First preference is given to the excursions booked by Cordelia, that basically happens the first thing in the morning after you dock and ready to get off. The others are allowed to go post that. But it happens very swiftly and you can still go and explore and come back. It all depends on how far you go to explore!

Thank you Vinay! 😊

Sounds like a good deal! I hope they'll pick you and drop you until the port gate. Because main thing about reaching Galle from Hambantota is the distance. But Galle is beautiful and you'll love it! Just keep tabs on time so that you get back on time! Have fun and happy to be of help! 😊

I am traveling on the same date, even I am looking for outside travel options. I am a group of 4.

​@@Random-bk5ftsound good 👍 I have shared my itinerary for Hambantota if you have any Itinerary than let me know. We have plan together to make itinerary for Hambantota, Trincomalee, Jaffna if you interested.

​@@rhea-litytvThanks for the reply 😊

I have booked 11 sep cruise too, to Sri Lanka. We are two girls.

About 8-10 hours in Hambantota and Trincomalee and around 5-6 hours in Jaffna. They will inform us by what time we should get back, so you'll have to plan your day accordingly. The earlier you leave the ship the more, you can explore and make the most of the time given! That's what I did, usually max by 8:00 a.m. I ensured I was out!

@@rhea-litytv - That's great !! You said about pre booking taxis!! How to do that and also is autos feasible to cover the places if we hire for 4-6hrs and be back?

@@opplivaasen Pre-booking taxi is something you'll have to check online because I didn't do it. There were a few people from the cruise who had done it via an agent of theirs and that's how I got to know.

@@opplivaasen As for auto, it's definitely feasible for city tours in all 3 locations, unless you decide to go very far like how I went to Galle or a different Island or something like that.

The timings are different in different places. The first 2 ports they had asked us to come back around 4:30 p.m., and in Jaffna, we had to get back by 2:00 p.m.

By 4pm you have to take the shuttle bus which will take you to the ship, by 5pm everyone has to be on the ship. It's better to reach by 4:15 as you will not miss the lunch

When we reached Hambantota port, there was a booth selling Sri Lankan Sim. So you can get it there, if not, some shops in the city will have it for sure.

In Jaffna, they take you to the port in tender boats from the ship. You don't have to pay anything for that... Just ensure you reach early as the boats are small so only a few at a time are allowed, so it can take a lot of time...

@@rhea-litytv madam please don’t mind - one more question. While on the cruise - if we want to go out off shore on our own - do we have to make any booking for the shuttle buses to the gate ? And any payment required ? And what are the timings for the free shuttle buses ? Till the gate . After which we get hire a local taxi. As mostly we just want to go direct to the beach and relax on our own.

​@@user-wi6tw9un6z Shuttle buses have no charge. There are frequent buses from the cruise to the port gate. The staff will be there to guide you to the shuttle buses. No payment for that.

Yes, both taxi's and autos are easily available near the port. Yes, you can get 1 ask them to take you around and bring you back. Since Sri Lanka Tour started in June, they have been receiving quite a lot of tourists from the cruise. Just tell them places you want to see and the time by which you have to get back. I'm not very sure about the agent/taxi services over there. I guess you will have to check that online, or if you are booking via a travel agent you can check with them, as that is what a few people from my cruise who came in a large groups did.

@@rhea-litytv understood. Thank you for your response. I will be travelling with a group of 4 including 2 senior citizens. What do you think, How much of a hassle is it to get book a taxi from there ? Or you say it's very convenient. The excursion provided my cruise isn't that appealing to me.

@@Random-bk5ft Oh, needn't worry. I personally had joined a group of 5 when I reached Jaffna, and they had 2 senior citizens as well. We all got a good 10-seater van. So, there was no problem at all. You get vans available at the port and some of them would have AC too, so it is convenient. Would suggest trying and disembark early so that you have options available for you. The cruise excursions take you to just the excursion point and back in AC busses, so if there are people who don't want to explore a lot and just go from point to point in the AC bus, then cruise ones are ideal. But otherwise in terms of transport, nothing to worry about. Just get there early, cause if many people set out on their own, then there could be shortage of vehicles especially in Jaffna.

@@rhea-litytv Thank you. Much appreciated. There were no other reviews/videos which were talking about these stuff. It's very helpful 🙂.

@@rhea-litytv 1 more question If I may. How did you plan the currency exchange ? How widely is credit card accepted and how's the exchange rate if I choose to exchange ? What's your recommendation on this ?

Hi Krishna, as mentioned this will depend on what all you'd end up doing. If you go with the same list as mine, it will be budget friendly. I have mentioned the cost for travel and entry fees, you can do the calculation based on the number of people etc. If you want to do things like safari etc, the cost will be more, you can check online how much it will be as compared to the one provided by the ship.

Hi, I have mentioned the same in the video. You have a vehicle which is a 4 seater and then 8-10 seater. Based on whichever you choose, the cost will vary.

yes...

When I went, they did not ask for it at the venue. However the health declaration form needs to be completed.

I received the visa 2 days before my departure. You can call the customer service and share your booking id to get an update.

did you get an ETA or visa ?@@rhea-litytv

thanks, Rhea, I will call the customer care tomorrow as they are not available at the moment. Did u get both ETA and the visa ?@@rhea-litytv

Autos/Tuk Tuks are around 4000 to 5000 Sri Lankan Rupees both in Trinco and Jaffna

You can share your questions here. I've created 3 videos on this, which has covered almost everything! But if you still have questions, you can post them here or DM me on insta.

What about the currency where we can exchange in bengluru ..how much do u think we need for family of 4 ..We would like to go by places with out cruise help @@rhea-litytv

@@swathikalisetty2441 Currency exchange can be done in all 3 ports at Sri Lanka. The amount will depend on what all you plan to do, and where all you want to go, you can get a cost break up idea of places I visited in the videos.

Hi Swathi, did you receive your visa today? Which deck r u guys in ?

We are also on 11th sep cruise..visa not recived yet