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Hi, I would appreciate an update once you've had your trip. We have the same amount of time on Tortola and would really like to do The Baths but am too concerned about not having enough time and the timing of ferry schedules give our departure time of 3:00.

We are on the Getaway Oct 10th. I may just book with NCL to be safe, but I will give it more time.

I'm pretty sure we'll do the Baths on our own as we'll save about $120 since we have a 3.5 year old and she's free if we do this trip on our own. Time wise, you really get the same amount of time whether it's NCL or on your own. I did a quick calculation, 7:45 departure via Speedy's and arrive at 8:15. We should arrive at the trailhead to the Bath's via taxi by 9 at the latest. A leasurely hike down to the Baths should take no more than 30min. So from 9:30-11:30, you can explore Bath's. 2 hours is not a lot of time, but my guess is you get roughly the same amount of time with NCL.

We are planning the same trip. I emailed Speedy too, but have not heard back. Im assuming it would all be fine, however the 12:40 only ferry back does worry me. I worry if we miss that one then the next is too close to departure time. I may try to call them this week. See you on the ship.. 5 weeks left!!!

Kerri

I emailed them as well, they don't like to answer their emails seems like. But I'm guessing they are used to getting ship crowds and can add more ferries if needed, at least that's what I've heard from other people here.

We're probably not on the same cruise as you. We're be on it in 4 weeks! :) So we might cross paths when we come off it.:mad:

thanks for all the comments. I think we might have to watch the show separately so one of us can watch after our DD. But we'll definitely give splash academy a try. But since she's not in preschool yet, she's not that independent so I'm not keeping hopes up..

BTW, I started this thread because I wasn't sure if I should book in advance. But sounds like I shouldn't in case we need to split up. Does this show get fully booked pretty early or can we play by ear?

Anyone know the ferry capacity?

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Not knowing the age of the "child/toddler" that the OP mentions, I am not understanding why someone would want to bring a toddler to the show in the first place. The adult won't be able to enjoy the show if the child acts up. Other guests would be inconvenienced by the potential outbursts, etc.

 

Disclaimer: I am not a parent and I don't tolerate children that are misbehaving in public venues (or not properly supervised by their parent/guardian).

she'll be a little over 3y3m by the time of the cruise. We're not one of those parents who let their kids act up in a movie theater and do nothing about it. In fact, we don't even take her to the movies yet. But in this case, we have no choice as we really want to see the show. If she acts up, we will take her out ASAP. So take it easy with the lecture.

There's one other very obvious alternative.

what would that be? splash academy?

No, they are full price, but they can get at least chicken nuggets and fries.

you mean pay $35 for nuggets and fries??!!:(

I'm getting conflicting answers. I just called NCL and they said Illusionarium does not have a kid's menu. But I did a search here and saw other posters said there is a free kid's menu. Anyone know for sure? Thanks!

Yes the ferry is a short walk. Is your start time for the ship excursion still listed at 8:10? I was going to take the ferry to beat the crowd, but I've heard from Getaway passengers since the port time change that they moved the start time up. I may just take the ship excursion.

 

I also e-mailed Speedy's to see how tough it would be to get a spot on the 7:45, but haven't heard back yet.

 

You'll love the Baths.

I'm actually going there on my own. NCL excursion is more than double that price.

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Yes you will want the 12:40

BTW, how far is the ferry terminal from cruise ship terminal in Tortola? Is it walking distance? Thanks!

You could also consider doing a cruise to The Baths offered by your ship.

Might be better timing and less stressful for you. :)

 

LuLu

I did consider this option, but the cost is more than double.:(

The Getaway is there on Wed and the return ferry (Speedy's) is at 12:40 as you said. However Smith's has a 2:15 return that will give you an additional 2 hours on VG. It costa $40pp round trip vs the $30 using one ferry, but that extra 2 hours is like gold. So we would go on our own and take advantage of that.

 

One note - http://www.cruisett.com has the Getaway scheduled from 8 - 4 so not sure if you're there to make the 7:45 ferry? But if so the 2:15 return (arrive RT 2:45) works well for you. Again, no worries on the return ferries because they add ferries as needed. But try to make the 7:15 early. If you're not there in time the next ferry is Speedy's 9 am ferry which still gives you 4.5 on VG.

Enjoy your day!😀

NCL itinerary is 7am-3pm. So I'd think that's more accurate than cruisett? That said, speedy's 7:45am departure should be perfect. But 2:45 return via Smith's is probably too stressful?

They will offer the kids menu complimentary.

 

But here's what I do: At 5 pm take kid to buffet and stuff it full. Go back to room with dessert plate and let kid eat it while watching TV. Get dressed. At 7:30, drop kid off at kids club. Go to 7:45 reservation at Le Bistro and enjoy a peaceful adult meal.

 

It is nice to be leisurely sometimes, especially when wine is involved. ;)

I'd love to be able to do that! However, I'm not sure how our little one would react when she can't see us. We tried many times at friends parties, she would play with other kids and we'd step out to the backyard or something. Once she finds out we're not in sight, she would drop everything she's doing and starts looking for us while crying. :(

But I heard good things about the kids program, we'll definitely give it a shot or two!!!

We have a 3yr old and she could probably just share what we order.

We'll be there in Oct via NCL Getaway from 7am to 3pm. We're planning to go to the Baths on our own by taking the Speedy's ferry. It departs 7:45am, and the only return time that would work is 12:40pm in order to make our 3pm ship departure. Is this too tight of a schedule?

Also do the ferries ever run full and can't take more passengers? I'm worried that the 12:40pm return ferry might get full and we're left behind.

Thanks!

iConcierge texting? That's interesting. I like the idea (being in the IT field) but this type of vacation is literally the only way I can get away from the office and turn the phone off.

 

We're traveling on the Norwegian Dawn. Does the iConcierge texting work aboard that vessel?

 

Stateroom phones are decent, but you would need to get to a phone in order to use it. Sometimes you're just walking by the room and want to leave a note. Or you don't want to wake someone by calling the room.

 

Magnetic whiteboards at Job Lot for $3 might be the trick I'm looking for!

I'm not sure if the Dawn has the iConcierge, but if it does, your phone will get texts only using the ship wifi. It will not give you voice or text services through your carrier. Basically, your phone is only good for texting between friends who are also on board and have iConcierge plus the other features in the iConcierge app like tracking your spendings, booking shows, dailies... And you have to pay $8 for this service.

I heard traffic could be bad so trying to gauge how soon to leave for port. And is cab the fastest way?

We're sailing on Saturday out of Port of Miami and we're flying in on Thursday evening. Originally, I was planning on going to the alligator park and do the air boat. But I always wanted to check out KW. Should we do that on Friday?

We'd like to go to the Baths and see what it's all about. But is it doable for a 3.5 year old toddler? How long is the hike down and is it strenuous? I can bring a carrier and carry her on my back if need be.

Book in advance, pay in advance.

 

Book on board, use shipboard credit.

 

Logical.

not everything you book in advance requires paying in advance. It's not as logical as you think.

Because we wanted the UBP and you needed an ocean view or higher. Plus it was only $50 more a person to have the ocean view. We had an inside stateroom last December and it was fine but alittle too cramped for us. If I had to do an inside again I wouldn't even think twice and take it.

makes sense. Balcony is super important to us as we love to sit on the balcony and look at the ocean and have a beer or two(in private).:)

whatever floats your boat I guess...;)

You can only use your shipboard credit for things you book on the ship.

for advance bookings, it's prepaid then or do you pay on ship?

I want to book the Illusionarium on the Getaway, but it's asking for payment info. I'd like to use my shipboard credit.:confused:

We have a guaranteed ocean view. Yes I am happy with where we are at. We are on the 5th deck in the back of the boat. We personally don't need or want a balcony or suite or haven. Why pay for that when you are just sleeping in the room?

Then why even an ocean view??? Inside would have been perfectly fine for you?

We'll be going in Oct, any insight would be greatly appreciated!:)

When are you going???

We're there on 10/09 via the getaway.