by Trochetia
NCL Jewel South East Asia March 4, 2019 March 6, 2019 Ko Samui is the only Port (in our itinerary) that the ship docks close to Port, and you need a boat transfer (free - provided by the ship) to get on land. This is a 20 mins boat ride one way. It was announced that transfer ticket would be distributed on Deck 12 starting at 7.30am on the same day. Passengers could pick up tickets for other members in their party. Already at 6.45am (we were lucky to be walking through this location back to our room) long lineup (about 75) for the transfer tickets. As planned, distribution started at 7.30am. We were in Group 4 for disembarking. We later met some in Group 11 who stayed near the Docks as they disembarked too late, with no time to explore. At 8.00am the ship docked at Nathon Pier right on schedule. 8.30am Passengers were let off ship, starting with privileged members and those who booked excursions through NCL At 9.50am, our group was called, and at 10.15am we were on solid ground on our way to a 7-11 (less than 10 mins walk from where we landed) to buy a data sim card. They sell for 299 Bhat (CAD $13), and a copy of your passport is needed to process purchase. They sell only DTAC. We then pass by a Morya Pharmacy, very close by, which sells AIS, which I read is Thailand's fastest internet. We were happy with the DTAC Internet speed, and able to use the same card the next day in Bangkok. Now equipped with Google map, we started our self tour. I approached a driver who was parked outside that 7-11 and negotiated a reasonable fee to hire him for 4 hours and back to the same spot (10 mins from the docks). I ensured the fee is for our group of three and not for 1 person. On top, with his limited English, I made him repeat, so there is no disagreement later. I stayed away from drivers at the docks, as they seem to be more aggressive. Under my driving directions, Mr Nut Phiphop, our driver (a true gentleman) drove us around the Island starting south, with our first stop at 11.30am at Grandma/Grandpa rocks. At 11.55am we arrived at their famous Chaweng Beach where we had a good swim, as we came fully prepared. The sand is very comparable to that of Varadero, Cuba, with lot less waves. We changed in the hotel outside washroom. 12.30pm stopped at Big Buddha, but first, a bite at a restaurant nearby to taste their famous pad Thai 120B (CAD$5) Visited the Pagoda and the many small souvenir and clothes shops around. Not enough time to pass by the Bophut's fisherman's village and we drove north and west, through the scenic roads back to our starting point and arrived at 3pm. We had time to do a last shopping stop at the numerous souvenir shops around, and walked towards the Pier, where there was a huge line up, with no one from NCL to confirm that we are in the right queue. 25mins later, everyone in the queue was rushing towards another embarkation point, over 100m away. The elderly, and those not physically fit had trouble keeping up with the crowd to retain their place in the new queue. In fact, there were no queue, just a herd who was trying hard to stop people from pushing from the back. Finally at 4pm, we were relieved to be on board. Everyone was just in shock, as no one has ever experienced anything similar. And not one word of explanation or apology on that day. I have later read that NCL had announced some sort of vague apology 2 days later, that we were not aware of. Besides the fiasco of NCL, Ko Samui is a great destination to spend time at, good people and great beaches.
by Sopsax66
We did the 4x4 excursion and it was great. Awesome tour guides and experience to see life on a Thai island. Great introduction for us novices to Asia on a different way of life.
Visited: Dec 09, 2017
by Purumeria
There are a lot of taxi driver in the pier. They can take you everywhere all day about $ 50 to $ 80.
Visited: Dec 06, 2016
by teeny03
We attended the Golden Buda tour with lunch at a local resort and shopping after !! Best tour !! Not too rushed - plenty of time to see everything and great guide!! This was my favourite port !!
by goodcook
no excursion walked into town had a lovely meal at a local restaurant caught up with email as Wi-fi was readily availeble
Visited: Dec 06, 2017
by ladywithstyle
Great beach plently to eat drink shop if u wish.
Visited: Dec 16, 2016
by Goodiea
We did a 'tour on your own'. We went to Chewang Beach. We walked around a lot, went and had lunch and then and then had an hour massage.
Visited: Jan 28, 2018
by realahab
We hired a taxi and went to a beach. We rented seadoos, had coffee, then returned to the port. I think if you are a beach person you would go a little further afield, or spend $100 and go to a private beach resort. For us, this low-key inexpensive approach worked just fine.
Visited: Dec 20, 2017
by UglyBetty
We came here with the excursion from Princess Cruise. Very happy about it. The resort (Peace Resort) was a short drive from the tender port. Water was warm and calm. Our excursion comes with a drink and buffet lunch. A nice way to spend a day relaxing. It’s not a white sand beach like some of the other island but it’s nice enough.
by ahbren
After you arrive at the port, they will be alot of taxi drivers.
Visited: Feb 23, 2017
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