Need Antigua, Guatemala Shore Excursion Help

[dprlinde]

:eek:HELP!!! We are having a hard time choosing a shore excursion in Antigua, Guatemala. Due to the reviews we have read about how relentless the street vendors are, we have ruled out doing it on our own. Plus, we have read there are safety concerns. We will be going with NCL and have narrowed it down to either "Casa Santo Domingo & Antigua" or "Colonial Antigua". Can someone please share their experiences with either of these?

 

To tell you a little about us...we are not shoppers. We like to learn the history and do enjoy viewing the older architecture, etc. Thank you in advance!

[jmf123]

dprlinde, I would check out the Ports of Call forums, you will find much discussion on excursions. Also, you may want to see TripAdvisor reviews.

 

With your interest in history, I would suggest considering an excursion to Nelsons Dockyard in Antigua. Here is a link to TripAdvisor reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147244-d2542598-Reviews-Nelson_s_Dockyard-English_Harbour_Saint_Paul_Parish_Antigua_Antigua_and_Barbuda.html.

 

Antigua: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=122

 

Guatemala: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=460

 

Enjoy your cruise! :)

[vbscoot]

Just fyi ....I believe your stop is probably on the island of Antigua, and not Antigua, Guatemala. Just a heads up to avoid possible confusion in planning.

[Underwatr]

Casa Santo Domingo is in Antigua Guatemala.

[dprlinde]

No, the Island of Antigua is not on the cruise we are going on...not this time anyway. We are going Guatemala and most of the excursions are to Antigua there.

[dprlinde]

Thanks jmf123!!! I did look at Tripadvisor and don't really see what I am looking for. Both the trips we are looking at seem similar, with only a few differences. I was just hoping someone would have done one or both. I'll go to those boards for sure. Thank you for that. I tried to do a search and couldn't find what I was looking for either so I really appreciate this help! Thank you so much for the suggestions as well. I/We appreciate it. Thanks!

[Scrapnana]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

We did a private tour with Guatemalan Guides (http://guatemalanguide.com/ ) last year. It was great and much less expensive than an excursion from the the ship. It was designed around what we wanted to do.

 

If you have not yet done so, see if there is a roll call for your cruise. Here is a link to the NCL roll calls. Simply click on the name of your ship and then the date of your sailing. You may find that someone has already set up a private excursion or you might want to set one up.

 

BTW, we had no problems with pushy street vendors and felt very safe the entire time.

[Essiesmom]

Our Roll Call had a group book a tour with this woman. It was long, but very informative.

 

https://antiguatours.net/destinations/antigua-guatemala/antigua-cultural-walking-tour/

 

We took the transfer from the ship and met up with her in her office on the main square. EM

Edited November 7, 2016 by Essiesmom

[lamchops]

Casa Santo Domingo is in Antigua Guatemala.

 

I have been to Antigua Guatemala twice and have actually stayed at Casa Santo Domingo. The second visit was on a NCL excursion and it included a nice lunch. We were stuck in traffic on the way back so no pressure with the excursion. If you don't go to Antigua, there's not much else around the port.

Casa Domingo is an old monastery that is now a hotel. They did a decent job of preserving the site.

Edited November 7, 2016 by lamchops

[jmf123]

You're very welcome, dprlinde- and I'm sorry for the Antigua mixup. I learn something new every day! :)