laser110

I know this was an over the top option. I was actually thinking of the same option with my wife, but after crunching the numbers, yes it could be done, but not easily or cheaply.

However I don't see where they have said they have done it all on STT or STJ or the BVI? I find often people don't realize the distances between the islands and the time it takes to get from point A to point B.

Even St. John being close, is still alot of planning involved. For one, when I am on vacation, don't want to go through all that work and rush for a few hours on the beach. Even when on STT, for us to go to STJ always feels like a bigger effort, then say drive to Magen's Bay, or Hull Bay for the afternoon. Too much planning involved.

Maybe it's just me, but once I am on Island, I immediately adjust to "island time" there is no rush, so I don't get why some others would perfer to spend their vacation doing that.

Scott

Interesting you bring this up. We are going to be back on the The Rock in December and I thought about taking my wife over to St. Croix for the day, do some shopping, maybe go to the beach and then back to STT in the evening to change and dinner.

As already mentioned, there is no water taxi/ferry service right now, so I looked into flying on the seaplane (I still miss the old VI Seaplane Shuttle "the Goose") Cost is waaay out of line for a easy day trip. If we were to leave at 8:30 AM and come back at 4:45PM t would cost us $266.00 for two people for one way. Round trip $532.00. Plus money for lunch, and anything lese we buy, plus taxi on St. Croix.

Can it be done? Yes, you would have to monitor your time on St. Croix very carefully to be sure you get the last plane back to STT and enough time once you land to get back to your ship. Personally, unless you have unlimited time ( i.e staying on STT)and unlimited cash. I wouldn't go through the hassle and rush an just enjoy your day in port at a more local beach and/or shopping in Charlotte Amalie.

Scott

Mixed feelings on the Kon Tiki being back. I recall the days of seeing people stumble off this boat. On the otherhand it's good to see a part of "Old St.Thomas" back.

Scott

Both St. Maarten and St. Thomas have shopping and beach. In St. Maarten I would suggest doing a tour, in liew of one or the other. In the past we have done the America's Cup Experience there and then went shopping in the afternoon. Last time we were there, we went shopping in the AM and were scheduled to go on catamaran tour in the afternoon, before it got rained out due to bad weather.

St. Maarten has a water taxi that costs about $5 a person for unlimited trips downtown The taxi leaves right by the cruise ship dock and takes you to the heart of the downtown shopping area.

In St. Thomas when we are there for the day only, we usually get off and walk around downtown early. See people we know in the stores, chat, maybe make a purchase and then head back to the ship. Do a quick change and off to a beach for a few hours.

Scott

The Homeric cruise we did was on the Liberty weekend cruise 1986 out of NYC to Bermuda .The Homeric was in the Praide of ships for Liberty weekend !!

 

Dose any body here remember Dan Gable or Rick Spath ? Dan was the C D and Rick worked for him on the Oceanic !

We were on that trip too!! That was our first Home Lines cruise and the first cruise we went on. Absolutely loved Home Lines and we were on one of the last cruises that the Homeric did. I was on the Oceanic in 1983, my grandparents went to Bermuda and Nassau on her and prior to the departure we went on board as part of a Bon Voyage party. I remember walking the decks, looking at the shops and seeing the pools. I also recall, as do my family my "freaking out" when they called "All Ashore" prior departure and I was worreid we would get stuck onboard. Little did I know then :)

I remember Dan Gable, he was the CD on our second Homeric Cruise. The first cruise was a guy named Stan (Gable)? related to Dan? who was the CD on our first cruise. We had no idea what a Cruise Director did, with the exception of Julie from the Love Boat, who didn't do much, but always loved Stan and he kept us entertained all week. One of my greatest memories was the Horse Races and seeing people bring their "horse" with them everywhere all decorated etc.

Our waiters on both cruise were Sergio and his Assistant Franco. We enjoyed them so much that on our second trip we even requested to have one of their tables again. Once we got onboard my Dad went to see Maitre'd who promptly and easily made our request come true. Sailing onboard Homeric was a true dream, once you got onboard you were with familty, even it was your first cruise with them.

Scott

Other nations that share our continent? Canada - the 51st state and Mexico the 52nd?

Relax dude, America and USA are compeletly interchangable, in fact your post was the first one I had ever heard of anyone having an issue with it.

Scott

Living in Central NJ for me either Philly or NYC would be ideal to see the ship. However, I think I perfer Philly and here's why.

- Too many other attractions to compete against in NYC

- Casino/hotel in Philly vs. a hotel in NYC I think will ultimately be more profitable to keep the ship afloat.

- Fresh water is ultimately better long term for the hull

- America's Flagship in the birthplace of the Amercia

Scott

We have Verizon and had no problem calling home any time we are on St. Thomas. Just double check your bill and make sure it doesn't charge you for roaming to Puerto Rico or the BVI. We had this one time and when we got the bill the roaming charges were crazy. I called Verizon told them we were never in the BVI, or PR gave them the dates of our trip and where we stayed. The person on the other end said no problem and removed all the roaming charges for us.

Scott

I have been thinking about pulling the trigger on buying a Tissot T-Touch Titanium the last few times have been to St. Thomas. It retails for about $900 and I have been offered as low as $650 in one store and as high as $685 in others after discounts.

Do you comparisons and have a set price in mind. Like other items you can negoiate, but don't try and make a low ball offer, it won't get you anywhere. One advantage I often have, which others on a cruise may not, is I have no issues telling them I am staying on the island and will be back if I feel the price is fair. They know I am going to shop it around and make comparisons. In one situation, the gentleman at the store dropped the price $35 ( the $650 price quote)to entice me to buy at that time. I told him I wasn't ready (which I wasn't) and he gave me his card.

Scott

Bishop that last pic is of Honeymoon Beach on Water Island.

Scott

Anyone know how to make your pics big. I tried by uploading them to Photobucket and using the links there, but as you can see on my post, they still came out small.

Scott

Some more pics.

A few I have taken on my last trip.

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/laser110/IMG_0034.jpg?t=1265574985

Scott

lostdart58 - couldn't have said it better myself :)

Scott