congrats, "AnnaNicole"!  I'm sure you and DH will have an amazing vacation seeing some unique and memorable sights.  We found this itinerary and our stay energizing and refreshing.  I can't wait to do another one similar!  As far as hotels go, if you can't get into the AC Marriott, I would recommend you check out the Radisson RED V&A Waterfront.  It's in an excellent location easily walkable to the ship and the rest of the V&A.  The location is safe and comfortable for any kind of walking you wish to do.  I would be leary of choosing a downtown location or someplace other than in the V&A if you intended to do most of your Cape Town exploring on foot.  Best of luck to you and happy sailing!
 

Thanks for the hotel recommendation.   I will take a look at it.  🙂

[Werangels]

With 4 pre-cruise nights, you could potentially look at Camps Bay which is a reasonably safe beach area and is stunningly beautiful.  You can get the Hoho from Camps Bay for all your sightseeing.  Personally, I think as we are docked at V&A at the end of the cruise, it’s worth looking somewhere else for a few days.  We are staying at the Vineyard Hotel pre-cruise which is a nice area and close to Kirstenbosch and then the Bay Hotel in Camps Bay for 5 nights before we go home. 

[Trend]

We did this just as COVID was hitting and not closed down yet.We came in 3 days early and stayed at Westin which was walkable to V&A waterfront.

First day took it slow from some jet lag, did Table Mt, next day waterfront and day before cruise did wine region.

Most tours on cruise we booked private.

After cruise we did a 4 night Safari in Kruger area on Singita property and it was amazing saw all big five 4 people in open air Jeep.

[Host Jazzbeau]

For our AMA river safari in 2018, AMA put us up at the Cape Grace Hotel (very pricey but great location at V&A waterfront).  We flew in early, and on our own dime chose to stay at the PortsWood Hotel (near the Cape Grace and much less expensive).  My comparative review was that the PortsWood was better value and actually quite as good as the Cape Grace.

[AnnaNicole]

37 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

For our AMA river safari in 2018, AMA put us up at the Cape Grace Hotel (very pricey but great location at V&A waterfront).  We flew in early, and on our own dime chose to stay at the PortsWood Hotel (near the Cape Grace and much less expensive).  My comparative review was that the PortsWood was better value and actually quite as good as the Cape Grace.

Thanks.  I was looking at that hotel too.   It is a great price.

 

My husband really wants to stay in the downtown area at the Taj.   Is the area really that bad?   I got a couple of recommendations for the Taj.

[Host Jazzbeau]

We found the V&A area quite lovely as a base.  Lots of restaurants to choose from and sights to see.  For more info, here's my blog of our trip [Cape Town comes at the beginning]:

jazzbeauxafricansafari2018.wordpress.com

[mdeegooden]

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

We found the V&A area quite lovely as a base.  Lots of restaurants to choose from and sights to see.  For more info, here's my blog of our trip [Cape Town comes at the beginning]:

jazzbeauxafricansafari2018.wordpress.com

Agreed.