louva Posted July 18, 2011 #1 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Hi everyone, Gosh I have so many questions. I hope someone can help me with all my dumb questions. :rolleyes: First question! 1. We are going to Porto Rico, Barbados, St.Lucia, St. John's, St. Maarten, St. Thomas. I have heard that the ship's excursions are not worth it. We would like to snorkel / maybe dive, Swim with the turtles, See monkey and other wonders. Any idea's what to do where? and where would I find other excursions to pre set up if I can? 2. If your out swimming and doing things where you can't bring your money or cameras what do you do with them where there safe? Oh I know I am such a first timer :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johneeo Posted July 18, 2011 #2 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Hi everyone, Gosh I have so many questions. I hope someone can help me with all my dumb questions. :rolleyes: First question!1. We are going to Porto Rico, Barbados, St.Lucia, St. John's, St. Maarten, St. Thomas. I have heard that the ship's excursions are not worth it. We would like to snorkel / maybe dive, Swim with the turtles, See monkey and other wonders. Any idea's what to do where? and where would I find other excursions to pre set up if I can? 2. If your out swimming and doing things where you can't bring your money or cameras what do you do with them where there safe? Oh I know I am such a first timer :D Check out the Fury in St. Thomas snorkeling to Buck Island. Cost is about half of the cruise excursion and a very good trip. This is a sailboat, and your stuff is fine on the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irishvisions Posted July 18, 2011 #3 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Wish I could help with all your islands. Unfortunately, I've only been to St. Thomas on your list. Used Godfrey Tours there. Do you have a packing list since it's your first time? Here's one that is pretty complete! @font-face { font-family: "Courier New"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }@font-face { font-family: "Wingdings"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }div.WordSection2 { page: WordSection2; }ol { margin-bottom: 0in; }ul { margin-bottom: 0in; } Cruise Packing List The Basic Essentials Passport!!! Drivers license Credit Cards Phone Cards Emergency Contact information Health insurance card Cruise tickets Flight tickets Travelers checks Copies of travelers checks (3) packed in separate luggage Photo copies of passport/credit cards Cellphone/Charger Cameras/Film Disposable cameras Waterproof cameras Batteries for camera Extra memory cards Watch Sunglasses Snacks for the plane __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Toiletries Shampoo/Conditioner Deodorant Hairspray/Mousse/Gel Hairbrush/Comb ChapStick Lotion/Moisturizer Makeup Toothpaste/Brush/Floss Mouthwash Shaving Cream Razor (checked baggage) Perfume/Cologne Q-Tips Sunscreen Germicidal hand cleaner Bug Repellant Small spray bottle __________________ __________________ __________________ __________________ Small first aid kit *Bandaids *Antibacterial ointment *Tylenol/Motrin *Moleskin for blisters *Anti-diarrhea *Tums/Antacid *Aloe Vera gel *Dramamine *Eye drops *Tweezers * Nail Clipper/File Cabin Items Post-It notes Curling Iron Air Freshener Alarm clock Extension Cord Bungee cord Over-door Shoe holder (to hold shoes and essentials) Nightlight __________________ Miscellaneous Rain Gear Duct tape Reading material Journal Ziplock bags Stain stick Scuba Mask/Snorkel/Fins Beach towels Crushed dog biscuits (to feed/attract fish at the beach) or dry cereal Travel iron Hat/Visor Tote bag or backpack Fanny pack Pre-Packaged snacks Binoculars CD player/batteries MP3 player/charger Thermal insulated bag Insulated Cup to keep frozen drinks cold Cable ties Corkscrew Cabin door decoration Chlorox Wipes __________________ For ladies Panty hose Sanitary items Jewelry Formal outfits (2) Casual Clothes Dress shoes Cover-up Clear deodorant __________________ __________________ For Gentlemen Suit and tie (2 formal nights) Casual clothes Dress shoes __________________ __________________ For Everyone Sandals/Flip-flops Walking shoes Shorts Long pants, just in case Pajamas Swimsuits __________________ __________________ For Tours, etc. Cash Tips for Porter, Tour Director, Taxi, etc. Money due for all shore excursions __________________ __________________ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteTraveler Posted July 18, 2011 #4 Share Posted July 18, 2011 In the Caribbean, the ship's tours are not a bad deal. The ship's tours that are the worst deals are for overseas cruises - such as in Europe. That said, it is easy to do a google search for each island "Barbados shore excursions" and the websites for the tour companies will come up. Puerto Rico - if you are there at night, go to Biolumenescene Bay. If it is daytime, go ziplining in the rainforest. Barbados - this is the place to snorkel with turtles. Understand you will not be allowed to wear flippers - they scare the turtles. There are monkeys on Barbados, but usually you don't see them unless you run across a local who has captured one and charges for photos with his monkey. If you decide to do this - don't wear earrings, necklace, sunglasses or anything else the monkey may take a liking to and grab onto. St.Lucia - take an all day island tour if you can - they have a volcano you can drive through and a great plantation garden, then they should take you by boat to go snorkeling and see the Pitons. The snokeling is pretty decent down on the beach below Anse Chastenet (resort) St. John - Usually you stop At St. Thomas and take the ferry to St. John. Go to Trunk Bay for snorkeling with a snorkel trail! http://www.stjohnbeachguide.com/Trunk%20Bay.htm St. Thomas: Known for Magen's Bay for a beach day. This is where we took a 1 day scuba class - must be free from illnesses such as high blood pressure to take this. If you have never done scuba before, this is a great place to try it out. Otherwise, most people simply take a taxi into town and go shopping and eat lunch by the water and oogle the amazing yachts! St. Maarten: Easiest place to get to the beach. Walk down the pier, turn left, walk onto the water taxi stand, buy bracelets for the day and take the water taxi right over to the town and beach. You can shop, relax on the beach, hit the bars - whatever strikes your fancy. Alternatively, head for Orient Beach where you can snorkel. Remember St. Maarten's time is an hour earlier than the ship's time - be sure you know what time it is on St. Maarten. If you are doing a tour, it will leave at St. Maarten's local time. If you buy a ship's tour, the tickets will tell you the correct time to meet per ships time - which may vary from what is on your schedule that you print from the cruiseship's website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted July 18, 2011 #5 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I think it's a good idea for first time cruisers to book at least a few of the ship's tours. Until you get 'into the swing' of cruising and get comfortable about going off on your own, you have the safety net of the ship sponsored tours being sure the ship doesn't leave without you. We are very experienced cruisers and still sometimes would do a ship's tour rather than our own. Sometimes saving a few dollars can be very costly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treven Posted July 18, 2011 #6 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I whole heartedly agree that as a beginning cruiser, take the ship sponsored excursions. As was said, if you're late for whatever reason, the ship will wait for you. :) If you are onyour own & have mechanical problems or any other problem that gets you back late, the ship will have gone :eek:; and left you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STARFISH*4 Posted July 18, 2011 #7 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I think it's a good idea for first time cruisers to book at least a few of the ship's tours. Until you get 'into the swing' of cruising and get comfortable about going off on your own, you have the safety net of the ship sponsored tours being sure the ship doesn't leave without you. We are very experienced cruisers and still sometimes would do a ship's tour rather than our own. Sometimes saving a few dollars can be very costly. GREAT ADVICE!! also check out the PORTS OF CALL boards for your ports and check your cruiseline for excursions offered. ENJOY:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie J. Posted July 18, 2011 #8 Share Posted July 18, 2011 We are snorkelers and do our own thing. Go to beaches, not boats, to snorkeling spots. We only take a few $$$ ashore, a credit card and throw a way camera. The camera is an underwater one so I can take pictures snorkeling or above water. Leave your good camera on the ship if you are not going to have it with you all the time you are ashore. We leave everything in our beach bag on the beach. Jamacia is the only place we had someone watch our stuff. On any snorkeling by boat it is fine to leave it on the boat. Irishvisions must take a trunk with all the things he lists. WE have been cruising since the 80's, 60-70 cruises so far (we are now retired!) and cruise 7 days with two carry on size suitcases. On a lot of ships VERY few dress for formal nights now. My husband takes 2 or 3 pairs of Dockers. Who is going to know/realize he wore those pants two nights ago? He does not need 7 pairs of pants! He takes shoes for day time amnd shoes for nighttime. We very rarely take my gown and his tux. I take white heels and navy heels for night time and sandlels and beach water shoes for daytime. They say to put everything on your bed then take 1/2 of it. But with all our cruises we still bring something we didn't wear home! You will take more than you need but don't worry about that. After many, many cruises you won't take as much but will still take something you won't wear! Jst have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louva Posted July 18, 2011 Author #9 Share Posted July 18, 2011 You all have such great Ideas and so much info for me. I can't thank you all enough. Thank you, Thank you!!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted July 18, 2011 #10 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Welcome to CC, Louva. :) Happy you found us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTLcruisers Posted July 19, 2011 #11 Share Posted July 19, 2011 After visiting St Maarten many times and leaving way too much $$ in the jewelry shops, we decided to take a tour and found Bernard's Tours. He offers a great tour which includes: Photo stop at Oyster Pond over looking the island of St Barths; about 2 hrs at Orient Beach; stop at Marigot open market (French Capital); Sunset Beach bar ( Maho Beach ) where you can see the planes land right over your head - VERY COOL (check out You Tube for some videos); Cayhill overlooking Simpson Bay marina AND Great Bay overlooking Phillipsburg and harbor. Tour was only $40 per person - we were picked up right at the pier - they had drinks in the van - water, soda, beer. It was really a great day and I'd highly recommend him. Marianne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDebbie Posted July 19, 2011 #12 Share Posted July 19, 2011 In St Martins we always spend the day watching the airplanes, DH's favorite spot on earth. As for the others I also suggest checking out the Ports threads where you will get lots of ideas and prices. You can then compare to the ship's prices. Don't forget to join your roll call where you may be able to join some of your fellow more experienced cruisers on some excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie J. Posted July 19, 2011 #13 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Just so you know, Orient beach in St. Maartin is a nude beach. But cabs usually drop you off where most bathers are clothed but you can still see nude men & women who are just walking the beach. We take the local buses (large vans) in St. Maartin to the beaches, Marginot, the French capitol or just to see the island. However the local buses do not go to Orient beach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johneeo Posted July 19, 2011 #14 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Just so you know, Orient beach in St. Maartin is a nude beach. But cabs usually drop you off where most bathers are clothed but you can still see nude men & women who are just walking the beach.We take the local buses (large vans) in St. Maartin to the beaches, Marginot, the French capitol or just to see the island. However the local buses do not go to Orient beach. Just so you know, Club Orient at the southern most end is the nude beach. We were on Orient, specifically in June at Orange Fever, and we did not see a single bit of nudity. Somewhat disappointing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie J. Posted July 19, 2011 #15 Share Posted July 19, 2011 When we were there a nude man and his nude wife (?) walked past us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted July 19, 2011 #16 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Welcome to Cruise Critic. What ship will you be on? We are not novice cruisers. But when we go to a new port -- we prefer to book the ship's excursion -- once we know a port -- then we do things on our own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louva Posted July 19, 2011 Author #17 Share Posted July 19, 2011 We will be on the Celebrity Summit. I hope this is a good ship:o Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipgeeks Posted July 19, 2011 #18 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Welcome to the world of cruising. I bet you will get hooked, like the rest of us. Re safeguarding stuff while snorkeling, we use AquaBoxes - little plastic fanny packs which are watertight. We wear them right into the water. Carry our room keys and some cash. Disposable underwater camera just stays on my wrist. That's about all I take - if I leave sunblock, comb, hat on my beach towel and they get nabbed (has never happened), it's not the end of the world. St. Maarten has a beautiful, clean beach within walking distance of the port. Just walk through the "market" at the port, and follow the sidewalk to town. 15-minute walk, and a wonderful beach, plus lots of cafes and stalls, if you want them. No need to book a tour. Celebrity should be a wonderful cruise. Enjoy every minute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louva Posted July 20, 2011 Author #19 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Wow more great Idea's. Thanks so much. Ok what is a "roll call" and where do you find Aquaboxes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie J. Posted July 20, 2011 #20 Share Posted July 20, 2011 The roll call is here on the 'boards' of cruisecritic. You click on your cruise line then your ship. Then look for the date you are sailing. This is where you'll find others going on the same cruise. You can email each other for questions, answers, tours to take together, etc., etc. Usually a Meet & Greet is planned. This is when everyone on the Roll Call - or most- get together and meet each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach spring Posted July 20, 2011 #21 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Louva, I know you will have a great time. We have done Carib. several times and loved Celebrity. Here is a suggestion that works for us: assuming you will be packing a suitcase apiece, put half of your items in one and half in the other, and vice versa. That way, should one "wander" and not show up on the baggage carousel at airport, you will still have at least something to wear. I like to divide up the formal/informal/business casual etc. among the two checked bags and also some of each "type" apparel in the carryons. Also, you probably know this but it bears repeating, DO NOT put anything essential in a checked bag, such as prescriptions, lenses, camera, IDs, etc. Bon voyage!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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