Tenngal

Bonjour, JP2001!

Thank you for you thoughtful suggestions. I will be researching the ports of call extensively. When I did the cruise to South America, I did none of the ship's excursions. All were independently arranged, for a far less cost and, I think, a better experience. In Canada, I ended up renting a car at two of the ports, and, in less time, was able to do the same activities that would have taken up two or three of the ship's excursions in a day.

I'm already finding out that at least several ports of call on this upcoming cruise have readily-available tours and/or drivers.

This cruise is very port-intensive, so I'll likely not be doing many on-board activities. I'll be too tuckered out!

I am an expert at traveling on a shoestring, but I don't intend to miss out on anything important to see during this cruise. I'll literally be travelling in the cradle of our civilization. I won't let the opportunity to experience this significant area as it should be done.

Ok, this thread is for deals for solo-cruisers--let's get back to those.

Hi, Yellowbird...I live in the eastern part of TN. Love it here!

All--

I just confirmed the trip to Greece! I'm still stunned. Now I have to figure out how to do this as frugally as possible, but still get the best experience. Honestly, for a 12-day cruise among the Greek isles and Turkey, this was too good of a deal to pass up.

Hey all...

I've never sailed Oceania, but now they have some great deals going, at 125% single supplement, with free air!

I think I'm going to Greece....

Cathy,

There were tons of taxis and private tour operators right on the dock, looking for fares.

I don't think you'll have any problem simply getting off the ship, right into a taxi or tour to Punta Tombo. It is about a 2-hour drive away from the port, though, so I would be cautious about the time factor. I'd risk it, though, if you have no other penguin excursions planned.

Cathy,

You'll be docked at Puerto Madryn (yay!).

If I remember right, Infinity was from 7a to 5p for our cruise. I don't know why the stop is shorter for your cruise. Regardless, there is still time to go to Punta Tombo. However, since the time is short, you'd probably be wiser to book that tour with Celebrity, rather than privately--just in case. FYI, there's not much worth seeing in the town of Puerto Madryn itself, so no worries about missing out on that if your tour takes up the entire time you're docked there.

You'll have a great time on this cruise! I envy you, and want to hide in your suitcase so I can go again!

etsdas,

I was on Celebrity Infinity. All of our tours were arranged independently, with other members of our Roll Call. For the tour companies used, just search the postings under my name, or look at the posts under our Roll Call for 25 Nov sailing. All the info is there.

Hi, Judith..

I just got home yesterday. Magdalena Island was a great place to see a bunch of Magellenic pengiuns. The small island is completly inhabited by the penguins. Even though there are designated paths to walk, the penguins pay no attention to the paths and wander all around you! It was a great experience.

Turismo Nuevo Mundo used the same ferry as the buses from the ship. On our ferry were four big buses and three or four minivans with private tours, including ours. AND, the ship also used TNM as their tour company! So, we spent half of the cost, using the same tour company, same ferry to the island.

Also, I now regret missing Punta Tombo. By the time we reached Puerto Madryn, I felt "penguined out," as did several others who had arranged the tour to Punta Tombo. We had by then already see penguins at Punta Arenas and at the Falklands. So, the tour guide allowed some of us to change our tour to Peninsula Valdes instead, to view elephant seals. It was a bit disappointing, though, as the seals were too far away on a restricted beach to get a good look at them. But, the few who went ahead to Punta Tombo were raving about their tour, saying "you've never seen penguins like this!" (meaning in such great numbers).

However...the BEST penguin tour was at the Falklands, to Volunteer Point, where you can see Kings, Gentoos, and Magellans. Check out the thread by Gixer about the Falklands. It is very informative.

Book EVERY penguin tour possible--you may not reach every port, due to weather or whatever, and you'll likely never see penguins again!

The GV Tours website has been hijacked before (where another entity has tried to use the same website name, thus messing up access to their site). GV should probably start using a more unique name for their website to avoid this. (I'll suggest it to them in 12 days!) Any suggestions?? I'm thinking something like "the full montty" dot com!

I am looking for recommendations of a private guide/tour in Puerto Montt to Petrohhue River Falls, Lake Llinquihue, and surrounding areas...

 

...The guy I heard from Raimundo Runge, said that all the guides in Porto Montt do it this way.

-Judith

No they don't! Do a search on this forum for GV Tours, which has tons of good reviews here. I'll be using them in two weeks, and was instructed to pay the driver at the END of the tour.

Have a great cruise!

Gixer,

I can hardly see to type these words, because of the happy tears in my eyes! Those pictures are fantastic! (You also have a lovely family!) You have just put into an even higher gear my excitement about my upcoming cruise.

When do the eggs start hatching?? I have a tour to Volunteer Point planned during our stop at Port Stanley (because of your recommendation, by the way). Will there be a variety of animals there as well like you photographed?

greatam,

Thanks for the heads-up! I'll pass along your info to my fellow roll-call member, so we can be sure.

pvmeistrel,

One of the members of our roll call found Turismo Nuevo Mundo, and several of us are booked on their private tour to Magdalena Island. The cost was less than half of the cost of going on the ship's excursion. You can get more info by e-mailing Mariela at sales@turismonuevomundo.cl. (If I didn't type that right, simply google the company for more info.) Good luck!

Hi aaklang,

I don't know anything about 7163, but 6053 has a standard-sized balcony (all of which have plexiglass barriers). I had 6053 orginally reserved in an upcoming cruise, then switched to a cabin nearer the front. Only later, by reading this thread, did I discover that I had switched to one of the "sweet 16" larger-balcony cabins!:D (I only wanted to be closer to the front, and not hanging over a lifeboat, which 6053 did.) You do not lose any cabin space, regardless of balcony size.

Hope this helps...

Have a great cruise!

Tess111--

I've booked BOTH tours, and I've booked a tour to Volunteer Point, also!:D For Punta Tombo, per Troy86's advice on our roll call (thank you, Noel!), we're using Huinca travel, which appears to be a high-quality tour provider (website is huincatravel dot com).

I figure with 3 penguin-intensive tours, I should hit at least one of them, in case rough waters cause me to miss any of them. Of course, if I end up getting to go on all 3 tours, I'll be very happy!

Have a great time!

Gixer, or anyone who may know...

Do any private tours go via boat to visit Volunteer Point? Wouldn't that be quicker, thus allowing time to also visit the town of Port Stanley?

Gixer,

How does seeing the penguins at Gypsy Cove compare to those at Volunteer Point? Are there any tours from the ships to Volunteer Point? What is the cost? Is Gypsy Cove a decent alternative?

Our ship will be there (weather permitting) on 4 Dec, from 8am to 6pm, so that may be too tight on time to go to Volunteer Point. Plus, I'd like some time in Stanley, too. (I like that it's got a hop-on, hop-off bus!)

Gixer,

Thank you for offering up your knowledge!

What do you recommend as the ONE THING not to be missed during a visit to the Falklands?

I hope you enjoy your Disney cruise!

(whacking myself in the head!) Of course!!! ("I coulda had a V8!)

Thanks, AuntieBon. I would've been up all night trying to figure that out. All I could link it to was pita bread....I'm hungry....

Ok, Roz, I'll bite...What's a PITA???