Ports of Call: private to cruise book tours in June

[Diggerof4]

This will be our first cruise, leaving June 2013 to the following islands: Philipsburg, St. Marten; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados. This will be probably be our only time we will be able to do this, so we want to make the most out of the short time on shore. It can land or water. We are up for an adventure.

 

Questions: How do we get more bang for our buck? Private tours (there will be 4 of us including 20 & 15 yr old.) vs. tours books thru the cruise lines ?

 

Question 2: Private tours - who would you recommend and on which island?

 

Question 3: We do want to do shopping in each port (for those must have trinkets) how much are we allowed to bring back with us? No alcohol. Just clothing and trinkets. Does it go by the $ amount?

 

Thanks for humoring this first time cruiser! I know there will be surprises, just don't want the big ones to hit us at the end of the cruise.

 

Any other suggestion is greatly appreciated. From boarding to departure.

 

Molly

[fabnfortysomething]

find the ports of call section and then caribbean where you will find lots of info you are looking for

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

1. Usually private tours are cheaper than the ship's tours. Other advantages include (usually) smaller group and can customize. Disadvantage. You must be backon time or the ship may sail without you. This is not usually a problem as tour guide depend on their rep to get business. Another is that you have to do more research to determine what you want to do and find someone to take you. Have you joined the Roll Call for your cruise? This is where you can meet others sailing with you. Someone may be planning a tour and have space available.

[Algebralovr]

The best place to ask is on each individual island's forum, as well as looking on tripadvisor.

 

We had a great tour of St Martin through Bernard's Tours with Junior driving. We had a great tour of St. Kitts through Welcome Tours' driver York. Both can make your tour appropriate for a family. Be prepared to share the bus/van or pay extra.