Port day · HISTORICAL TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send to the next cabin: 4 historical tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you book.
Spend four hours with a local guide such as Russell, Arwen, or Emile, touring Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, Minden Lookout, and a working kiwi orchard. Expect port pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, local history, scenic stops, and samples of kiwifruit, avocado, and tea.
“Russel is a highly organised tour operator with a wealth of knowledge that he is able to share with appropriate humour.”
Spend about 3.5 hours touring Nassau in an air-conditioned van with a local guide such as Nikki or Tyrone. Visit Queen's Staircase, rum cake and chocolate makers, John Watling's Distillery, the Pirate Museum, Arawak Cay, and Junkanoo Beach, with samples and port pickup available.
“We were met at the designated meeting place and within ten minutes we were introduced to our driver who was a very charming and proud Bahamian. As we visited the various sites such as The Rum Cake Factory, Atlantis resort, Queen's steps and The Pirate museum, our driver gave us a wide range of information: political, historical, social and economic not forgetting culinary.There were so many photo opportunities that I thought my camera would expire.A wonderful tour and it gives you a real feel of the Bahamas. Thank you Trevor and Arthur-it was wonderful.”
Spend about seven and a half hours sailing Halong Bay from Ha Long International Cruise Port. An English-speaking guide leads you to Sung Sot Cave and Luon Cave, with a Vietnamese set lunch, port transfers, entrance fees, and bottled water included. Guides such as Johnny and Mr. Son receive especially high marks.
“The pearl farm was fascinating. The explanation and demonstrations were really good. The other parts of the tour were somewhat soured by too many tourists and boats in the same places. The plastic pollution is a big problem.”
Start with port pickup at 8:30 am, tour old Falmouth with a guide, then spend about 90 minutes at Doctor’s Cave Beach. Air-conditioned transport, sightseeing, and drop-off are included, but beach entry, chairs, umbrellas, food, and drinks cost extra.
“No historical tour at all. A drive thru town. End of story. Nice polite driver. Taken to a gift shop right off the cruise. Not what we paid for”
Pick the call, or the kind of day you want out of it.
