toes_in_sand

Does anyone know where we can prepay our gratuities and add our credit card information to the booking?

The MSC for Me app doesn't appear to be working. I does not recognize my # number. Anyone else having the same issues?

On 1/17/2020 at 10:05 AM, Tracy Po said:

Guys. GUYS. Someone on that big social media site figured out how we can book excursions on the US site! He took a couple screenshots to share his discovery.

 

Step #2 (erasing browser history) is vital: it won’t work otherwise.

 

Hat tip to Sylvain Despelteau!

This is a complete game changer! Thank you so much for posting this!!!

Happy Friday All!

We have a group of 12 cruising on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas in November of 2018. One of our stops during our cruise is St. Kitts. We are all seasoned cruisers, but St. Kitts will be a new port for all of us.

We noticed that Royal Caribbean offers an Island History and Rum Tasting tour. We are interested in doing an Island Tour similar to this, but do not want to book through the cruise line.

In our research of other tour operators, we have either found more robust Island Tours OR more limited tours with the Rum Tasting, but not quite what we are looking for.

1. Will we have enough time to do a solid Island Tour (Romney Manor, Brimstone Hill Fortress, Basseterre, etc) and the Rum Tasting?

2. Do any of the island tour operators offer more of a build your own tour experience?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!

-Rebecca

A quick google search- rum tours St Kitts brought up a few tour operators that offer the tour that you are looking for. Email them to find out if they can put together a tour for your group

Will someone please post contact information of a good guide who provided a tour for $25. The ones I spoke with wants the same that is on their website. I have a group of 30 to 35. We are willing to split up.

 

Is there a fee for Timothy Hill?

I know a few safari truck vendors, judging from the size of your group you will need 2 trucks. Will send you some email addresses once I get them.

The best place for seaglass that is walking distance from the port is the stretch of beach just past the ferry terminal and the guys who clean and sell the fresh caught fish. Less than a 10 minute walk from the port.

I found a beautiful turquoise piece approx. 4 inches in length a few weeks back. The beach is hit or miss and depends on what the high tide brings up. Lots of green, white and brown pieces, but I have found cobalt blues/ aqua and pottery pieces in the past.

The other place is by Ross University, but it is very difficult to get to. Also I've heard that medical waste is dumped in that area as it is close to the hospital and this is from a seaglass jewellery designer living on the island fulltime.

Annie does a great tour, takes her time and explains everything about the island. Ask for Annie herself if you contact her. She does have her husband and others do tours as well

The only companies that I know of that use the coaster buses is through the cruise line excursions (Kantours)

Many of the tour operators have multiple vehicles or open air safaris. Depending on when you are arriving, you may want to book something sooner rather than later especially for a group your size.

Sue

Never used her, but I found this post a few pages in tps://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2180225

No matter how positive a blog appears, for whatever reason, the beach experience is entirely a personal one.

 

Many have been driven away from Carambola, et al, by Herds and Towles, and headed to Sunshine's, where discerning cruises are now found . Suggest you head there in future.

Sunshines? That bar is on Nevis not on St Kitts. Until the ferry times improve to accommodate the cruise passengers, Nevis is generally not doable for a cruise passenger that is visiting St Kitts for the day. The ferry times are set by private ferry companies not managed by the government. Ferry times have improved over the past few years, but cruisers are running a risk popping over to Nevis for the day in hopes that the 3:00 PM return ferry is running on time.

Also, referring to people as 'Herds and Towles' is also very disrespectful. It is their choice if they wish to lie on their towels on the beach. One should not be so judgmental as you do not know their story.

Just to chime in, been on and off the island for a few years now as 2 of the kids go to school here and I'm semi retired and live on the island during the school year when I can.

Did a brief stop at Carmabola yesterday ( Monday) yes, there's shipping containers on the left hand side of the restaurant heading towards Shipwreck Beach bar at the far end of the beach. Carmabola is expanding and they are slowly pushing out the small restaurants that were located next to them. Last year Jam Rock was pushed out by Carmabola and had to relocate the restaurant to Frigate Bay. Hence the vacant lot next to Carmabola.

Garbage on the island is an issue, This is an island wide problem and is slowly being addressed through education campaigns and beach clean up days. It has improved over the past few years, but there is still a long way to go to fully clean up the entire island.

My 2 happy places- Shipwreck and Spice Mill. Both are equally great for different reasons.

Spice Mill

Many years ago, we were informed those who book to dine take priority for sun-beds. So we just continued with the practice.

Also, with many ships in port, those who book lunch take priority over those who just arrive unannounced.

I arrived at Spice at 12:00 PM today (Sunday) the restaurant was empty and they were just getting set up for their Sunday brunch buffet. 3 ships in port- 2 small and 1 large ship.

Out of the 100 or so loungers, about a half dozen were occupied. The place did fill up later on in the afternoon with locals and a cruise sponsored group of about 25 guests or so.

In all the years that I've been going to Spice Mill, I've never had a problem getting a lounge chair and at most had to wait a few minutes for a table in the restaurant as we were a larger group.

Roger- the owner, has invested in more chairs and umbrellas over the past few years to accommodate the growing demand of business. While there may have been a shortage of chairs a few years back, that has not been the case for the past 2 years or so.

Roger has also added a second level to the restaurant, future plans are a beer garden, gift shop, a quick grab and go food stop, and I heard a food demonstration kitchen. Hopefully this will all open up in the next coming months.

As an aside, Ottley's is still closed. I heard today it was purchased by the government. Have not heard what the future plans are for the property.

Palm Court Gardens is approximately 15 minutes from the Port, the walk is easy and safe.

The closest beach from the port is Frigate Bay, has everything you are looking for. The next beach over is South Friars, beach is nicer, again mild surf. The nicest beach is Cockleshell Beach which is the furthest away from the port. (approx 25 min. each way by taxi).

Thank you for this, was not aware.

 

Then go for The Spice Mill - Celebrate food with their BBQ Sunday Lunch - Beachside with live music. Informal but fun - Must book well in advance

You don't need reservations for Spice Mill during the day, even on a Sunday. They do offer a Sunday brunch, but you can also order off the regular menu.

You can also look at Shipwreck Bar on South Friars, laid back, cool, lots of ex pats on Sunday. Good food, and chairs are complimentary.

If you are not looking for a beach, Palm Court Gardens is a 15 minute walk from the port. day pass is $12.00 USD - day pass gives you a lounge chair and use of the infinity pool. Food is good but you may want to make a reservation to reserve your chair.

Sue

According to https://www.cruisetimetables.com/visitingbasseterrestkitts-25dec2017.html

6 ships will be in port that day.

I've been on the food tour a few years back when Lorna first arrived to the island (highly recommend).

Getting to know her, she only uses the best people on the island for her tours. She is a Canadian and a travel agent, so she 'gets' us cruisers and what we want out of our tours.

Have you reached out to her?

Toes

How strenuous is the rainforest tour? We're in our late 60s and like to walk, but I don't like slippery rocks. It sounds beautiful.

I have never done it, due to bad knee/ ankle, but I've had friends that have done it. It is very strenuous especially coming down the hill. I would contact the tour operator directly as they will be the best person to answer your questions and explain in detail what the tour entails.

Try the Rum Barrel Bar. It is about 160 yards straight north of the arrivals building.

The Rum Barrel changed hands back in January and is now named Cheers. Very easy to find while you are in port.

Yes, plenty of SEAWEED - not worth the charge of $35/pp for their day-pass

I have to agree with you. The day pass at the Marriott is a rip off, while the beach is nice, you're not able to really enjoy the ocean. Pretty to look at, but not safe to go in.

There is no all inclusive drink package deals on the island, you have to keep in mind that the island is not very progressive in its way of thinking and marketing.

You may try and contact Ocean Terrace Inn, I heard they were trying to get a day pass going. They are located in town and not close to the beach, but they have a beautiful pool.

Thanks! Since snorkeling isn't great and the beach you suggested will probably be crowded..what else is there to do on St. Kitts?

Not sure why you are assuming that. South Friars beach is not an overly crowded beach. It will also depend on how many ships are in port that day. If there's 1 or 2 you will be fine. Most taxi drivers will drop you off at Carambola, as they get a kick back. While the beach and and the building are nice, I would prefer to be dropped off at Shipwreck which is located at the end of the beach. It is rustic, and a good beach vibe. Chairs are free, food is good and the drinks are strong. They also rent snorkelling gear, as the reef is right there.

The black sand is on that portion of the beach, you can start out at Shipwreck and if you don't like it, you can head on over to Carmabola

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2437264

The thread is already on this page. In a nutshell if you are on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity you have to book through the cruise line. Also in my twitter feed/ Facebook feed St Kitts Food Tours is selling the tour to non Royal Caribbean Celebrity guests if I read it correctly.

http://www.stkittsfoodtours.com/tour/st-kitts-chocolate-factory-tour/

All depends what you want to do.

Island Tour? Beach Tour? Food Tour? Walking Tour? Chocolate Tour? Do you want to flop yourself on the beach for the day? Do you want to visit the tourist areas? Are you looking for something different and unique?

Either read the boards and figure out what you want to do or go to Tripadvisor to get some ideas. You provided no information in your likes and dislikes, so we really can't help you until you provide more information.

The best place to experience black sand beaches is South Friars Beach, the black sand is closer to Shipwreck than to Carmabola. The monkey's only come out of the hill side in the late afternoon and come down to get food which the restaurant puts out for them. The beach has improved greatly since last year, seems the erosion has stopped based on the pictures I've seen.

The monkeys in port are all vet checked and have their teeth removed. No idea what happens to their mothers. Most times the monkey vendors will ask before placing the monkeys on you. They wear the green shirts that say PET ME (or something like that).

They are some rogue monkey vendors that are working illegally and they are the ones that will harass you. If the vendors are not wearing ID around their neck then you know they are not authorized to approach you.

With a population of 40,000 people (approx) and over 70,000 monkeys those 'cute little monkeys' are nothing but pests to the locals. They will steal the fruit from the trees and eat your vegetables. They are one of the main reasons why farming is not bountiful on the island, even with the fertile soil.

We did a Food Tour the last year. It was something new and different. We are on the island often as the kid went to school at Ross. It was a lot of fun and we experienced places that we never knew existed. The web site is http://www.stkittsfoodtours.com.

Shipwreck has snorkelling gear available to rent.

Here is my breakdown for all the beaches in St Kitts from a previous post.

St Kitts is not known for their beaches, however depending on what your looking for you can find a beach bar.

Frigate Bay- beach closest to the the port (approx. 10 min taxi ride) $4.00.. USD per person each way. Shared taxi

Bars of interest: Shiggidy Shack and Vibes.

Shiddigy is your rustic bar, good food and drinks. Lounge chairs not the greatest- throwback from the 80/90's . Chairs are free.

Vibes- good food new chairs and umbrellas. Chairs are $5.00 USD Umbrellas are $10

South Friars:

Approx 15 minutes from port, passes over Timothy Hill (picture op.) 2 places of interest: Carmabola and Shipwreck. Shared taxi is $4.00 per person each way

Carmobola is upper scale beach club, food and drink and paid chairs and umbrellas. Most cruise passengers are dropped off there.

Shipwreck- at the opposite end of the beach . Laid back rustic bar, lots of expats. Food is good, monkey sightings and chairs are throwbacks to the 90's but free. The beach part is eroding, but I had friends there last month and they said it wasn't bad at all.

Cockleshell:

Furthest beach on the island, approx 25 minutes from port. Shared taxi is $7.00 per person each way

2 bars:

Reggae- rustic, chairs are throw backs to the 90's. Crowded as most taxis drop their guests off there. Never ate there or stayed too crowded.

Spice Mill - good food and drinks, new chairs and umbrellas $5.00 USD for chairs $10 for umbrellas. Clean bathrooms, showers.

Cockleshell has the best views of Nevis which is right across the narrows.

Hope this helps