Shore excursions on our own...Ideas?

[joe&jeanne]

We're taking 7 grandkids and their parents on Oasis of the Seas Dec 12...want to plan one day's activity on shore but do NOT want to book through RC unless we can't find something on our own.

 

Anyone have any ideas/names/contact info for family excursions in either Nassau, St Thomas, or St Maarten?

 

Thank you!!

[cb at sea]

What sort of things do you want to do? Beaches?

[bluegirlum]

I would check the boards for each of those specific ports (this will probably be moved over there anyway). There are a lot of very helpful tips and suggestions for all 3 ports. I would look at what RC offers, then go back to those forums and see what people recommend for booking on your own for whatever you're interested in (like how to book Blue Lagoon, for example, in Nassau). Have fun!

[Jhoener]

The hilton in Nassau has a day package that is very reasonably priced if you are looking to do a beach day. It's also walking distance from the port

 

 

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[readytotravel44]

I would check the boards for each of those specific ports (this will probably be moved over there anyway). There are a lot of very helpful tips and suggestions for all 3 ports. I would look at what RC offers, then go back to those forums and see what people recommend for booking on your own for whatever you're interested in (like how to book Blue Lagoon, for example, in Nassau). Have fun!

 

This is exactly what we do. I check out the ship's tours, since they give me an idea of what is in the area. Then I check the specific ports on Cruise Critic as well as Trip Advisor. Knock on wood, but we haven't had a bad tour yet!

[Holly2]

Think they would enjoy Bernard's tour to Maho Beach to watch the airplanes.

[Ohiocruiser]

Think they would enjoy Bernard's tour to Maho Beach to watch the airplanes.

 

I second Bernard's tour.... one of the best we have ever taken!!

[cruiseguy1016]

Maho Beach is a great place to visit while in St. Maarten. IMHO everyone would have a great time watching the planes come and go. It's also a nice beach for swimming. There are bars at both ends of the beach so you can get refreshments. The Sunset Beach Bar also has great food. You don't need to schedule a tour with an independent company, just grab a taxi or two and head over there.

 

On St. Thomas we always go to St. John on our own. Take a taxi to Red Hook, the Red Hook ferry to Cruz Bay, St. John and then a taxi to Trunk Bay.

[griffy116]

LOVE the idea of private tours. You could check on chartering a boat, just for your family, that includes beach time, snorkeling, lunch, shopping or even some fishing...whatever YOU choose to include. On St Maarten, you could do a half-day charter and end it with the ones that are interested taking in the Star Wars museum "That Yoda Guy" which would be fun and different, depending on the ages of the children, while the rest do some shopping on Front St., since they are both located there. We did a chartered boat in Hawaii and we still talk about it being one of the best days ever because it was EXACTLY what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it.

[Holly2]

In Nassua we took a cab to Paradise Island and walked around Atlantis;

In St. thomas took ship tour to St John for convenience since it was priced reasonably.

[strokesurvivor]

I think I'm going on a food tour in Nassau called Tru Bahamian. The reviews say that it is a great tour.

[waterbug123]

We're taking 7 grandkids and their parents on Oasis of the Seas Dec 12...want to plan one day's activity on shore but do NOT want to book through RC unless we can't find something on our own.

 

Anyone have any ideas/names/contact info for family excursions in either Nassau, St Thomas, or St Maarten?

 

 

Might help to know the grandkids' ages. Are we talking toddlers or teenagers? And are you thinking something beachy or like structured entertainment or what?

[American Bear]

We're taking 7 grandkids and their parents on Oasis of the Seas Dec 12...want to plan one day's activity on shore but do NOT want to book through RC unless we can't find something on our own.

 

Anyone have any ideas/names/contact info for family excursions in either Nassau, St Thomas, or St Maarten?

 

Thank you!!

 

 

On St Martin, we just take abus/cab over to Maho to drink, swim, and watch the planes land/take off.

On Nassau we the beach/dolphin/sea lion excursion on Blue Lagoon island

On St Thomas we head to Magans Beach on the northside, or Saphires, Bluebird, or Turtle Cove on the east end.

Yea we're beach people!:D

[sross6019]

Bernard tours for St Martel had a great tour and very reasonable in price. We went to Maho beach and watched the planes.

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We almost always do independent tours when we cruise. However, in St Thomas our favorite thing to do is visit St John. We have found that the ship tour--St John on your own is the most convenient and around the same price. We did this 2 yrs ago and it was $40 pp and $30 child. [6.5 hrs]

 

It included a a ferry ride directly from the ship dock to St John. The ride includes a rum punch on the way back. A taxi to the National park and entrance to the park/chairs are extra.

 

There is a great underwater snorkel trail your grandkids would enjoy. Have them bring there own gear. It is not that far underwater. the gear you get at a big box toy or sports store would work fine.

 

This tour is way more convenient than organizing that many people into taxi to Red Hook. Also, we had more than the 6.5 hrs advertised. We were the last group to get back on the ship. It was after the time passengers were told to board [by about 10 mins]. However, it was a ship tour, so we did not stress it.