samana - Page 2 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

smitty · 02-05-2009, 10:31 AM

o.k. this place is a real let-down. went into and walked around the town, which will not take you that long. yes there is poverty, but not the grinding poverty you see in REAL third world countries. was looking to spend some money here but found little or nothing to spend it on. there's a casino(yawn) and about six or seven fancy looking shops all along the front and part of the bahia-mar resort.
the cigar place was a joke, wait till you go to another island where you can buy the same ones cheaper.
of all the stops we had on the three cruises we took this time this one was the one we enjoyed least!
i really hope that N.C.L. drop it from their itinery.

Char · 02-05-2009, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the current, first hand report, Davy.

Sorry it wasn't a port woth visiting. I feel tht way about several ports and elect to stay on the ship. I guess you will do the same if it is on your itinerary in the future.

smitty · 02-05-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Char

Thanks for the current, first hand report, Davy.

Sorry it wasn't a port woth visiting. I feel tht way about several ports and elect to stay on the ship. I guess you will do the same if it is on your itinerary in the future.

yes char i would not get off of the ship next time.

canarymoon · 02-10-2009, 09:37 AM

Wow, smitty.
I was really looking forwaard to your report on Semana... Not sure exactly what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.
Thanks fo reporting back... that's the kind of thing we need to know.. the good AND the bad about all the ports.

smitty · 02-10-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canarymoon

Wow, smitty.
I was really looking forwaard to your report on Semana... Not sure exactly what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.
Thanks fo reporting back... that's the kind of thing we need to know.. the good AND the bad about all the ports.

i hate reporting negativly about any one, or where, but this place was a let down.

canarymoon · 02-10-2009, 09:43 PM

Well. live and learn, right?

jemingway · 02-10-2009, 10:20 PM

From reading the excursions offered by NCL, it seems Semana is almost like another private island beach day.

smitty · 02-11-2009, 08:52 AM

If you want to get off the ship then i would reccomend taking an excursion..... Cayo levante would be my choice.

jemingway · 02-11-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty

If you want to get off the ship then i would reccomend taking an excursion..... Cayo levante would be my choice.

Ok, thanks. We may give that a try.

islandcruiser · 07-29-2009, 01:05 PM

We were in Samana on the Explorer earlier this year and were let down by this port as well. We were lucky enough to find a private tour with Casa Dorado. It was an experience never to be forgotten and the beach at Playa Rincon was breath taking. I of course, will opt to stay on the ship next time because once in a lifetime is enough for me at this port.