blue_water

Hi guys! We do not live on Tortola, it is just my favorite spot in the Carib. We’ve not sailed with Kuralu, we spoke with them once and had a day planned, but weather got in the way. But I do know from years of research and meeting others who have sailed that Kuralu is excellent. We would not hesitate to sail with Kuralu, or with Aristocat and Patouche!

Thanks for your report! Great outfit!

No worries, the term “imitation” just sounded wrong for this vanilla because it is loved by so many! And my reference to clear tequila being called “blanco” is from when I was ordering a particular anejo extra tequila at a resort bar, another guest tried explaining to the bartender I was asking for blanco tequila. Obviously the other guest was not familiar with some tequilas being filtered in order to remove its color and enhance the flavor. That was just a funny memory… To add, the ingredients on the label are “Organic vanilla extract, alcohol (8%), water, organic coloring” The label title is ”Natural Gourmet Organically Grown”, which can be confusing, and of course it also states “Does NOT contain COUMARIN”. As 2Boxers (and our baker friends) mentioned, the Los Cinco Soles vanilla has been a game changer for them! There is another brand we bought when visiting Puerto Vallarta, but the LCS vanilla has been a mainstay for 20+ years for us as well…

That’s like saying “clear” tequila is always “blanco”…

Regarding TACSM’s option #3, we stayed on Cable Beach next to Baha Mar, and the only public beach access we saw between there and Sandyport was next to Bob Marley’s hotel. Cable Beach is lined with hotels and condos. We met two couples who had taken the $1.25/pp bus to the Baha Mar area looking for a public beach or just beach bars to enjoy. Nothing like that there, and we suggested they take the bus back to Goodman’s Bay which is an easy bus ride from the cruise pier area. So just a heads-up if you are considering going on your own to Cable Beach… There are some great independent excursions going t Rose Island and Pearl Island if you want nice beach time and any other activities while there…

Sorry, here is the TTOL BVI link - http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/forums/7/1/british-virgin-islands.html

Aah ok! We haven’t been to SC in some time either unfortunately…Last we were spending our days there Miss Patricia was our favorite spot for food and drinks, and Nigel was just serving beers. The vendors were subsequently removed from the beach because they had no license. I’ve read that Nigel has been back for some time. I never saw Stevens so maybe I just wasn’t paying attention or he was no longer… I’d suggest posing that question on the TTOL BVI forum…

Are you thinking of Nigel?

No, there is a stop there because it’s a popular spot. But if you are anywhere along the road and they have the space to pull over for you they will do that too…😄 Very friendly! Except for Willy 🤷🏼

I would just walk to the jitney (bus) stop at Bay and Frederick Sts and ask which bus goes there. $1.25/pp each way (exact change requested). There should be a bus stop nearby for your return, and actually drivers will stop for you if traffic allows… We take the #10 that runs from town to Cable Beach, but another bus may be a better choice. The drivers can help you…

When we were there it was the open-sided safari taxis, but smaller sizes as well. Taxi fares are cheap in the Valley area (ferry to Baths), $4 - $6/pp (for 3 or 1 person).

For a group of 70+ I would definitely split into smaller groups. Just not manageable unless you work with a resort. Do many in your group want to snorkel? Some may want to go to Pearl Island, Rose Island, or Baha Bay?

Yes good point on the change to evening patrons. And correct, not AI, but close enough, and I think a better option than some other popular recs.

https://www.buccanos.com/en/activities

I think Smith’s and Native Son now offer only the STT/BVI ferry routes…I’m only aware of 2 outfits r operating in the BVI, Speedy’s and Sensations. Sensations doesn’t work for you, but Speedy’s has a 1:30 Road Town departure and I would contact them to see if they currently offer a later return that the 3:30 option listed on their site. https://www.bviferries.com/speedys-bvi-ferry-schedule https://www.sensationferries.com/ferry-schedules.php

I meant to add that we’d choose a beach day on Bimini and Half Moon!

What a great opportunity to surprise your spouse with your 10-year celebration! I actually had a necklace made and surprised my wife with that during a 25-year vow renewal at the gazebo at Paradise Point. I had prearranged an officiant who held the gazebo for us and 6 friends cruising with us. We then enjoyed a band, as well as food and drinks. The girls did a few surfboard shots I remember… Another option is to contact St John Bracelet Co. (on STJ) and reserve a yellow gold or white gold Hook bracelet if for your wife, or another piece of jewelry if for your hubby. Quality pieces, I had them make a Hook bracelet for my wife while we were staying at Sapphire Beach and spending a day on STJ. Not a long day in port, but you could easily ferry to STJ on your own, tour the north shore, then stop in STJ Bracelet, and have a bite in Cruz Bay. Just a thought if you are interested. Otherwise for a daysail you should book something before you arrive. You can find both private and shared cat and powerboat outfits on the VINow site. Then hit PP after for cocktails and the view…

You all could take a cat excursion to Pearl Island to swim with the pigs or snorkel or enjoy the beach. Or get a day pass for Baha Bay, the water park at Baha Mar. We would likely split into smaller groups simply because it is easier to take advantage of the best excursions, and because not everyone wants to do the same thing. usually…And of course it is very hard to move around in large groups unless you are looking at a cruise line excursion. But there are excellent independent excursions, and it is soooo easy for 2 - 4 people to get around the island on the $1.25 jitney!

Coz is just so inundated with day visitors today…20+ years ago as we were virtually the only day visitors at Playa Palancar, for example. Now even that spot further from port is mobbed. Chankanaab Park is a great option, but it’s hard to recommend any place anymore on big ship days. Perhaps sharing your date in port will get more useful recommendations…For example, with a long port day (e.g. 10 hours) we could even recommend going to the mainland (Playa Del Carmen) for an excursion to Rio Secreto, or another nearby attraction.

Sure! If you want a private tour AC is a great option, I shared his contact info and TA reviews in another recent thread…

I would suggest searching YouTube for videos of the boats at the Stingray sandbar on GCM. It is the most popular excursion for both cruise line-sponsored and independent outfits and so gets crazy busy. A tour that includes stops at multiple spots may be able to work around the biggest crowds at the sandbar. Everyone in our small group enjoyed the ride through the mangroves, a more personal experience with the stingrays, and a stop at the reef with FFA. And because we took the afternoon tour we hit both Starfish Point and Rum Point. But most tours just stop at Starfish Point unless you have a later port departure time. But just research the different options so you aren’t disappointed. A group of 8 would likely be the only ones on the FFA tour…

Shared safari taxi to Cane Garden Bay or Brewers Bay is ~$12/pp each way. 25 minute ride over steep and winding roads, taxis return to pick you up. CGB will be the busiest beach because there are multiple food and rental options. Brewers will be a much less busy vibe with one beach bar and few amenities…

Yes everyone is different for sure! we visited the farm and hell while staying on the island to kill some time. I do think it is a good choice for young kids if just seeing the island sights. But so many are disappointed in both of these that it helps if you research them beforehand…

We wouldn’t waste our time with either, but if you’ve done everything else here or are not interested in the water excursions they are something to do…

For GCM we highly recommend Fat Fish Adventures. Small group on jet skis, you hit Stingray City with fewer boats there than with the options mentioned, plus the reef and possibly Rum Point or another beach stop. Great crew and fun day, can’t recommend them highly enough! If you can take the last excursion of the day you get an extra hour… https://fatfishadventures.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147365-d1006098-Reviews-Fat_Fish_Adventures-Grand_Cayman_Cayman_Islands.html