Amadee Island excursion cancelled by RCI

Hi all. We are due to leave on Explorer of the Seas on 19th March. We had booked the Amadee Island excursion via RCI due all the excellent reviews. On Monday we received an email from RCI informing us the excursion had been been cancelled and the money refunded. Does anyone know why this excursion was cancelled? Would it be possible to book it once we get to port direct with the company? If not does anyone have any recommendations of snorkelling options in Noumea.

Thanks.

We did this tour years ago and it was a very long day. They put on a special boat just for the cruise passengers to come back on as the times were just too tight. We were literally the last passengers to board the ship before we left port. I don't think you will be able to do this tour independently as it's too much of a risk with times.

In Noumea there is great snorkeling at Duck island which is accessible via water taxi a Anse Vata beach

Hi AussieCruiser2332,

Just recently returned home from a Cruise which went to Noumea.

I agree with " Teegiee" that Duck Island is a good substitute for Amadee Island.

We organized transport from the Tourist Info Centre with a company that wear RED T-SHIRTS ( I think her name was Evelyn) the ticket included Transport to Ansa Vata and Boat to Duck Island, cost was about $25.00 I think.

The weather is quite unpredicable to go all the way out to Amadee Is as it may get very choppy and windy which slows the trip back to Ansa Vata.

Cheers Zac

quote=AussieCruiser2332;52487714]Hi all. We are due to leave on Explorer of the Seas on 19th March. We had booked the Amadee Island excursion via RCI due all the excellent reviews. On Monday we received an email from RCI informing us the excursion had been been cancelled and the money refunded. Does anyone know why this excursion was cancelled? Would it be possible to book it once we get to port direct with the company? If not does anyone have any recommendations of snorkelling options in Noumea.

Thanks.

We are just off VOS and did a tour with Noumea Gateway (Alfred) to Escapade Island. Tour included amazing buffet lunch and snorkel just off the Island with Turtles. It was the highlight of our cruise, the Turtles were amazing..

Thank you everyone for your responses and recommendations. We will look into the tours when we arrive and book on the day - all options sound great!

I did this also through Alfred. Escapade was fantastic. Great snorkeling, saw Turtules, had a great lunch, then he took us on a guide city tour on our way back inc look-out. Paid about $85. You can find him via facebook on any cruise lines.:D

We are just off VOS and did a tour with Noumea Gateway (Alfred) to Escapade Island. Tour included amazing buffet lunch and snorkel just off the Island with Turtles. It was the highlight of our cruise, the Turtles were amazing..

Aussiecruiser you will save a lot of monies doing other tours which are just as good. The other thing is the chargers to Amedee. Princess has it for $248, RCL has it for about $225, P&O been told $210 & Carnival $198. They all go to same place. So different.