Advice on caribbean excursions please.

[rosiebee]

Does anyone have any advice on excursions/things to do on the islands included on the Treasures itinerary of the Dream, going on Jan 13th?

Margarita Island, Tobago, Grenada, St Vincent and St Lucia. I know Thomson's do a lot of trips but as they're not cheap, I wonderered if any are particularly worthwhile, or are there some islands where it's easy to do your own thing? Don't want to just lie on beaches! Thanks for all help.:)

[Jean Jeanie]

For St.Lucia I would strongly recommend Cosol Tours. His email address is

cosol966@hotmail.com

We went on his tour earlier this year and it was excellent.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

We did this itinerary in February.

 

Margarita - we went to the beach which is near the ship but very crowded. From what I heard of the Island trip it was not worth the money.

 

Tobago - there are very nice botanical gardens in the town and there are taxis to take you up to the fort (you can walk - but it is very hot!) Our driver wanted to take us round the island, but by then it was getting a bit late, so we declined.

 

Grenada - we did Thomson trip to the rainforest, a spice factory and waterfalls - very good.

 

St Vincent - really liked this island. Again we did a Thomson trip. We went to beatiful gardens and a hotel by the beach on the way back for drinks.

 

St Lucia - we had been before on Princess and did their trip around the island, so we decided to stay in Castries. We went into the town as I had broken my sandals and needed some more. The shop assistants were not very helpful, but I did manage to get some. We weren't struck with Castries, but the island itself is beautiful.

 

Most Islands though it is very easy to do-it-yourself, which we mostly did the second week.

 

Kruzseeka is the expert on this as she has been millions of times :D:D:D

[kruzseeka]

For St.Lucia I would strongly recommend Cosol Tours. His email address is

cosol966@hotmail.com

We went on his tour earlier this year and it was excellent.

 

 

Definitely agree with this.

 

Here is a link to the review I did earlier this year which might help with ideas.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1608788&highlight=st+vincent

 

The arrival is late in Margarita Island so although the port website says the beach is exclusively for cruise passengers it may be very busy. We found it filled up with locals when we were there and we arrived early morning on that occasion.

 

I'm tempted by the beach transfer as there isn't anything outside the port area (no township) although there is a nice but small beach by the dock, a beach bar and local craft stalls. In the past we've done the highlights excursion and relaxing Margarita neither of which we thought were very inspiring. Unlike most of the other Caribbean Islands where there are local taxis/minibus firms selling trips as you come off the ship, I don't remember seeing anything like that there. Someone wrote on here recently that they did go out of the port compound and got a taxi somewhere but would definitely not recommend it.

 

I think Linda recently posted some pics of the beach at the port - but I can't just locate them. Perhaps she will be able to.

 

Hope that helps.:) Enjoy your trip - not long now!

[jenny wren]

I would also highly recommend Cosol tours for St Lucia we had a fabulous day with him, well worth the cost and he didn't want paying until we arrived back at the ship.

 

At most ports there will be taxis offering trips. :)

[kruzseeka]

Linda's found the link to her pics, rosiebee. in case you haven't spotted it on the other thread - this it it. Post #10 - courtesy of Linda - thanks! :);)

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1752970

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Linda's found the link to her pics, rosiebee. in case you haven't spotted it on the other thread - this it it. Post #10 - courtesy of Linda - thanks! :);)

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1752970

 

Hmm, why didn't I think of putting the link on here - I must be going dotty :rolleyes: No comment needed :D:D

[rosiebee]

Thanks for helpful suggestions and links. I wish it were me going on the cruise but it's my step son and daughter in law celebrating a special birthday. I knew that Thomson cruisers would come up with good ideas. Thanks again.:):)

Any additional ideas still appreciated.:)

[Carib cruiser]

Does anyone have any advice on excursions/things to do on the islands included on the Treasures itinerary of the Dream, going on Jan 13th?

Margarita Island, Tobago, Grenada, St Vincent and St Lucia. I know Thomson's do a lot of trips but as they're not cheap, I wonderered if any are particularly worthwhile, or are there some islands where it's easy to do your own thing? Don't want to just lie on beaches! Thanks for all help.:)

 

As has already been said, dont bother with Thomson trips. Its a nice walk to botanical gardens on St Vincents or get a taxi. We also got a taxi up to the fort and visited St Georges church where theres a window donated by Queen Victoria. In Grenada we have walked up to the fort and down to the town then got water taxi to the beach. St Lucia we have had a local taxi to Rodney beach and been on a boat trip to the Pitons. Tobago. Weve got taxis to Englishmans bay, joining with other people and called at a hotel where hummingbirds were feeding right in front of us. Isla Magarita we have been to ghe local beach and another time we booked to go horse riding online beforehand. We were picked up at the port, brilliant and didnt pay until afterwards. We have been to all these islands twice or 3 times and have never tripped with Thomsons. There is lots of things to do check the internet beforehand

[solostar]

To Kruzseeker, I think I saw a post a few days ago where you advised to book excursions quickly, as once the excursion showcase has been held there may be a rush for the popular ones. The only one we want to do through Thomsons is the train in St Kitts, and I think this may be a popular one, Did you suggest posting a request through a post box or did I imagine this :confused:.

[kruzseeka]

To Kruzseeker, I think I saw a post a few days ago where you advised to book excursions quickly, as once the excursion showcase has been held there may be a rush for the popular ones. The only one we want to do through Thomsons is the train in St Kitts, and I think this may be a popular one, Did you suggest posting a request through a post box or did I imagine this :confused:.

 

Hi solostar :)

Generally there is a fair amount of availability until close to departure especially if it's just a coach trip and subject to them getting enough coaches to satisfy demand - once they fill a certain number of buses they then have a notice on Destination Services saying specific tours are full - or they will say if they still have some availability but for most trips you can generally get on them.

 

The problem can arise if they have trips with 'Limited Availability' where there is maximum a group size (for example a catamaran, submarine trip) where once full they can't lay on more. It will tell you in the Destinations Guide which will be in your cabin when you arrive which trips are 'Ltd Availability'. In this case, the sooner you get your booking in the better especially if you particularly want to do it.

 

If I really had my eye on a particular trip like the St Kitts railway I would book that on-line now. If you change your mind once on board you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure of the trip and get a full refund - so you have nothing to lose by booking now.

 

Alternatively, I'd get the booking form in straight away to Destinations Services as soon as you get on board - they have a 24 hour drop-box on their desk for you to post your bookings (that form will be in your cabin too when you arrive). You don't need to book all your trips in one go - but get any 'Limited' ones in quickly - you can always put another booking in later for other trips.

 

They have a Port Showcase on the first morning of the sea day (2nd day) and describe the excursions and ports of call and of course that means everyone is thinking about, deciding on and booking excursions. There is always a big queue at Destination Services when this finishes with people asking advice.

 

Remember too with the b-2-b cruises, those who were on the ship the week before you get on will have had their Destinations Guide for week 2 and a booking form on the day you arrive and will have had the opportunity to post their booking before you get on the ship so the sooner you get your form in the better - and I'd certainly aim to do that before the Showcase (on the following day) as everyone is focusing on excursions then.

 

I reckon there are two other ships in St Kitts on that day - the Adventure of the Seas, Celebrity Equinox and us - 7,700 passengers in total! :eek: So there will be quite a lot of cruise passengers in town! They too will have trips to the railway so there could be quite a bit of demand - not just from the Dream.

 

Hope that explains the system for you. Good luck! :)

[solostar]

As always, your information is spot on, thanks very much :D

[Retired civil servant]

Hi,

Although I have never been on a Thomson cruise around the Caribbean, We did a 15 day cruise with Celebrity around the Caribbean early last year and would recommend you just engage a taxi driver at the port area.

 

If you do a little bit of research beforehand and tell the driver what you want to see or do they will take you on an island tour or beach trip, collect you at an agreed time, not charge you until they pick you up and take you back to the ship.

 

We did this only all of the 8 islands we visited and never had a problem and what is more its much cheaper than the ship tours and you get to meet the locals. Just make sure the driver has an official tourist office badge on display.

Geoff

cambridge

UK

[Nottinghamcruiser]

Hi, any suggestions for excursions for our trip, either Thomson or local. We are going to st kitts, st maarten, briitish virgin islands, Antigua and Dominica. Many thanks

[kruzseeka]

Hi, any suggestions for excursions for our trip, either Thomson or local. We are going to st kitts, st maarten, briitish virgin islands, Antigua and Dominica. Many thanks

 

Hi and welcome to the forum :)

 

Here is a link to a thread which covers your ports (plus some others)

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1684871&highlight=tropical+gems

 

In that thread I did a post (#4) in which are some other thread links which also cover the ports you are interested in.

 

St Kitts - the train trip is good but expensive but you will read that i advise you do it with thomson if that's what you decide to do as some other passengers spent more trying to do it independently.

 

Generally though it's easy to pick up taxis/minibuses dockside to get about the islands.

 

My main recommendations would be Cane Garden Beach in Tortola - get one of the open-sided buses on the dock.

 

St Maarten - if you want a good beach and shopping - stay in Philipsburg. Get the water taxi to the beach (you can see the sweep of beach from the ship - it is possible to walk it) go left as you get odff the water taxi - it's cheaper and quieter the further away you go from the dock. There are often quite a few ships in so it does get busy.

 

Antigua - Shirley Heights and Nelson's Dockyard are interesting places to see and picturesque (do both on one trip). Thomson will do this excursion but you will be able to pick up local minibus trips cheaper at the berth. Antigua has lovelyy beaches too and the local buses are cheap to get about DiY

 

Dominica isn't a beachy island - I'm not sure what we'll do there this time - perhaps an isalnd tour with a local company.

 

Get back if you want more info on anything I've mentioned.

 

And enjoy your trip. :) When do you go?

[geomagot]

The arrival is late in Margarita Island so although the port website says the beach is exclusively for cruise passengers it may be very busy. We found it filled up with locals when we were there and we arrived early morning on that occasion.

 

we arrived at margarita island at miday and this is the sight that greeted us:eek:

 

[lppwrth]

I have booked the Rhum and Chiva excursion for our Margarita Day. It's the only Thomson excursion I am booking, as I was not keen on this Island on our last visit hopefully the excursion will turn a negative day into a positive one.

 

18 days and counting to our cruise....can't wait. Particularly looking forward to Aruba as have not been there before and we are there for a very long day....looking forward to an evening ashore, will check out a couple of bars. Is it very Americanised?

 

Lorraine

[geomagot]

Is it very Americanised?

 

Yes it is....but its a lovely island, nice shops, nice bars/restaurants and hotels, lovely beaches, nice to just walk around the waterfront, lovely marina, easy to get bus or taxi:cool:

 

sorry to say but the rhumba on the chiva bus was cancelled last week in margarita:mad:

 

due to a garbage strike?? the beach that the bus goes to was all messed up...apparently:eek:

 

should be cleared up by the time you get there, hopefully

 

have a great cruise

[Nottinghamcruiser]

Kruzseeka - thanks for your response. I will read all them and take notes of all the advice for each island. We are going on 3rd feb, weeks crusing and then a week on Barbados. We are really looming forward to it and trying to get as much info beforehand. We have been advised not to do the Thomson tours as we can get local trips much easier but are a little nervous of doing this as it is our first time

[kruzseeka]

Kruzseeka - thanks for your response. I will read all them and take notes of all the advice for each island. We are going on 3rd feb, weeks crusing and then a week on Barbados. We are really looming forward to it and trying to get as much info beforehand. We have been advised not to do the Thomson tours as we can get local trips much easier but are a little nervous of doing this as it is our first time

 

 

DiY is really easy in the Caribbean - with the odd exception most ports are geared to tourists and offer tours and it's very much cheaper as well as fun to do your own thing.

 

Certainly think about doing Antigua, (we're planning on using the local buses there to go to a beach - we did it last year - it was so straight-forward), Tortola (with the open sided buses for a beach transfer) and Philipsburg where you can literally walk into the very pretty (although a bit commercialised) town and the beach.

 

Your first stop is Philipsburg - at least save your money there and then think about doing the beach transfer to Cane Garden from Tortola if you want a typical, tropical, idyllic Caribbean beach (we will be!) and get a feel for DiY. Your confidence will soon grow.

 

There are always lots of taxis/minibuses around - as you leave almost any beach there will be someone asking if you if you want a taxi. We try to get off the ship quite early and so that we are happy to head back in good time to build in a big margin. For example we'll probably head back from Cane Garden no later than 2pm which gives us plenty of time to have a wander around Road Town (craft stalls, market and Pusser's Outpost for a little refreshment!:D)

 

I know it's usual to feel a little apprehensive - I certainly did but once you settle in and get used to life on board and talk to other passengers you will soon get into the swing.

 

Enjoy your cruise. :)

[kruzseeka]

we arrived at margarita island at miday and this is the sight that greeted us:eek:

 

 

Thanks for that confirmation geomagot - much as I has expected. :eek: It was like that last time we went but as we arrived in the morning at least we got first chance to get on the beach. Still that doesn't help the congested feel once it starts to fill up.

 

We've decided on the basis of this to do a trip - just hope it's not cancelled like the week you were there! Hope if the strike is an on-going issue Thomson might arrange an alternative if they have prior notice - if it's possible to fit something else into the schedule. Probably your pic is the reason they are replacing this as a port of call next year!

[kruzseeka]

 

Your first stop is Philipsburg - at least save your money there and then think about doing the beach transfer to Cane Garden from Tortola if you want a typical, tropical, idyllic Caribbean beach (we will be!) and get a feel for DiY. Your confidence will soon grow.

 

Sorry - made a mistake there - your first port is St Kitts not Philipsburg (just got my DH totally confused with that mistake!!):confused: We're trying a taxi transfer there to a local beach as we've done the train ride before. But even so it really is easy - and so many fellow cruisers will be taking a DiY approach - you can always ask other passengers where they are going and if you can share a taxi (will give you a bit of reassurance to be with other passengers). You will see loads of people in negotiations with taxi drivers - it's very much the norm in the Caribbean. And in Philipsburg you can get to the beach and never lose sightof the ship - very reassuring! ;) Good luck with the planning. :)

 

Best wishes on your first cruise - I'm sure you'll love it from an ex-Notts resident! ;)

[geomagot]

yep, thanks goodness thoms are dropping this port....Thoms the sooner you sail on to Trinidad/Tobago the better

 

the problem is its a very small beach, you cant swim the other side as there are ferocious currents so they rope it off, you cant even snorkel out a bit as the sea is roped off at about waist height (probably due to the currents or the fact that the ship is right there)

 

you couldn't get served in the bar unless you could shout in Spanish from the back (of the no queue!):mad:

 

I grumbled a bit when i saw this! Okay, it is their island....but they took thoms money to port there?...I really do think that the authorities should control the numbers

 

if I ever materialise on this island again, I will consider doing a ships shorex

 

has anyone done the coche island? is it any better there? thoms describe it as 'popular' with the locals!

[geomagot]

has anyone done the coche island? is it any better there? thoms describe it as 'popular' with the locals!

 

Anyone done the Coche Island ships shorex? anyone?

 

Howabout the rhumba bus thing? is it worth it?

 

I really dont want a repeat performance on this island:(

[kruzseeka]

Anyone done the Coche Island ships shorex? anyone?

 

Howabout the rhumba bus thing? is it worth it?

 

I really dont want a repeat performance on this island:(

 

 

Not done either but booked for the Rhumba one so I'll report back on our return. ;)

 

Are you going again????