PAcruiser19372

We did them this past April and it was a great day. Never thought about the clock, just being able to enjoy i believe it was three snorkel sites, lunch on the cat. The guys on the boat were absolutely the best. I wish i could remember the Captains name but as we snorkeled around the Indians i had my Go Pro with me and he asked it i wanted him to swim down into a cave and get some video. It was awesome, can't say enough about them, but again that's why they're rated #1 on Trip Advisor.

I have asthma and aren't supposed to snorkel, according to cruise ship excursions. I've never had any trouble before though, and have been doing it for years.

 

I read on a review for one kind that these make you work harder to breathe, but this person mentioned going under the water while using it. I rarely go under, and if so, not deep.

 

Those of you that have used them, do you find it harder to breathe with them? Thanks in advance.

 

While in Bonaire last year my wife used the full mask that was supplied. She was actually able to really snorkel and enjoy it for the first time. We then bought them for ourselves this past Christmas. We bought the Triborg model. My wife once again loved it. I did not, found it hard to breath, not sure why although i had read a few reviews where some folks found it harder to breath. I used mine for maybe 15 minutes and had to go back to the boat, take it off and use one of their traditional snorkel masks. Once we got back to port i went to a dive shop and bought a traditional snorkel and mask. I'm one of the few who did not like it but again my wife lovers hers! FYI, I do have a goatee and mustache and can say that was not an issue.

Looking for a snorkeling excursion on Curacao. Ideally, boating and snorkeling. Has anyone done a good excursion?

Who did you eventually wind up with? Going there next year and looking for the same as you. Thx

Is the taxi situation back to normal or still an ongoing issue. We will be there on Good Friday and had planned on taxing to Orient and then to Maho for lunch and then a taxi back to the port terminal. Don't want to have to worry about this trip with my wife and grandkids with us. Is there any reason to worry?

Seems like there were 3 ships in port the day Harmony was there with just under 12,000 people in port that day.

Music and people watch--Great Bay, although not sure what music gets heard amongst the rumble.

 

More peace and quiet--Little Bay. Still people to watch just not as many. Bring your own music.

 

You'll not see the pollution in Great Bay unless there's been a recent spillage of overflow. It's mostly microbiotic. You're not going to smell it along the boardwalk. But it is present and does get mixed around by the currents and tides. Mostly an "EEWWWEE!" factor. So if you do go to GB and along the board walk just take a shower when you get back to the ship. You'll want to wash the salt off anyway.

So this is one of the things I've been reading about for years but on this trip actually going to Great Bay as we will have grandkids with us so leaning Great Bay Beach vs. Orient Beach but unsure because of the pollution. Is there any way of knowing before hand what the water is like? Also, with the kids being in their early teens is this the best beach for them?

Cruise stop in Dominica and want to snorkel at Champaign Reef.

 

Is it a good experience to just snorkel from shore, or is a tour needed for best experience?

 

Cruise has a 3.5 hour tour to Champaigne Reef and L'Abym but it's $60/each and trying to determine if we gain anything by this tour vs snorkeling from shore....

We usually do private tours but this is the one stop on our RC cruise in April that we're using the ship excursion. Sounds like yours, $60 for 3 1/2 hours. My understanding is the beach is pretty rocky and I know my wife would not like that...come to think of it, I'm not fond of rocky beaches. Anyway, I looked into a private tour and it was a little cheaper but it was only 1 site and only and hour and a half so going on the ship tour which is on a boat. Good luck!

Thank you for you and your wife's service, I don't know how you do your job these days. BTW, I love mankind but i can't stand people!

Saw this older thread and wish to piggyback on it....Honeymoon Beach

 

We are looking at 2 RCI excursions for St Johns, the first is one that I believe many of the posters on this thread who have used RCI to get over and back to St Johns have utilized---"The St Johns on your own" excursion.

 

The other one that we are looking at is the "St john Exclusive Honeymoon Breach Break. It is obviously more expensive but besides the different location comes with beach chairs, access to kayaks and stand-up boards.

 

This one indicates that you approach Honeymoon Beach from the parking lot of Caneel Beach Club. Seems to be a walk of about 1/2 mile.

 

Also, I seem to have read there are no bathroom facilities on Honeymoon Beach but have also read that it is not as crowded with cruisers as Trunk Bay.

 

Any input or comments would be appreciated. Our party is mom, dad, and 3 teenage sons. Thinking that the kayaks and boards would give the teens something to do. BUT would we miss shopping around the ferry area since the Honeymoon Beach excursion would be more controlled?

That is the one thing about the RC excursion is being on their time schedule Last time we went over on the RC St. John's on your own, their ferry to the Island and that day we took a taxi to Cinnamon Bay Beach. My buddy rented a paddle board there and I believe they had kayaks available for rent as well. After a day at the beach we then taxied back to Cruz Bay and had plenty of time to shop around and sample some drinks. If Trunk Bay is your preference you could also find out how many ships are in port the day you're in St. Thomas, if only one or two Trunk Bay should not be that bad.

Thanks everybody, that's about what I figured, about $150.00 for the five of us for the day. Appreciate your help!

The link below gives the rates. Click on the chart to enlarge.

http://taxistmaarten.com/zones-rates/

 

Hi Bob, thanks for the help. I had actually gone there the other day and wasn't quite sure about using the table as i was unsure if Phillipsburg/Great Bay was considered the pickup place for the port. Was also unsure what zone Orient Beach was in....figured Maho was the airport but that's why I had asked for help...wasn't quite sure about the table you mentioned so thought I'd check.

Botanical Gardens is just a por quality Park

Emerald Pool is tame

Mero Beach is bordering on a dump, only has poor quality loungers and a single hut to change in, and a bar that only has cheap plastic coffee cups to serve rum.

 

Take a Catamaran trip.[/quote Thanks, I'll look into it, but doing Catamaran's at two other ports. Thought this might be the one place to lay low as nothing was really getting my attention.

Hi Guys,

 

my wife and I will be in Dominica next April on Serenade...we are not quite sure yet what we want to do i.e. take a tour or just relax on the ship.

 

Is there much to see in the port area? Can we walk around and browse some shops maybe buy some souvenirs downtown?

 

Thanks

Hey Keith, we're on the same cruise with you and it's the one port where I'm stymied on what to do. Have private tours planned at the other ports but have pretty much settled on a ships tour which includes a stop at Morne Bruce, Botanical Gardens, Emerald Pool, and Mero Beach. Should be a full day about 5 hours, seeing some of the must see places and having some beach time. Steve

Gary, while I prefer to investigate things myself (especially when you've probably responded to this dozens of times over the years) I can't seem to locate these prices so knowing your knowledge Iwill just do it the easy way and flat out ask you. While I've done this before with just my wife there will now be five of us. Intending to taxi to Orient Beach, then to Maho, then back to either town or the cruise pier. Not sure how much this is going to add up with five of us but was wondering if you could provide prices. Thanks, Steve

Thanks for the replies. I had exchanged emails with Levi a few months back, but not sure about the rocky beach where you snorkel at Champagne Beach and also not sure about swimming thru the gorge in the cold water, wife will not be a fan (not sure I would either). If i was going private I would have gone with Levi but probably going to lay low with a ships tour and see some of the must see things on the island and have some beach time. Will be pretty active at the other ports.

From Thorndale PA?

 

I'm sure someone will refer you to the port of call board, but you did ask specific about a Royal Excursion. I'll watch for replies. Are you limiting yourself to Royal excursions in this port?

Yup, from Thorndale. I did post on the Dominica site but it gets very little attention so being a Royal excursion thought I'd go there and try. Yes, this is the one port where I can't find anything for our group (wife, daughter, and two grandkids) so going with a ship excursion, all others on this cruise are private. Thanks Bill.

Question: We are planning to do a ship excursion in Dominica. The two I am interested in are ROC6 Emerald Pool and Beach; stops at Morne Bruce, Botanical Gardens, Emerald Pool and Beach time. This tour is 4:45 minutes long and costs $49.00@. Other tour is ROA7 and described at Emerald Pool and Volcanic Sand Beach. Described as going to the exact same places but names Mero Beach for the beach. Duration of this tour is 5 hours and costs is $59.00@. Aside from the obvious time difference of 15 minutes longer and $10.00 more per person is the only difference that it list Mero Beach vs. another beach? Anyone done either of these tours care to comment? Thanks!

Question: We are planning to do a ship excursion in Dominica. The two I am interested in are ROC6 Emerald Pool and Beach; stops at Morne Bruce, Botanical Gardens, Emerald Pool and Beach time. This tour is 4:45 minutes long and costs $49.00@. Other tour is ROA7 and described at Emerald Pool and Volcanic Sand Beach. Described as going to the exact same places but names Mero Beach for the beach. Duration of this tour is 5 hours and costs is $59.00@. Aside from the obvious time difference of 15 minutes longer and $10.00 more per person is the only difference that it list Mero Beach vs. another beach? Anyone done either of these tours care to comment? Thanks!

Have you checked the roll calls for the cruises? We wanted to book Serenade for April 2018 (11 night I think) when we were onboard GR. All they knew onboard was that it had been pulled from inventory and we looked at each other and said "charter". Pulled from inventory always means charter. I checked the roll call for the cruise we were interested in and they confirmed it was chartered.

 

I am actually booked on the 11 day cruise on Serenade for April 2018. I just went to the RCI website and kind of went thru the motions of booking a cabin for this sailing and there is no mention of it being pulled from inventory. I have an inquiry out to my TA but she is off until Thursday. BTW, what exactly is a Charter cruise?

Thanks for the replys, pretty much what I figured...just hoping we can avoid lines.

This April we will be sailing on Serenade. Being Emerald (will be Diamond after this cruise!) we should have some kind of priority check in as I recall. Question...we're talking daughter and grandkids on their first cruise. Will they be able to check in with us or must they get in the gold line for first timers? Thanks

Wife and I will be celebrating our 50th. wedding anniversary on Seranade of the Seas and have booked a "bump cabin", more specifically cabin # 9590, port side, Does anyone have any feedback photos or other useful insight on this cabin ?

 

How are you? Steve from PA and on the same cruise with you, we are in the cabin two down from you in 9586, specifically booked that cabin. We were originally in an aft cabin with the big balcony but while on the ship walked back there a couple of times and while the balcony IS big I thought the walk to the back of the ship would get old pretty quick. While I've never had a hump cabin my understanding is they are highly sought after and go quick. I'm sure we'll be talking as the cruise nears not to mention the fact that we'll be two cabins away from you! Also, these are on the Starboard side as the port side is glass. BTW, thank you for your service to our country!

Did you enjoy your trip with Caribbean Sea Adventures? Would you recommend them?

 

Sorry, our trip is not until April, just going on what I read on Trip Advisor and here.

I like your idea. About how did you spend for taxis?

 

Sorry, I honestly don't remember. Was just interested in being at both beaches that day and nothing else so the taxi's seemed the easiest thing to do. I'm sure others on the board can quote taxi prices. We we left Maho we taxied back to town and walked around there for awhile, perfect day.

Back in 2012, I did a private island tour with Noel Tours. I remember at the time that it was a close contest between Noel and Bernard, but I ended up choosing Noel. Looking at my options now, it looks like Noel has gone defunct and or priced himself out of the market.

 

Is Bernard's the only option now? Are there any other island tours that cater to the cruise passengers? I'm looking to visit both Orient Beach and Maho beach for as long as possible.

 

If you're just looking to go to Orient and Maho the easiest thing to do is take a taxi to Orient and then taxi back to Maho. That way you get to stay at each place as long as YOU like. I've done that in the past after using Bernards which was awesome, but once i decided I just wanted to go to Orient and Maho used a taxi the last time and going to do the same thing next April when there. Hope that helps!