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Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul

Published April 27, 2025

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

A few weekends ago, I took a round-trip journey on the Amtrak Borealis from Chicago to Minneapolis–Saint Paul. I’ve always loved traveling by train, so I was excited to try this route that began service in May of 2024. I’m writing up this review so that you’ll know what to expect when taking the train between the Windy City and the Twin Cities!

Overall, I was very pleased with the Amtrak Borealis. With travel time of about 7.5 hours each way, the Borealis is not as fast as flying. However, I personally find train rides so much more enjoyable than the whole airport experience. I’ll get into more detail about all of that in this blog post.

This review contains the following topics. To skip down to a particular item, click or tap the corresponding link below!

General Overview
Facilities Review
Food, Drinks, and the Cafe Car
FAQs
Final Tips

General Overview

The Amtrak Borealis is a route that runs between Chicago Union Station and Union Depot in Saint Paul, MN. As of April 2025, there is one run per day in both directions. The current schedule has the northbound train departing Chicago at 11:05 a.m. and arriving in Saint Paul at 6:29 in the evening. If you’re going in the opposite direction, the Borealis departs Saint Paul at 11:50 a.m. and arrives at downtown Chicago at 7:14 in the evening. Verify the schedule on your ticket as things could change.

For my trip, I left Chicago on a Saturday and came back on a Tuesday. In both directions, my train departed exactly on time. On Saturday, the train pulled into Union Depot at 6:55 p.m., so about 25 minutes late. On Tuesday, the train got to Union Station in Chicago within a few minutes of the scheduled 7:14 p.m. arrival.

Note that Borealis is not the only Amtrak route that runs between Chicago and Minneapolis–Saint Paul. The “Empire Builder” connects Chicago to Seattle, with an intermediate stop in Saint Paul. If the Borealis times listed above don’t work for you, be sure to check the ticket reservation section of the Amtrak website for additional Empire Builder schedule options.

Chicago, IL to Saint Paul, MN

As you can see in all of the pictures above, Union Station in Chicago is absolutely stunning. I got to the station about 50 minutes before my scheduled departure. That gave me more than enough time to admire the Great Hall, purchase some food, and find my gate. The Amtrak website recommends that “you arrive at the station no more than 30 minutes before your train departs, [or] 60 if you’re checking a bag or need ticketing/passenger assistance.”

Once I found my gate and boarded the train, I settled in for my seven-hour ride. It was pretty comfortable, and the time passed quickly. You can read more details about the onboard experience below.

Upon arrival in Saint Paul, I gathered my belongings and walked through Union Depot. It was quiet, clean, and beautifully maintained.

On this visit, I booked a hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Unfortunately, the Amtrak Borealis doesn’t go into Minneapolis, but Saint Paul is not that far (about 12 miles from one downtown to the other). You have two main options to get from Union Depot to Minneapolis: rideshares or the METRO Green Line.

I decided to take the Green Line to Minneapolis, which has its terminal stop right in front of Union Depot. One-way tickets only cost $2 as of April 2025, so it’s very cheap. However, I have to be honest: the light rail didn’t feel extremely safe to me right at dusk. I didn’t experience any problems, but I felt like I had to be on alert. It’s also pretty slow, taking about an hour to get from downtown Saint Paul to downtown Minneapolis. In hindsight, I probably should’ve just taken an Uber to my hotel; they’re fairly affordable in the Twin Cities.

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Saint Paul, MN Back to Chicago, IL

On my return trip, I knew more or less what to expect having already taken the Borealis in one direction. I used the METRO Green Line again to get from Minneapolis to Saint Paul, and it felt safer during daylight hours.

Union Depot in Saint Paul is significantly smaller than Chicago Union Station, so it’s unlikely anyone would get lost here. I boarded the train, and off we went.

The Borealis from north to south was basically the same experience as coming from Chicago except in reverse. After pulling into Union Station on schedule, I walked about 20 minutes to the Monroe CTA Red Line stop to head home. Other options for getting where you need to go in Chicago include: the CTA Blue Line Clinton station, CTA Green Line and Pink Line Clinton station, Metra trains leaving from Union Station, Metra trains leaving from Ogilvie Transportation Center (three blocks north), various buses, Lyft, or Uber.

Facilities Review

Superliner Car Configurations

The following review pertains to the Amtrak Superliner, which I rode on both halves of my round-trip journey. This type of train car contains two levels with passenger seating on the upper level. The lower level has luggage storage space, a cafe in one of the cars (more on that below), and restrooms. Note that future runs of the Borealis are not guaranteed to be done with Superliner trains, so the layout of your car may be different than what’s described here.

Accommodations for Disabilities

The Superliner did not seem to have obvious accommodations for passengers with limited mobility. To get from the lower to upper level, I only saw a fairly narrow staircase. The Amtrak website has more information, but I didn’t use any services related to accessibility on this trip.

Seats

For a seven-hour journey, I found the seats on the Superliner cars to be very comfortable. There was a lot of legroom, a retractable footrest, a tray table in front of each seat, and a seatback pocket. There was also enough space for me to keep my backpack below my feet without restricting my ability to stretch my legs.

As you can see in the pictures here, the configuration on my train was two seats on each side of a center aisle. There was an electrical outlet next to the window seat, but not on the aisle seat. At one point, a passenger who sat next to me wanted to charge his phone, which kind of awkwardly left a cord draped over me.

Bathrooms

The Superliner cars didn’t feel extremely dated, although I wouldn’t say they felt new or modern either. The part of the train that seemed to have the most visible wear and tear was the restrooms. Some of the restrooms were accessible, which had a lot more room. The other ones on board were pretty tight, and the walkway to get there was narrow as well. The biggest issue I noticed was that many of the locks on the bathrooms were broken, so double or triple check that the door is locked before doing your business.

Wi-Fi

I never used Amtrak’s Wi-Fi on either leg of my journey. Two days before my departure, I received an email saying the service would not be available onboard during my outbound trip. I don’t know if it was working on the way back, but didn’t need it since cell service exists along this entire route. I also downloaded Netflix and Apple TV+ shows before leaving. Some sources online warn that Wi-Fi on Amtrak isn’t super reliable, and it looks like they might be right.

Food, Drinks, and the Cafe Car

Let me just start off this section by saying that the cafe car on my train was not really what I envisioned. I pictured a dining car with booths where passengers could sit, relax, and enjoy the view while sipping on a beverage or eating a meal. Instead, it looked like this:

While the cafe car technically did have seats, most were occupied with boxes. They also awkwardly faced inward, instead of forwards or backwards like the rest of the seats on the upper level. There were no tables here either, whereas the regular seats up above did at least have tray tables. With that in mind, I always brought whatever I purchased back up to my seat.

The cafe is located on the lower level of one of the train cars. They serve a variety of food, drinks, and snacks, including beer, wine, bottled water, chips, coffee, and much more. (As far as I could tell, there was no free water fountain with potable water on the train, so I would recommend bringing some if you’re not interested in purchasing water bottles onboard.) Below are some notes on the beverages I tried:

Bottled water: standard
Coffee: served extremely hot. I was worried I would burn myself if it spilled even a little bit.
Wine: decent but nothing special
Beer: a highlight of the trip! I loved that they serve Elysian Brewing’s Space Dust IPA. This was one of my favorite beers back in college, and I’ve never been able to find it anywhere in Chicago.

I paid for all my food and drink on the train with card, but I believe cash is also accepted. In terms of meals, I tried one cold deli sandwich and one burger. The former was definitely better than the latter. The burger was warmed up in a microwave, and I was worried it might have some cold spots in the middle. Luckily, it was very hot (maybe a little too hot, honestly), but in terms of flavor and texture, it was on par with a school cafeteria burger….

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the views scenic?

This is obviously a subjective question, but I personally spent a big portion of my time on the train staring out the window. The main landscape you’ll see is classic Midwest farmland, but with stops in towns and cities at least once an hour, views are never static.

Two scenic highlights of this route are starting (or ending) in Chicago, and passing through downtown Milwaukee.

According to one conductor on the train intercom, the most scenic portion of the Borealis is the stretch that runs alongside the Mississippi River between La Crosse, WI and Saint Paul, MN. One side of the train offers better views than the other during this portion of the journey. Read on to learn more!

Which side of the train offers better views?

Throughout most of the ride, the views from both sides of the train are similar. However, there are a few portions of the journey where you may want to find a seat on the left or right side of the train car if possible.

Near Chicago

Passengers departing from Chicago Union Station will be treated to better views of the iconic skyline from the right side of the train in the direction of travel (half of the seats in each car face backwards). Before departing, it can be difficult to tell which way the train is going to move in, so ask a staff member if needed. People who are prone to motion sickness may also want to ask in order to try and find a seat that faces forward. I do get carsick occasionally, but I didn’t find the Amtrak to be rough or shaky. However, sitting backwards can still be disorienting.

Near Milwaukee

If you’re approaching Milwaukee Intermodal Station from the south, better views will be on the right side of the train in the direction of travel. From this side, you’ll be able to see Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee skyline.

Along the Mississippi River

Between La Crosse, WI and Saint Paul, MN, the Amtrak Borealis runs alongside the western bank of the Mississippi River. If you’re headed north, that means you’ll want to be on the right side of the train in the direction of travel. If you’re headed south, try to find a seat on the left side of the train car in the direction of travel.

How does luggage work?

Because I went to Minneapolis for a long weekend, I only brought a backpack and a gym bag (duffle bag). There is space for personal belongings above the seats on the upper level of the Superliner cars. My gym bag filled with clothes fit there without any issue, as did my backpack. On the lower level of each car was a storage spot for larger pieces of luggage.

According to current Amtrak policy, you can bring one “personal item” and two “carry-on items.” For definitions of each, see their website. For checked baggage, see their general baggage policy. I essentially brought one personal item (my backpack) and one carry-on item (my gym bag), so I didn’t have to check anything. As such, I can’t speak to what that procedure is like. Remember that if you plan to check luggage, they advise arriving to the station one hour before scheduled departure.

How does the Amtrak Borealis compare to flying?

The Amtrak Borealis is in no way quicker than flying direct between Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. The Borealis essentially takes an entire day, whereas flying takes about 90 minutes (plus the time it takes to get to and from airports, etc). With that said, I feel like Amtrak is a much more enjoyable and relaxing experience than flying.

Because there is much more legroom on the train than on a plane, a seven-hour journey on Amtrak is significantly less tiring than a seven-hour flight. You can easily get up and stretch whenever you need to without potentially inconveniencing or waking up someone else. There is cell service throughout this route. The Amtrak coach seats are similar to business or first class seats on a plane (although they don’t lay flat, and the Borealis doesn’t offer sleeping cars or private rooms).

I’ve personally come to dislike flying more and more with each passing year. So often, it’s a really uncomfortable and unpleasant experience for me. So maybe I’m biased, but I personally love that Amtrak offers this alternative between Chicago and MSP. In terms of cost, my round-trip was $103. Just like airlines, Amtrak pricing depends on time and day, so check both options if you’re looking for the best deal possible.

How full was the train?

I traveled to the Twin Cities on a Saturday and returned to Chicago on a Tuesday. As you’d probably expect, the train was fuller on the weekend than on a weekday. However, capacity varied between the different stops along the route. For example, the Borealis from Saint Paul to Chicago on Tuesday was mostly empty until we reached Milwaukee. From Milwaukee to Chicago, the train was basically completely full.

With that said, I don’t think Amtrak ever overbooks their trains. In other words, you should be guaranteed a seat, but you may not get your pick of window or aisle, and you may have to sit next to a stranger.

Final Tips

Eat a full meal before taking the Borealis.

With a total travel time of over seven hours, I highly recommend eating a meal before getting on the Borealis in either direction. In Chicago, Union Station has a food court. I purchased a big slice of pizza and a side of pasta at the Sbarro there. Prices at the food court are relatively reasonable (especially compared to airport food courts), and there are lots of other restaurants within a block or two of Union Station.

In Saint Paul, Union Depot has one main restaurant called 1881 Eating House. It was open for dinner on the evening I arrived in Minnesota, but wasn’t open on the morning I returned to Chicago. Luckily, the Borealis’s 11:50 a.m. departure out of Saint Paul gave me ample time to enjoy a very hearty breakfast in Minneapolis before taking the METRO Green Line to Union Depot.

Bring your own snacks.

Although the cafe car offers decent snacks, and they’re not outrageously expensive, it is still more economical to bring your own food. Furthermore, the snacks offered there are mostly packaged and processed. I brought some bananas and oranges, which helped balance out some of the junk food I bought at the cafe. Note that the cafe doesn’t offer microwaves for food brought from home.

Sit in the car that Amtrak staff directs you to.

Conductors on the train will likely make this suggestion over the intercom multiple times throughout your journey. That’s because the doors on certain cars may not open depending on the stop. When you get on the train, Amtrak staff should ask you where your final destination is, and they will direct you to the appropriate train car based on what you tell them.

Now, you aren’t forced to stay in any car (they’re all connected via gangways on the upper level). You can also get off at an earlier stop than your ticket indicates if, for example, your plans change. Announcements about which doors will open are made before each stop, but ask an employee if you’re not 100% sure. Stops may only last for 30 seconds or a minute, which is not enough time to switch cars if you accidentally wait in front of a door that doesn’t open.

All Aboard the Borealis!

If you consider yourself an enjoyer of trains in any capacity, I highly recommend trying the Amtrak Borealis to get between Chicago and the Twin Cities in Minnesota. Even though a one-way journey does take an entire day, the experience is worth it (at least in my opinion).

Are you booked on an upcoming run of this Amtrak route? Have you taken it before? Leave a comment below to let me know! I’m curious to know if other passengers had a smooth experience like I did, or if you may have been delayed or had other issues. Thanks for reading Caffeinated Excursions!

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This post was published on Apr 27, 2025

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Hi, I’m Kevin! I’m a coffee addict from Seattle, and my life revolves around traveling! Caffeinated Excursions is a record of my trips over the past seven years. Since I started blogging, I’ve lived in Mexico, Vietnam, Brazil, and the US. I just moved to Australia and plan to be here a full year. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review: Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel And Bimini)

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sat, 18 May 2024 17:00:00 +0000

A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review:
Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel & Bimini)

A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review: Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel And Bimini)

Published May 18, 2024

My friend Ismael and I recently booked a five-night cruise on Virgin Voyages out of Miami. Since this was our very first ocean cruise, neither of us knew exactly what to expect. But once we boarded the Scarlet Lady, saw our cabin, and had our first drink, we knew it would be an amazing time! From start to finish, Virgin Voyages’ Riviera Maya cruise was an absolute blast!

My review of this cruise is broken down into the following topics. To skip down to anything that interests you, click or tap the corresponding link below!

Why Did We Choose Virgin Voyages?
The Cruise Itinerary
Food & Restaurants on the Ship
All About the Scarlet Lady
Final Verdict on Virgin Voyages Riviera Maya Cruise

Why Did We Choose Virgin Voyages?

We took this cruise at the end of March, which coincided with my spring break. I work in education, so I didn’t have a ton of flexibility with my time off. With that in mind, we basically had two cruise options: this one with Virgin Voyages (VV), or a Royal Caribbean cruise leaving Port Canaveral that went to CocoCay and Nassau in The Bahamas.

A couple of logistical details pushed us towards VV. First and foremost, the Riviera Maya cruise was one night longer than the Royal Caribbean one. In addition, neither of us had been to Cozumel or Bimini, but I had been to Nassau before. Finally, the VV cruise visited two countries, while the Royal Caribbean cruise only visited one. All of these factors convinced us to go with Virgin.

On top of that, Virgin Voyages is a newer company that markets itself as an innovator in the cruise industry. Eventually, I do want to try (and blog about) cruising with one of the big three cruise lines. However, Virgin Voyages seemed like a good fit for us this time.

Ismael and I are both avid travelers who lean towards off-the-beaten-path destinations. We also love amazing food from all over the world! Virgin generally gets high marks for cuisine offerings on board, so that enticed us as well. As a brand, VV seemed more aligned with our style of travel than Royal Caribbean.

What’s important to know about Virgin Voyages? First and foremost, their cruises are only for adults. As such, there are no venues or amenities on board the ship aimed at kids. Secondly, almost all food is included in the voyage cost. Finally, there are no gratuities that you are required to pay on board.

Beyond that, we were impressed by the stylish spaces on the Scarlet Lady. Each restaurant, bar, and entertainment venue was beautifully designed. It made exploring the ship so much fun!

The Cruise Itinerary

Below, you’ll find the daily itinerary for Virgin Voyages’ Riviera Maya cruise. It includes information about the port stops, “Shore Things” (excursions), and what we did during our days at sea.

Day 1: Boarding in Miami

The first day of our cruise was all about checking in on the Scarlet Lady and getting settled. I flew from Chicago to Miami the night before embarkation, and we stayed at a budget hotel by the airport. The next morning, we woke up, did some last-minute shopping, and got lunch at a Peruvian restaurant. After that, we took an Uber to Port of Miami.

To board a Virgin Voyages cruise leaving out of Miami, passengers have to head to Terminal V (located here). Setting this as the destination for our Uber worked for us; we were dropped off in the right place.

Our designated check-in time was 4:30 pm, and Virgin requests that Sailors (their term for passengers) don’t arrive early to avoid crowding. To be honest, we disobeyed and arrived around 3:00 pm. That’s because I can’t stand the stress of running late! On top of that, we weren’t familiar with the layout of the cruise terminal, nor did we know how long the check-in process would take. I figured at worst, we might have to hang out and wait for an hour or so.

Luckily, staff at the terminal let us check in about an hour early. I think their advice not to arrive before your designated time is meant for folks who plan to show up, like, six hours before their assigned embarkation slot.

Checking in was straightforward. It took about fifteen minutes for the two of us. Terminal V is also a gorgeous, spacious building! It made a very positive first impression on me and served as a preview of Virgin Voyages’ focus on beautiful design.

Stepping foot onto the Scarlet Lady was such a cool experience for me as a first-time ocean cruiser! There are so many bright, modern spaces on board, and the boat felt larger than life. Keep in mind, the Scarlet Lady has a capacity of 2,770 passengers, making it a very average-sized cruise ship. But to me, it still felt absolutely massive, especially on the first day of our trip!

We found our cabin, dropped off our belongings, then headed to the top deck for some champagne during the ship’s sail away party. The open-air deck is one of my favorite parts of the Scarlet Lady! It was an excellent place to relax, sip our drinks, and enjoy the views of the Miami skyline before dinner.

After dinner, we attended a drag show, got a midnight snack at the ship’s pizzeria, walked around the top deck, and finally called it a night. If you’re curious about food on the ship or the ship’s entertainment offerings, click the corresponding link to skip down to those sections of this post!

Day 2: At Sea

The second day of this cruise was entirely at sea. We spent hours exploring the ship, eating, drinking, lounging at the pool, and hanging out! Throughout Days 1 and 2, the Scarlet Lady sailed away from Miami, alongside the Florida Keys, and then alongside Cuba as it made its way towards Cozumel in Mexico. For a few hours in the afternoon, we were actually close enough to Cuba to see the island off in the distance.

During our days at sea, we participated in a number of organized events and activities. For example, we took part in things like coffee tastings, bracelet making, a cocktail mixing competition, and more. Some of these activities were free, and others required us to pay extra to participate. Some required reservations on the Virgin Voyages app, and others were first come first served.

Since these activities (or at least, other similar ones) should be offered on every Virgin Voyages cruise, I won’t be detailing all of them here. If you want to learn more about the ship and its offerings, skip down to that section of this post below!

Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico

On the morning of our voyage’s third day, we docked in Cozumel. This Mexican island is part of the state of Quintana Roo. This state is home to famous tourist destinations such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. By the way, the name “Riviera Maya” refers to Mexico’s Caribbean coastline between Puerto Morelos and Punta Allen (plus the island of Cozumel).

Before disembarking the Scarlet Lady, I went up to the top deck to check the weather, and unfortunately, skies were completely overcast. This would last the entire day, but at least it wasn’t chilly. In fact, even with cloudy skies, Cozumel was noticeably hotter and more humid than Miami and the Caribbean Sea during Days 1 and 2.

Virgin Voyages uses the Punta Langosta Cruise Terminal (at least, they did on our sailing). The island has between three and five main piers depending on what source you’re looking at, and Punta Langosta is right in the center of San Miguel de Cozumel, the island’s main city.

A Review of Our Sailing and Snorkeling Excursions

We booked a Shore Thing in Cozumel about four months before the cruise, which meant we had a planned outing for Day 3. It was called “Sail, Snorkel, & Hidden Beach Escape” and cost $120 per person. This excursion included a catamaran ride to a snorkeling spot, followed by a visit to a private beach club near San José.

Checking in for our Shore Thing was easy, and it didn’t require us to leave the Punta Langosta pier. We were grouped together with people from other cruises on the catamaran. After everyone found a spot to sit, we took off. Our captain navigated around the Scarlet Lady, which provided an awesome 360-degree view of the ship.

As we approached our snorkeling stop, Ismael got his gear on and prepared to dive into the water. I decided to just hang out on the catamaran and try to get some pictures. Unfortunately, with the weather still pretty grey, the Caribbean waters here weren’t particularly impressive.

Ismael said the snorkeling was fine, and some fish were visible. However, it wasn’t the best snorkeling he’s ever done. The captains also warned all of us that you need to be a decent swimmer to participate. In spite of that, some people jumped in and basically needed to be rescued right away. Everyone is required to wear a life vest, but don’t try to snorkel here if you can’t at least tread water!

One of my biggest complaints about this Shore Thing is that the drinks sucked. The description provided by Virgin Voyages says adult beverages are included in the price. The catamaran had unlimited beer and margaritas, but both of those drinks deserve very emphatic air quotes around them. The so-called margarita was extremely watered down; it tasted like lemonade. I don’t even think it had the slightest hint of tequila in it, to be honest.

The beer was better than the margarita, but that’s not saying much. It was either the lightest beer I’ve ever tasted, or it was diluted with carbonated water. Now, I understand where they’re coming from: the tour company doesn’t want passengers to become extremely drunk or unruly during the excursion. However, I’d much rather have a two- or three-drink limit on real margaritas and bottled beer versus an unlimited supply of very low quality drinks.

With the snorkeling portion of our excursion complete, we sailed for a little longer and then anchored at the private beach club. This area was decent, but not spectacular. I ordered a fish sandwich for lunch but immediately regretted it. Their burgers fresh off the grill looked a lot more enticing. We ate, strolled along the water for a while, and relaxed. Finally, we got back on the catamaran, which returned directly to Punta Langosta.

My overall feelings about this Shore Thing were mixed, if I’m being generous. I don’t think it was worth anywhere near the 120 USD per person we paid. Especially in Mexico, an excursion like this is worth at most 50 USD. Unless you’re willing to book your own activities, you’re going to pay a premium for booking through your cruise line. Even with that in mind, I don’t feel like the experience was worth such a high price.

Maybe I would’ve felt differently if we had nicer weather. Nonetheless, I will probably skip booking Virgin Voyages Shore Things on any future trip I do with this cruise line. I’ll admit, it takes more work to research activities at ports of call with independent third parties. There’s also an increased risk of not being dropped off at the boat in time. But we spoke with other Sailors who booked activities externally, and they seemed extremely satisfied with their outings. I can’t necessarily say the same for ours.

Exploring San Miguel de Cozumel

After being dropped off at Punta Langosta, Ismael and I had a few free hours. We decided to walk around San Miguel de Cozumel for a little bit to see what the town was like. It was nice, but I wouldn’t call it especially charming. Maybe I’m being uppity, but I lived in Mexico in 2018, so I’ve traveled to some of the country’s best beach towns. I would not consider Cozumel to be one of them.

I’m not trying to be disparaging, but I think this sentiment is commonly shared among cruise enthusiasts. I distinctly remember overhearing an avid cruiser say that they never get off any cruise ship when it’s stopped in Cozumel because they just don’t like it that much. Now that I’ve seen Cozumel for myself, I don’t need to go back.

We wanted to try one local restaurant before getting back on the Scarlet Lady, so we got snacks and drinks at Cocomama Tiki Room (address | Instagram). My steak tacos here were good, but the highlight here was the rum cocktails! They were amazing, especially compared to the bad drinks we had during our Shore Thing. When we were done eating and drinking, we headed back to the cruise ship to rest a bit.

The Best Part of Day 3: Scarlet Night!

Even though Cozumel was a little underwhelming, our evening on the Scarlet Lady made up for it. That’s because we celebrated Scarlet Night on our third evening! In case you didn’t know, every Virgin Voyages cruise has one night where the entire ship becomes a party. Sailors are asked to dress in red, and for multiple hours after dinner, there are events, shows, dance parties, photo booths, and performances throughout all common areas.

I’ll write up a more thorough review of Scarlet Night in my ship overview blog post [coming soon]! But until then, know that this is the biggest event on board the ship. Be sure not to miss it or forget your scarlet attire!

Day 4: At Sea

On this day, the Scarlet Lady turned around and sailed north from Cozumel to The Bahamas. We spent Day 4 very similarly to how we spent Day 2. After having overcast weather in Cozumel, it was nice to have clear skies again out on the open water.

Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas

Our final full day on this cruise was spent in Bimini, a tiny archipelago in The Bahamas. This is the closest part of the country to Miami at a distance of only about 55 miles. I’ve wanted to visit Bimini for years, so I was very excited to finally do so with Virgin Voyages!

From what I can tell, almost every Virgin Voyages cruise based out of Miami stops at Bimini. I could be wrong about this, so double check your cruise itinerary if visiting this Bahamian island chain is a priority for you. VV owns and operates their very own private beach club in Bimini, which is probably why most (if not all) of their Miami-based cruises spend a day there.

On a side note, I’m a huge fan of The Bahamas in general! If I had unlimited time and money, I’d spend months exploring the country’s more remote islands. With that said, I had high expectations for Bimini, and this gorgeous destination was everything I had hoped for!

Virgin Voyages docks at the Bimini Cruise Port, which is located here on the island of North Bimini. The cruise terminal provides free shuttles that make a loop between the cruise pier and The Beach Club. The shuttle takes about ten minutes each way, while walking takes about 25 minutes. Shuttles run roughly once every ten or fifteen minutes.

Exploring Bimini on Foot

Since we didn’t book any Shore Things in Bimini, we had the entire day to explore on our own terms. I really wanted to see the local towns: Bailey Town in the north and Alice Town in the south. Ismael and I decided to walk the entire length of the developed portion of North Bimini, which is a narrow strip of land. It takes about an hour each way.

As soon as you leave Resorts World Bimini (where the Virgin Voyages beach club is located), you’ll find yourself in the “real” Bahamas. If you want to spend your entire day in Bimini relaxing on the beach at the club, that’s totally fine. But I would say adventurous travelers should explore further south. Golf cart rentals are available on the island, but I’m not sure how much they cost. Walking is an option, but give yourself about two or two-and-a-half hours to go all the way to the end and back.

Bailey Town and Alice Town are both quiet, residential areas. I enjoyed leisurely walking through these communities to see local homes, businesses, and street art. When Ismael and I got to Radio Beach, we stopped for a few rum cocktails at an outdoor bar stand with a view of the water. Then we began heading back north. The ocean side of the island (the west) is much prettier than the marsh-facing side (the east).

Eat a Conch Feast

One of my favorite things about The Bahamas is the national dish: conch! It’s a chewy type of seafood, somewhat reminiscent of calamari. However, the flavor is very light (and in my opinion, not fishy at all). This makes it easy to prepare in myriad ways, which is why you can enjoy it as a salad, in a burger, as a stew, and in many other ways.

While walking in Bimini, we passed by mountains of conch shells on certain parts of the coast (shown above). It’s an integral part of Bahamian culture. In fact, sale and trade is strictly limited in the US. Some sources online say that conch meat can be sold in the US, but that it must be imported. I’ve never seen it on a menu anywhere in Florida, which is why I savor it in the Bahamas, where it is very common and readily available.

Bimini has no shortage of conch stands, and each one specializes in different conch-based dishes. After comparing reviews and menus, we decided to get lunch at Joe’s Conch Shack. We went all out and ordered fried conch with fries, conch stew with rice and beans, conch fritters, and conch salad. We also ordered two rum punches that really packed a punch! Since we were walking and not driving a golf cart, it wasn’t an issue.

Every dish we got at Joe’s tasted amazing! The fried conch really stood out, especially with a pink sweet and savory sauce to dip them in. I also loved the conch fritters, and the conch salad was similar to ceviche.

In addition to great food, Joe’s Conch Shack has such a fun atmosphere. It’s decorated with dollar bills, plus there’s a pile of conch shells right next to the picnic tables you can eat at. If you are looking to try conch on Bimini, this is a great place to do it. Just be aware that Joe’s takes cash only (I’m pretty sure).

Despite an overload of conch for lunch, I still wanted more. Specifically, I craved a conch burger, which was not on the menu at Joe’s. We stopped one more time down the road at Bowleg’s Food Truck (location | Facebook), where I was able to order one. It came out piping hot! Conch burgers are a little tough to eat since the meat is so chewy, but that’s part of this unique experience!

The Beach Club at Bimini

Even after walking the entire length of the island and back, we still had a few hours to relax at Virgin Voyages’ private beach club. This venue is absolutely beautiful! This spacious club has pools, lounge chairs, bar service, and a pristine stretch of sand with clear blue water. It’s owned and operated directly by Virgin, not a third party partner. I consider that a good thing!

The Beach Club also serves lunch, and I’ve heard many people say it’s amazing. However, as far as I could tell, Virgin Voyages does not serve conch here. That’s why we left Resorts World Bimini and had lunch further south. If you want to try conch but don’t want to leave the beach club, check with VV staff to make sure. If they aren’t offering it at the beach club, the closest local restaurant that serves conch appears to be Smitty’s Beach Bar & Restaurant.

Our Day 5 began with partly cloudy skies. By mid-afternoon, however, the sun was shining brilliantly. This made the glistening blue sea even more spectacular!

After a refreshing swim in the ocean, it was time to head back to the Scarlet Lady. Setting sail and watching Bimini slowly disappear over the horizon was the perfect end to my favorite day on this itinerary. We were also treated to the most impressive sunset of our cruise right before dinner.

Day 6: Return to Miami

By the time we woke up on Day 6, we had already arrived in Miami. It was bittersweet for our cruise to come to an end! We finished packing, went to The Galley for coffee and breakfast, and I did one final walkthrough of the upper deck to admire the Miami skyline.

About a day or so before arrival, the Virgin Voyages app prompted us to pick a disembarkation time, so we chose the last one (which I believe was 10:30 am). This allowed us to sleep in a little bit and have a leisurely breakfast. If I remember correctly, the earliest you can leave the ship on Day 6 is 7:00 am or 7:30 am.

Disembarking was generally self-explanatory. Ismael and I just went to Deck 7 and left through the same door we boarded through back on Day 1. There was a line to leave that snaked through the lobby, but it never stopped moving. After a short and simple immigration procedure in the terminal building, we were free to go.

Since we didn’t have a rental car, Ismael and I called an Uber from Terminal V. We encountered a bit of a bottleneck with so many people trying to catch a ride at the same time. Luckily, we eventually found the right vehicle, and then we were off.

Our Day 6 on this cruise fell on a Friday, so Ismael and I spent the weekend in Miami before flying back home. If you’re also planning to check out the Miami metro area before or after your cruise, be sure to consult my separate blog post about things to do there!

Food & Restaurants on the Ship

As I’ve mentioned above, Virgin Voyages does a phenomenal job with dining on board the ship! It’s one of the top reasons to book a cruise with this company. There are some important details to know when it comes to VV restaurants. For example, food is almost always all-inclusive, but alcoholic beverages are extra.

Fortunately, I’ve written a separate comprehensive Virgin Voyages food review! It includes information on all the restaurants we ate at, all the meals we enjoyed, snacks, beverages, and more!

All About the Scarlet Lady

I wrote this blog post for travelers who want to know all about Virgin Voyages’ Riviera Maya itinerary. If you’re curious to learn more about the Scarlet Lady, check out my separate blog post [coming soon]! It will include the following:

Review of our stateroom
Common areas on the ship
Entertainment and activities

Final Verdict on Virgin Voyages Riviera Maya Cruise

Here’s my short answer: I wholeheartedly recommend this cruise, and I love what VV is all about! As a travel enthusiast in my late twenties who’s a newcomer to ocean cruises, I can say that Virgin Voyages was a great fit. I think Ismael really enjoyed it too, and I will admit I’ve routinely been browsing VV’s upcoming sailings and daydreaming about booking another one!

Here’s my longer answer: the reason I liked this cruise so much was because of what Virgin Voyages did, not because of Cozumel. This Mexican island is a hub for cruise ships. I found it to be a pretty unexceptional place to spend a day. Maybe it’s much prettier when the sun is out? If you’ve been to Cozumel on a sunny day, leave a comment below and let me know how it is!

In contrast to Cozumel, Bimini was stunning. Luckily, most Virgin Voyages cruises stop here, so you’ll probably get to see this amazing Bahamian island if you’re booking a VV cruise out of Miami.

I would gladly book another cruise on Virgin Voyages (and probably will someday within the next few years). For my next one, I have my eye on Roatán, an island in Honduras. I’d also be open to stopping in places such as Puerto Rico or Grand Turk.

Have you been on a Virgin Voyages cruise before? Are you considering booking one? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and have an amazing cruise if you’re about to embark!

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This post was published on May 18, 2024

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review: Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel And Bimini) appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Virgin Voyages Food Review: Restaurants, Bars, And More Aboard The Scarlet Lady

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Virgin Voyages Food Review: Restaurants, Bars, & More Aboard The Scarlet Lady

Published April 10, 2024

One of the first questions people ask when booking a cruise is: what will the food be like on board? That was definitely at the top of my mind when a friend and I decided to do a Virgin Voyages Riviera Maya cruise aboard the Scarlet Lady. And let me tell you, the restaurants on the ship really surpassed my expectations!

This was my very first ocean cruise, so I can’t compare the dining experience to other cruise lines (yet). With that said, I’d be shocked if one of the major international cruise companies offers better cuisine than Virgin Voyages. VV seems to market heavily towards millennials, and a major component of that involves going all out with the food!

Our five-night cruise was aboard the Scarlet Lady, but restaurants and dining options are identical across the Virgin Voyages fleet of ships. As such, this review should give you a good sense of what to expect regardless of which boat you’re sailing on!

Below are all of the restaurants, bars, food stalls, and cafes that we tried during our time on the Scarlet Lady! To skip down to any particular spot, click or tap the corresponding link below. To see Virgin’s official dining webpage, click or tap here.

Sit-Down Restaurants
The Galley
Other Options
My Favorite (And Least Favorite) Food Item on the Ship
Pricing, Drinks, And Final Thoughts

Sit-Down Restaurants

Virgin Voyages essentially has two main options for meals: sit-down restaurants and a more casual food court (more on that below). The sit-down places are not to be missed. This is where the cruise line’s culinary prowess really shines through! All of these restaurants take reservations through the Virgin Voyages app, and it’s wise to book the ones you want as early as possible. They do hold some space for walk-ins, but you are not guaranteed a table at your desired time if you don’t reserve in advance.

Razzle Dazzle

Razzle Dazzle seems to be Virgin Voyages’ flagship restaurant, complete with a red, white, and black interior design scheme to match their corporate color palette. Razzle Dazzle offers standard American restaurant fare in a modern dining room.

Our appetizers, drinks, and desserts were all decent. I ordered fried okra and green tomatoes, and Ismael ended up getting a cocktail served in a popcorn container with actual caramel popcorn on top! For my dessert, I tried a rich, smores-inspired chocolate pudding.

The best part of this meal was my main plate: a succulent slow-cooked lamb shank that fell right off the bone. It was served with glazed veggies over a bed of taleggio cheese mashed potatoes. Dinner at Razzle Dazzle was our very first meal aboard the Scarlet Lady, and it set the stage for four days of feasting and drinking!

Extra Virgin

We didn’t book a reservation at Extra Virgin (I love that play on words, by the way) weeks or months advance. But after checking in on the Scarlet Lady, we saw how chic and stylish the dining room was! That was enough to convince us that we should try this Italian restaurant. There were still some slots open for dinner, so we snagged a table!

Extra Virgin was one of my favorite restaurants on the ship, both for the ambiance and the food. The pastel colors, nods to nautical themes, and Italian design elements all come together in a very cohesive way.

Upon being seated, we were immediately brought a tray of sliced meats, cheeses, spreads, and honey. Bread, olive oil and vinegar, and wine were also served. It was a sign that this dinner would be a major ordeal, in a good way!

Guests at Extra Virgin are encouraged to order one antipasto starter, one pasta dish, and one secondo (main). We did exactly that, and I was a worried it would be way too much food. Luckily, the portion sizes here were on the smaller side. Needless to say, it was a lot of food, but not overwhelmingly so. For appetizers, we shared meatballs and calamari (both pictured above).

Because this meal was pretty large, I opted for fish instead of red meat for my main plate. The sea bass I got was light and refreshing. For my pasta, I got a black squid ink “nero gemelli” with shrimp and mussels. This was the highlight of my dinner! The texture of the noodles was perfect: just chewy enough without being mushy. The pasta and seafood also came in an irresistible spicy sauce. Don’t miss Extra Virgin on your next VV cruise!

The Wake

Known for its steak and seafood, The Wake is fully decked out with fancy chandeliers, a spiral staircase, and sparkly copper spheres on the ceiling that will make you feel like you’re in The Great Gatsby. This restaurant’s name references its location at the back of the boat, and the view it offers of the ship’s wake or trail in the water.

This was another restaurant we didn’t reserve before embarking, but we were able to get a table for brunch towards the end of our cruise. According to staff on the ship, The Wake is one of the most popular sit-down venues on board. So if you’re intent on having a fancy steak dinner here during your cruise, try to make a reservation on the app as soon as it allows you to.

We began our brunch here with a few rounds of traditional morning cocktails, followed by appetizers of citrus fennel salad and poached shrimp. The salad was delicious and refreshing, not to mention a much needed dose of fresh fruits and veggies.

However, the poached shrimp at The Wake was probably the least impressive shrimp I had on the Scarlet Lady (and trust me, I ate a lot of shrimp during our cruise). Compared to the delicious seafood I had with my squid ink pasta from Extra Virgin, these just tasted like your average shrimp cocktail. They were plated beautifully, but they didn’t have an exquisite flavor.

For our main brunch plates at The Wake, Ismael got their Benedict with pork belly, and I got the steak and eggs. We both agreed that the steak and eggs was the better dish. After all, this is what they’re known for!

The Test Kitchen

Whether you end up loving or hating it, The Test Kitchen is arguably Virgin Voyages’ most unique (and controversial) restaurant. They don’t really shy away from it either. The entrance hall is decorated with symbols of ingredients meant to look like the periodic table. Inside, the dining room is minimalistic with muted colors and chrome accents. It really does look like a science lab.

The Test Kitchen offers a tasting menu, which is shown simply as a list of about a half dozen ingredients. If I remember correctly, ours was, “corn, salmon, beet, shrimp/lamb, asparagus, and strawberry.” You won’t really know how each ingredient is prepared, or if there’s an unexpected twist, until it arrives at the table.

For example, our starter course (corn) is shown below. At first glance, this may just look like a segment of an ear of corn. But it was actually a corn mousse molded in the shape of corn on the cob. You could slice it with a butter knife and spread it on bread. It was creamy, and I personally liked it.

Other courses were more predictable, such as the lamb. Even though there wasn’t anything unusual about this plate, it was probably my favorite at The Test Kitchen.

The shrimp was a bit more interesting, served with wide noodles that were also made from shrimp. The flavor reminded me of fish balls that you might find in a Chinese hot pot.

I took pictures of every course we were served, which are shown below. We knew the meal would end with a strawberry dessert, but we didn’t know that the dollops of cream you can see on the plate were made with wasabi. That flavor combination was truly innovative and a nice end to the meal.

We met other “sailors” (as VV would call us) who didn’t like The Test Kitchen at all. In contrast, I enjoyed the overall experience, and found it to be a pretty whimsical tasting menu. However, a few of those courses missed the mark, namely the beets and the asparagus ice cream.

I feel like our wine pairings for these two courses didn’t really mesh with the flavors of the food either. However, I am not sure that any wine would’ve complemented these unusual, veggie-based recipes. Nonetheless, I feel like adventurous foodies will enjoy a meal at The Test Kitchen. Most of the plates were delicious, and a few were genuinely surprising.

Pink Agave

If you’re looking for an indulgent meal with bold flavors in a fun environment, be sure to book a table at Pink Agave! I would say this restaurant is more Mexican-inspired than Mexican, but that’s not a bad thing! I enjoyed everything I ate here.

To start off, I ordered Pink Agave’s “crickets” cocktail. Take a close look at it. There are indeed actual, dried crickets floating in the drink! I’ve enjoyed similar cocktails in places like Oaxaca, and I rarely turn down an opportunity to eat bugs. In case you didn’t know, I am an adventurous eater! These crickets didn’t really taste like much, but it was still a memorable start to this meal.

For appetizers, we split shrimp (camarones amarillos), enchiladas, guacamole, and esquites (street corn). The corn was my favorite out of all of those due to its grilled, smoky flavor.

My main plate was the roast duck, which came with mole ahumado and smoked yam purée. I’m a bit of a duck connoisseur if I do say so myself, and I was very pleased with this rendition. Ismael ordered the ribeye steak, which was topped with cheese. The duck was good, but I have to admit the steak was just a tiny bit better!

For dessert, we threw caution to the wind and ordered three things: chocolate tacos with a dulce de leche filling, bread pudding, and milhojas (a layered pastry with passion fruit). Of those three, the bread pudding was the best.

Gunbae (Korean BBQ)

This was the only sit-down restaurant on the ship we didn’t try during our cruise. For whatever reason, it just didn’t appeal to us enough to make the reservation. I guess I will have to prioritize Gunbae for my next Virgin cruise!

The Galley

Located on one of the top floors of the ship, The Galley is a large, casual food court where you can always grab something to eat without a reservation. Meals from The Galley are satisfying, but they won’t be as formal or extravagant as meals from one of the sit-down restaurants mentioned above.

Diner & Dash

This quick-service grill is Virgin Voyages’ 24-hour food stall. However, it should be noted that many other places on the ship are open very late, well past midnight. Diner & Dash offers rotating specials, such as the fried rice, orange chicken, and noodles shown below.

Diner & Dash also serves classic breakfast options such as omelettes, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, and hash browns. They also have a delicious cooked tomato, which I got with every breakfast! It tasted great and provided some fiber to start off the day.

Other breakfast choices from The Galley are shown below. I tried the French toast and the eggs Benedict, but I definitely preferred the breakfast from Diner & Dash over these.

Burger Bar

Burger Bar can be found right next to Diner & Dash (at least on the Scarlet Lady). They offer pretty standard cheeseburger options, plus chicken sandwiches if I remember correctly. The best item here is their fries! They’re thick with a crispy outside and a soft inside, and the seasoning they use is amazing.

Let's Taco Bout It

I tried a few fish tacos from The Galley’s taco stall. While they tasted fine, they were pretty small and basic. You can always order more, but a tray with two was a small snack for me.

Bakery & Pastry Shop

I think this baked goods counter has an official name, but I don’t remember what it was, and it’s not listed on the Virgin Voyages website as far as I can tell. The selection of desserts here is extensive and fancy: fruit tarts, chocolate pastries, large flavored macaroons, and more are available throughout the day.

Another item that deserves special mention from the bakery is their savory sausage roll! I forgot to grab a picture of it, but Ismael and I both agreed that it was one of the best items we found in The Galley.

Noodle Around

With so many other restaurants on board to choose from, I only managed to try Noodle Around on our final morning of the cruise before disembarking. I was pleasantly surprised by both the fragrant broth and the tender pork that came with an order of their spicy ramen!

Other Options

The following areas on the ship are not quite sit-down restaurants, nor are they located in The Galley.

Grounds Club

Y’all already know with a blog named “Caffeinated Excursions,” I was down in the Grounds Club every morning getting an iced oat milk latte! The ship’s main coffee shop is large and spacious, so it’s a relaxing place to sit and sip on a drink or enjoy a pastry. Be aware that espresso-based drinks are charged extra (more on pricing below).

The Dock & The Dock House

These two venues located at the back of the ship were some of the coziest places to eat, drink, and socialize on the Scarlet Lady. The Dock refers to the open-air back deck of the boat, while The Dock House is an indoor space. The latter is part bar, part restaurant, and part cabaret lounge. Both are beautifully designed; I especially loved the beachy vibe of The Dock House!

In terms of food and drink, both The Dock and The Dock House offer identical menus. Their food offerings center around Mediterranean small plates, most of which are excellent. Since they’re small and don’t cost anything to order, you can try a bunch of them. Then, reorder your favorites as many times as you like. The chicken and shrimp skewers really stood out to us.

Pictured below is a Greek sampler from The Dock House. It was fine, but not as good as the kabob skewers mentioned above.

The Pizza Place

Okay, I have to admit that with Virgin’s generally creative restaurant names, this one sort of falls flat. But don’t let that stop you from trying their personal pan pizzas! We may or may not have come here on a nightly basis to get a mini second dinner right before bedtime. The pizza is light with a thin, crispy crust, so it’s ideal for a mid-afternoon snack or late night munchies.

While I’m sure you could eat at The Pizza Place for lunch or dinner, it would be a pretty petite meal. They do have seating in the restaurant, or you can have your pizza boxed to go. Just know that it’s not a full-service dining option with waitstaff.

My Favorite (And Least Favorite) Food Item on the Ship

And now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! What was the best item on the ship that we couldn’t get enough of? It had to be the shrimp skewers from The Dock and The Dock House. They were just phenomenal, cooked to perfection every time! The combination of chili oil and a Greek yogurt dip was incredibly addicting, and the shrimp were light and fluffy. We simply couldn’t stop ordering them!

What was my least favorite meal on the ship? I’m sorry to say, it was the cheeseburger from Burger Bar. The biggest issue was that the meat was so dry. The patty wasn’t juicy or tender at all. Instead, it was flat, and looked like it came out of a frozen pack. The other ingredients were also thrown on at the time I ordered it, so the cheese didn’t have a chance to melt or warm up. The bun was toasted, but it was bordering on burnt. It had also cooled down, so it was hard and tough.

Maybe I got a bad batch, or a burger that had been sitting for a while. Nonetheless, this was surprising since all the other food on board was so tasty. In comparison to other meals on Virgin Voyages, this underwhelming plate was definitely an outlier. Even the thick-cut fries from Burger Bar were deliciously seasoned, with the perfect combination of crispiness and softness. So I’m not really sure why their cheeseburger was not a slam dunk.

Pricing, Drinks, And Final Thoughts

In addition to all of the restaurants and food venues mentioned above, the Scarlet Lady has a plethora of bars on board. Each one has its own character and drink offerings, which are pretty self explanatory. For example, the poolside bars tend to offer more frozen drinks and fruity libations to be enjoyed on the upper deck.

In general, drinks on the ship were mixed well. They all tasted great! I felt like Virgin did a good job of hiring experienced bartenders. In terms of potency, most drinks were medium strength. A couple cocktails we tried tasted pretty boozy, but most of them balanced flavor with ABV. I’m happy to report that I never received a drink that tasted disappointingly watered down or weak.

Let’s talk about billing and prices. The most important thing to know is that you should rarely if ever have to pay for food on a Virgin Voyages cruise. In certain cases, food may cost money if it’s part of a package deal with alcoholic beverages, or as part of a special event on board. The sit-down restaurants may also offer one or two premium courses for an additional cost. We never ordered these, and I don’t feel like we missed out by skipping them.

Virgin Voyages’ drink policy can be found here. Specialty drinks that incur an extra charge include all alcohol, handmade espresso-based drinks like lattes, and certain canned beverages like energy drinks and kombucha. Prices for all specialty drinks are usually a dollar or two cheaper than on land, since tax and tip are included.

Virgin Voyages: A Cruise Line for Foodies

I am highly complimentary of the food offerings on the Scarlet Lady. If someone were to ask me whether or not I recommend Virgin Voyages, I’d say absolutely! My top reason would be the cuisine. A few plates from The Galley could’ve been improved, but they were few and far between. Most meals on board the ship tasted great without being overly salty or sweet. I’m dreaming of my next cruise with VV so I can go back to Extra Virgin, Pink Agave, and The Dock House in particular!

Have you cruised with Virgin Voyages before? Do you have experience vacationing with other cruise lines? Leave a comment below and let me know! I am so curious to know how the food on board Virgin Voyages compares to Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and other famous operators. Someday, I’ll find out for myself. But until then, Virgin has set the bar very high!

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This post was published on Apr 10, 2024

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Virgin Voyages Food Review: Restaurants, Bars, And More Aboard The Scarlet Lady appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Around Aruba UTV Tour Review: Go Off-Roading On The Island’s Northern Shore

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Around Aruba UTV Tour Review: Go Off-Roading On The Island’s Northern Shore

Published April 19, 2023

Aruba is one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations, and it’s easy to see why! With reliably comfortable weather, beautiful beaches, and good tourism infrastructure, Aruba is hard to beat. The island is one of the most developed and urbanized places in the Caribbean, which makes it an attractive place for many travelers.

With that said, going off the beaten path on Aruba is a little tricky. Perhaps the best way to do so is to rent a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). This will allow you to explore the island’s rugged northern shore, which has no paved roads but provides access to stunning natural desert landscapes. During our recent spring break getaway, two friends and I booked a UTV for a full day with Around Aruba Tours (website | Facebook). This post is a review of our experience!

To skip down to any particular section of this review, click or tap the corresponding link below!

UTV Rental Overview
- Differences Between ATVs and UTVs
- Rental Requirements & Logistics
Stops on our Self-Guided Tour
Comments & Evaluation

UTV Rental Overview

Off-roading vehicles are popular on Aruba since they provide access to parts of the island that are otherwise inaccessible via rental car. Many companies offer half- and full-day UTV rentals: approximately four and eight hours, respectively. You can also join a tour group or caravan, but I recommend charting your own course (more on why below).

Differences Between ATVs and UTVs

If you want to go off-roading, the first thing you need to decide is whether you want an ATV or a UTV. Essentially, ATVs are smaller and generally designed for one person. UTVs are larger, accommodate two to five people including the driver, and have a covered roof.

Since we were a group of three, the UTV made the most sense. It would’ve been much more expensive to rent three individual ATVs, plus the roof on the larger vehicle provided some much-needed shade.

Rental Requirements & Logistics

As of April 2023, a UTV rental from Around Aruba Tours costs 380 USD and requires a 200 USD security deposit that can be temporarily charged to a credit card. Drivers must be above the age of 25 and must possess a valid license. Licenses issued by the United States are accepted.

The vehicle was dropped off to our hotel in Noord at 9:00 a.m. on the day we booked. We signed the waiver and put down our deposit. Then, an Around Aruba Tours staff member told us we had to fill up the gas tank at the end of the day. The company returned to our lodging around 5:00 p.m. to pick up the UTV.

Stops on our Self-Guided Tour

The main reason to rent an ATV or UTV is to be able to drive along the dirt trails on the northern side of the island. We started our day at the California Lighthouse and moved down the coast until we reached the Natural Bridge. After that, we turned inland and made our way down to Baby Beach on the southern end of Aruba. Read on to learn more about each stop!

California Lighthouse

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/california-lighthouse

This iconic lighthouse was the first stop on our trip. It’s located at the northernmost tip of Aruba, and this is one stop on the tour that you can access even if you don’t rent an ATV or UTV.

We stopped to take a few pictures of the surrounding landscape, then realized that the lighthouse was actually open for visitors to climb. As of April 2023, it costs 5 USD per person, and they accept card for payment. From the top of the lighthouse, we could see in all directions. Perhaps the best view was looking west towards nearby Arashi Beach.

Druif Beach

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link

After coming down from California Lighthouse, we got back in our UTV and left the main paved road. After a short drive southeast, we made our second stop: Druif Beach. We saw lots of other off-roaders parked here, so we also got out for a bit. The waves were pretty rough here, and so was the terrain. This probably isn’t a safe place to swim, but the blue waters and rocky landscapes are really pretty at Druif Beach.

Alto Vista Chapel

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link

The next major attraction is one you won’t want to miss! The Alto Vista Chapel is a famous symbol of Aruba. I love its pastel yellow exterior and orange tile roof. It’s also set in a beautiful location overlooking the ocean with wild cactus growing in the background.

Be sure to check out the Peace Labyrinth behind the chapel. After walking around for a bit, we bought some fresh-squeezed fruit juice from a colorful vendor in the parking lot. We finished our refreshments and headed on to the next stop.

Lunch at Happy Stop

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/happystoparuba/

I highly recommend getting lunch at Happy Stop, a food truck located right next to the Bushiribana Ruins. It’s basically the only food vendor on Aruba’s north shore. Luckily, the food at Happy Stop was delicious!

My friends both got hot dogs, and I ordered a fish sandwich. We also split an order of loaded fries. Everything was phenomenal, especially after a full morning of driving around!

Bushiribana Gold Mill Ruins

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/historic-gold-mines

Along with the California Lighthouse and Alto Vista Chapel, the half-standing remnants of an old gold mill are another well-known landmark located on the coastal UTV trail. In fact, the Bushiribana Ruins can be found on the back side of the ten Aruban Florin bill (the local currency).

Although a sign is posted at the entrance of the gold mill stating that entry is prohibited, an open doorway is in no way blocked. Lots of other visitors were “inside” the structure, so we also checked it out. Enter at your own risk, I guess. The interior of the ruins has stairs that go up to the top of the façade, which is built into the side of the hill. From here, you’ll have a beautiful panoramic view of the shoreline in both directions.

Natural Bridge

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/natural-bridges

A little ways down the coast from Bushiribana is the Natural Bridge, a naturally-occurring archway made of rock right on the ocean. It’s honestly a little underwhelming, and access to it is blocked for safety reasons.

There is a gift and snack shop next to the Natural Bridge, which is a good place to stock up on water or sunscreen.

Andicuri Beach

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/andicuri-beach

This beach was our final stop along Aruba’s northern coast. It didn’t appear possible to continue along the shore from the Natural Bridge to Andicuri, so we backtracked for a while and went all the way around (through Matividiri, along Route 6).

This was kind of an adventure because the final road was blocked at this point with a sign claiming private property (which we saw other people ignoring, so we did too). We had to park the UTV and walk the rest of the way. After all of that, Andicuri Beach was nice but nothing spectacular. If you want to skip it, I’d say that’s fine.

Ayo Rock Formations

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/rock-formations

We didn’t originally plan to stop at this small trail loop featuring truly massive boulders, but I’m glad we did! Apparently there are petroglyphs on some of the rocks, but I didn’t notice them on our quick walkthrough. Entrance is free, but the trail loop does require some ducking down to squeeze through a few narrow gaps in between the giant stones.

Baby Beach

Location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Website: https://www.aruba.com/us/explore/baby-beach

By the time we were done exploring the Ayo Rock Formations, we had a few hours left of our UTV rental. We wanted to make the most of it, so we drove all the way down to Baby Beach on the southern tip of the island.

This was fine, although Baby Beach is absolutely accessible with a regular rental car. If your only vehicle rental on Aruba is a UTV, then by all means take it where you want to go. But if you also plan to rent a car on other days, I recommend using the UTV to focus on the sites between California Lighthouse and Andicuri Beach.

Be aware that eight hours is not really enough time to truly circumnavigate the island while hugging the shore. Many rental companies will recommend visiting various attractions all over Aruba, and the truth is you’ll have to prioritize what you want to see. The only way you’d be able to drive all the way around Aruba is if you made minimal stops and each one was very quick. This kind of defeats the purpose of renting an ATV or UTV, in my opinion!

Comments & Evaluation

Overall, our full-day UTV rental from Around Aruba was a great experience! We really enjoyed most of the stops on our route. I’m glad we spent one of our four days on Aruba cruising around the rocky north shore.

We didn’t experience any issues with the vehicle such as breakdowns or flat tires. As such, we didn’t need additional assistance from Around Aruba Tours. I can’t speak to whether their service is prompt in the event of a problem, but hopefully it is.

Should You Rent a UTV For Multiple Days on Aruba?

I would say no. An ATV or UTV is best suited to explore the various stops listed in this post. There are a number of reasons why a standard rental car would be a better choice if you just need basic transportation. The main factor is cost: a rental car is significantly cheaper. In addition, UTVs can only be rented for a maximum of eight hours. You would have to return the vehicle each night and pick up a new one in the morning if you wanted it for more than one day.

In addition, while UTVs can technically be driven on all paved roads in Aruba, I felt slightly uneasy driving along Route 1, the closest thing to a highway on the island. That’s because other cars were zooming past us at much higher speeds. If you use Route 1 to get to Baby Beach on a UTV, exercise increased caution.

Should you Book a UTV Group Tour?

Throughout the day, we passed by many group tours, some with dozens of vehicles. None of them looked especially appealing. The main reason I don’t recommend joining one is that they tend to kick up a lot of dust. All the drivers and passengers have to wear bulky masks to avoid breathing it in. In addition, you probably wouldn’t have control over how long you get at each stop, or even where you would stop.

Comparison to an ATV Rental in 2017

I had been to Aruba one time before this trip, and on that visit I rented a single-person ATV and did a similar tour. I reserved that vehicle with another local company called Roadrunner ATV Rentals. The main difference between then and now is the fact that ATVs and UTVs can no longer enter Arikok National Park, which is further along the north shore than the Natural Bridge.

When I rented my ATV in 2017, I believe I ended my day at the Conchi Natural Pool. This time, it was unclear to us whether off-roading vehicles can still go that far south, but we didn’t see any individuals or caravans continuing past the Natural Bridge.

I also remember the terrain being much rougher back then. Perhaps six years of traffic have made the dirt paths a little smoother. The UTV probably also had much better suspension than the smaller ATV.

Did We Consider Booking With Other Companies?

Yes, we did. Because of my previous experience with Roadrunner ATV Rentals, I actually reached out to them before booking with Around Aruba Tours. Unfortunately, they wanted drivers to be aged thirty or above to rent a UTV, which none of us are. After further inquiry, they told us that they would need a $1000 deposit.

Even though I had a good experience with Roadrunner in 2017, this all seemed a little excessive in 2023. After all, both the age requirement and the deposit for the UTV were significantly more stringent than what’s needed to rent a car on the island. In contrast, Around Aruba Tours offered more reasonable stipulations.

Enjoy your off-roading adventure!

Ultimately, Around Aruba Tours was a great way to see a side of this island nation that many visitors overlook. Aruba’s dry, rocky landscapes and wild cacti set it apart from other Caribbean islands. Our rental went smoothly, and we really enjoyed a full day of driving around.

If you’re headed to Aruba, I hope this blog post provided some helpful insights! Be sure to browse around a bit before booking anything just to make sure the rates you’re paying are reasonable; prices could always change or increase. Have you rented an ATV or UTV on Aruba? Have you been to any of the attractions featured in this post? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading and enjoy your journey!

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This post was published on Apr 19, 2023

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post Around Aruba UTV Tour Review: Go Off-Roading On The Island’s Northern Shore appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

A Viking Rhine River Cruise Review: Basel To Amsterdam

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Sat, 23 Jul 2022 17:00:00 +0000

A Viking Rhine River Cruise Review: Basel To Amsterdam

Published July 23, 2022

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

After two long years of pandemic restrictions, Europe is fully open again! I’m lucky to have an extended family of fellow travel enthusiasts, and we’ve all been looking forward to a reunion vacation in Western Europe for a while now! A Viking River cruise seemed like the perfect offering for a group of eight people spanning three generations. This post is a review of my time on the Viking Hermod as it sailed down the Rhine.

Viking offers various Rhine River cruise itineraries, and the one we booked was called the “Rhine Getaway.” As of summer 2022, this cruise is eight days long and spans four countries: Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. We traveled from Basel to Amsterdam, but it can be booked in the opposite direction as well.

This post is a review of this particular Rhine River cruise. But on a side note, this was also my first time cruising! If you’re interested in learning about what it was like to experience Viking River Cruises as a first-time cruise passenger, check out my separate post [coming soon]!

Day Trip Itinerary
Cruise Review
Final Thoughts

Day Trip Itinerary

The first half of this post is a review of the Rhine Getaway ports of call. I liked all of the cities we stopped in, but some were more impressive than others. To learn more, read on! To skip down to the second half of this post (a review of the ship and its amenities), click here.

Day 1: Boarding in Basel

This cruise began in Basel, a quaint little town in Switzerland right on the border of both Germany and France. If you can spend a day or two in Basel before your cruise, I highly recommend it. We booked a walking tour with a local guide (independent of Viking), and I’m really glad we did.

Viking allowed us to board the Hermod in the early afternoon, which gave us plenty of time to get acquainted with the layout of the ship. Our first dinner was served, and finally we were off in the early evening. We passed through our first of many river locks on this night, which is one of the most noteworthy aspects of a Rhine River cruise.

If you’re wondering how we made it to Basel, we flew from Chicago into Zürich and then booked a private car transfer. Zürich Airport is the nearest major international airport to Basel, and the drive is about an hour. There are also frequent trains that run between Switzerland’s largest city and its gateway to the Rhine.

Day 2: Breisach

The Hermod pulled into its first port of call very early in the morning, which meant we had a full day to explore Breisach, a small village in Germany. I actually decided to skip the included tour (a bus trip to the Black Forest) in the morning and walk across the French border to the village of Neuf-Brisach. I did this completely on my own; it wasn’t a part of the Viking itinerary at all.

Neuf-Brisach is a sleepy little French town that is surrounded on all sides by a visually stunning series of fortified walls. These walls were designed by French architect Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban to help protect border outposts from invasion. You can’t make out the geometry of the walled city from the ground level, but you can explore the city streets and get some sense of their architecture.

In the afternoon, I went back to Breisach and explored its most famous landmark: the Breisacher Münster St. Stephan, a beautiful brown church that towers over the rest of the town.

The interior of the Breisacher Münster is interesting, but my favorite part of this cathedral is its view from the top of the hill overlooking the village.

Apart from the church, Breisach feels pretty touristy. If you have extra time and want to walk around the town, feel free to. But if you don’t have time or want to rest on the ship instead, you probably won’t miss out on too much.

Day 3: Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a fascinating city that’s much larger than Breisach. Due to its location on the Rhine, Strasbourg has a unique mix of French and German cultural elements. It’s also home to a number of European Union institutions, although the Viking itinerary doesn’t include any tours to these government offices. They are clustered in an outlying district of the city.

Instead, we explored Strasbourg’s historic center, based mostly on Grande Île. Here you’ll find the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg, a staggering gothic cathedral that was actually the tallest building in the world from 1647 to 1874!

The other area I really liked in Strasbourg was Petite-France. This tiny neighborhood is split up by canals that are lined with gorgeous half-timbered homes (the iconic style of German architecture with wood beams on the exterior). We walked through here on our guided tour, and I came back afterwards to enjoy the views for a bit longer.

Strasbourg was probably my favorite day trip on our cruise, so I’ve written a separate blog post about the city. Check it out using the image link below!

Day 4: Speyer and Rüdesheim am Rhein

This was my least favorite day of the cruise, mainly because we only had a few hours in both Speyer and Rüdesheim. I feel like we did get to see slightly more of the former than the latter, but both stops were rushed.

Speyer

Speyer is a small city on the western bank of the Rhine. Some notable landmarks include the Dom zu Speyer (Speyer Cathedral) and the Altpörtel (Old Gate) directly west of there. The two are connected by the short Maximilianstraße, which serves as the main street in the historic district.

Viking offered a short included tour, then we had about an hour or so to explore on our own. There are some other interesting churches a little further inland, or you could check out the many side alleys that branch off of the Maximilianstraße.

Speyer seemed like an interesting town. I would’ve enjoyed spending more time there. However, as I mentioned above, this is only a half-day stop. Before lunch, we met in the Domplatz and boarded buses that brought us back to the ship. We sailed for a couple hours before making our second stop of the day in…

Rüdesheim am Rhein

At this point in the cruise, the Rhine starts to become much more scenic. Beautiful villages and vineyards can be seen in all directions. Rüdesheim is a touristy town known for its wineries and historic center, called the Drosselgasse. Viking doesn’t offer an included tour here, so I explored on my own. However, since we docked in the late afternoon, time felt even more limited here than in Speyer.

I took a short walk through the Drosselgasse, but I was much more intrigued by all the hilly vineyards overlooking the town. There’s even a chairlift that goes up, hinting that the views up there would be good! I walked up the Oberstraße, which turns into the Germaniastraße. Finally, I turned left onto this paved trail. The panoramic views were indeed incredible!

Day 5: Cruise through the Rhine Gorge; Stop in Koblenz

As you leave Rüdesheim, the Rhine River goes from picturesque to spectacular. This day of voyaging through the Rhine Valley is the centerpiece of the entire trip. The surrounding landscape becomes more dramatic. I loved seeing the patchwork of vineyards on the steep mountainsides, but the coolest part of the day is seeing all the castles.

There are so many of them! You truly pass one castle every few minutes once you enter the Rhine Gorge. Our cruise Program Director also provided a running commentary on all of the things we were seeing as we sailed by. There’s something incredible about seeing these archaic stone structures from various angles as you move along the water.

Since we spent the first half of Day 5 cruising, the city of Koblenz was another half-day stop. However, our time here didn’t feel as rushed as the whirlwind tours on Day 4. Koblenz is a tourist hub that’s noticeably bigger than Speyer and Rüdesheim. I walked all over the Altstadt (Old Town), which is right next to the Viking River Cruises Dock.

The other main activity in Koblenz is taking the cable car to the other side of the river. Here you’ll find Festung Ehrenbreitstein, a sprawling nineteenth century fortress that overlooks the town. Visiting the fortress was interesting, but there didn’t seem to be much signage in English, so I don’t feel like I learned a lot about its history while I was there.

One other noteworthy attraction on the southern edge of the Altstadt is Kurfürstliches Schloss Koblenz. This ornate white palace is surrounded by impeccably maintained gardens that seem to serve as a public square for the city.

Day 6: Cologne (Köln)

Cologne is the largest city this cruise stops in, so there wasn’t enough time to explore all that I wanted to. With that said, we at least had a full day docked here. The included Viking tour served as a brief introduction to the riverfront and Kölner Dom, the city’s massive iconic cathedral. After that, we had the rest of the day to explore on our own.

I thought the main sanctuary of the cathedral was stunning, but I actually didn’t really like climbing the church tower. The views from the top were fine but not as stunning as some of the other panoramic views I saw on this cruise (e.g. in Breisach or Strasbourg). More importantly, the climb is essentially one long spiral staircase – with visitors going both directions on it! It felt kind of dangerous. Frankly, being on a spiral staircase for that long with only the occasional narrow gothic window was disorienting and dizzying. If you want to climb a church tower, I suggest going up to the top of the Notre-Dame in Strasbourg instead.

After visiting the cathedral, I walked across the Hohenzollernbrücke, which is one of the most notable “love lock” bridges in Europe. Yes, I know this is a trend that’s swept almost the entire world, but the number of locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge is still a sight to behold.

The last thing I did in Cologne was visit the Museum Ludwig. It was hosting a fascinating temporary exhibit featuring the works of Isamu Noguchi. I’m not the biggest museum enthusiast, but the Ludwig ended up being very captivating.

Day 7: Cruise through the Dutch Countryside; Stop in Kinderdijk

In all honesty, the Rhine (which turns into the Waal) is less scenic in the Netherlands than it is in Germany. You’re no longer surrounded by hills, vineyards, and castles. Instead, the riverbanks are flat and sandy here.

Our final shore excursion ended up being a really fascinating one: a guided tour of Kinderdijk, a ‎UNESCO World Heritage Site on the outskirts of Rotterdam famous for its windmills. Our tour guide did an excellent job of introducing us to the history and purpose of mills in the Netherlands.

The landscape here is so pretty, and one of the highlights of this visit was being able to see the inside of a mill. All in all, a short visit to Kinderdijk was a great way to wrap up our final full day on the Viking Hermod.

Day 8: Disembark in Amsterdam

The Netherlands is a small country, and Kinderdijk is only about 95 kilometers (59 miles) away from Amsterdam. As such, the Hermod was already passing through Utrecht by bedtime. We docked at Amsterdam very early in the morning on our final day.

There were no day tours of Amsterdam organized by Viking on Day 8, but we were allowed to stay on the boat until the late afternoon (with lunch included). However, we did have to vacate our staterooms by 8:00 a.m. so that the cleaning crew could start preparing for the next cruise.

After checking out, guests are free to go on their way. I assume that most people flew out of Amsterdam within a day or two of ending the cruise. However, we stayed for five extra days in Amsterdam and met up with a few more family members there! I had mixed feelings about this bustling Dutch metropolis, which I’ve written about in a separate blog post.

Cruise Review

Now that you’ve seen the itinerary for the Rhine Getaway, the second half of this post will include some information about the actual cruising experience on Viking.

Impressions of the Rhine River

If you’re considering booking this cruise for yourself, you might be wondering: what is the Rhine River actually like between Basel and Amsterdam? Well, in my opinion it seemed to have three distinct sections. From Basel until Speyer (Day 1 to Day 4), the Rhine feels very industrial. It’s lined by factories, and to be honest, the river is not amazing here (although the cities along it are). Luckily, the boat sailed at night through the Upper Rhine, so it’s not like we really missed out on much.

From Speyer to Cologne (Day 4 to Day 6), the Rhine River is incredibly scenic. Viking did a great job of scheduling so that passengers could enjoy the view from the boat during the day on this portion of the trip. The vineyards, villages, and castles of the Middle Rhine are undoubtedly the river’s most unique offerings.

In the Netherlands, the Rhine (or Waal) has a rural vibe to it. We passed cows cooling off in the shallow riverbanks, a few small Dutch villages, and not much else until we approached Amsterdam. The Lower Rhine is not as industrial as the Upper Rhine, and it’s not as picturesque as the Middle Rhine.

The Viking Cruise Ship

The most noteworthy thing about this cruise ship is its capacity: only about 200 passengers. There are four levels, and each room has a window. The ship has one single dining room that can accommodate all passengers at one time, an indoor lounge, a terrace, plus an open-air deck on top that runs the length of the ship.

Food and Drink

The meals on our Viking Cruise were consistently amazing! I really looked forward to coming back on board after each excursion or tour to enjoy whatever was being served that day.

What’s more, Viking offered specialties from each region we were passing through. I loved the fact that I got to try Swiss, German, French, and Dutch food all onboard! They also have a permanent menu that includes classics like Caesar salad, steak, and burgers, but I ordered most of my meals from their rotating menu.

The Viking breakfast buffet is also excellent! The omelette station is absolutely worth waiting in line for, plus it moves along fairly quickly.

Of course, you could always eat at local restaurants while you’re exploring the cities along the Rhine. We did that once or twice, but the food on the ship was so delicious that I rarely wanted to pass it up.

Should you get the drink package?

You’ll have to make this decision for yourself, but beer and wine are included with each meal even if you don’t purchase the unlimited drink package. I did the math, and you’d basically have to drink two additional cocktails each day (outside of lunch and dinner) to make the package worthwhile. I enjoy drinking to be sure, but I would typically have wine with my meals and limit myself to one cocktail per day. My total bar tab came out to be about 90 euro for the entire trip.

Like the food, all of the alcoholic drinks on this cruise were expertly crafted. Everything tasted great, and they were never watered down or too strong. They even made a great White Russian, which is one of my favorite cocktails!

Shore Excursions

At every port of call, Viking offered one included (free) tour. These tended to be walking tours that lasted about two hours and introduced guests to the various cities. In general, I’d say these tours were pretty good. However, if you’d rather explore one of the stops on your own (or even stay on the ship), you are more than welcome to skip any of the tours.

You can also pre-book one of many “Optional Excursions,” which are tours that you’ll have to pay extra for. I never did any of the Optional Excursions, so I can’t say if they were better or worse than the included tours.

Amenities Onboard

The Viking Hermod was not a massive vessel. As such, it didn’t have all of the amenities that some other cruise ships might. There was no pool, casino, food court, gym, bowling alley, nightclub, etc. Part of this is because Viking’s clientele seems to skew older: my cousin, my brother, and I (in our twenties or late teens) were the youngest passengers on board. Viking River Cruises does not allow minors, so there are no amenities specifically aimed at kids.

Despite this, the Viking Hermod had a beautifully designed interior. The atrium and dining room were both warm and inviting spaces. The lounge and front terraces were comfortable places to sit, relax, or sip a drink. The ship’s common spaces never felt cramped, even when all the passengers were gathered together (e.g. during dinnertime).

I also found the stateroom to be comfortably sized. There is lots of space to store your luggage, and I found that the bathroom and shower weren’t too small.

Entertainment and Activities

One thing I really loved about this cruise was that there were lots of fun optional activities onboard the ship in the afternoons and evenings. Our family group enjoyed game nights and musical performances, but you could also attend things like a glassblowing demonstration or a Q&A session with the captains of the ship.

Final Thoughts

Longtime readers of my blog will know that I don’t shy away from giving my honest opinion when it comes to travel. If an attraction is overrated, I will tell you that. If a tour is underwhelming, I will tell you that. With that in mind, I’m happy to report that this Viking River Cruise was an outstanding experience! I’ll cherish the memory of going down the Rhine with my extended family for the rest of my life.

Was the cruise perfect? No. I really would’ve preferred a little more time in fewer stops. If I could offer one suggestion to Viking, I’d say either choose Speyer or Rüdesheim am Rhein, and spend the entire day there. However, cruising through the Rhine Gorge the next day made up for it. Sailing past all those castles was the highlight of this cruise.

If you’re looking for an upscale travel experience in Western Europe, consider Viking’s Rhine Getaway. I had never been to Switzerland, Germany, France, or the Netherlands before this trip. Now, I can’t wait to go back and explore all four of those countries in greater depth! It’s safe to say this cruise inspired even more wanderlust in me. By that metric, I’d say it was a resounding success!

Have you ever been on a Viking River Cruise before? Are you about to embark on one? Leave a comment below and let me know! I’m curious if other travelers loved this cruise as much as I do!

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This post was published on July 23, 2022

This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!

Bangkok (Sept)
Istanbul (Sept)

The post A Viking Rhine River Cruise Review: Basel To Amsterdam appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

Tortuga Tur & Saveiro Don Juan Tour Reviews (Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil)

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 03:00:00 +0000

Tortuga Tur & Saveiro Don Juan Tour Reviews (Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil)

Published January 27, 2021

Are you the kind of traveler who loves going off the beaten path and exploring local communities that friends back home have almost certainly never heard of? If you are, then you need to make a note of Arraial do Cabo for your next visit to Rio de Janeiro! This small town located about 160 km east of Rio is known for its sparkling Caribbean waters and laid-back vibe.

Arraial do Cabo (pronounced “ah-hai-OW du CA-bo”) is compact and walkable, but a couple of the town’s best beaches are only accessible by boat tour. This post will review two boat tours I went on, compare them, and at the end I’ll provide a quick summary of a jeep tour, which is another way to get to know Arraial.

If you’re curious about the town itself and what you can expect overall, check out my comprehensive guide using the image link below! Otherwise, let’s get started on these tour reviews!

Disclaimer Regarding Tour Reviews I paid in full for each tour mentioned here and received no discount or other incentive from either company as compensation for being featured here. Hence, all opinions are completely my own!

Boat Tour #1: Don Juan Tour

This company also goes by Saveiro Don Juan. Their booking office is located here, and the price of the boat tour per person is 100 BRL per person (as of January 2020). I’m sure you could purchase tickets online, but I bought mine in person at the office. One thing I loved right off the bat is that the office doubles as a cafe. Even though you have to be there early if you opt for the morning tour, you can get coffee and a small breakfast before heading over to the docks as a group.

When you get to the dock, you’ll need to bring cash to pay the 10 BRL marina tax. This is true no matter what company you book with, and employees should inform you of this when you buy your tickets.

A tour guide will direct you to the boat. Since there are a lot of different companies and vessels at the dock, it’s best to keep a close eye on your guide until embarking. You’ll have to submit the slip of paper you got when you paid the 10 reais as tax, so don’t throw it away until you get on the boat.

Stop 1/4: Praia do Farol

On this tour, our first stop was Praia do Farol (Lighthouse Beach). Because this beach is located on Ilha do Farol (Lighthouse Island), it’s one of the beaches that can only be accessed by boat tour. It’s also possibly the most picturesque spot in Arraial do Cabo, nestled between the lightest shade of ocean water you’ll find in this region and gently sloping sand dunes behind it.

Note that you’re not allowed to bring anything except a phone (and a mask during the pandemic) to this beach. That’s because it’s a protected natural reserve, so even flip flops aren’t permitted. If you’re going to bring your phone, you might want to purchase one of the waterproof necklace-style cases that are sold around town and at the marina for between 5 and 10 BRL.

Stop 2/4: Gruta Azul

After this stop, the boat will bring you around to Ilha do Farol’s rocky southwestern coastline to see some grottos in the rocky shore as well as the Fenda de Nossa Senhora, a massive break in the rocky cliffs that shelters a statue of a saint. At this stop, we didn’t disembark or swim, so have your cameras ready.

Stop 3/4: Praia do Pontal do Atalaia

Next, you’ll be given some time to explore Praia do Pontal do Atalaia. This beach is on the mainland. Based on Google Maps, it looks like it might have some dirt roads and hiking trails that lead out here, but it’s much simpler to see this beach as part of the boat tour.

At this stop, you can purchase drinks or snacks from a number of vendors, so bring some cash with you if you’re interested.

Stop 4/4: Praia do Forno

The fourth and final stop on this tour is Praia do Forno. This beach actually is easily accessible on foot from the town center, but the boat will drop the anchor somewhere in the bay and allow guests to swim for a bit. In comparison to the two beaches mentioned above, this one isn’t as spectacular, but it’s still nice to be able to get into the water to cool off for a bit.

Finally, the boat returns to the docks and passengers can go on their way.

Boat Tour #2: Tortuga Tur

The itinerary for the other company I tried called Tortuga Tur was very similar to the one for Don Juan. They have a corporate office closer to the docks where you can buy tickets. This tour was cheaper at only 70 BRL per person (in January 2021). Although they were just slightly more conveniently located, Tortuga Tur did not have a cafe at their meeting point.

No matter which company you book with, remember to bring cash for the 10 BRL marina tax. The boat for Tortuga is shown below. One thing I really liked about this one was that it had an upper deck, which Don Juan’s vessel did not. This, along with the cheaper ticket price, meant that Tortuga offered a better deal, although the 30 BRL difference is only about 5 USD and some change at the time of writing.

Just by coincidence, I booked my Tortuga tour in the afternoon and did Don Juan in the morning. I’ll talk a bit more about which one I recommend in the section below. Under normal circumstances, most companies appear to offer both time slots to choose from. Note that availability may be reduced due to COVID-19.

On this tour, our first stop was the rocky grottos and sea caves on Ilha do Farol. It was the same deal: a quick stop for pictures but not enough time to check it out on foot or go for a swim.

After this, we disembarked for a while on Praia do Farol, followed by Praia do Pontal do Atalaia. And just like with Don Juan, the final stop was also the opportunity to swim or relax while anchored offshore near Praia do Forno.

General Information

Regardless what company you book with, you’ll want to dress as if you were headed to the beach. Bring flip flops, a swimsuit, sunscreen, a mask during the pandemic, and possibly a towel or a change of clothes. Don’t expect to stay dry unless you’re okay never leaving the boat, which is technically an option.

In order to get from the main boat to shore at Praia do Farol and Praia do Pontal do Atalaia, all tour companies use small motorized dinghies. Note what your dinghy and your tour guide look like. There are going to be a handful of them on the beaches and it can be easy to lose track of them.

Furthermore, pay attention to how long you have on each beach. Employees appear to do headcounts before moving on from each stop, but you don’t want to be the person to hold up the boat because you lost track of time. If you don’t understand the announcements in Portuguese, ask for help! Employees will almost certainly be able to translate into English and Spanish!

Snacks and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are served for an additional cost on board both companies’ boats. You can also purchase something to eat from a vendor at Praia do Pontal do Atalaia.

Expect the boats to have a professional photographer or two, but know that they are contractors who you have to pay if you want to purchase any of the shots they take. They are unfortunately not there to take pictures of you with your phone. I personally just asked other passengers to take photos free of charge.

A Comparison of the Tours

In general, I really liked both tours. I can’t really say that one was better than the other, but Tortuga was slightly cheaper and their boat with an upper deck was an added bonus. I don’t think you could go wrong by booking with either of these companies.

Another interesting question is whether you should book a tour in the morning or afternoon. Although there are tradeoffs for both, I have to say I think morning is better for a number of reasons. Although being out the door by 7:00 a.m. was a little rough, the beaches are less crowded in the morning. It’s also still a bit cooler for the first hour or two of the tour, although by noon it can already be quite hot.

If you care about taking pictures, the natural light is definitely better on Praia do Farol in the morning. In contrast, it’ll be easier to take good shots on Praia do Pontal do Atalaia in the afternoon. In my personal opinion, the color of the water in the bay is a little more impressive in the morning. It’s a stunning light blue all day long, but it tends to be just a shade darker in the afternoon.

The main drawback to booking a morning tour is that you might wake up to cloudy weather. For an afternoon tour, you have the option of trying to buy tickets once you’ve confirmed that it’ll be a nice day, although this might be more difficult if you’re trying to do so on a weekend.

Jeep (Buggy) Tour Summary

Don’t forget that buggy land tours are also a common offering in Arraial do Cabo! I chose to do one with Tortuga Tur, which cost 200 BRL. However, the Jeep looked like it would accommodate up to three passengers, so if you’re in a group you could split that cost. Here’s a quick overview of what we did.

After leaving the Tortuga Tur main office, we drove to the edge of town to see the southern end of Praia do Pontal. This is too far from the town center to walk, and I wouldn’t have thought to check this beach out on my own, but it was pretty amazing. The dark blue water here is totally different from the beaches that are part of the boat tour itineraries.

We continued to go further north along the shore before eventually heading back.

The last stop was Mirante da Boa Vista, a scenic viewpoint overlooking Praia Grande on the western side of town. Although you can technically get to this lookout without a tour, it’s on the edge of a small favela. If you’d like to visit the Mirante without a buggy tour, I would at least recommend hiring an Uber to get there and back instead of walking up and down the hill.

After this, we headed back to the office. This Jeep tour was nice but I would personally say that it’s optional. In contrast, I highly recommend doing at least one boat tour during a visit to Arraial do Cabo.

Enjoy Your Tour!

I hope that this post will help guide visitors to Arraial do Cabo in the right direction! Are you in town and shopping around for the best deal? Have you been to Arraial do Cabo before? Leave a comment below and let me know! If you have any questions, I’ll do my best to answer them! Thanks for reading, and bon voyage!

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This post was published on Jan 27, 2021

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How To Visit Ilha Fiscal, Rio de Janeiro’s Fairytale Castle

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 03:00:00 +0000

How To Visit Ilha Fiscal, Rio de Janeiro’s Fairytale Castle

Published December 22, 2020

The most famous attractions in Rio de Janeiro include Christ the Redeemer, the Pão de Açúcar cable car, Ipanema, and Copacabana. Visitors to the city will want to make sure they see these four things at a minimum. Beyond that, it’s really up to you how you want to spend the rest of your time here. There are so many breathtaking attractions that aren’t world-famous, and this post will focus on one of them: Ilha Fiscal.

Whether you’ve seen it from the waterfront in downtown Rio, passed by it while riding the ferry, or come across it while browsing a map of the city, the castle on Ilha Fiscal (which means Fiscal Island and is pronounced “IL-ya fis-COW”) is undoubtedly eye-catching. Its striking mint color is enough to pique anyone’s curiosity, and this post will explain how to visit.

There’s very little information in English online, so I’m hoping that this breakdown points you in the right direction! The castle tour only lasts about two hours, so it’s a great way to spend half of an afternoon and still have the rest of the day to see other things. I’ll start by explaining how and where to buy tickets, then give a short review of the tour, and end with some closing thoughts and comments.

How and Where to Buy Tickets

If you’ve already done a cursory Google search, you may have come across the official website for Ilha Fiscal, a bare-bones page that is only in Portuguese. If you can read the language or plug it into a translator, you may be able to navigate to an external portal that appears to offer online ticket sales, but I didn’t bother with this. It’s much more straightforward to purchase tickets in person on the day you want to do the tour.

A couple of useful pieces of information from the website include the scheduled tour times (12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.), their holiday schedule (under “Funcionamento”), prices (36 BRL per adult as of December 2020), and the fact that you’re supposed to check in twenty minutes before your tour is scheduled to start.

If you’d like to buy tickets in person, you’ll need to go to the Navy Cultural Space (Espaço Cultural da Marinha). I recommend going between 11:00 a.m. and noon for the best chance at getting the time slot you want. I would also recommend going on a weekday if you can to avoid crowds.

Paper tickets can be purchased at the booth at the entrance with cash or card. If you arrive a little early, you can wander around the Cultural Space, which has a couple of tanks, helicopters, and other things on display.

There is also a submarine that you can walk through if you have time.

Review of the Tour

Around twenty minutes before your tour begins, they’ll make an announcement over loudspeaker to line up at the main entrance. From here, they’ll bring you over as a group to this pier, where you’ll hand your ticket over and board an old-timey boat that will take you to Fiscal Island.

A look at the map shows that Ilha Fiscal is connected to Ilha das Cobras via a road, which in turn is connected to the mainland by a second bridge. However, visitors cannot access the castle this way as Ilha das Cobras is an active military area that isn’t open to tourists. This is why the only way to visit Ilha Fiscal is by guided tour.

The boat ride is short and sweet (about twenty minutes). There are some great views of the colonial architecture on Ilha das Cobras as well as a view of downtown Rio to the southwest. As you approach the castle and sail around it before docking, have your camera ready! After you disembark, it will be harder to capture the entire structure in one full shot.

Upon arrival, you’ll be split into groups and assigned a tour guide. He or she will show you various rooms inside the castle. The interior decor is elegant, and the stained glass windows are especially stunning.

As far as I’m aware, tours are only offered in Portuguese, not English or Spanish. My Portuguese was good enough to pick up that the island was given its name because it was a customs stop for boats coming into harbor before Brazil declared independence from Portugal. The Ilha Fiscal castle is also famous for the imperial grand balls that were held here.

One of the most stunning parts of the interior is the second floor, which you’ll climb a spiral staircase to get to.

There’s also a portion of the tour where you’ll get to wander outside on one of the balconies. During this time, keep an eye out for planes coming in! That’s because Rio’s domestic airport is a stone’s throw from Ilha Fiscal across a little section of the bay. Even with the pandemic, planes seemed to come in pretty frequently, and I managed to capture this video while we were out there on the roof.

After the organized part of the tour, you’ll be given about half an hour to wander the grounds on your own. This is when you can take pictures if you so choose.

Finally, the boat will bring you back to the same dock where you departed from downtown. From here, you’ll be free to go on your way directly (there’s no need to return to the Navy Cultural Space unless you want to).

Final Comments

I highly recommend this short tour if you have time during your visit to Rio. The fact that they don’t seem to offer English or Spanish tours suggests that Ilha Fiscal might be a better-kept secret than some of the other attractions mentioned at the beginning of this post. That’s all the more reason to go!

Some tourists might steer clear of downtown Rio (Centro) because there isn’t a sandy beach here and parts of it can feel a bit grungy, but I for one highly recommend checking out this part of the city. There are so many other interesting things to see near Ilha Fiscal and the Navy Cultural Space. I’ll be writing about some of them in an upcoming blog post, so keep an eye out for it!

Have you been to Ilha Fiscal before? Did this post help you figure out how to visit? Leave a comment below and let me know! I hope this post is a good resource for anyone interested in seeing this beautiful castle up close. If you’re in Rio right now, enjoy your time in one of the most stunning cities on Earth, and thanks for reading!

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This post was published on Dec 22, 2020

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Review Of Great Ocean Road Day Tour From Melbourne By Go West Tours

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Tue, 10 Dec 2019 17:00:00 +0000

Review Of Great Ocean Road Day Tour From Melbourne By
Go West Tours

Published December 11, 2019

As part of my recent five-day trip to Melbourne, I booked a tour of the nearby Great Ocean Road. I decided to write up this quick review so that anyone considering visiting on a group tour will know what to expect. I booked mine with a company called Go West Tours, and I was pretty happy with what they offered.

Whether you decide to book with Go West Tours or another company (or even explore on your own with a rental car), I highly recommend dedicating at least one day of a vacation in Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road. It’s an absolutely breathtaking drive that could easily be the highlight of your trip!

Summary of What We Did

I’ll start with a summary of the sites we stopped at on our tour. If you’d like to skip ahead to the section on things I liked and areas for improvement for Go West Tours, click here.

1. Hotel Pick-up

The tour started around 7:30 a.m. with a hotel pickup. I just had to walk across the street from where I was staying in Melbourne’s Chinatown and I found the van waiting for me.

2. Breakfast in Torquay

Our first stop was for a quick breakfast after everyone had been picked up. We ended up having coffee and pastries at the public beach park in the small town of Torquay.

3. Great Ocean Road Arch

After actually turning onto the Great Ocean Road, we stopped for a few minutes to take some pictures of the arch. Don’t forget to check out the statue on the left dedicated to the people who built the road in the 1800s.

4. Quick Stop in Lorne

This surfer’s haven is home to a number of high-end resorts and vacation homes, and we got out of the van for a few minutes here to stretch our legs and admire the town’s main beach.

5. Koala Spotting

Up next on the list: seeing koalas! We pulled off into a eucalyptus forest and walked for about ten minutes, eyes scanning the trees for any koalas. I think we stopped somewhere near Point Hawdon or Kennett River, but don’t quote me on that.

We did see maybe four or five, but three of them were clustered together on a single tree at the bottom of the hill. If you have a fancy camera lens or binoculars, bring it for this stop! The shadows in the trees make it a hard to see anything (like eyes or noses) in great detail. This was the best shot I got of them.

6. Lunch in Apollo Bay

By the time we pulled into the town of Apollo Bay, I was starving. Luckily, it turned out to be the perfect place for lunch: the main road had tons of options. I went for fish and chips at George’s Food Court, which had a huge dining room and served other standards like pizza and burgers.

Apollo Bay looked like an especially beautiful little town that I would’ve liked to explore just a bit more if I had the time. Unfortunately, we had to get right back on the bus to head to our next destination.

7. Rainforest Hike near Great Otway National Park

After lunch, the landscape changed dramatically from rolling seaside hills to a dense rainforest. The road at this point turns inland, and our guide explained all the ways in which this particular forest was a fascinating and unique ecosystem. We drove through Otway National Park before getting out at the smaller Melba Gully State Park for a walk.

This short hike ended with a waterfall, but I found the unusual ferns in the forest much more interesting than the little gurgling stream at the end.

8. The Twelve Apostles

Perhaps the most famous and photographed portion of the Great Ocean Road is known as the Shipwreck Coast, which is home to some really stunning cliffs as well as the Twelve Apostles, which are the limestone formations jutting out of the ocean as seen below.

It’s awesome to watch the huge waves come crashing onto shore here, and luckily there are great views on both sides of the narrow walkway overlooking the ocean. Be warned, though: there are a ton of tourists here!

9. Loch Ard Gorge, Island Arch, and the Razorback

This was probably the most impressive stop on our tour, partly because it wasn’t nearly as crowded as the Twelve Apostles, but also because it’s just incredibly beautiful. There were three different things to check out here: the Loch Ard Gorge, the Island Arch, and the Razorback.

The Loch Ard Gorge

This lagoon is almost completely surrounded by huge limestone cliffs and boasts crystal clear blue waters. A narrow staircase leads down to the sandy beach, where you can dip your toes in the water or swim if you have time.

The Island Arch

The Island Arch is shown in the picture below. It’s worth a quick glance, but I’d recommend spending most of your time admiring either the gorge or the Razorback, discussed next.

The Razorback

You could definitely argue that the Razorback is as impressive as the Twelve Apostles, but I for one am glad that the tourist crowd here was significantly smaller. This narrow stretch of rock that’s technically an island has amazing formations on its top, including a small arch. Don’t miss seeing this one!

10. Dinner in Colac

For dinner, we stopped in the small town of Colac, which is further inland. There were a couple of options along the main road, and I decided to try the town’s phở restaurant.

Since we ended up driving back on a faster route to return to Melbourne, I really enjoyed seeing all of the fields of the countryside. Victoria has a lot of sheep and cattle farms, and it was very interesting to see the animals grazing in the fields.

11. Hotel Drop-off

Finally, we made it back to Melbourne at around 8:30 p.m. It was a long day, but well worth the effort!

Logistics of Booking

I booked my trip through a third-part website called GetYourGuide (specific listing can be found here), and booking went smoothly. The tour cost about $100 USD for one person, and I received a confirmation email after booking. I wasn’t asked to present any form of voucher or QR code at pickup, only a name confirmation. I had one small issue related to GetYourGuide, which I discuss in detail below.

Review of Go West Tours

Let me start off by saying that overall, Go West Tours did a good job. It was pretty clear that they cared about making the experience as interactive as engaging as possible, which was probably the most important thing for a long van tour like this. Below you can read the things I liked specifically and possible areas of improvement.

Things They Did Well

1. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly.

The thing I appreciated most was how much knowledge our tour guide had about everything we saw. He told us about the history of the towns we passed through, some of the animal species we encountered, and the geology behind the stunning Shipwreck Coast. Longer stretches of driving were broken up perfectly by facts, stories, and anecdotes.

2. Our tour group size was optimal.

Another thing I liked about this tour was the group size. Each vehicle had a maximum number of 24 passengers, and this ended up being an ideal number for this kind of tour. You’ll see other tour buses along the various stops you make, and some are massive. I can only imagine that listening to a guide speak on a bus like that would feel more like a series of lectures than a conversation.

3. They made an attempt to have guests get to know each other.

The last thing I liked about this tour was that they made an effort to have people actually talk to each other. Not all tours do this, and I’ve been on at least one in recent memory in India where no one really talked to each other because the guide didn’t really facilitate any conversation between visitors. Go West Tours was basically the opposite, which was quite refreshing.

Possible Areas for Improvement

1. I felt just a little bit carsick.

As I’m sure you can imagine, a thirteen-hour tour is quite long. Portions of the Great Ocean Road are filled with twists and turns, and this made me a bit carsick at times. I’m personally sort of sensitive to motion sickness, but it felt like our driver was maybe accelerating through some of these curves, and going slightly slower through them could’ve helped just a bit.

2. The pacing of the tour was fast, especially for meals.

We obviously covered a lot of ground on our trip, and I’m glad we did. However, the time spent at each stop felt limited. There wasn’t really an opportunity to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Nonetheless, it wasn’t unmanageable at most of the stops. However, for lunch and dinner, I felt like I really had to scarf my food down in order to be back to the van on time. I personally would’ve preferred fifteen more minutes for both meals even if it meant getting back to Melbourne half an hour later in the evening.

3. A mention of a helicopter ride on GetYourGuide that never happened.

So at the time of writing, an “optional helicopter ride” is mentioned on the GetYourGuide listing for this activity. The full text reads:

“For those guests who do not want to take the optional helicopter ride over the Shipwreck Coast, an alternative stop is possible at Gibsons Steps. Here guests can descend the steps to Gibsons Beach below for beach level views of two of the Twelve Apostles.”

Our tour group did neither the helicopter ride nor Gibsons Steps (which I believe are currently closed at the time of writing, December 2019). In any case, the mention of the helicopter ride should be removed from GetYourGuide if it’s not a standard offering (which I imagine it’s not. We saw helicopter tours at the Twelve Apostles, but there was no way there would be time for it with the tight schedule, and I also suspect that they might cost hundreds of dollars).

4. Natural Lighting at the Twelve Apostles

This isn’t so much an issue pertaining to Go West Tours, but just a general warning: the lighting at the Twelve Apostles during the afternoon wasn’t ideal for photos, especially portraits with the scenery in the background. Maybe the position of the sun might be better during other months of the year, but I sort of doubt it. And as good photographers will tell you, natural lighting for photos tends to be best early in the morning or during sunset, but obviously the tour schedule isn’t planned around that.

Is the group tour worth it?

In wrapping up, I’ll address one last question: was the tour worth the money? It’s fair to say that 100 USD for a day trip isn’t the most budget-friendly activity you could do, but I’d say it was still worth it. Go West Tours clearly knew how much time we had to spend at each stop. I’m sure if I rented a car and went on my own, I would just spend all morning in the first town we passed through, and constantly want to pull off on the side of the road to take a million pictures.

The tight schedule is a bit of a blessing and a curse. You get to see so much beauty in one day, but there’s not a ton of time to take it all in. In a perfect world, I’d love to spend three days in a rental vehicle exploring each small town in depth. But the Great Ocean Road can be done in a day, especially with a company like Go West.

In case the pictures haven’t convinced you, I’ll say it explicitly: I highly recommend seeing the Great Ocean Road on your next trip to Melbourne! If you’re spending more than two or three days in the city, there’s no excuse not to dedicate a day to getting out of the city and seeing the stunning landscapes and coastline that Victoria has to offer!

Have you been on a day trip to the Great Ocean Road? Did you travel with Go West Tours? Leave a comment below and let me know what you thought!

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This post was published on Dec 11, 2019

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See The Mekong Delta In a Day: Bến Tre Private Tour Review

Kevin | Caffeinated Excursions — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 08:00:54 +0000

See The Mekong Delta In a Day: Bến Tre Private Tour Review

Published November 22, 2019

I’ve lived in Saigon for about nine months now, but I had never taken a trip to the Mekong River Delta. Luckily, having my parents visit me in Vietnam was the perfect excuse to go check it out! We decided to book a private day tour with a company called Mekong Delta Tourism (AG Travel), which meant we got our very own guide and driver for the entire day.

The Mekong River is only about 40 miles away from Ho Chi Minh City, and you don’t need to go as far as Cần Thơ to see why the delta is such a popular tourist destination. Instead, we traveled to the city and province of Bến Tre. In this post, I’ll share what we did and end with a quick review of the company we went with.

What We Did on the Day Trip

1. Hotel Pick-up

The tour began with an 8:00 a.m. hotel pick up. The tour guide was right on time and met us in the lobby, then brought us out to a large van which we had all to ourselves. We took the main road out of the city (Võ Văn Kiệt) before taking the highway (Quốc lộ 1A, or QL1A) the rest of the way to Bến Tre.

2. Quick Rest Stop

At some point before reaching the city of Bến Tre, we stopped for a few minutes at a rest stop. It looked like they offered coffee and food if we wanted to get breakfast, but we had already eaten earlier at the hotel.

3. Crossing the Mekong River

We didn’t get out of the van to stop here, but we did get panoramic views of the Mekong River as we crossed it on the Rạch Miễu Bridge (Cầu Rạch Miễu). It was interesting to see just how wide the river really is, and our guide pointed out the houseboats and fishing communities floating on the water as we crossed.

4. Brick Factory

Our first real stop on our journey was a brick production facility on the banks of the river. Despite being quiet that day, our guide informed us about the clay in the region being ideal for bricks, which are made by hand.

Seeing the firing kilns on site was probably the most interesting part of this stop. Since they weren’t being used when we visited, we even got to step inside and check them out up close!

5. Motorboat Ride

Since the brick factory happened to be right on the banks of the river, we walked over to one of the boats and got in. Fresh coconuts were served on board, and we enjoyed the view as we passed by palm trees, vegetation, other boats, and the occasional waterfront house.

6. Coconut Candy Production

Our next stop was short and sweet: a quick look at a local producer of sweets based on coconut and chocolate. We had some delicious samples and watched as the women working cut and packaged the treats they were making.

7. Mat Weaving and Fresh Fruit

We then made our way to another house, where two women were making a traditional mat. They also ran a small souvenir shop, and we were treated to a plate of fresh local fruit while sitting down for a few minutes to rest.

8. A Lunch to Remember

After enjoying our fruit appetizer, we were more than ready for lunch. We got into the back of a small truck, which took us through palm groves down dirt roads. After ducking our heads to avoid the low-hanging fronds, we finally arrived at the remote but beautiful Ba Danh Homestay, where we had lunch.

Although every dish we were served was great, the highlight had to be the massive fish shown above: the giant gourami. This fish was delicious and crispy, and our waitress showed us how to make delicious spring rolls with it. Some other side dishes we enjoyed are shown below.

9. Rowboat Back to Bến Tre Town

It was time for the second portion of our journey by boat, except now, we had no motor to propel us forward. We moved at a much more leisurely pace as two rowers paddled us through the river under the hot sun. It was the perfect way to relax after a big meal.

10. Ride Back to Saigon

We concluded our short boat ride right in the center of Bến Tre town, where our van was waiting for us. We drove back into Ho Chi Minh City the way we came and were back in time for dinner.

Was the Trip Worth It?

Although this tour was probably about as expensive as they get, it was really enjoyable and well-planned. A day trip was the perfect way to see a glimpse of the Mekong Delta without having to commit too much time. Needless to say, I’m sure a multi-day journey through the swamps and towns here would have its own rewards.

If you’re willing to shop around (both on the streets of Saigon and online), you can basically find a tour for any budget that should include the activities you care about most. Most people probably visit the Mekong on a group tour. I’d bet that the itinerary is similar, but without as much flexibility.

Have you been to the Mekong Delta before? If you have, did you see some similar sites? Or did you happen to book with the same company we did? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading, and if you’re about to check out this stunning region in Vietnam, enjoy!

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This post was published on Nov 22, 2019

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The post See The Mekong Delta In a Day: Bến Tre Private Tour Review appeared first on Caffeinated Excursions.

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Amtrak Borealis Review: Round Trip From Chicago To Minneapolis St. Paul

General Overview

Chicago, IL to Saint Paul, MN

Saint Paul, MN Back to Chicago, IL

Facilities Review

Superliner Car Configurations

Accommodations for Disabilities

Seats

Bathrooms

Wi-Fi

Food, Drinks, and the Cafe Car

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the views scenic?

Which side of the train offers better views?

Near Chicago

Near Milwaukee

Along the Mississippi River

How does luggage work?

How does the Amtrak Borealis compare to flying?

How full was the train?

Final Tips

Eat a full meal before taking the Borealis.

Bring your own snacks.

Sit in the car that Amtrak staff directs you to.

All Aboard the Borealis!

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A Virgin Voyages Cruise Review: Riviera Maya (Miami To Cozumel And Bimini)

Why Did We Choose Virgin Voyages?

The Cruise Itinerary

Day 1: Boarding in Miami

Day 2: At Sea

Day 3: Cozumel, Mexico

A Review of Our Sailing and Snorkeling Excursions

Exploring San Miguel de Cozumel

The Best Part of Day 3: Scarlet Night!

Day 4: At Sea

Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas

Exploring Bimini on Foot

Eat a Conch Feast

The Beach Club at Bimini

Day 6: Return to Miami

Food & Restaurants on the Ship

All About the Scarlet Lady

Final Verdict on Virgin Voyages Riviera Maya Cruise

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Virgin Voyages Food Review: Restaurants, Bars, And More Aboard The Scarlet Lady

Sit-Down Restaurants

Razzle Dazzle

Extra Virgin

The Wake

The Test Kitchen

Pink Agave

Gunbae (Korean BBQ)

The Galley

Diner & Dash

Burger Bar

Let's Taco Bout It