Visiting Samana on HAL

[MaxTheHorse]

Have searched the boards and coming up empty on info about quality of HAL excursions in the Samana port of call. Is this a new port for HAL or something? We're on the 12/16/23 sailing on NA.

[wdw1972]

25 minutes ago, MaxTheHorse said:

Have searched the boards and coming up empty on info about quality of HAL excursions in the Samana port of call. Is this a new port for HAL or something? We're on the 12/16/23 sailing on NA.

It's an old port - wasn't aware HAL was even stopping there again.  Once Amber Cove opened I never saw Samana listed on itineraries.  I've been there twice - once never left the ship and once doing a zipline excursion.  The area looks incredibly poor, substandard housing, horrific roads, kids begging or trying to sell you a seashell for a dollar (another passenger pointed out however that they had nicer cell phones than hers) and absolutely no facilities for tourists at the port.  If you don't do an excursion, don't bother to leave the ship would be my recommendation.

 

Sue/WDW1972

[I like vacation]

We were avoiding a storm about 4 years ago and HAL used Samana as a substitution.  Absolutely the worst port we have visited.  HAL refunded most of the fee for the "Cultural Tour of Samana" excursion.  Don't leave the ship.

Edited October 26, 2023 by I like vacation
sp

[Alphen]

Don't know the current situation, we visited Samana with HAL in 2014 and since we always go ashore in every port (unless HAL advises against it), we enjoyed this port and booked a private tour with "Terry". Apparently he is still in business, just google Tour Samana With Terry, an american who is highly recommended with his tours.

[VennDiagram]

I think it was 2016 that we were there.

 

It's an area where a lot of whales spend the winter. At the time, HAL offered a number of excursions.  I can't remember the exact excursions being offered, though I think there were some day trips to nearby all-inclusive resorts that catered mainly to North Americans. There was probably a whale watch but I can't remember for certain.

We tendered, and it was a pretty looong ride to shore.  There was an area near the dock (an easy walk) where local vendors had set up stalls, and that area and the area around the dock were clean and seemed safe.  Everyone we interacted with was pleasant and helpful.  We didn't go far from the dock and the vendor area, though.  There were quite a few dogs that seemed to be cared for, but were free-ranging without supervision.

There was, at one time, a report on CC from someone who had arranged a private tour into the countryside and spent time with a local family, including having a meal with them.  I can't find that report now.  However, it sounded like a really good experience.

 

It is a good place to shop for larimar jewelry if that's of interest 😉

 

If we went back we would either stay onboard or would go on an excursion after checking Trip Advisor for reviews of similar excursions.

[MaxTheHorse]

3 hours ago, VennDiagram said:

I think it was 2016 that we were there.

 

It's an area where a lot of whales spend the winter. At the time, HAL offered a number of excursions.  I can't remember the exact excursions being offered, though I think there were some day trips to nearby all-inclusive resorts that catered mainly to North Americans. There was probably a whale watch but I can't remember for certain.

We tendered, and it was a pretty looong ride to shore.  There was an area near the dock (an easy walk) where local vendors had set up stalls, and that area and the area around the dock were clean and seemed safe.  Everyone we interacted with was pleasant and helpful.  We didn't go far from the dock and the vendor area, though.  There were quite a few dogs that seemed to be cared for, but were free-ranging without supervision.

There was, at one time, a report on CC from someone who had arranged a private tour into the countryside and spent time with a local family, including having a meal with them.  I can't find that report now.  However, it sounded like a really good experience.

 

It is a good place to shop for larimar jewelry if that's of interest 😉

 

If we went back we would either stay onboard or would go on an excursion after checking Trip Advisor for reviews of similar excursions.

Extremely helpful. Thank you. 

[I like vacation]

Here is a picture from our HAL shore excursion. The local police/military escorted us around town with shotgun toting officers on dirt bikes.  Very reassuring.  😲

[MaxTheHorse]

11 minutes ago, I like vacation said:

Here is a picture from our HAL shore excursion. The local police/military escorted us around town with shotgun toting officers on dirt bikes.  Very reassuring.  😲

 

Yikes! Was that recent?

[I like vacation]

Picture was taken on January 22, 2019.  

 

[highscar]

Spent 4 2 week vacations in DR and went to Samana several times also traveled most of the island amd never saw anything like that. 

[I like vacation]

Here is the apology letter we received the following morning.

 

 

Edited October 26, 2023 by I like vacation
tried to rotate picture

[rodndonna]

Have holidayed quite a number of times in the DR over the years in different areas of the country, Spent a week in Samana in 1998? and then again a week in 2019.  It's a popular beach holiday area for Canadians. I don't recall ever feeling unsafe and would not hesitate to return.

 

Whale watching (if the season is right) is big. I know 2019 cruises were offering tours/day passes to the island Cayo Leventado which is quite beautiful.

[rodndonna]

I can't believe I found a relevant picture! This was 2019 taken from our hotel .. and down past that walking bridge you can see a cruise ship (not HAL though), so you get an idea of the tendering distance.

 

 

 

[tartanmom]

3 hours ago, rodndonna said:

I can't believe I found a relevant picture! This was 2019 taken from our hotel .. and down past that walking bridge you can see a cruise ship (not HAL though), so you get an idea of the tendering distance.

 

 

 

Have travelled all over the world and Samana is top of my Worst Ever list. We walked to that beach from the tender drop off area. Super sketchy vibe and most aggressive locals that I've ever seen.  Beach was horrible- sand fleas everywhere. My advice is to just stay on the ship  -- and I've NEVER stayed on the ship in a port in my life so that is saying something.  

[KAKcruiser]

I wonder why they aren't going to Amber Cove which has a nice little shopping area.  

[rodndonna]

10 hours ago, tartanmom said:

Have travelled all over the world and Samana is top of my Worst Ever list. We walked to that beach from the tender drop off area. Super sketchy vibe and most aggressive locals that I've ever seen.  Beach was horrible- sand fleas everywhere. My advice is to just stay on the ship  -- and I've NEVER stayed on the ship in a port in my life so that is saying something.  

 

Having spent a week on that beach, I can say our experiences varied widely. Perhaps cruisers are treated differently?  

The Dominican Republic is not a wealthy island and not like visiting one of the virgin Islands. Samana has very little development in the area which is the draw for the area being far more natural.

 

As far as vendors, I'd put it on par with vendors in Barbados or Ocho Rios. We've definitely had much worst experience with vendors in Barbados and Ocho, BUT, we have only been there as cruisers, and I do think there is something to that. 

 

Edited October 27, 2023 by rodndonna
more info

[MaxTheHorse]

9 hours ago, KAKcruiser said:

I wonder why they aren't going to Amber Cove which has a nice little shopping area.  

I just booked, but according to our roll call thread the port was changed from San Juan to Samana sometime this summer. Cruise is 12/16.

[81Zoomie]

We sailed to Samana in 2011 with HAL.  Tendered as is pictured.  We took an ATV tour with Tours by Terry.  He is a US expat.  It was a very authentic tour into the local mountain villages, lunch at a beach, and to a waterfall.  We felt much safer than when we attempted to walk into town on our own.

[Alphen]

8 hours ago, 81Zoomie said:

We sailed to Samana in 2011 with HAL.  Tendered as is pictured.  We took an ATV tour with Tours by Terry.  He is a US expat.  It was a very authentic tour into the local mountain villages, lunch at a beach, and to a waterfall.  We felt much safer than when we attempted to walk into town on our own.

We had the same operator.

[heworkssoitravel]

I am on your cruise and was looking for the same info.  I read that a multi-million dollar cruise terminal was set to open late 2023. Maybe we’ll be the first visitors?

[MaxTheHorse]

8 minutes ago, heworkssoitravel said:

I am on your cruise and was looking for the same info.  I read that a multi-million dollar cruise terminal was set to open late 2023. Maybe we’ll be the first visitors?

We shall see! I booked a the "countryside & culture" excursion today. A few of the excursions they had a few days ago no longer appear.