Big THANK YOU to Viking Ocean Cruises!

You came through for me!

After numerous phone calls with little information about our stop in St Kitts, I was beginning to think DH and I would not get to ride the St Kitt's Scenic Railway, but I went back in to check the excursions I had booked this morning (at 3:00 am, mind you :eek: ) and low and behold there are excursions for St Kitts! Whoo Hoo and the Scenic Railway is one of them - we two train buffs are very happy campers!

So looking forward to this cruise! We got all of the other excursions we wanted so we will have lots of fun adventures!

I do wish to mention that the excursion runs from 2:00-5:00 and our calendar says the ship leaves at 4:30pm! :eek: I do hope you plan to wait for us! I think it's a long swim to St Lucia!

So glad you got the scenic railway excursion for your upcoming cruise.

It has been dicey these past months when we have been trying to figure out all the various elements of a cruise from San Juan.

Good to see "when a plan finally comes together " :D

Love when vacation plans work out!

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WooHoo!

The Caribbean has been a dicey sailing season - so glad it worked out great for you!

Sounds like the West Indies Explorer itinerary. We just booked this for March 2019. This will be my 29th Cruise, most on Celebrity and the first on VO. Are their any Catamaran sail and snorkel trip excursions for any of the ports? We have been to all of these ports and know our way around and our favorite beaches, but we always love to do a few sailing trips. Other than on Barbados, they are not too easy to set up independently.

Sounds like the West Indies Explorer itinerary. We just booked this for March 2019. This will be my 29th Cruise, most on Celebrity and the first on VO. Are their any Catamaran sail and snorkel trip excursions for any of the ports? We have been to all of these ports and know our way around and our favorite beaches, but we always love to do a few sailing trips. Other than on Barbados, they are not too easy to set up independently.

Barbara, Hope this helps? :cool:

Here’s a sampling of Catamaran sail and snorkel trip excursions from our March 2018 West IndiesExplorer Cruise. A couple of Kayaking,submarine, Glass Bottom Boat and Helmet Diving excursions are also available.

Keep in mind these may change from your 2019 Cruise.

Excuse sp and format errors with spacing from cutp-paste as I wouldn’t retype all of this. J

Enjoy your 1st VO.

We’re excited for our 4th Viking adventure 2nd on the VO Sea in March.

Bob & Margie

St.Croix exchanged from (Tortola)

Buck Island Snorkel: Experiencethe serenity and natural beauty of Buck Island while snorkeling its majesticcoral reef. Located off the northeast coast of St. Croix, Buck Island is thecenterpiece of a US National Monument and has been called “one of the finestmarine gardens in the Caribbean Sea.” Take a scenic drive to Christiansted,where you will embark by powerboat for Buck Island. Upon arrival at Buck IslandBeach, you will receive your snorkeling gear and a lesson. Spend timepracticing before heading to the coral reef. Submerged belong pristine blue water;this 18-mile long barrier reef is home to more than 250 species of marine life.Follow the marked underwater trail while swimming among colorful Elkhorn coral,spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks and sea turtles—submerged plagues along yourroute detail the life swimming around you. Once you have finished snorkeling,enjoy a soda or rum punch on your cruise back to port. $109 pp

St.Kitts

St Kitts’s Sister Island: Discoverthe lush botanical gardens and fascinating history of St Kitts’s sister island,Nevis. You will travel by coach through the beautiful Frigate Bay region to theSouth East Peninsula, where your private water taxi awaits. Then, you willcross to Oualie Beach on the island of Nevis where you will be welcomed by yourknowledgeable guide and board your ride to the capital city of Charlestown.Here, you will visit the two-story Georgian style building that was thebirthplace of Alexander Hamilton – First Treasurer of the United States. Get aglimpse of Caribbean life and architecture on the drive to the BotanicalGardens, which offers eight acres of the most diversified planted tropicallandscape to be found in the islands. Enjoy time to relax on the beach and aprivate sampling of cocktails accompanied by a variety of hors-d’oeuvres at thesecluded Yachtsman Grill on the beach overlooking the Caribbean Sea, beforereturning to your ship. $209 pp

St.Lucia (Castries)

St. Lucia by Sea: Experiencecultural and natural wonders of this island paradise from a coastalperspective. Embark by catamaran for a scenic cruise south along St. Lucia’swestern coast to Soufriere Bay and the iconic Pitons, a UNESCO World HeritageSite. These two magnificent volcanic spires bookend Jalousie Bay and are morethan 2,400 feet tall. After a photo stop, continue to Soufriere Bay. There,disembark and head through this quaint town to the Morne Coubaril Estate, a17th-century plantation in the heart of the Pitons. Enjoy guided tour of theestate and a delicious Creole buffet lunch. Afterward, meet your catamaran fora cruise up St. Lucia's rugged west coast on turquoise waters. En route back toyour ship, you will stop at one of the scenic bays for a swim, then continue onto Marigot Bay before returning to port. $109 pp

Ladera Resort by Sail: Let warm Caribbean breezes carry you to one of St. Lucia’s mostexclusive resorts during our private outing. You will embark your sailingvessel near our berth and sit back as your sailboat skims the azure waters,taking in the magnificent vistas of Marigot Bay. As you sail along the coast,the magnificent Pitons appear, a pair of towering conical peaks standing watchover the sea. You will dock at Soufriere Bay and take a short coach ride to theLadera Resort. Nestled in the midst of a breathtaking UNESCO World HeritageSite, you will enjoy a tour of the beautiful gardens followed by lunch beforere-joining your vessel for a cruise along the coast to a scenic bay. Here, youcan spend free time to swim or relax on the shoreline and soak up the sunshine.Finally you will sail back to Castries and your awaiting ship. $199 pp

Bridgetown,Barbados

Luxury Catamaran Tour: Indulge in a relaxing day on adeluxe catamaran in the clear blue waters off western Barbados. The bays andcoves here are ideal for snorkeling, abundant in rich coral reefs, sea fans,barrel sponges, vibrant tropical fish and more, all of them thriving in warmcrystalline waters. Transfer with your guide to your beautifully appointedcatamaran. You will meet the friendly, enthusiastic crew and get underway,admiring the lush shores and white-sand beaches as you follow the resort-linedcoast to a secluded bay. You will have time to soak up the sun here, or you maysnorkel in this prime spot. Sea turtles frequent these calm sheltered waters,so you might have a chance to swim with them, a singularly peaceful experience.Your excursion includes lunch on board. Note that guests should be physicallyfit, able to swim in currents and familiar with snorkeling equipment toparticipate. $159 pp

Guadeloupe(Point-A-Pitre)

Underwater World of Guadeloupe: Climb on board a zodiac or amotor catamaran to discover the Salty River’s Mangrove Forest. On your journey,admire the beauty of your surroundings and look out for local wildlife as youcontinue on to Le Grand-Cul-de-Sac-Marine, and arrive at the Marine Reserve’sCoral Reef. Guadeloupe Marine Reserve is a UNESCO Biosphere World Reserve, andis renowned for its crystal clear waters and colorful marine life, making it anideal location for snorkeling. At this vast nature sanctuary, keep your eyespeeled for turtles, reef fish, corals, starfish, and coastal mangroves. Thereare also two wrecks and four small islands to explore, including the newest,îlet Blanc, created by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Your knowledgeable guides willlead you through the coral reefs. Be inspired as your certified marinebiologists lead you on this stunning ecological underwater tour. $99

St.John’s, Antigua

Catamaran Cruise & Lobster Lunch: Take a luxurious sailon a state-of-the-art catamaran, with stopping to enjoy two beaches and alobster lunch. You will meet your welcoming and enthusiastic crew and head offonto azure Caribbean waters, passing the white-sand beaches and resorts ofAntigua. Moor in Deep Bay on the northwest coast, one of the island’s bestsnorkeling spots, where you can discover underwater wonders or walk to explore,accompanied by the sweet sound of Caribbean music, complimentary drinks andwarm sea breezes. $149 pp

St.Martin (Philipsburg)

Tranquil Turqouise Water Snorkeling:

on this leisurelysail for both beginners and experienced snorkelers, along the south coast. Youwill transfer from our berth to Simpson Bay, adjacent to the eponymous lagoon,one of the largest in the West Indies. The bay is also known for the PrincessJuliana International Airport, which rests on the isthmus between the bay and thelagoon. With its runway so close to the water, jets must fly very low over thebeach to land here. You will embark

your catamaran and set sail, hugging the coast to Pelican Reef.Moor here to snorkel for a while with your provided gear, spotting a colorfularray of tropical fish, vibrantly hued coral and perhaps sea turtles. Later,continue your sail up to Mullet Bay, framed by a stunning crescent beach linedwith palm trees and blessed with clear turquoise waters. Complimentary drinkswill be available on board the catamaran. $79 pp

Sail to Anguilla: Embark a luxury sailing vessel for atropical island visit and lunch on its Caribbean shores. You will be welcomedby your captain and crew on board with chilled champagne. Relax in comfort asyou set sail on a scenic cruise, crossing the Anguilla Channel as the Caribbeansun glitters on azure waters around you. Your captain will drop anchor just offshore in shallow waters by one of the islands unspoiled, remote, pristine,sandy beaches. Enjoy several hours in paradise as you snorkel in crystal clearwaters in search of darting fish and graceful sea turtles, wade to the beach tosoak up the sun, or swim as you wish. On your next island stop, a deliciouslunch will be served at a local beachside restaurant of fresh fish, grilledmeats and traditional Caribbean accompaniments. After lunch, relax in luxury asyou sip champagne on your return journey to the ship. $249 pp

America’s Cup 12-Meter Regatta: Copilot a multimillion-dollarboat during a simulated “America’s Cup” race. This is a once-in-a-lifetimeopportunity to experience firsthand the thrill of speeding along on blueCaribbean waters. You will meet your captain’s dockside and Viking guests willbe divided into teams. After a brief introduction, you will tender out to yourwaiting yacht. There, the experienced crew will review your specific task withyou, then you and your fellow racers are off to win the day’s cup. The raceunfolds on a shortened course that simulates the official ones, the start ofeach new leg flagged by a marker. Your crew will do most of the piloting andbring the boat to speeds you have never experienced, but your role is no lesscritical to ensuring you claim victory. By race’s end, you’re all winners forhaving shared an exhilarating experience and you will celebrate with a rumpunch party dockside. $104 pp

St. Thomas, (Charlotte Amalie)

Shipwreck & Turtle Cove Snorkel: Sail to two magnificentsnorkeling sites on board a first-class, million-dollar catamaran. Afterboarding your vessel, you will sail in the beautiful waters along thespectacular south coast of St. Thomas. A covered main cabin keeps you out ofthe sun if you so prefer, and wide-open sundecks give you ample space to movearound. You will moor at two sites and enjoy a total of 90 minutes ofsnorkeling. The friendly, experienced crew will snorkel with you, pointing outthe wondrous sights below. At Shipwreck Cove, you will swim over an old sunkenship, encrusted with coral that attracts all species of tropical fish. At TurtleCove, you might be able to swim with the turtles and rays, a thrillingexperience if wildlife is present. Enjoy the ship’s complimentary snacks andopen bar as you sail, sipping champagne and rum drinks after snorkeling. Notethat you must be physically fit to participate in this excursion. $79 pp

St. John National Park Champagne Catamaran Sail: Visitthe most pristine of the US Virgin Islands on a leisurely sail onboard acustom-designed catamaran. You will transfer along the scenic south coast ofSt. Thomas to a charming marina and board your sailing catamaran, receivingwarm greetings from your friendly guides. Set off along the east end of St.Thomas, crossing Pillsbury Sound while gazing upon distant shores. You willmoor at picturesque Honeymoon Beach, a palm-fringed paradise located within theNational Park System of St. John. Enjoy a walk along the beach or relax underthe palms. Freshly baked breads, cheeses, fruits and beverages are on board;champagne and other drinks are available after swimming. Following a relaxingstay in this special spot, sail back to St. Thomas with tropical breezes atyour back. $99 pp

Sounds like the West Indies Explorer itinerary. We just booked this for March 2019. This will be my 29th Cruise, most on Celebrity and the first on VO. Are their any Catamaran sail and snorkel trip excursions for any of the ports? We have been to all of these ports and know our way around and our favorite beaches, but we always love to do a few sailing trips. Other than on Barbados, they are not too easy to set up independently.

We signed up for a couple of the catamaran sails bcorre2 outlined for you. We don’t snorkel but we do enjoy the sail. I have been thinking of getting one of those full face masks. If I do, I’ll give it a try.

I must say that Viking takes good care of you. We got the email today for our Explorer Society gift. I selected the packing cube and the set of 3 pouches. I’m ready for our cruise!

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Sounds like the West Indies Explorer itinerary. We just booked this for March 2019. This will be my 29th Cruise, most on Celebrity and the first on VO. Are their any Catamaran sail and snorkel trip excursions for any of the ports? We have been to all of these ports and know our way around and our favorite beaches, but we always love to do a few sailing trips. Other than on Barbados, they are not too easy to set up independently.

We are on the West Indies Explorer itinerary departing this Friday. There are plenty of catamaran sail & snorkel excursion opportunities. Please see the details below from myvikingjourney. There is also one other that doesn't mention a catamaran specifically - it just says luxury sailing vessel. We have a few of these booked.

Day 4 - St. Kitts - Nevis Sail Away ($99 Per Person)

Spend the day sailing and snorkeling in glass-clear waters, amid emerald isles rising dramatically from the sea. You will meet your “maxi-cat” vessel, a large and sleek catamaran, and sail into the blue Caribbean under the watch of the mountains and beaches of St. Kitts. Gentle trade winds deliver you to a sheltered cliff-side cove, where you will don your provided snorkeling gear and swim among a colorful array of tropical fish, volcanic rock formations, sea fans and sponges. Later, sail across The Narrows, a two-mile long channel between St. Kitts and its sister island of Nevis. At Pinney’s Beach, three spectacular miles of soft sand, Mount Nevis towers above as you break for lunch on board or on shore. After a fresh and satisfying meal, you may swim, beach-comb and relax in the warm sun before your catamaran takes you back to your ship.

Day 5 - St. Lucia - St. Lucia by Sea ($109 Per Person)

Experience cultural and natural wonders of this island paradise from a coastal perspective. Embark by catamaran for a scenic cruise south along St. Lucia’s western coast to Soufriere Bay and the iconic Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These two magnificent volcanic spires bookend Jalousie Bay and are more than 2,400 feet tall. After a photo stop, continue to Soufriere Bay. There, disembark and head through this quaint town to the Morne Coubaril Estate, a 17th-century plantation in the heart of the Pitons. Enjoy guided tour of the estate and a delicious Creole buffet lunch. Afterward, meet your catamaran for a cruise up St. Lucia's rugged west coast on turquoise waters. En route back to your ship, you will stop at one of the scenic bays for a swim, then continue on to Marigot Bay before returning to port.

Day 6 - Barbados - Luxury Catamaran Tour ($159 Per Person)

Indulge in a relaxing day on a deluxe catamaran in the clear blue waters off western Barbados. The bays and coves here are ideal for snorkeling, abundant in rich coral reefs, sea fans, barrel sponges, vibrant tropical fish and more, all of them thriving in warm crystalline waters. Transfer with your guide to your beautifully appointed catamaran. You will meet the friendly, enthusiastic crew and get underway, admiring the lush shores and white-sand beaches as you follow the resort-lined coast to a secluded bay. You will have time to soak up the sun here, or you may snorkel in this prime spot. Sea turtles frequent these calm sheltered waters, so you might have a chance to swim with them, a singularly peaceful experience. Your excursion includes lunch on board. Note that guests should be physically fit, able to swim in currents and familiar with snorkeling equipment to participate.

Day 8 - Antigua - Antigua by Sea & Land ($129 Per Person)

Take in Antigua’s fascinating culture and history and its coastal beauty. Begin with a drive into Antigua’s lush tropical countryside where everyday West Indian village life and culture unfolds. Follow the rolling hills to English Harbor in the south, passing a magnificent vista of Falmouth Harbor along the way. You will tour Nelson’s Dockyard, the naval base for the Crown in the 18th century. Today, its remarkably preserved buildings comprise the only remaining Georgian dockyard in the world. After a tour and free time in the museum, continue to Dow’s Hill Interpretation Center at Shirley Heights. Here, a multimedia presentation traces the island’s history. From atop Shirley Heights, marvel at sweeping island views. Continue along Fig Tree Drive into Antigua’s lush rainforest, where you will embark a sleek catamaran to sail back to St. John’s, passing picturesque beaches and pausing to snorkel among stunning coral reefs along the way.

Day 8 - Antigua - Catamaran Cruise & Lobster Lunch ($149 Per Person)

Take a luxurious sail on a state-of-the-art catamaran, with stopping to enjoy two beaches and a lobster lunch. You will meet your welcoming and enthusiastic crew and head off onto azure Caribbean waters, passing the white-sand beaches and resorts of Antigua. Moor in Deep Bay on the northwest coast, one of the island’s best snorkeling spots, where you can discover underwater wonders or walk to explore, accompanied by the sweet sound of Caribbean music, complimentary drinks and warm sea breezes.

Day 9 - St Maarten - Tranquil Turqouise Water Snorkling ($79 Per Person)

Join this leisurely sail for both beginners and experienced snorkelers, along the south coast. You will transfer from our berth to Simpson Bay, adjacent to the eponymous lagoon, one of the largest in the West Indies. The bay is also known for the Princess Juliana International Airport, which rests on the isthmus between the bay and the lagoon. With its runway so close to the water, jets must fly very low over the beach to land here. You will embark your catamaran and set sail, hugging the coast to Pelican Reef. Moor here to snorkel for a while with your provided gear, spotting a colorful array of tropical fish, vibrantly hued coral and perhaps sea turtles. Later, continue your sail up to Mullet Bay, framed by a stunning crescent beach lined with palm trees and blessed with clear turquoise waters. Complimentary drinks will be available on board the catamaran.

Day 10 - St. Thomas - Shipwreck & Turtle Cove Snorkel ($79 Per Person)

Sail to two magnificent snorkeling sites on board a first-class, million-dollar catamaran. After boarding your vessel, you will sail in the beautiful waters along the spectacular south coast of St. Thomas. A covered main cabin keeps you out of the sun if you so prefer, and wide-open sundecks give you ample space to move around. You will moor at two sites and enjoy a total of 90 minutes of snorkeling. The friendly, experienced crew will snorkel with you, pointing out the wondrous sights below. At Shipwreck Cove, you will swim over an old sunken ship, encrusted with coral that attracts all species of tropical fish. At Turtle Cove, you might be able to swim with the turtles and rays, a thrilling experience if wildlife is present. Enjoy the ship’s complimentary snacks and open bar as you sail, sipping champagne and rum drinks after snorkeling. Note that you must be physically fit to participate in this excursion.

Hope that helps some.

Tim

Sounds like the West Indies Explorer itinerary. We just booked this for March 2019. This will be my 29th Cruise, most on Celebrity and the first on VO. Are their any Catamaran sail and snorkel trip excursions for any of the ports? We have been to all of these ports and know our way around and our favorite beaches, but we always love to do a few sailing trips. Other than on Barbados, they are not too easy to set up independently.

As listed above, Viking offers quite a few. We find that the optional excursions Viking offers are reasonably priced. We did mostly the included ones on our river cruise, but this is a whole different set up, so we booked quite a few of the optional one.

Woo Hoo! Awesome!