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Looking for an excursion or small private charter where we can snuba and snorkel. Has anyone used Octopus Diving or Snuba St. Maarten (Snuba SXM?)? Any other recommendations? Thanks!

We had a group of 15 and used Oasis Divers. I believe it was 2-3 hours/2 snorkeling stops and about $700 total. Very enjoyable for everyone and we had all types from newbies to experienced. Loved having the entire boat to ourselves!

Good luck!

We chartered a boat for 15 of us (ages 7 to 87) last November from Capt Don at White Sands Snorkel (don@whitesandssnorkel.com) and had the time of our life. Capt Don was very accommodating, and delivered the highlight of our cruise. The boat was not a cat, smaller but with a small bathroom. Everyone had a seat. You might want to give him a try.

Thanks! I'll check him out.

Does anyone know of one that can accommodate 14 or more people? These are the ones that I've checked into that won't work:

Grand Turk Divers, Crystal Seas Adventures, Blue Water Divers, Oasis, and Papa J Tours.

Thanks for your help.

I have seen brides wearing their wedding dresses during dinner however they had just been married that day...so I guess it's up to you to do whatever makes you happy!:)

Hey Chenoa Are you having a reception? We plan to do so but can't find a place to accommodate the group. How many ppl do you have in your group?

 

Is anyone else having a reception in St Thomas. We want an open air rest too but the wedding is on Lindquist beach so there's nothing close by. We are also being transported by Sunny Liston. We'll have a full Island tour in between the wedding and reception, so we're not really stuck in the area of Lindquist Beach. Any ideas would be helpful.

Hey Ashley,

We have a MUCH smaller group than you...only 10 of us with the possibility of a couple more. We are just having the beach ceremony with champagne and cake following and pics of course. We do plan to do an island tour and are also looking at Sunny Liston but have not booked it yet. Have you looked into Oceana Restaurant for the reception? If you haven't already checked into them, Janelle has photos in her shutterfly link. It's on the beach, open air, and they say they can acommodate large groups. Good luck and let me know what you end up doing!

Chenoa

Well, thanks Esbie for all the info. Enjoy your lucky Tuesday and good luck on it all! I know it will all be wonderful for you.

Thanks to Fungirl and Prettyhazardous for the advise too. We chose Lindquist but have another option we are considering...so who knows!

My WC is Leslie from Perfect Weddings of St. Thomas. We began working with her in the Summer of 2007, and at that time she told us that we couldn't do Bluebeard's because of Carnival's "blackout" on Tuesdays. However she continued to check into for us periodically, and about 8 months ago she told us that it did become available, so we changed our plans to Bluebeard's. Sorry, but I don't know how or why it became available for us:confused: What WC are you working with? There are many that have great reputations in St. Thomas (thankfully).

Hey Esbie, what time of day are you getting married? My WC is Janelle of Island Bliss and she is going to check into Bluebeard's for us. She has been great. Thanks.

I am getting married at Bluebeard's in 8 weeks, and on a Tuesday. Initially I had to book the ceremony for Secret harbour because my WC told me that Carnival "blacks out" all Tuesdays and you can only get married at Bluebeard's on a Tuesday if you use Carnival's WCs. Luckily, after the first year of our planning process my WC was able to book Bluebeard's for us. I like it there because I like the grassy area with the palm trees for the ceremony itself, versus sand. As far as Magen's goes, my WC recommended that we stay away from there as it is very crowded, particularly on Tuesdays (apparently that tends to be busy cruiseship day there). I know when we are docked there there are a total of 4 major cruiseships docked there at the same time, and many of those folks go to Magen's. I knwo someone who got married at Lindquist and she said it was very private and her pics were beautiful! Good Luck!

Esbie11, may I ask who is your WC? I've been told that Bluebeard's has some beach party on Tuesdays so weddings were out...maybe that changed in 2009. I have an email in to my WC about it already. Thanks for the help. Good luck on your day!! Will watch for a review and pics.

We are planning a vow renewal ceremony. I had it planned and booked 11 months ago but thanks to Carnival dry-docking our ship we had to pick a new date (Nov. now) and the wedding planner I booked already has a ceremony for the AM so that leaves us the afternoon. Whew, long story! We so love Magen's Bay but know the morning there would have been better. Don't know what/where to have it in the afternoon. Do we go ahead and have it at Magen's where we really wanted it or someplace else?

Ok I need help. Anyone out there have or planning to have a beach ceremony in the afternoon? Seems like the planners recommend mornings and we have to have it later like around 3 or 3:30. Would love Magen's but worried about the crowds... don't expect the beach to be deserted but don't want it to be body-to-body either. Considering Magen's, Lindberg, Lindquist, or Bluebeards (if they allow them on Tuesdays). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hello everyone my name is Kelly. I will be sailing on the Explorer of the seas on May 14, 2009. My brother and sisters and I would like to surprise my parents with a surprise 15 year wedding renewal! They will be married 15 years June 10th. Can anyone help me I am having a hard time deciding on what to do. Is it better to go thru Royal Caribbean or go on to St. Thomas? My mom got married in a court house and then went out to eat after. She has been having a rought time lately and I know she always talks about having a nice renewal. Any ideas would be great as everything was kind of left for me to do. Thank you all in advance Kelly

Hi Kelly, I think it's wonderful of you to do that for your parents! Weddings (vow renewals) should be fun to plan so try not to stress. This board has helped me so much and will help you too...just keep reading. As for having it on the ship versus St. Thomas, it depends on which you think they would prefer...beach/tropical island view or in a room on the ship? I don't know how it's done on any other cruise line than Carnival. You may not be able to get any definite room location until a couple weeks before you cruise. I'm a bit of a planner (ok control freak!:o) so we chose to do it on St. Thomas. There are lots of planners with all kinds of beach or terrace type locations to choose from. I have a list of planners (I researched ALL their websites to see what fit our vision) and can email them to you if you would like. Good luck!

I saw that you sent an email save the date. Do you have a copy you can share to give me some kind of wording? We are doing a renewal and would like to invite friends and family to come along with us. Thanks for the info, Shannon sbillingsley@bellsouth.net

Sorry I don't have a template or anything. We are cruising on Carnival and you can register a login name and such on Carnivalconnections.com. Then from there you can create an ivitation and email it out. The invitation included info such as the itinerary, rates, and group booking number. Your guests then create their own login and can RSVP and chat on your groups own message board. That's what I did.

Just found this post.....We're thinking of renewing our vows (20th) on our cruise in a few weeks. We don't want the cake and all that, just the captain and a VERY short little ceremony. It is just hubby and myself. Do they do that, and does that cost? Or do you have to purchase the renewal package?? Thanks!

Hi LALady,

I'm not certain but I believe they will charge you the least expensive vow renewal package of $385.00 and includes (in their words):

-special ceremony location performed by ship's captain

-Keepsake "Renewal of Vows" certificate

-recorded music

-photography service (purchase of photos at an additional charge)

-one long stemmed rose for bride and rose boutonniere for groom

-2 tier wedding cake

-sparkling wine and 2 etched champagne flutes ("Romance", "Honeymoon", or "Anniversary")

-one 8x10 wedding photograph

Hope this helps! Congrats!!:)

Crusin girl, I think you posted on the Legend board and since this board might be more appropriate for asking vow renewal I thought I would ask you a few questions. Did you go through Carnival to make your arangements? I see that it is mentioned that they don't do the renewal on formal nights, did you find this to be the case? Our actual 25th wedding anniversary falls on the first formal night and I would of loved to be able to renewal our vows on that day. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them. And congrats on the 10 years! We were in the same boat 25 years ago when we got married at the courthouse, everyone around us placed bets on how long our marriage was going to last and I guess we fooled them all! It has been a great 25 years and we are looking forward to our next 25.

Hi vfb2girls,

I know your question wasn't directed to me but thought I could help. I emailed Carnival Weddings with your same question a couple weeks ago and they sent me their renewal packages info which states "we will be unable to grant requests to perform the ceremony on embarkation days or formal nights". Disappointing cuz we too were checking on the possibility of having it on ship on a formal night. Now we're looking at a shore ceremony. Good luck and hope this helps.

J's Gal and Pandabebe,

Wow! They both look great! Could you also email me? wilson1@hickorytech.net

Thanks a bunch!