CaptainPedantic Posted September 5, 2023 #1 Share Posted September 5, 2023 After having such a brilliant time on Britannia last November, we've booked again for this winter and last night spent some time looking through the ship's excursions. We were quite disappointed with the available options, partly since we booked fairly late, and so I'm hoping for some recommendations on what to do! We have plans already for Curacao, Bonaire, St Vincent and Barbados - but nothing for Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua and St Maarten - any suggestions? Many thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Megabear2 Posted September 5, 2023 #2 Share Posted September 5, 2023 21 minutes ago, CaptainPedantic said: After having such a brilliant time on Britannia last November, we've booked again for this winter and last night spent some time looking through the ship's excursions. We were quite disappointed with the available options, partly since we booked fairly late, and so I'm hoping for some recommendations on what to do! We have plans already for Curacao, Bonaire, St Vincent and Barbados - but nothing for Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua and St Maarten - any suggestions? Many thanks! What sort of thing do you enjoy? St Kitts - how about going across to Nevis or doing the interior forest walks? Grenada - if you don't fancy the beach the gardens are beautiful and also the chocolate making St Lucia - the by land and sea is excellent if you've not done it, or how about the aerial tramway. There's a new option of the mud baths as well - I've never done the full day there but z short taster was fun. Antigua - Nelson's Dockyard is a nice half day. If it's available, possibly not as it's so popular the catamaran. There's also the magnificent beaches as a fall back option. St Maarten - walk to the beach nearby. Best tours includd the Admirals Cup yacht and the beach at the airport. I notice more opened up for the French side, presumably because the rebuilding and roads are now complete after the hurricane damage in 2017. The Caribbean is what it is, mainly water based sun and beaches or the tropical areas inland. The offerings therefore remain much the same year in year out. Great for R&R rather than activities! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCFC Posted September 5, 2023 #3 Share Posted September 5, 2023 The sugar train in St Kitts is one of my all time favourite trips 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare elmsliebev Posted September 5, 2023 #4 Share Posted September 5, 2023 Cosol tours in St Lucia were brilliant a few years ago. Full day tour, with food and drinks. We saw the mud pools (take old clothes - it stains!), waterfall, banana plantation, the Pitons, a boat ride and snorkelling. Small air-conditioned mini buses were used. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted September 5, 2023 #5 Share Posted September 5, 2023 (edited) 12 minutes ago, elmsliebev said: Cosol tours in St Lucia were brilliant a few years ago. Full day tour, with food and drinks. We saw the mud pools (take old clothes - it stains!), waterfall, banana plantation, the Pitons, a boat ride and snorkelling. Small air-conditioned mini buses were used. Did Cosol tour years ago. Absolutely excellent. We never do P&O excursions. Edited September 5, 2023 by jeanlyon 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLad60 Posted September 5, 2023 #6 Share Posted September 5, 2023 My daughter thoroughly recommends Papa Boat Tours on St Lucia. However, last time we were in St Lucia (autumn 2019) there were two separate berths - the Papa tours only operate out of one, and of course, we were berthed in the other. The aptly named Rum Therapy bar is also worth a visit - when we were there most cocktails were two for the price of one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainPedantic Posted September 5, 2023 Author #7 Share Posted September 5, 2023 2 hours ago, Megabear2 said: What sort of thing do you enjoy? Thank you for the suggestions! We do like activities such as snorkelling, swimming, river tubing, and catamaran trips but nothing too extreme or too energetic (no hiking or ziplining!!!) And of course we're spoilt for choice for beaches, but if there are any standouts we shouldn't miss, that would be great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainPedantic Posted September 5, 2023 Author #8 Share Posted September 5, 2023 1 hour ago, jeanlyon said: Did Cosol tour years ago. Absolutely excellent. We never do P&O excursions. Thank you! We rarely do ship-organised excursions, although we do find P&O to be pretty good value compared to others like Princess, and we had a couple of bad experiences DIY in the Caribbean previously... Will definitely look into Cosol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junction2 Posted September 5, 2023 #9 Share Posted September 5, 2023 I was just about to mention the zip wires in Antigua but see you’re not keen. I was early 60’s when I tried them and honestly, they were great fun. Very safety conscious too. I’ve only been to Antigua but probably like most of the islands the sea and beaches are the main attraction. Taxis are plentiful in St. John’s- my favourite beaches are Church Valley and Turners, both with beach catering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainPedantic Posted September 5, 2023 Author #10 Share Posted September 5, 2023 5 minutes ago, Junction2 said: I was just about to mention the zip wires in Antigua but see you’re not keen. Actually we did the zip wires in Belize last time we came to the Caribbean, I really enjoyed it but my wife wasn't so keen given her fear of heights 😉 she got her revenge with a horse riding tour later in that cruise... Thanks for the suggestions though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmt47471015 Posted September 5, 2023 #11 Share Posted September 5, 2023 4 hours ago, CCFC said: The sugar train in St Kitts is one of my all time favourite trips Totally agree 😀😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
July morning Posted September 5, 2023 #12 Share Posted September 5, 2023 Sugar train gets our vote as well, we've been on it a few times 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbjhughes Posted September 5, 2023 #13 Share Posted September 5, 2023 P&O's excursion 'St Kitts railway and cruise' was the most enjoyable excursion I have ever done on any cruise. A catamaran takes you (at a very leisurely pace, and with plenty of alcoholic sustenance to hand!) along the beautiful west coast from Basseterre to near the base of Brimstone Hill Fortress (distant view only, but its huge scale is apparent). You are then transferred to the famous St Kitts scenic railway, which is unforgettable, before being transferred back to the port. An idyllic combination, if P&O are offering it on your cruise. Basseterre is also really charming. (You may have guessed that St Kitts is my favourite Caribbean island!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCFC Posted September 5, 2023 #14 Share Posted September 5, 2023 1 hour ago, July morning said: Sugar train gets our vote as well, we've been on it a few times 😁 Im going on it again in December 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janieb1962 Posted September 5, 2023 #15 Share Posted September 5, 2023 Check out Caribbean Island tours on Facebook. We have used them in the past .. lovely lady Owena Perrin organises them from uk …pay a small deposit … the rest on the day to the tour provider. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryjacobs Posted September 6, 2023 #16 Share Posted September 6, 2023 REF Antigua.... when alighting the ship and walking down Heritage key you will see many tour operators advitising trips. I highly advise the Nelsons Dockyard and then catch a few hours on Jolly Beach. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denarius Posted September 6, 2023 #17 Share Posted September 6, 2023 3 hours ago, Harryjacobs said: REF Antigua.... when alighting the ship and walking down Heritage key you will see many tour operators advitising trips. I highly advise the Nelsons Dockyard and then catch a few hours on Jolly Beach. Just one word of "warning" on Nelson's Dockyard. Whilst it has been beautifully restored it is not a museum or a recreation of a working dockyard as it would have been in Nelson's day. Apart from one small exhibition the buildings now house apartments, restaurants and a few shops. Go understanding this you will enjoy your visit. But don't expect history. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doog442 Posted September 6, 2023 #18 Share Posted September 6, 2023 12 hours ago, Denarius said: Just one word of "warning" on Nelson's Dockyard. Whilst it has been beautifully restored it is not a museum or a recreation of a working dockyard as it would have been in Nelson's day. Apart from one small exhibition the buildings now house apartments, restaurants and a few shops. Go understanding this you will enjoy your visit. But don't expect history. As far as Antigua goes its still a main attraction for such a small island and in a lovely setting. As you suggest don't take 'dockyard' literally. We felt the exhibition gave us enough information as necessary .If you combine it with Shirley heights, the old forts and the stunning views you'll get more than enough history about the place and have a great day out. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harryjacobs Posted September 7, 2023 #19 Share Posted September 7, 2023 I spent 2 weeks on Antigua and loved the Island. The locals are really friendly and you get no trouble. we used the local buses to get around apart from 2 days when we hired a car to get to the more remote places. We topped the trip off with a suprise dinner our hotel arranged with Viv richards and Andy Roberts. Best trip I ever had. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crimson moon Posted September 7, 2023 #20 Share Posted September 7, 2023 On 9/5/2023 at 11:06 PM, janieb1962 said: Check out Caribbean Island tours on Facebook. We have used them in the past .. lovely lady Owena Perrin organises them from uk …pay a small deposit … the rest on the day to the tour provider. We used Caribbean Islands Tours for Arvia's transatlantic in January and had fantastic service both from Owena here in the UK and the companies on the Islands. We did 3 trips, an Island Tour in Grenada and one in St Maarten (which took in Sunset Beach) and an evening trip to Oistens in Bardados. All were cheaper than P&O 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Presto2 Posted September 7, 2023 #21 Share Posted September 7, 2023 We've been told on here about Bonaire and hiring golf buggy to DIY. The service booking this has been faultless and looks amazing. Many thanks to our CC buddies for helping with this 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainPedantic Posted September 8, 2023 Author #22 Share Posted September 8, 2023 These are all brilliant suggestions... THANK YOU everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slug33ukuk Posted September 10, 2023 #23 Share Posted September 10, 2023 On 9/5/2023 at 11:31 AM, CaptainPedantic said: After having such a brilliant time on Britannia last November, we've booked again for this winter and last night spent some time looking through the ship's excursions. We were quite disappointed with the available options, partly since we booked fairly late, and so I'm hoping for some recommendations on what to do! We have plans already for Curacao, Bonaire, St Vincent and Barbados - but nothing for Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts, Antigua and St Maarten - any suggestions? Many thanks! I would advise NOT booking cruise excursions,,its a lot cheaper if you negotiate a taxi / minibus at ANY of the ports visit. THEY WILL DROP YOU OFF WHEREVER YOU WANT and you dont pay until they pick you up......and will get you back in plenty of time we have visited the caribbean many many times. As a instance, we got off the ship in Barbados...bus station across the road....cost us 1 us dollar to get the local beach...ship would have charged 45 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainPedantic Posted September 12, 2023 Author #24 Share Posted September 12, 2023 Agree mostly @slug33ukuk (especially with the Barbados bus!) but we have had a couple or three unsavoury experiences with DIY in the Caribbean in the past. 2 of those in St Lucia with what feels like a high-pressure sell as soon as you get past security and funnelled through the "dispatch" area, and one more recently when trying to get back to the ship in Curacao. St Lucia is the main concern, and following the advice above, Cosol and Caribbean Island Tours mean we have some good options there. Thanks though for the advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Megabear2 Posted September 12, 2023 #25 Share Posted September 12, 2023 On 9/7/2023 at 6:44 PM, crimson moon said: We used Caribbean Islands Tours for Arvia's transatlantic in January and had fantastic service both from Owena here in the UK and the companies on the Islands. We did 3 trips, an Island Tour in Grenada and one in St Maarten (which took in Sunset Beach) and an evening trip to Oistens in Bardados. All were cheaper than P&O Are Caribbean Islands Tours only available by Facebook? They don't come up with a website when searching Google and as a non Facebook user I wonder if they are available to contact any other way. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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