LOOKING FOR COMMENTS on Eastern Caribbean Shore Excursions...

[Cruisin'Jenny2]

I'll be on the Jewel 12 March 2006 and I'd like to hear comments from those who have taken shore excursions in San Juan, Antigua and St. Thomas...

 

I've tried other forums with no response, I'd like to hear from past passengers of NCL Eastern Caribbean!

 

THANKS!

 

Jen

[CruisingToads]

I would love to hear responses as well. I have tried the forums for excursions and have found no luck as well.

 

I will also be on the march 12 cruise on the jewel.

[Cruisin'Jenny2]

Hey Toad... I'm sure you understand my frustration - you'd think nobody takes shore excursions from the lack of response! My last post got moved to never-never land, :( I can't figure out why - it was a specific to NCL and Jewel question.

 

ANBODY go on shore excursions in Eastern Caribbean?;)

 

Jen

[CruisingToads]

I will tell you this we purchased our own snorkle gear and are hoping to use it some....been trying to find the best beaches to snorkle at.

[Diana68]

You will probably learn more if you go to the Port of Call boards. I have been able to find great excursions by reading what others share there, plus it will be specific to the ports you will be visiting.

[Diana68]

I can tell you that I've booked Sunny Liston for St. Thomas, and in San Juan we are planing to take a cab from the pier to El Morro, tour it and the other fort, and then take a walking tour of Old San Juan on our way back to the ship.

[Nectarologist]

Hi. I know this isn't exaxtly what you're looking for but this is what we did on the 12/29 sailing on the Spirit (I copied it from another post I wrote to). If you're doing just beach stuff I'd suggest you go on your own. I've put in blue the stuff I though you might be interested in.

 

 

In St Thomas we first purchased all our alcohol. We entertain a lot in the summer so we really stocked up. We purchased it from Dynasty Dazzlers in the Havensight Mall (this is the shopping area just outside the pier). They deliver it straight to the ship for you. The reason we purchased it all in St. T was b/c of customs limits, we could buy the most there (5 bottles pp, we bought 6 pp & paid a duty of $3/bottle on the extra 2 bottles)

Next we hopped in a taxi & headed to Megans Bay for swimming & sun. The ride was $8 pp. So it was my wife & I for a total of $20 w/ tip. I was amazed that nobody tipped the dirver. If I catch a cab where I live it's customary to give a tip (assuming the ride was safe etc). Megans Bay is $3 to enter pp & then you can rent lounge chairs $6 ea or regular chairs $4 ea as well as floats etc. The cost for the 2 of us was the same as if we went with the ship but we didn't have to wake early. We left later so we had the taxi all to ourselves as opposed to being crammed in w/ the rest of the group & a total bonus - it was raining & cloudy when the ship went, we had sun, sun, sun later in the day. So I would highly recommend going to Megans Bay on your own if you plan on going.

In Barbados we did the Jolly Roger Pirate Cruise (our only organized excursion) & it was a blast. Here's a link: http://tallshipscruises.com/index1.html The crew made for a great time, they were so nice. Kids would love it b/c you can jump into the ocean via the gang plank or a swinging rope.

In Antigua we just went to a few shops at the pier. This was our second time there & last time we didn't do much. To be honest, we find the near panhandling tactics of the taxi drivers & hairbraiders very annoying. So if we were to do something in the future we would just do an organized tour here to avoid the aggrevation. We just headed back to the pool area on deck, the sun was out by then. It was great, hardly anybody there.

In St Maarten we docked when we were supposed to tender so it was a treat. My wife & I like the pier area there. We always grab a frozen drink at Fat Tuesday's before we get back on the ship:D If you guys dock, take the water taxi to town, it's right at the pier. You could take a cab but the water taxi is a little different than the ordinary cab ride. It's quick & the cost is $5 each way (I think). I think you save $2 if you buy a round trip but then you have to wear a plastic wristband the whole day indicating you paid for the return. For us it was worth the 2 bucks not to have to wear it, plus we didn't know if we would walk or take a cab back at the time. There is swimming & shopping right wherer the water taxi lets you off.

In BVI we woke up late so we just walked around & did a little shopping. It was beutiful though. Next time I'm there I'll be sure to wake early & do an excursion. It stinks that they leave at 1pm for us later sleepers.

 

Just a few tips: be sure to ask at the front desk for the "Freestyle ShopAshore" that they hand out at the port talks if you miss them. I went to the port talk once. It was fine but they basically read the shopping guide to you. Plus they replay it on tv so if you don't want to go in person you can still see it later. Also if you're not sure about an excursion & want to wait until the last minute you can always hop on a tour at the pier. The port & cruise consultant will be at the pier for a short period of time to sell latst minute trips (assuming there is room left).

[firstcruise1970]

ST.T-Coral World, Really nice.

BVI- The best of Tour, Truck broke down in the mountians 'Nuff Said.But the trip down the Mountian was something like a rollar coaster

St Marteen- Natrul Wonders, Lovied, Also Bought the 10 bottles there afterwards. Met Yodi Guy's wife Went to gauvaberry. Tour Guide Knew her stuff

SJ PR-New and Old city was really not worth it. Tour guide was terrible.

 

What you should is go to roll calls and look for older dates and then read the last couple of pages alot of times after the cruise They will say what they did and how they liked it with pics Hope that helps. I went on the Nov 11 2005 try that one first and then look around from there

[VoyageVirgin]

We're new to cruising so I've checked to boards under the ports of call - quite a bit of info there. If you post there you may get more of the info you're looking for.

 

Leaving Saturday for the Western Caribbean then onto the Eastern the following week. Will post when we get back - but it seems our itinerary is a little different from yours.

 

Best of luck and remember - it doesn't matter where you go as long as you're having fun in the Sun !!

 

:cool:

[QUEENB827]

In San Juan the Horse back riding was GREAT!!!!

St. Thomas do not miss meagens bay!!!:D

[Grandpp]

In Antigua we loved the Beach Break. It included a BQ lunch with drinks at Millers Beach. (We had done the tour of Nelson's Dock Yard and Shirley Hts on an earlier cruise.) There is a tour that includes those sites plus the beach BQ. I understand Turners Beach has a big dropoff but it has a very pretty view.

 

In St. Thomas we recommend Champagne Snorkel & Sail to St. Johns. Its an American crew and they really took good care of us and included very good drinks and cheese and snacks. It includes snorkeling in deep water. The skipper recommended a trip to Magens Bay (a short taxi ride from the ship) for good walk-in snorkeling. I don't snorkel myself--just went for the great catamaran ride.

 

Enjoy yourself!

[anniev3]

Hey cruisinJenny!

Hey CrusinToad!

 

We are with you on the same sailing!

 

I will be honest with you....we have never done a shore excursion ever....on our 11 cruises. (except the med. cruise...too much history to not get escorted tours there)

 

So...I may not be the best to answer your questions...however...we have always just winged it and had a fabulous time.

 

Taxi over to Megans bay in St Thomas but only after you have had time to jewellery shop!!!

 

San Juan...depends on what you are looking for. we just take a taxi to what we are interested in. Did you know that San Juan has one of the largest indoor malls?

It is nice to walk in old San Juan.

 

Antigua...this may be a good day for you snorkellers or divers...

 

we do alot of walking and touring this way. We also LOVE to shop so we talk with the local people and find out what to do along the way.

 

See you all on the Jewel!