Discover Samana review

[Nickymjw1]

I will keep it sweet and short. It was not worth the money. The tour was rushed, Tour guide did not speak English (maybe a few words) so there was no narration or historic background on the tour. We did not stop at La Churcha, when arriving in Las Terrenas it took 30 minutes for everyone to use the 1 bathroom available, then the guide took us to his friends store, which was all tipical tourist stuff, not worth it, we finally told him we wanted to go off on our own, even though he wanted us to stay in a group. So that left us only 30 minutes to walk down the street in Las Terrenas. I did by some very nice authentic art gifts, as well as a painting.

 

Luckily I speak Spanish, and was able to translate for our tour guide so at least we learned some things on the way back.

 

We filed a complaint once back, and we received 50% of our money back.

 

The excursion desk attendant told me that NCL will probably stop going to Cayo Levantado after the next 2 scheduled stops due to all the issues they have with the tour operators.

I hate for them to loose the business, because they really need the money, but the NCL rep said that the tour operators have received several request to fix certain things and they keep on happening.

 

Another cruiser had a great time on the cave and mangrove tour, and another one did the beach escape to Las Terrenas for $49 (not sure what the official name is) and they had a great time also.

 

We ate lunch at a restaurant on the main strip by the dock. It is called Restaurante de France and the food was amazing!!! The best food we had all week, surely beating the Cruise ship food!.

 

We had Gambas a la plancha (huge grilled shrimped), and fish in coco sauce, and pork chops in mustard sauce. All wonderful!

(they don't take credit cards, so make sure you have cash).

[Aussie Gal]

Nickymjw1,

 

We are going to a port called Santa Barbara De Samana in the Dominican Republic in October on the Veendam. Is this the same port that you were in or is it a different one?

 

I am trying to find out more about the port we will be docked at for the day and cannot find very much information regarding this.

 

Jennie

[WaldosPepper]

Jennie - go to Google, and type in Samana - then read as much information as you can - there's a lot of information available about the area - but very little info about private tour operators.

 

Happy searching, and even happier sailing! ;)

[jimmyjames]

take my tip :-stay on the ship. It was a wasted day on the cruise and we have complained to NCL.

p.s. we enjoyed Hamilton island a lot more.

 

enjoy your cruise....

[Nickymjw1]

Even though we had issues with the tour guide's narration, I would not have missed seeing the beautiful countryside, nor the lunch at restaurante de France right on the bay.

[Aussie Gal]

I actually found a taxi drive who speaks English by using Google and putting in guides in Dominican Republic.

 

I have already had an email from him and hopefully we will be using his services. Am just waiting to find out the cost.

 

Jennie

[newmexicoNita]

I will keep it sweet and short. It was not worth the money. The tour was rushed, Tour guide did not speak English (maybe a few words) so there was no narration or historic background on the tour. We did not stop at La Churcha, when arriving in Las Terrenas it took 30 minutes for everyone to use the 1 bathroom available, then the guide took us to his friends store, which was all tipical tourist stuff, not worth it, we finally told him we wanted to go off on our own, even though he wanted us to stay in a group. So that left us only 30 minutes to walk down the street in Las Terrenas. I did by some very nice authentic art gifts, as well as a painting.

 

Luckily I speak Spanish, and was able to translate for our tour guide so at least we learned some things on the way back.

 

We filed a complaint once back, and we received 50% of our money back.

 

The excursion desk attendant told me that NCL will probably stop going to Cayo Levantado after the next 2 scheduled stops due to all the issues they have with the tour operators.

I hate for them to loose the business, because they really need the money, but the NCL rep said that the tour operators have received several request to fix certain things and they keep on happening.

 

Another cruiser had a great time on the cave and mangrove tour, and another one did the beach escape to Las Terrenas for $49 (not sure what the official name is) and they had a great time also.

 

We ate lunch at a restaurant on the main strip by the dock. It is called Restaurante de France and the food was amazing!!! The best food we had all week, surely beating the Cruise ship food!.

 

We had Gambas a la plancha (huge grilled shrimped), and fish in coco sauce, and pork chops in mustard sauce. All wonderful!

(they don't take credit cards, so make sure you have cash).

I find it interesting and a bit confusing the comment about not going there after the next 2 tours. We are sailing on the 15th and haven't heard anything about not stopping there. I guess we will know by this time next week. We are planning the beach trip. I will report back when we return. NMNita

[lovetocruise99]

I believe the April 15th cruise is the last Caribbean cruise for the Norwegian Sun. Then they head towards Alaska. Samana is not listed on any of the Norwegian cruises for next year or 2007 so I assume they are dropping the port after the April 15th cruise.

[newmexicoNita]

I believe the April 15th cruise is the last Caribbean cruise for the Norwegian Sun. Then they head towards Alaska. Samana is not listed on any of the Norwegian cruises for next year or 2007 so I assume they are dropping the port after the April 15th cruise.

It is the last of the season and before we ever see the island I am sorry to hear this. I truely love the idea of new islands and think those less developed offer more than the St Thomas's etc. Don't get me wrong I like St Thomas, but prefer the new sights. Maybe it's because we have been to so many of them we look forward to something new. NMnita

[monicajay]

hello,

 

We are considering the Spirit on Feb 24th 2007 and Samana is on the schedule, that is why I am looking at this thread. So far I haven't been able to find anything that makes me want to go there. I always do private shore excursions. I prefere the smaller groups and the cheaper prices. Anybody know if there are good beaches in this area?

 

Thanks,

M.

[Aussie Gal]

As I mentioned in a earlier post I have found a taxi driver who speaks English and we have booked him to take us on a day trip from Samana.

 

His name is Enrique De La Rose and his email address is: ertours_6@hotmail.com

 

Enrique gave us two options for tours and we chose the waterfall plus tour.

 

Jennie

[greygypsy]

We are stopping at La Samana on Silverseas in December. Just started researching. I reviewed threads and discovered that Nita's excursion was cancelled, which is why she never reported back.

-

Aussie Gal, since your cruise is in September and you have hired a private taxi driver, we would be very interested in your report, so don't forget to write something when you return.

-

Would appreciate it! Jeff

[Aussie Gal]

Jeff,

 

Since I was last on this Board, we have had a rethink of what we are going to do in Samana and have decided to spend the day at a resort and have cancelled Enrique.

 

It is our last port of call (14th) and I think we will be happy to have a restful day after visiting so many third world countries.

 

Jennie

[billrco90278]

We are considering a cruise on the Norweigan Dawn in December 2007. Samana is one of the stops listed, but no details are provided on Expedia. Perhaps I now know why. It will be interesting to follow this thread.

[Nickymjw1]

A couple we had met on the ship did the cave tour, and they said it was great.

 

Her cruise critic login is reporterJen. Maybe if you do a search for her posts you can find her old review.

[greygypsy]

Jennie, that's what we were thinking of doing. Which resort are you going to, and how did you make the arrangements? Thanks, Jeff

[Aussie Gal]

Susan and Jeff,

 

I wrote to the Reservations Manager at the Casa Marina Bay Hotel and mentioned that we were visiting from a Cruise ship and asked him if we would be able to spend the day at his hotel. He emailed back with the price for a day pass which includes a meal, drinks and use of the facilities from 11.00am to 6pm.

 

Jennie

[greygypsy]

Great, thanks for the info. Let us know how you enjoyed it when you return. Thanks, Jeff and Susan

[mic328]

We will be going here the week of 2/10/2007, Do you have to be tendered in? Also, are there any beaches in walking distance? I like the idea of spending the day at the Casa marina Bay Hotel. Are there casinos at the hotels? I was also reading that Samana is known for whales, did you see any?