Tobago Celebrity Excusion- Small Group Windward Coast & Coral Garden with snorkelling

[mullinbc]

Warning to all. Do not book any Celebrity excursion that travels along the Windward Coast. And definitely don't do a boat tour.

Not safe!

 

We booked a 4 & 1/2 hour excursion.  Included a drive along Windward coast,  glass bottom boat tour and drift snorkelling. 

Nothing in the description about timing,  so thinking I will never take another excursion with no timelines. 

 

When we got on the bus the driver told us the drive was about an hour and 10 minutes to the boat. We all looked at each other, none of us knew the drive was that long. Personally I wouldn't have booked an excursion where half of it is driving. Strike 1

 

The bus was older, not really an issue as we knew Tobago isn't the wealthiest island. But before we left late, the tour organizer told pur driver to rush because we were already late. Strike 2

 

The road was very, very windy, very tight , tons of traffic, many potholes, and many straight drops with low barriers. Didn't feel safe for much of the drive. It's definitely beautiful, but was hard to enjoy when you're holding on tight the whole ride. 

 

After almost anhour and  a half drive, we finally got to Speyside where Tue boat was docked.

The excursion description said there was a 3 ft climb in or out of the boat, fine. But what they did not say was that the boat was not tied to the dock, 1 guy held a rope to keep the boat close and the other tried to help everyone in and out of the boat. Being tall, we both had trouble getting in,as you had to duck under the railing. Getting out was far worse,  husband almost fell between the boat and the dock. Boat was not stable at all, and having to duck down made it really hard to get up to the dock.

 

The boat itself, was small and e ermine in board got sea sick, due to the waves. Now the wind is not he excursions fault, but a bigger boat is always better. It was top heavy, and rocked way more than would be expected. 

No safety talk when we boarded. Random lifejackets just sitting around the boat. 

No snorkelling safety vests, no one came in the water with us, as I've experienced on other snorkelling excursions. At least there as a rope and life ring, most of us held onto the rope so we didn't drift too far from the boat. 

Boat was rocking so much, a lot of us fell getting out. Getting in wasn't much better.

Cold pop and water was offered as help yourself from a cooler. 

Bus ride back had less traffic, but due to this the driver was speeding and passing many cars as we were late back to the ship, again didn't feel safe.

 

I have read that Celebrity has many complaints about this and other Windward Coast tours. And may revisit these excursions. My advice would be not to do any of these tours unless there is a significant change to safety and timelines are explained. 

 

[sunlover2]

Thank you for warning us. Sorry you had to experience that.