Excursions in the caribbean

[Eveshamgirl]

Very easy to walk to the boatyard. It's about 25 mins walk from the cruise terminal. Just keep the sea on your right as you walk into town. By the yatchs cross the bridge still keep the sea on your right past what looks like old warehouses and you are there. I prefer lobsters alive as it's a bit quieter.

 

St kitts - walk round the town flat and compact. Taxi to Cockelshell bay share with someone in the queue and organise a pick up time - easy.

 

Dominica - you can walk round the botanical gardens but it's also easy to do a tour. Lots of eager mini van drivers arrange a price and off you go. I would always share. The elmerald pool, banana plantation etc. are worth a visit. The guys are always friendly as they want a good tip!

 

St Lucia - have booked with Cosol tours as have never really got on with this island. Really positive things about it on this site.

 

Antigua - beach day valley church beach by taxi out 12 dollars each

 

St vincent - don't be put off here by round the port! Taxi up to the gardens less than 10 dollars and walk back. It's a really interesting place and the locals are very friendly. It's a real working port and they are poor but don't let that put u off. They need tourists and this is a great stop. I haven't been to villa beach but might try this time.

 

Grand turk - fantastic beach day. We go to goveners beach which is next to the cruise port beach turn left. It is very quiet - well it was when we went!

 

Curaçao - easy to walk into off the ship. Interesting place but not my fave

 

Going on Azura 30th Nov and can't wait - only 13 sleeps to go!:D

[Spikey M]

We have just booked 2 excursions for our cruise next November. Am I right in assuming that should our itinerary be changed for some reason we will still be able to go on the trips on the day we are there?

[bee-ess]

Big +1 for both Cosol in St Lucia and Rhum Runner in Grenada.

[Housie]

You could try....

Calabaza catamaran in Barbados, fab day including swimming with the Turtles. Maximum 12 on boat , great crew and food /drink

Woody's in Dominica off road to secluded places in Land Rover

Woodwind snorkelling trip in Bonaire

Maho beach where the planes come in in St Maarten. We also went on the segways along the beach where you dock. That was fun!!

We're going with Spencer Ambrose in St Lucia

 

Can't wait looking forward to it all. All the trips are found on Trip Advisor!

[Housie]

Has anyone got any good suggestions for St Vincent?

 

 

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[tfg]

Has anyone got any good suggestions for St Vincent?

 

 

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Ruth

From reading someones thread on here they say it is a very poor country but don,t let that put you off ,go to the gardens ,will try and find it and post it

Terry

[tfg]

Very easy to walk to the boatyard. It's about 25 mins walk from the cruise terminal. Just keep the sea on your right as you walk into town. By the yatchs cross the bridge still keep the sea on your right past what looks like old warehouses and you are there. I prefer lobsters alive as it's a bit quieter.

 

St kitts - walk round the town flat and compact. Taxi to Cockelshell bay share with someone in the queue and organise a pick up time - easy.

 

Dominica - you can walk round the botanical gardens but it's also easy to do a tour. Lots of eager mini van drivers arrange a price and off you go. I would always share. The elmerald pool, banana plantation etc. are worth a visit. The guys are always friendly as they want a good tip!

 

St Lucia - have booked with Cosol tours as have never really got on with this island. Really positive things about it on this site.

 

Antigua - beach day valley church beach by taxi out 12 dollars each

 

St vincent - don't be put off here by round the port! Taxi up to the gardens less than 10 dollars and walk back. It's a really interesting place and the locals are very friendly. It's a real working port and they are poor but don't let that put u off. They need tourists and this is a great stop. I haven't been to villa beach but might try this time.

 

Grand turk - fantastic beach day. We go to goveners beach which is next to the cruise port beach turn left. It is very quiet - well it was when we went!

 

Curaçao - easy to walk into off the ship. Interesting place but not my fave

 

Going on Azura 30th Nov and can't wait - only 13 sleeps to go!:D

 

Ruth

This is that bit on st vincent

Terry

[Somerset Cruiser]

Has anyone got any good suggestions for St Vincent?

 

 

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Yes, don't go there ;)

 

Seriously you can get a shared taxi when you leave the port which will take you to a Pirates of the Caribbean set and to the local fort. Not a lot of money, $20ish, 3 hours or so and a good way to see a bit of the island.

[bee-ess]

Has anyone got any good suggestions for St Vincent?

 

 

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Go to Bequia or Mustique - but not cheap. P&O run tours to both.

[hammers]

Has anyone got any good suggestions for St Vincent?

 

 

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Stay on the ship!! I'm sorry but St Vincent is a dump. Villa beach is truly dreadful. Kingstown is a working town and has nothing to offer cruise passengers. If this is your first time to St Vincent then take a cheap tour ($10pp)to see the sights in the morning, then enjoy the comforts of the ship in the afternoon.

[Housie]

Nothing looking tempting!! Bequia is an hour on the ferry and I bet not very reliable. Last time it was dreadful on the beach we went to, I think staying on the boat is looking like an option!! :-((

 

 

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[tfg]

Ruth

I think that's what we're doing i bet you're looking forward to your next cruise you lucky thing

terry

[Housie]

I am, it looks lovely. Only 8 days and got enough sorted for that. Think we may look at the whale watching from Grand Turk - do you fancy that? Perhaps they could do whale watching and sting rays??

 

 

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[vizzog]

A little information about some Caribbean ports of call I have passed on before

 

St Maarten

Port:

Catch the water ferry ($6 for an all day wristband last year) to the beach from the cruise terminal. Great place we have always stayed in the bay so can’t comment on the island. It is very American lots of nice bars and the place to buy duty free, jewellery. Sunbeds and brollies on the beach usually in front of the beach bars so someone comes out and you pay them (I think it was $10 for 2 beds last yr) then they will run back and forward if you want drinks or snacks!

Ships excursions we have done here are the Golden Eagle catamaran lovely afternoon cruising down to ‘airport’ beach watching the plane land, snorkelling off a lovely beach and loads of rum on the way back! I have also done the America’s cup yachting here a great experience.

 

Antigua

Port:

The first time we came here it rained!! So we didn’t go anywhere but walked around the town and had coffee. There are a few nice arty shops if you like that as well as the usual touristy ones quite a nice place for a wander.

We have also been kayaking here out in the mangrove swamps! Also visited one off the small islands on the Atlantic side of Antigua, Bird Island the sea is very rough on that side not for the faint hearted. It is a very beautiful island so probably a good island to go out and about there are the English Harbour and Nelsons Dockyard, which are popular places to visit. If you are a cricket fan there is a cricket tour you and do which visits the test ground and you meet one of the Caribbean cricket stars. We have used the local taxi’s here but do look after your belongings, as this is where our youngest son ‘lost’ or had stolen his iphone. Please don’t be put off by this, as 99% of the people on the islands are friendly. On our last visit here we went on the Crusoe Island excursion this was fantastic, about 40 people on their own island for the day open bar, music and lunch thoroughly recommend if you are a beach bum.

Dickinson beach break, nice beach can get busy but big and long enough for all

 

Dominica

Port:

There is a warehouse where the ship docks, the locals set up a market there so ok for a wander. The town is about a 20-minute walk away not very much there though. We have also docked right in Road Town right in front of the local market depends if there are two ships in port.

 

We have done the Arial Tram in the rain forest here I liked it. (OH fell asleep! had to nudge him in case the guide spotted him!) Great for seeing the rainforest, plants, trees and I did see hummingbirds don’t think P&O do this one though. We have also been river tubing here three times we loved it but only great for those who love the water and getting wet. Tried the tubing on the Pagua River in the Carib territory but the journey there and back is very long and over very poor roads so if tubing on the Layou river is available this is a much better option.

We have also visited the waterfalls here and then went to a black sand beach for a couple of hours. Not an island for beaches it is a very much a tropical rainforest island with small narrow roads, mountains and valleys you do need to get out of the port to experience it but I would probably always do a ship excursion here due to the roads and terrain if you are late back on a ship tour the ship will always wait for you!

 

Barbados

 

Port:

The actual cruise terminal has lots of shops etc but walk (about 15mins) or taxi it to Bridgetown a lot more here. As far as beach you could get a taxi to Malibu on Brighton Beach ($20 return for the four of 5 years ago) it is about 10 mins from the ship and for about $5 you can have a tour of the distillery and There are beds and a bit of shade on the beach it is an absolutely beautiful beach

If you take a taxi anywhere on most islands you only pay the driver when he returns to take you back to the ship just give yourselves plenty of time to get back before the time they want you back onboard. There are lots of things to see and do in Barbados depending on whether you are beach fans, like the fauna and flora things or getting out on the water. My favourite time here was on a catamaran sailing down the coast stopping at Sandy Lane beach then out to a reef to swim with turtles. Most times here though we just walk into Bridgetown then out the other side onto Carlisle Bay for a swim and a beer. (Check it out on Google earth)

 

St Lucia

We have always gone out here, there are two cruise terminals the one on the right side of the bay does not have much, on the left side it is much better with shops and bars. Lots of taxi’s offering trips

We have visited Pitons and the volcano. The last couple of times we have got a taxi to Wharf Bar on Choc beach. There is a small Sandals resort at one end but it is quite quiet there is never that many people there. Unfortunately now this beach is only half as lovely as our first visit as during the rainy season a river flows out into the bay, and a lot of sand and palm trees have been washed away. We have on our last couple of times gone up to Rodney Bay gets very busy if there are a couple of ships in port but it’s a nice beach plenty of bars, shops if you want to wander off the beach. For a first timer in St Lucia I would probably visit the Pitons and the volcano whether you do it in an organised excursion or take one of the local taxi’s maybe share with someone else from the ship.

 

Aruba

On our first visit here our friends got married so our day was spent at their wedding! We did go to a beautiful beach for photos after it is an island much like Barbados of white powder sand beaches and resort hotels. Our las couple of times here we have caught the local bus to Eagle beach its only about 5 US dollars return for both of us! The sunbeds and straw umbrella cost us over $20 on the beach and a couple of beers were expensive at $6 dollars each though.

 

 

 

Bonaire

Again only been here once went to a coral beach (Eden beach) for snorkelling as the reef is very close to the shore amazing for this as this island is one of the top dive sites in the world, beach shoes are a good idea as the sand is crushed coral We walked off the ship in the afternoon, as there is a small market and craft stalls set up on the quayside and few bars and a couple of drinks in one sharing the table and nearby tree with come of the largest iguanas I have ever seen!

Recently have taken one of the ‘Chiva’ buses around the island seeing the flamingos, salt lakes and the slave huts then stopping off at a lagoon/beach for a couple of hours.

 

Curacao

First time we visited we docked right inside Willemstad the floating bridge was opened to let us pass through. We took a taxi to Sea Aquarium beach nice sandy beach quite close to Willemstad for a couple of hours, although if there are other ships in port this can get quite busy. Then spent a couple of hours in Willemstad across the floating bridge is a nice shopping area, restaurants and bars. Second time here we docked at the Mega pier just outside Willemstad the cruise terminal area has nice bars and shops and you can walk into Willemstad in about 10 minutes. We did a beach transfer here to a beach just a little further up from the Sea Aquarium beach. There is a highly recommended local bus company called Irie Tours, which have a tour, stop at the Curcao distillery, and an hour or so at the beach admission price included all for $20 (also beer and soft drinks!) .

 

Grenada

The water taxi’s directly next to the ships pier will take you to Grand Anse beach and bring you back again, think the last time we used them it was $5 dollars each way? Might have gone up to $6 now, make sure you get some small $ bills when getting your holiday money. The water taxi’s run all day every 15 minutes or so. Grand Anse beach is huge so if you are looking for a quiet spot don’t take the first sun beds offered walk further along the beach. There is a market area where sovenirs, cold drinks, food and toilets are available. We no longer go to this beach having found our ‘ideal’ beach a bit further a field the name of which I have been asked not to say!! Grenada is the spice island of the Caribbean so a place to taste and buy the wonderful spices available here we usually go home with a few but jerk chicken is probably the only thing we have cooked at home!

 

 

Tortola

We have visited several times here is a brief over view of the excursions we have done as value for money the Tortola excursions are cheaper than the other islands.

Beach transfer – this is usually to Cane Garden Beach a lovely beach but can be crowded if more than one ship is port. This is easily available by local open sided buses and cheaper than the ship excursion costs just allow plenty of time to get there and back. (Once our buses gear box fell out!! Had to wait for his mate to come and pick us up luckily it was on the way there so we had all day)

Virgin Gorda – have done this twice it is about a 45 minute ferry or fast motor boat ride across but it is an amazing place. It does involve quite a bit of walking and if you wish to go to Devils Bay you have to climb up rocks, steps etc, go in water up to your knees and be able to bend down quite low. Again if there is more than one ship docked or a ship tendering off Virgin Gorda it can be busy. The first time we went here we were lucky enough to be the only visitors apart from the yatchs and private motor boats, last time it was very busy as two ships were docked in Tortola and a Silversea cruiser was tendering locally.

Jost Van Dyke – a 45 minute motor boat ride through Sir Francis Drake Channel takes you to an island on the other side of Tortola where you have a couple of hours on a fine white sand beach White Bay. There are a couple of bars here and you get a snack and a drink included in the price. Good value and a nice excursion.

Virgin Island Sailaway – did this last time unfortunately we did not have the greatest of weather quite showery and overcast the whole time. A catamaran sails you to Peter Island where you have chance to snorkel. I did enjoy this we saw rays and an abundance of fish. A stop on Norman Island at a beach club for a drink you can also buy lunch here, the beach is not great but then we did not have the weather that day. An ok excursion good for a bit of snorkelling and a sail on a catamaran (obviously the poor weather made it less enjoyable for us)

Skyworld and Cane Garden Beach – great value if you have not been to Tortola you see the island have a great photo opportunity (Skyworld is in fact a resturant in the middle of the island where you can go on the roof and see for miles on a clear day) then go to Cane Garden Beach for lunch and time on the beach.

 

St Vincent – not a favourite port the town is quite run down and not a great deal to do locally. There is a water taxi on the pier which will take you round to Villa beach a narrow beach with a few bars etc can become crowded if lots go there.

Have done the Waterfall and Coast excursion which will take you to the film set from pirates of the Caribbean, after about an hour or so in a bus so you see a bit of the island, lunch at a resturant then a cruise back to the port.

Escape to Bequia – a catamaran across to Bequia where you have some time on the beach and lunch onboard. I loved this as it was very much real sailing as it can be quite gusty and choppy sailing across but those who don’t have very good sea legs did find it a problem as it is quite a long way, (my husband would not do it again).

 

Hope you find this useful.

[tfg]

I am, it looks lovely. Only 8 days and got enough sorted for that. Think we may look at the whale watching from Grand Turk - do you fancy that? Perhaps they could do whale watching and sting rays??

 

 

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Ruth

Is it the right time of year for whale watching?

We want to try and do a snorkel trip with maybe crystal seas .

There is stingray city in antigua.

 

Eastbourne i am not nagging but have you booked yet?

 

Terry:cool:

[Host Sharon]

Can thoroughly recommend Spencer Ambrose tours in St Lucia. Am just back from Oceana and we had a great day.

[tartanexile81]

Can thoroughly recommend Spencer Ambrose tours in St Lucia. Am just back from Oceana and we had a great day.

 

Sharon, We're off on Oceana, same itinerary as you, on 13th Feb. Have you done a review or do you have any top tips? We've done similar cruises on Oceana several times.

[Housie]

We went out with spencer Ambrose in December. We had a great day. I wrote a review on Trip Advisor - househols

 

Lots of good recommendations on the previous page.

 

If going to Dominica, we had a great day seeing the island with Woody, again see trip advisor

 

What do you like doing?? .....

 

 

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[Host Sharon]

Sharon, We're off on Oceana, same itinerary as you, on 13th Feb. Have you done a review or do you have any top tips? We've done similar cruises on Oceana several times.

 

 

I have done a review - just waiting for it to appear online and I'll post a link here. It was a wonderful cruise - but we did have very bad weather for three days outward and two day homeward bound!!

[Host Sharon]

Review of Caribbean transatlantic, Jan 2014 here, if it will help anyone with excursions.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=249592

[alvin moondust]

If you arriving in Barbados on Friday for a Saturday evening departure then It is definitely worth booking a turtle swim excursion for the Saturday.

SilverMoon Catamarans are brilliant, we have used them twice and it a great trip, You book yourself via the internet. They are a bit more expensive as they limit the guests to either 12 or 24 depending which boat you are on but we think its worth every penny.

You will be picked up at 8:30 and dropped off at around 2pm.

Unlimited drinks and cocktails, great food and cakes, plus little touches like hot towels make it a great trip

[tartanexile81]

Host Sharon

Thank you very much for the link to your review and very glad you enjoyed the cruise despite the weather. We too were surprised how much we loved the Caribbean as we're not really beachy people but we love the slow pacer of life and of course the sunshine. We're off on Thursday and it looks like we may have the same weather as you for the first few days.

[Angel-chick]

This thread is amazing so thank you ! I am off to Caribbean in oct/nov... I will

"Read & inwardly digest" as my dad would say x

 

 

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[silver wedding]

We are looking at the Oceana TA next Feb so your review is just what we needed to know.