Live from Cape Town: Jan 14-26, 2023. NCL Jade

[deefer]

Wine Tasting - Full Day Tour

 

I new that there were vineyard's in and around Cape Town - but I had no idea so many.

 

Here is a map of just the Stellenbosch region - the grape symbol marks a vineyard (on the photo  the grapes look like an upside down triangle)

 

Our guide met us in the lobby just before 9am and asked us if we wanted to visit any specific farm.   We had 3 wine tastings on the itinerary so we asked him to pick 3 different ones..... so off we went.

 

The first farm was a small family owned farm called  Zevenwacht.  They have a hotel/restaurant on the property - wedding receptions are held here.

 

 

We started with a little education on how the wines are made

 

 

Then we had 2 whites & 2 reds paired with cheese.  Not a bad breakfast!  The guide walked us through the steps to get the most out of your wine tasting

 

 

 

The 2nd Wine tasting was at DeMortgenzon

 

This is a working farm - no hotel/spa.   We again tasted 2 whites and 2 reds.  No cheese in between - just water.  Absolutely loved  the ambiance of this vineyard.  Our guide said its a little off the beaten path.  We were the only ones there.

 

The grounds are beautiful.  

 

 

 

We then were driven to the town of Stellenbosch where we walked around/looked at some shops.

 

 

We had lunch in Franschoek before we headed over to our 3rd tasting at La Motte.

 

At La Motte we tasted 4 whites & 4 reds.  Water and crackers in between the wines.

 

This tasting room is very chic - reminded me of a trendy Soho spot in NYC

 

Outside they have sample vines of all the different grapes they harvest with descriptions

 

 

We bought one bottle of wine at very vineyard to take back home.

 

On our way back to our hotel we stop at the last prison Nelson Mandela was at when he was finally released.  There is a statue marking the occasion - unfortunately not a good photo bc of the sun.

 

While driving between the vineyards the guide is filling our heads with information about the area.   Another enjoyable full day in Cape Town.

 

[deefer]

Day One - Embarkation

 

This cruise starts with an overnight and we actually do not leave Cape Town until 4p on day 2.    Check in times were from noon until 6p.  We picked 330p as our check in time so that we coud do the Robben Island tour in the morning (I will review that in a separate post).

 

It was a 10 min car ride from the hotel to the cruise terminal.  We were dropped off at the front door and our bags were taken.  You go into the section called "the market" go up the escalator and walk above the market to check in.

 

This is the market - looks like a food court

 

 

We are 30 minutes early for check in - there is no line for anything.

 

 

There was no paperwork to fill out at the checkin - the health questionnaire is all digital.  They take our picture again even though we uploaded it when we first checked in online 3 weeks ago.

 

There is a suite/haven area to sit - it doesn't look that comfortable.  The only people sitting here were staff.   It's very industrial looking but they tried to make it cozy

 

 

Then we go through security - this is where we left our wine to collect at the end of the cruise.   

 

And then you board the ship - you use a gangway just like when you dock in port.  If you are in a suite/haven there is a small employee gangway on the other side that you use. 

 

Our bags arrived within 30 minutes of getting into our room - fastest we have ever received them. 

 

[deefer]

Day One - Freestyle Daily 

 

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Robben Island Tour - Private tour

 

We did a private tour on Robben Island.  You take the ferry with everyone else but instead of getting on the bus - you get into a SUV and are able to get off at all the stops so you see things that you would not have on the bus,

 

This was the cost for the private tour for 2 people

You can book online ahead of time - there are a limited amount of seats on the ferry - but on our sailing /people were walking up and purchasing the general tour at the window.  I'm guessing you probably have to book a private tour in advance.

 

We were on the 9am sailing - arrived around 8am and it was already quite hot out.   There were seals sleeping in the sun

 

You can go inside early  - there is air conditioning and there is a small exhibition

 

 

You get in line and board the ferry

 

Despite being air conditioned it was quite stuffy on the ferry - look for the vents in the ceiling and sit under them for the best air flow.  The ride takes about 30 mins - it was quite choppy - if you easily get sea sick take meds/wear a patch.

 

We arrive on the island and start the tour with the visitor center.

 

Prisoners were allowed one 30 min visit a month - no contact talk on a phone and look through glass

 

This was the guards uniform (they call the guards wardens)

 

In the visitor center there was a room where prisoners could meet with their lawyers - again only 30 mins monthly

 

And this is the court room where punishment could be added to your sentence for breaking rules (like an Indian prisoner giving bread to a black prisoner).  

 

We then drive by a leper graveyard.   Many years earlier the island was a leper colony.

 

The we stop and tour where Robert Sobukwe was held.  I had never heard of this gentleman.   Our tour guide said that Nelson Mandela was more aligned to Martin Luther King & Rober Sobukwe more aligned with Malcolm X.

 

Robert Sobukwe

 

Where he slept - he was allowed to wear regular clothes and had a bed and a radio.

But no one, including the wardens (guards) were allowed to talk to him.

 

We then go to the Lime Quarry where hard labor was done daily- we get out, walk around and learn about the atrocities done here.

 

We then stop for a bathroom break where you can purchase a snack/water

 

Then go the the maximum security prison where Nelson Mandela was held.

 Here our guide is Tom Moses - he served 11 years as a political prisoner.    This portion of the tour is the same as the general  tour - the only difference is the group size - the bus tours together - I think there are 40 people/bus.  On our tour it was just the 2 of us - you hear everything (some of it was so horrific part of me wishes I didn't hear it)

 

The prison issue uniform except black prisoners were not allowed shoes

 

Nelson Mandela's cell

 

We tour for about 25 minutes - we may have seen a little more than the larger group tours bc with only 2 people you move much quicker.  

 

The kitchen and the menu (notice the black prisoners had less - bread forbidden)

 

 

 

 

A very sobering tour but highly recommended.

 

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 2

 

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Day 2 - Cape Town

 

Today we just walked around the V&A waterfront.  From the cruise port just follow the yellow path and it will take you to the waterfront. About 5 minutes to the entrance.  

 

We walked around, did some shopping.  Ate some food.  Nice relaxing day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though we stayed in the V&A waterfront we really didn't get a good sense of it until today.   You could easily walk to the cruise port from any of the hotels that are located in the V&A waterfront.   

 

[Ken the cruiser]

9 hours ago, deefer said:

Day One - Freestyle Daily 

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like you are definitely having fun!! I noticed in the Daily, Chase and Kaileigh are the act tonight in the main theater. They must really be enjoying themselves as they got on the ship before we got to Dubai (Dec 2) and apparently have been performing their illusionist act as well as in other shows ever since. But I will also say, they are very entertaining. Have a great cruise!!

[deefer]

We are having fun!  We planned to go see the illusion act....but fell asleep.  Still not quite right with the time change!

 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Thank you for your posts and insights. Smooth saling!

[deefer]

Day 3 - Freestyle Daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Day 3 - Mossel Bay

             Private Helicopter excursion 

 

This excursion was coordinated by a fellow cruise critic member (from our roll call) autotripper (aka Rosie) and we just showed up!   Thank you again Rosie for being our personal shore excursion coordinator ( we are joining her for 2 more).

 

So lets get into the day...... this is a tender port.  The tender takes about 15 minutes - it was very choppy in both directions, but I think worse in the morning.   

 

The port itself is very industrial - no shopping/coffee shop to be seen.

 

We are a little early - meeting time was 9am - our guide arrives and it's about a 20 minute car ride to the helicopter site.   Rosie booked us with Mossel Bay Helicopters- she did a custom tour but they have many different tours available - their webisite is :  mosselybayhelicopters.co.za

 

 

Each helicopter seats 3 passengers - for our tour you paid 15,500 rand per helicopter.   Because we had 3 in each one it came out to about $310pp.  

 

The tour included a flight over a game park, lunch at a vineyard and a great white shark spotting.  Total flying time was about 50-60 minutes.

 

We start off by flying over the game farm on the way to the vineyard (about a 20 minute ride),   Even though we saw the same animals on our safari it was a different experience because you see them from above.  

 

We fly by a little town - the pilot told us the name - but I can't remember.

 

We then land at the vineyard 

 

Where we had a leisurely lunch - the cost of entree was included in the tour.  But drinks, appetizer & dessert were extra.  The food was delicious - we added a wine pairing to our meal.  Cost was reasonable.   Our 2 wine pairings with a bottle of sparkling water was 360 rand (this includes tip).

 

 

 

We then leave to go back to the coast - takes about 20 minutes to get there.

Beautiful scenery 

 

The guide points our a great white shark - I believe him that it is there but I don't see it!

 

What I do see is our ship .... of you are on our sailing and you saw 2 helicopters hovering around that was Rosie's gang.

 

Then we go back to base - see some more animals on our return.  

 

At the base they have a large enclosed area with 2 (or 3) lions - some wart hogs (in another enclosed area).  They had set up some fresh fruit & drinks, had some cool towels.  It was a 2 minute drive to get to this area - we passed on this portion - the helicopter tour was so amazing and perfect - we feared that the lions maybe a bit of a disappointment because we had seem them recently on our safari.    The  rest of the group did go - they stayed down there for about 30 minutes and said they enjoyed it - were able to feed the wart hogs.

 

The base area is also the private residence of the owner of the company - Liselle.   She has 3 friendly dogs  and a cuddly meerkat ... we all took turns holding/snuggling with her

 

Highly recommended tour!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CocoCruiser9640]

Could you tell me what you needed in terms of vaccinations to go?  Anything that we would not normally have had?  Also do you need anti-malaria pills?

[deefer]

Day 4 - Port Elizabeth

 

A popular excursion at this port is the Addo Elephant Park - we purposely did not book anything for this port until our Safari was done because if we didn't see enough elephants we would have booked this tour. 

 

Our roll call had a couple of private tours happening to this elephant park - hopefully one (or more) can review their experiences.  They seemed like pretty good tours.  

 

Unfortunately when we went to book something else - all NCL shore excursions were sold out and we were unable to secure a tour with local travel guides - fully booked.  It could be bc there was another ship in port.

 

The port itself is very industrial - nothing to do right outside the ship.

 

A cruise critic member from the Jan 2nd sailing gave us a heads up on our roll call.  They reported that 2 cruisers were walking just outside the port and were mugged - taking everything including their passports.  

 

NCL provided a free shuttle to the Boardwalk Mall- just to have something to do we took it.   The bus is not airconditioned - windows are open and when in motion it is cool enough.   About a 20 minute drive.

 

These signs were on every 3rd window or so on the bus

 

Just as you leave the port area - this is what the neighborhood looks like - my guess is this is where those cruisers were mugged.   Many boarded up storefronts, trash on the road

 

The neighborhood the mall is in is manicured and appears to be a safer area.  But like any big city - even the safe areas can be unsafe - always just be aware.  We did google Port Elizabeth & it's supposed to be the safest city in South Africa - Cape Town is #2.

 

The mall itself is on the smaller side - I think I saw a sign that there are about 90 stores. 

 

And that was our day in Port Elizabeth - in retrospect we should have booked an NCL excursion and then cancelled if we were going to join one of the roll call tours of the elephant park.   I just didn't think that every single excursion would be sold out.

 

 

 

Edited January 17, 2023 by deefer

[deefer]

Day 4 - Freestyle Daily

 

 

 

[deefer]

46 minutes ago, CocoCruiser9640 said:

Could you tell me what you needed in terms of vaccinations to go?  Anything that we would not normally have had?  Also do you need anti-malaria pills?

 

The only thing that was required by South Africa at the time we travelled was a Yellow Fever Vaccine - but only if you are coming from a high risk country (that includes a >12hr layover in an airport).    Fortunately North America is not on the list!    

 

We are taking the anti-malaria pills but only because we did that pre cruise safari (Kruger park and the surrounding areas are considered high risk).  If we were only doing the cruise ports we may not have taken them - all the ports are either low risk or malaria free.  We would just have put on insect repellent.  We haven't seen one mosquito since leaving the safari.

 

We also have Hep A & B, & typhoid from previous travels.  I think those are the "extras" you may want to consider.  But of course talk to you health care practitioner 

 

But do bring immodium and pepto-bismol.   They were a HUGE life saver early in our trip.  

[cheapflier]

1 hour ago, CocoCruiser9640 said:

Could you tell me what you needed in terms of vaccinations to go?  Anything that we would not normally have had?  Also do you need anti-malaria pills?

Our doctor in the U.S. advised that we take anti-malaria pills, but when I checked the advice of South African health officials, they noted that none of the ports or safari locations where we are going are known to have malaria. Others on the ship said they had bad side effects from the malaria pills (mostly stomach issues that prohibited them from going on part of their safaris) so we decided not to take them.

 

Our guide at Schotia told us we didn't even need bug spray and he was right. Aside from just a few big bugs, we didn't have any issues.

[rrraydon]

following @Jeepers385

[deefer]

Day 5 - Sea Day

 

Today we get notification that on Day 7 everyone on board will have to meet face to face with South African Immigration for the departure process - our next stop after Day 7 is Namibia 

 

If you are in a suite/haven your meeting time is 6am - this is the rest of the schedule

 

And this is what the departure form you have to fill out looks like

 

I wonder if we will have to meet with them again when we come back to South Africa?

 

Just some other random things....

 

South Africa has rolling black outs - they have no power for 2 hours (or so) 4 times/day.  It never really impacted us as most of the tourist spots have generators.

 

The bank machines  in Cape Town have a low maximum amount that you can withdraw - some as low as 2000 rand (approx 116 usd)- the largest maximum we found was 8000 rand.(approx 465 usd).  If need a lot of cash to pay for tours you may want to exchange your money before you come.

 

At the Table Bay Hotel we gave a credit card (as we always do) to cover any room charges.  They actually charge your card & then reverse the charges if you didn't use it.   We lost $2 in the exchange when the charges were reversed.  You do not have to give a credit card - they actually didn't ask for it - I offered bc just used to doing that.

 

If the Robben Island tour is a "must do" for you.  Do not leave it unti your last day in Cape Town.   We were speaking with a couple who had planned to do the tour on Jan 15th - the day we left Cape Town.  All sailings were cancelled due to rough seas (that explains why I was sea sick on the first night).  

 

We boarded on the 14th - but had an overnight.  I was wondering if people could check in on the 15th - they coud but the process did not look smooth.  You had to carry your luggage (through security) all the way to the ship - it looked a little chaotic.

 

Crowd with bags/passports checking in on day 2

 

 

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 5

 

 

 

 

[deefer]

Day 6 - Richard's Bay Overnight

 

The day started off with some confusion.  In the daily it noted that guests had to take the shuttle to a mall as we were not allowed to walk in the port area

 

What it didn't say was that if you had a private tour arranged your tour company probably had clearance to pick you up right at the ship.  It also didn't say that the shuttle could also drop you off at the gate (port entrance) if that was where you were meeting your private tour - that was announced over the PA.    Our tour picked us up right at the ship but we needed to make some last minute emails to figure out where we were meeting.

 

Also - note the 2nd paragraph.   We did have a bottle of wine with dinner last night - because of this regulation they could not leave the bottle on the table but would come and refill as needed.    We also had the complimentary sparkling wine still in our cabin - it was not removed.  Really not sure what this is about.

 

So the port is very industrial.  The decks are closed for walking "due to dust" - you can see the coal right beside the ship

 

For this port we again join autotripper (Rosie) from our roll call who has coordinated this tour.   The cost was 4200 rand pp.   (there was only 4 of us). It includes all entrance fees & lunch with pickup & drop off at the port.   

 

The tour is of the wetlands @ iSemangalso Park & 2 hour Hippo & Crocodile boat cruise,

 

It's about a 1 hour drive to St Lucia where the Park and boat cruise take place.

 

There is really not that much to see on the drive.  We kept busy by chatting.

 

**Tip - bring tissue paper & hand sanitizer.  Sometimes the bathrooms don't have running water - sometimes no toilet paper **

 

We arrive at the wetland park

 

 

We drive around the park and see the grasslands, the wetlands, the beach and the coastal forest - which is what gave it unesco world heritage site

 

We also see some animals on the drive around the park.  This is a kudu but we see water buffalo, hippos, a rhino, red darker, wart hogs and several birds.

 

We stop for picnic lunch at Vidal Beach

 

 

 

We also stop at Mission Rock Beach - short walk to the coast but uneven

 

Mission Rock Beach - pristine- no one else there but us

 

We were probably in the park for about 3 hours total.  We then head to the hippo boat cruise.

 

We are on the last sailing - 4p and there are online 6 people on the boat.  It was like we chartered the boat for a private sailing.   

 

We start with the safety briefing

 

Throughout the cruise there are announcements pointing out birds, interesting vegetation.

 

And of course we see many hippos

 

We see no crocodiles - apparently they are rarely seen.  

 

Our cruise is over and we drive about 1 hr back to the ship.

 

Thoughts on this tour:

On this tour the tour guide was more on a driver than a guide - he did  point out/tell us about  animals on the game drive.   But did not share any information about the town of St Lucia, interesting things on the drive to and from the port.  At one point we drove by a tree farm - we would have not known it was a farm but Rosie & her husband knew about it and shared their knowledge on how they work.

 

I did enjoy the hippo tour as on our safari we did not get as close to the hippos as on this tour.   I am glad we saw the wetlands but even though we saw a couple of animals we hadn't seen before,  the game drive portion was underwhelming....but only because we had an amazing precruise safari.   If you have had some great animal viewing you may want to skip the game drive portion and replace it with something else. 

 

Having said that - still an enjoyable day & good company!

 

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

6 hours ago, deefer said:

On this tour the tour guide was more on a driver than a guide - he did  point out/tell us about  animals on the game drive.   But did not share any information about the town of St Lucia, interesting things on the drive to and from the port.

Sounds like a perfect tour for me. I'm a wee bit different as I don't care to hear all the stories (I'll just forget them in about two minutes haha). I'll keep it in mind if I ever cruise over in that part of the ocean...got a lot of places to go before that though!

 

Thanks for the photos and all the updates. Definitely appreciate seeing the differences in standards (port of coal, for instance). 

[deefer]

Day 7 - 2nd day Richard's Bay (but really it's a sea day)

 

We depart at 10am and the whole ship needs to meet with immigration- all aboard is 930 - so really its a sea day.  Not enough time in the morning to do anything.

 

This morning our group is 1st to meet with South African immigration for our face to face exit process.  We go with our passports and filled out immigration form.  We arrive promptly at 6am - the immigration people are 45 mins late - but there are 9 of them so we went through quickly.

 

So today is was another lazy day - went to the spa.  Unfortunately our Durban stop was canceled- not sure why - our guide yesterday came from Durban and he said there were other cruise ships in port.    So on top of doing nothing today - the next 2 days are sea days.    

 

In our room is a notice that over the next 2 days we need to meet face to face  with Namibia immigration for entry.  The immigration officers must be staying on board as like I said earlier we are at sea for the next 2 days.

 

If you are in a suite your meeting time is 9am.  This is the schedule for everyone else

 

And this is the form that needs to be filled out.

 

[deefer]

Freestyle Daily - Day 7

 

 

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

3 hours ago, deefer said:

Freestyle Daily - Day 7

 

 

 

 

It appears they're starting to place their evening game shows in the Bliss Lounge at 8 pm, so folks going to the 7 or 9 pm show could also go to it if they so desired (like we did). On our B2B most of the time they would start it at 8:45 pm, unless the CD was hosting it, which just didn't make much sense (and we would politely suggest the change to the entertainment staff).