Excursion Q's: Constellation 12/05

[deccruise]

Hi everyone,

 

New to the board and I'm just figuring things out. I'd like to have everyone's opinion re: best/worst excursions for the following itinerary:

 

- Philipsburg St. Maarten

- Roseau Dominica

- Castries St Lucia

- Margarita Island Venezuela

- Oranjestad Aruba

- San Juan Puerto Rico

 

Should I go w/the ship's excursions or look for other tour options? If it's the latter, please post your preferred tour guides.

 

Thks everyone!

[sweetair]

decruise,

Are you on the december 10th cruise? If so Look us up on the ROLL CALL boards. Roll calls can have you meet some of the people on your cruise and lots of useful more personalized info :)

*sweet*

[Sheffie]

First of all, have you checked out the Ports of Call forums? You will get a wealth of info there.

 

Here is my recommendations: In St. Maarten: We loved the America's Cup Regatta. You can only book this through the ship. Take the rest of the day to shop downtown or go to a nearby beach, such as Dawn.

 

St. Lucia: We have not been there yet, but booked a private tour with Frank, who was highly recommended on these boards. http://www.*****/

 

San Juan: Take a taxi up to El Morro and walk your way back down through Old San Juan. Here is a link to a walking tour: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sanjuan/0323010008.html

 

Hope this helps.

[Schplinky]

Hi everyone,

 

 

 

Should I go w/the ship's excursions or look for other tour options? If it's the latter, please post your preferred tour guides.

 

Thks everyone!

 

We're on the same itinerary as you the next month and while I have always thought the prices to be found privately were better than the line, I was pleasantly surprised that X's price beat the major provider of excursions online. We're doing a treetop adventure with ziplines and rope bridges in Dominica andit was about $10 less via X.

[OCruisers]

deccruise .... Know you said that you're new and trying to "feel your way around". You're doing great! So glad you are here!!! :)

 

On your ports questions. We still do both -- excursions offered by the ship and OnOurOwn -- which ever suits us best.

 

Here are some things we've enjoyed on your port stops:

 

St.Maarten: Going to Orient Beach. Thread below has a couple of good lists of places and favorites ....

 

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=221575

 

St.Lucia Best time we've ever had in on this island -- "Reduit Beach OnOurOwn" -- Review thread below ....

 

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=133571

 

Margarita Island: Love going there! The port area is NOW (was not always) a fine place to spend the day ... nice clean beach with good beach bar. Here's a wonderful excursion offered by the ship -- Coche Island Cruise -- below is a cruiser thread ....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=82420

 

Aruba: Ship has a nice easy one here -- DePalm Island -- Review below ....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=134665

 

Just our opinions but hope they help a little!

 

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)